What is a Beam? and Types of Beams பீம் என்றால் என்ன? பீம்ஸ் வகைகள் என்ன?

What is a Beam?

Beam Definition: What is a Beam?

A beam, in Structural Engineering terms, is a member that can be comprised of a number of materials (including steel, wood aluminum) to withstand loads – typically applied laterally to the beam axis. Beams can also be referred to members, elements, rafters, shafts or purling.

An example of a Simply Supported Beam with a Distributed Load
Source: SkyCiv Beam

A beam can exist within a frame, a truss or on its own as its own structure. SkyCiv also has some write ups of each of the different types of beams, including cantilever beam, or continuous beam.

A 3D Rendering of an I-Beam
Source: SkyCiv Beam

Beam Shapes

Beams can come in a wide range of shapes that have different applications and strength purposes. Some common shapes are i beams (as shown in the 3D renderer above), T-beams, channel sections, rectangular, hollow rectangular and pipes. Regardless of the shape, they are all considered beams. In analysis and design, they are often picked up from different manufacturer libraries and databases so that the industry is all modeling structures based on the same shapes and dimensions.

Types of Beams

Support Configuration

The most common way that structural engineers classify beams is by their support configuration, there are many possible configurations however, these are the 4 most common types:

1. 1. Simply Supported
   2. Cantilever
   3. Continuous
   4. Fixed-Fixed

Simply Supported Beam

Source: SkyCiv Beam

Simply supported beams are defined as having two supports at either end – one pinned and one roller. This is generally considered as being the most simple type of beam. This is a very common type of beam and is determinate because there are three equilibrium equations and only 3 unknown reactions. 2 from the pinned support and 1 from the roller support.

Cantilever Beam

Source: Cantilever Beam Calculator

Cantilever Beams are supported from one end, using a Fixed Support. This is the only type of support that can be used in this scenario as it offers the moment resistance required for the beam to remain stable. If a pinned or roller support was used, it would not offer the moment restraint that the beam would need. A good example of a cantilever beam is a shop awning – where the beam is bolted directly into the wall. This is also a determinate beam because there are only 3 unknown reactions which, is equal to the number of equilibrium equations available.

Continuous Beam

Source: SkyCiv Beam

Continuous beams are multi-spanned beams that have multiple supports across the length of the beam. An example of a continuous beam would be a single beam that is supported by a number of columns along its length. This beam is indeterminate since there are more unknown reactions (6) than equilibrium equations available (3). This is then called a level 3 indeterminate beam.

Fixed Beam

Source: SkyCiv Beam

Fixed Beams have fixed supports at either end – offering moment resistance at either end. This type of beam may be used when the designer wants to control the deflection at the mid-span because the two fixed supports prevent rotation. This beam is also indeterminate as the unknown reactions (6) are greater than the equations available (3). This is also a level 3 indeterminate beam.

Overhanging Beam

Source: SkyCiv Beam

Overhanging beams are those with two supports, but unlike simply supported beams, one of the supports is not at the end of the member. A typical example of this is a balcony which is being extended from a frame structure. The frame offers the two supports, yet no support exists at the end of the member – allowing it to ‘overhang’ as the name suggests. This too is an indeterminate beam as the number of unknown reactions (4) is greater than equilibrium equations (3). This is a level 1 indeterminate beam.

 

How Connection Was Made Between Column And Brick Wall

 

Basic Components Of A Building

1- SUB-STRUCTURE

It is the Basic Components Of A Building You Should Know of a building situated underneath the surrounding ground.

2- SUPERSTRUCTURE

The portion which is situated above the ground level is called superstructure. The components of a building can be further classified as under

1- FOUNDATION

Foundation is the lowest part of a structure below the ground level which transfers all the loads (dead load, live load etc) to the soil.

2- PLINTH

The Portion of a building between the ground surrounding the building and the top floor just above the ground is termed as plinth. Plinth is provided to prevent the surface water from entering the building.

building.

3- DPC

DPC or damp proof course is a layer of waterproofing materials like asphalt, bitumen, waterproof cement etc on which the walls are constructed.

4- WALLS

Walls are the vertical members on which the roof finally rests. Walls are provided to divide the floor space in the desired pattern. Walls provide privacy, security, and protects from the sun, rain wind, cold etc.

5- COLUMN

Columns are the isolated load bearing member which carry the axial compressive load of a structure.

6- FLOORS

Floors can be defined as flat supporting elements dividing a building into different levels ( e.g first floor, second floor etc) to create more accommodation on a given land. They provide a firm and dry platform for people and other items like furniture, equipment, stores etc.

7- DOORS, WINDOWS, AND VENTILATION

Doors are provided as a barrier secured in an opening left in a wall to access the building, room or passage. A window may be defined as an opening left in a wall for the purpose of providing daylight, vision, natural air, and ventilation.

8- STAIRS

Stairs can be defined as a structure comprising a number of steps arranged in a series connecting one floor to another. Stairs are used to access various floors of the building.

9- ROOF

A roof is the topmost part of a building which covers the space below and protects from rain, direct sunlight, snow, the wind etc.

10- BUILDING FINISHES

Building finishes include items like plastering, pointing, washing, varnishing, painting, dis-tempering etc.

1- BUILDING SERVICES

Building services include services like water supply, drainage, lighting, sanitation, electricity, acoustics, ventilation, heating, air conditioning, fire detection, and control etc.

For more information watch these images below