A detailed evaluation intended to assure that, for any structure, the deformations will be sufficiently below allowable values that structural failure will not occur. The deformations may be elastic (fully recoverable) or inelastic (permanent). They may be small, with an associated structural failure that is cosmetic; for example, the deflection of a beam supporting a ceiling may cause cracking of the plaster. They may be large, with an associated structural failure that is catastrophic; for example, the buckling of a column or the fracture of a tension member causes complete collapse of the structure.