What is the difference between working stress method

and limit state method in the design of beams, slabs,

columns, and footing with examples that are easy to
understand?

The cardinal difference between Working state method (WSM) and Limit State
method (LSM) is: WSM is an elastic design method whereas LSM is a plastic design
method.
In elastic design, i.e. WSM, the design strength is calculated such that the stress
in material is restrained to its yield limit, under which the material follows Hooke's
law, and hence the term "elastic" is used. This method yields to uneconomical design
of simple beam, or other structural elements where the design governing criteria is
stress (static). However, in case of shift of governing criteria to other factors such as
fatigue stress, both the methods will give similar design. Also, WSM substantially
reduces the calculation efforts.
Now coming to plastic design, i.e. LSM, as the name suggests, the stress in
material is allowed to go beyond the yield limit and enter into the plastic zone to
reach ultimate strength. Hence the "moment-rotation" capacity of beam, for
example, is utilized making the design more economical. However, due to the
utilization of the non-linear zone this method involves arduous calculation.
All other differences are mostly derived from the above stated fundamental
difference along with few general differences. Some of these differences are stated
below:
1) Serviceability check in case of LSM is required because after the elastic region
strain is higher, which results in more deformation, hence a check is necessary.
2) LSM is strain based method whereas WSM is stress based method.
3) LSM is non-deterministic method whereas WSM is deterministic approach.
4) Partial safety factor is used in LSM whereas Safety factor is used in WSM.
5) Characteristic values (derived from probabilistic approach) are used in case of
LSM whereas Average or statistic values are used
WORKING STRESS METHOD: Its a traditional method used for reinforced concrete
design where concrete is assumed as elastic, steel and concrete act together elastically
where the relation ship between loads and stresses is linear.
ASSUMPTIONS:
1. A Section which is plane before bending remain plane after bending ( based
on theory of bending, Bernoullis equation).
2. Bond between steel and concrete is perfect with in elastic limit of steel.
3. All tensile stresses are taken by reinforcement and none by concrete, except
as otherwise specifically permitted.
4. The stress-strain relation ship of steel and concrete under working loads , is
a straight line i.e modulus of elasticity is constant.

5. The modular ration m has the value (280/sigmacbc), where (sigmacbc) is

the permissible compressive stress due to bending in concrete in N/mm2.
LIMIT STATE METHOD: Its a method of designing structures based on concept of
safety and its probability of safety. Here in addition to ultimate load approach
addition serviceability is also given importance. Limit state is a condition just before
collapse. A structure designed by limit state should give proper strength and
serviceability through out its life
ASSUMPTIONS:
1. Plane section normal to the axis of the member remain plane after bending.
2. The tensile strength of concrete is ignored.
3. The maximum strain in concrete at the outer most compression fiber is
0.0035
4. The compressive stress strain curve may be assumed to be
rectangular,trapezoidal , parabola , or any other shapes results in the
prediction of strength in substantial agreements with results of tests
PRINCIPLE LIMIT STATES:
Limit state of collapse FLEXURE,COMPRESSION,SHEAR,TORSION
Limit state of serviceability DEFLECTION,CRACKING,VIBRATION.
The Working, Allowable or Permissible stress method is an elastic design method. In this
design method, members are designed to never go beyond their elastic range. The
primary benefit of this benefit is that the same loads used for checking flexural, shear,
torsional and axial design can also be used for serviceability checks, ie. the loads are not
amplified. This reduces book keeping efforts and removes one potential source of error
introduction. In practice, this means it is simpler.
Limit State or Load Resistance Factor design uses the ultimate strength of a member,
beyond initial yielding, to determine the allowable strength. The primary benefit of the
limit state design method is that it is generally produces more economical designs than
Working Stress Methods, and it provides a more consistent safety factor across all
elements. LRFD allows for more control and understanding of the structural behavior
by explicitly considering each load type independently.
In practice, the two design approaches have been calibrated to provide similar results for
common loading ranges. Things get a bit out of alignment when the dead load to
live/wind/earthquake load ratio is very high or low.
There are many articles on this topic if you google "ASD vs. LRFD". These will not only
explain in more technical detail, they will also give you the historical background to
understand how these two methods came to be.