Type Of Beams Based On Continuity & Support Conditions
Beams are very important members of a building. They help to transfer loads from slabs to the columns in a building.
Beams could be classified based on several criteria such as the geometry, materials, support conditions, etc. of the beam system.
This post attempts to highlight the various classifications of beams based on continuity and support conditions.
So lets get started:
One advantage of beam continuity is that it helps to distribute the developing bending moments in the beam, so that required tension reinforcement in the beam is less than in a simply supported condition.
A continuous beam is one that has two or more supports that reinforce the beam. These supports are used under and between the beams and are typically vertical in nature.
A support is a structural member e.g. column on which another structural member rests e.g., beam, slab, etc.
Types of beams based on continuity and support conditions include:
Simply Supported Beam: A simply supported beam is a type of beam with simple supports. The support condition of simply supported beams is non-continuous. They are the simplest of beam types, and simple to design compared to other types of beams. Usually, a simply supported beam will rest on two columns, one at each end of the beam.
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| Simply supported beam example. Img src @ paramvision |
Continuous Beam: A continuous beam is a beam type that spans over more than 2 supports. A continuous beam, i.e. a beam that has more than two supports, is statically indeterminate. The reactions in the supports of a continuous beam cannot be obtained with the equations of static equilibrium only. For the calculation of the reactions in the supports each section is considered as an independent beam. The action of the adjacent part is substituted by a moment in the support between the sections. The equation for determining these moments is known as the theorem of three moments. (Leah W. Ratner, in Non-Linear Theory of Elasticity and Optimal Design, 2003).
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| Continuous beam. Img src @quora |
Cantilever Beam:
Overhanging Beam:
Fixed Beam:
