The ultimate load method (ULM) was evolved in 1950 as an alternative to the WSM. The method Relies on the ultimate strength of reinforced concrete at the ultimate load. The ultimate load is obtained by enhancing the service load by some factor referred to as a load factor for giving a desired margin of safety. Thus the method is also referred to as the load factor method or the ultimate strength method. The ULM was introduced as an alternative to WSM in the ACI Code in 1956, the British Codes in 1957 and the Indian Code in 1964.