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Beams. What is a beam ?. Beam - definition. A beam is a structural element that carries transverse loads A beam is long, compared to the dimensions of its cross section It does not carry loads in the direction along the length of the beam. Types of beam.
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Beams What is a beam?
Beam - definition • A beam is a structural element that carries transverse loads • A beam is long, compared to the dimensions of its cross section • It does not carry loads in the direction along the length of the beam.
Types of beam • Each type of beam is defined by how it is supported • At each support there will be REACTIONS (i.e. reactions to the applied transverse loading) • A reaction may be a vertical force (to maintain vertical equilibrium with the applied loads) • Or a reaction may be a rotational moment (to maintain rotational equilibrium of the beam)
Statically determinate (and indeterminate) beams Static equilibrium gives 2 conditions for any of the beams on the last slide: • Vertical equilibrium • Rotational equilibrium • Because beams do not carry loads along their length horizontal equilibrium does not provide any information about the beam. As we only have 2 useful equilibrium conditions we can only determine the reactions for any of the beams with only 2 reactions (2 forces or 1 force + 1 moments) using the method of static equilibrium. For all other types of beams more sophisticated methods of analysis must be used (not covered in this specification).