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Types of Beam

Beam:

Beam is a structural member used to resist the applies load. Generally, beam is used to resist the shear force, vertical load and bending moment. Beam is horizontal element which is imposed on end points between walls, columns, pillars, foundations etc. in the past beams were square, timber, metals, stone combination of timber and metal for example filth beam. Beams are used to carry vertical load. Beam is a flexible member which can resist the compression and tension force. For example, in reinforcement, steel have ability to resist the tension. While concrete used to resist the compression force. There is different type of beam, based on shape, based on geometry, based on supports, based on equilibrium conditions. The types of beam are given in detail which is given below:

Types of Beam

Types of beam:

There are different types of beam based on their shapes, support, construction etc. beams are used in the construction of structures. These are horizontal structural elements that support vertical loads, shear forces, and bending moments. In this article the different types of beam will be discuss.The types of beam according to various factors is given below:

Based on support:

The types of beam based on support are:

  1. Simply supported beam
  2. Continuous beam
  3. Over hanging beam
  4. Double over hanging
  5. Cantilever beam
  6. Fixed beam
  7. Trussed beam
Simply supported beam

It is the type of beam in which on end is roller and other end is pinned. The simply supported beam is the simplest structure element because the both ends are rest on support.in this type of beam the one end is free to rotate and have not any ability to resist moment.

Continuous beam:

Continuous beam is the type of beam in which have more than two supports distributed through its entire length.

Over hanging beam:

Over hanging beam is the type of beam in which both or single end are extended beyond the support. It may have any number of supports but the condition the one or both end should be extended. The both ends in over hanging beams are roller support.

Double over hanging:

In this type of beam the both ends of beam are over hanging beyond the supports is known as double over hanging beam. there is difference between over hanging beam and double over hanging beam. In over hanging beam the one side is over hanging while in double over hanging the both side is over hanging beyond the supports.

Cantilever beam:

Cantilever beam is the type of beam in which one end is fix and one is free. This beam can resist the shear force and bending moment. Cantilever beam is mostly used in buildings, bridges, and trusses etc.

Fixed beam:

In this type of beam the both end is fixed. Fixed beam resist the vertical load, horizontal load and also moment. This type of beam is used in building, trusses or other structures.

Trussed beam:

Trussed beam is the type of beam in which cables or rod are added for getting the more strength to form a truss.

Based on equilibrium condition:

The type of beam based on equilibrium condition are given below:

  1. Statically determinant
  2. Statically indeterminate
Statically determinant:

A beam is said to be determinant if it can be analyzed by basic equilibrium condition. These three condition should be obeying then it will be statically determinant. The three condition are as follow:

  • The sum of all vertical forces is equal to zero.
  • The sum of all horizontal forces is equal to zero.
  • The sum of moment forces is equal to zero.

The example of statically determinant beams is cantilever beam, simply supported beam.

Statically in determinant:

A beam is said to be in determinant if it can be analyzed by basic equilibrium condition. These three condition should be obeying then it will be statically in determinant. The end can be find by using basic equilibrium equation and also addition of other conditions like strain energy method, virtual energy method etc. the example statically in determinant beam is continuous beam, fixed beam.

Based on material:   

The type of beam based on equilibrium condition are given below:

  1. Concrete beam
  2. Steel beam
  3. RCC beam
  4. Timber beam
  5. Composite beam
Concrete beam:

This type of beam is constructed from concrete consist of cement, fine aggregate and coarse aggregate.

Timber:

The beam which is made from wood

RCC beam:

The beam which is constructed from reinforcement of concrete composed of cement, fine aggregate, coarse aggregate and steel bar. Reinforcement beam is used widely nowadays in construction site.

Steel beam:

The beam which is constructed from steel. This type of beam is used in steel structures example of steel structure is girder. Steel beam mostly used in bridges, flyovers and buildings.

Composite beam:

The beam which is constructed from two or more different types of materials for example wood plus steel and concrete plus steel.

Based on cross section:

The types of beam based on cross section are:

  1. T – Beam
  2. I – beam
  3. C – Beam
  4. H – beam
  5. L – beam
T – Beam:

This type of beam has T cross section has shown in fig.

I – Beam:

This beam has I cross section. I – beam has high resistance against bending. This I – Beam is a single piece of steel; it was firstly use by Alphonse Halbou in 1849. This beam is commonly made of steel or sometimes it is also prepared from aluminum or other materials. There are two types of I-beam that is given below:

  • Rolled I – Beam
  • Plate girder

Rolled I-beam:

Rolled I-beam is prepared by hot rolling; cold rolling or extrusion it is depending on their material.

Plate girder:

Plate girder is prepared by welding sometimes bolting or riveting plates.

C – beam:

The beam has C cross section. This type of beam is also known as channel beam or parallel flange channel (PFC). In c – beam there is two flanges and a single web.

This beam is not mostly used in construction as regular beams because the bending axis of c – beam is not centered on the breadth of the flanges. If a load is applied on top, the beam will tend to twist away from the web

H – Beam:

The beam that has H cross section

L – Beam:

The beam that has L cross section  

Based on geometry:

The types of beam based on cross section are:

  1. Straight beam
  2. Curved beam
  3. Tapered beam
Straight beam:

That beam which is straight in alignment or have straight profile. Most of beam in construction site are straight beams

Curved beam:

The shape of beam is curved. This type of beam is used in curved places or curved shape is required then this type of beam should be use. There are two kinds of curved beam first is the beams with small initial curvature, while the second is the beams with large initial curvature, however there is no clear recognizable difference in the definition of first and second sections.

Tapered beam:

The beam which has tapered cross section.

Based on method of construction:

The types of beam based on method of construction are:

  1. Cast in situ concrete beam
  2. Pre cast concrete beam
  3. Pre stressed concrete beam
Cast in situ concrete beam:

The cast in situ concrete beam are constructed on the site. In this type of beam the fresh concrete is prepared on site and poured it in the mold or shuttering of beam for heavy construction the ready mix concrete is poured in shuttering of beam after that it is allowed to hardened then load would be imposed.

Precast concrete beam:

The beam which is constructed off site means in the factory. The precast beam is manufactured more suitable than on site construction and also the quality of precast concrete beam is greater than prepared on site. the different types or shapes of beam is manufactured in factories for example T – beam, H – beam, L – beam, C – beam etc.

Pre- stressed concrete beam:

This type of beam is constructed by applying internal stresses before applying loads on beam to reduce potential tensile stresses. Pre stressed concrete beam is design for higher strength and in a reduction of cross sectional dimension and consequent weight saving. The types of pre stressed concrete beam is:

  1. Pre – tensioned concrete beam
  2. Post – tensioned concrete beam

Pre – tensioned concrete beam:

In this type of beam the beam is manufactured in factory. Before concreting the tendons are placed and tensioned against the ends of casting bed. The advantage of pre tensioned concrete beam is tendons are bonded to the concrete very well to the whole length.

Post tensioned concrete beam:

The post tensioned concrete beam is manufactured on the site. Post tensioning tendons are mostly internal but it can be external. The advantage of post tensioned concrete beam is it does not require large number of anchorages which is required for pre tensioned concrete beam    

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