Design of Steel Structures

5

Beams

5.1 Introduction

Beams are members that are supported and loaded transversely to the longitudinal axis of the member. The simplest type of beams are known as the simply supported beam (Figure 5.1(a)) in which one of the supports is a hinge which allows only rotation whereas the other support is a roller which allows both translation and rotation. Another type of beam that is commonly encountered is the cantilever beam (Figure 5.1(b)). In this type of beam, one end is rigid or fixed, which does not allow translation and rotation, whereas the other end is free. In a fixed beam (Figure 5.1(c)), both the ends of the beam are fixed or rigid, which do not allow translation and rotation. Other types of beams also encountered in steel structures ...