BEAM

A beam is a structural member subject to bending and is probably the most common structural element that designers have to cope with. Bending occurs in a member when a component of load is applied perpendicular to the member axis, and some distance from a support. Bending causes curvature of a member. Commonly, beams are horizontal, and load vertically downwards. Most beams span (=If a bridge spans a river, it goes from one side to the other) between two or more fixed points.
- A Simply supported beam
- A cantilever beam
- A simply supported beam with a cantilever end
- A continuous beam
The beam is made up of two flanges (a flat surface sticking out from an object, which is used to fix it to something or to make it stronger) and a web