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Beam Calculations
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Beam Design
Industry
Beam Span
Ste e l B e am s
Conc re te B e am
B e am B e ndi ng
Canti l e v e r B e am
Conti nuous B e am
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Struc tural Software
In contrast to a simply supported beam, which has supports at each end and a load that
is distributed in some way along its length, a continuous beam is much stiffer and
stronger. A bridge that is made up of beams that span between only two supports is
called a simply supported beam bridge. If two or more beams are joined together rigidly
over multiple supports, the bridge becomes continuous.
The two main factors for consideration in the design of a continuous beam are the type
of load and the strength characteristics of the material used to construct the beam. The
reactions that occur at the supports of a simply supported beam can be determined by
analyzing only the forces applied to the beam. For this reason, simple beams are known
as statically determinate. A continuous beam has more supports than are required to
provide equilibrium, and the deformation behavior under load is also considered when
determining the support reactions. As a result, this type of beam is known as statically
indeterminate.
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The construction of a continuous beam will influence its bending and deflection when a
force is applied. Carbon steel is commonly used for structural beams due to its high
strength and resistance to bending. Beams are also constructed using a variety of other
materials, including wood, aluminum, and concrete, depending upon the application.
Today, these types of beams are often designed using engineering software that accepts
input data and determines a design to meet the performance requirements. Input
factors may include the types of forces applied, the span between supports, the beam
shape, the material strength properties, and the mechanical connections to other
structural members.
A continuous beam must be designed to withstand forces and stress while minimizing
weight, space requirements, and material cost. Most beams are designed with a safety
factor, which serves to oversize the beam to protect against loading and other factors
that cannot be predicted in advance. The selection of an appropriate safety factor is
based on the specific application in combination with good engineering judgment. A
margin of safety that is too high will drive a beam design that is larger than needed,
causing possible weight problems and higher fabrication costs.
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@MagicStrom: Yes, all true. Carbon steel beams are an essential part of
building modern bridges but carbon steel is not without its
drawbacks.
Welding carbon steel can be can be done using stainless steel
electrodes (or aluminum bronze). But beware! The stainless steel is
electropositive, and if there's moisture present, both the zinc and the
exposed carbon steel next to the weld metal will corrode to protect the
stainless steel (or the aluminum bronze). The key is to use galvanized
steel before it's welded.
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