A stress limiting device comprising a plurality of parallel elements each consisting of an outer member and an inner member, the inner member being of convoluted, sinuous, corrugated or like form and the peaks of the convolutions or the like being in frictional contact with the associated outer member, the arrangement being such that stress may be applied between the several inner members on the one hand and the several outer members on the other hand to cause bodily movement of the whole of each inner member relative to the whole of the associated outer member.