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 as members, elements, rafters, shafts, or purlins.
An example of a 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-BeamBeam 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.
Further Reading
For a full reference of the different types of beams
Beam calculator – reactions at supports, sfd, bmd, and deflection results.
