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Concept
Beam (structure)
Summary
A beam is a structural element that primarily resists loads applied laterally to the beam's axis (an element designed to carry primarily axial load would be a strut or column). Its mode of deflection is primarily by bending. The loads applied to the beam result in reaction forces at the beam's support points. The total effect of all the forces acting on the beam is to produce shear forces and bending moments within the beams, that in turn induce internal stresses, strains and deflections of the beam. Beams are characterized by their manner of support, profile (shape of cross-section), equilibrium conditions, length, and their material.
Beams are traditionally descriptions of building or civil engineering structural elements, where the beams are horizontal and carry vertical loads. However, any structure may contain beams, for instance automobile frames, aircraft components, machine frames, and other mechanical or structural systems. In these structures, any structural element, in any orientation, that primarily resists loads applied laterally to the element's axis would be a beam element.
Historically beams were squared timbers but are also metal, stone, or combinations of wood and metal such as a flitch beam. Beams primarily carry vertical gravitational forces. They are also used to carry horizontal loads (e.g., loads due to an earthquake or wind or in tension to resist rafter thrust as a tie beam or (usually) compression as a collar beam). The loads carried by a beam are transferred to columns, walls, or girders, which then transfer the force to adjacent structural compression members and eventually to the ground. In light frame construction, joists may rest on beams.
In engineering, beams are of several types:
Simply supported – a beam supported on the ends which are free to rotate and have no moment resistance.
Fixed or encastré (encastrated) – a beam supported on both ends and restrained from rotation.
Overhanging – a simple beam extending beyond its support on one end.
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