Beams: Internal Forces and Stress Resultants

This lecture introduces the fundamental concepts of beams, a crucial structural element in engineering. It begins with an overview of beam types and their significance in structural mechanics. The instructor discusses the method for calculating stress resultants, which include internal loads such as forces and moments. The lecture emphasizes the importance of understanding how these internal forces vary along the length of a beam, particularly when subjected to distributed loads. The instructor illustrates the concept of internal load diagrams, which graphically represent the changes in normal force, shear force, and bending moment along the beam. Additionally, the lecture touches on the historical context of beam analysis, referencing early contributions from notable figures in the field. The session concludes with practical examples and applications, reinforcing the theoretical concepts presented. Overall, this lecture provides a comprehensive foundation for analyzing beam structures and understanding their behavior under various loading conditions.