1

Introduction to Beams
A beam is a
horizontal structural
member used to
support loads
Beams are used to
support the roof and
floors in buildings
2
Introduction to Beams
Common shapes are



I Angle Channel

Common materials are steel and wood

Source: Load & Resistance Factor Design (First Edition), AISC
3
Introduction to Beams
The parallel portions on an I-beam or H-beam are
referred to as the flanges. The portion that connects the
flanges is referred to as the web.
Flanges
Web
Flanges
Web
4
Introduction to Beams
Beams are supported in structures via
different configurations

Source: Statics (Fifth Edition), Meriam and Kraige, Wiley
5
Introduction to Beams
Beams are designed to support various
types of loads and forces
Concentrated Load Distributed Load
Source: Statics (Fifth Edition), Meriam and Kraige, Wiley
6
Beam Theory
Consider a simply supported beam of
length, L. The cross section is
rectangular, with width, b, and depth, h.
L
b
h
7
Beam Theory
An area has a centroid, which is similar to a center of
gravity of a solid body.
The centroid of a symmetric cross section can be easily
found by inspection. X and Y axes intersect at the
centroid of a symmetric cross section, as shown on the
rectangular cross section.
h/2
h/2
b/2 b/2
X - Axis
Y - Axis
8
Beam Theory
An important variable in beam design is the moment of
inertia of the cross section, denoted by I.
Inertia is a measure of a bodys ability to resist rotation.
Moment of inertia is a measure of the stiffness of the
beam with respect to the cross section and the ability of
the beam to resist bending.
As I increases, bending and deflection will decrease.
Units are (LENGTH)
4
, e.g. in
4
, ft
4
, cm
4
9
Beam Theory
I can be derived for any common area using calculus.
However, moment of inertia equations for common cross
sections (e.g., rectangular, circular, triangular) are readily
available in math and engineering textbooks.
For a rectangular cross section,




b is the dimension parallel to the bending axis. h is the
dimension perpendicular to the bending axis.
12
bh
3
x
= I
b
h
X-axis (passing
through centroid)
10
Beam Theory
Example: Calculate the moment of inertia about the X-
axis for a yardstick that is 1 high and thick.
12
bh
3
x
= I
b = 0.25
h = 1.00
( )( )
12
in 1.00 in 0.25
3
x
= I
4
x
in 0.02083 = I
X-Axis
Y-Axis
11
Beam Theory
Example: Calculate the moment of inertia about the Y-
axis for a yardstick that is 1 high and thick.
h = 0.25
b = 1.00
X-Axis
Y-Axis
12
bh
3
y
= I
( )( )
12
in 0.25 in 1.00
3
y
= I
4
y
in 0.00130 = I
12
Beam Theory
Suppose a concentrated load, P, is applied
to the center of the simply supported
beam.
P
L
13
Beam Theory
The beam will bend downward as a result
of the load P.
P
14
Beam Theory
The deflection () is the vertical
displacement of the of the beam as a
result of the load P.
Deflection,
L
15
Beam Theory
The deflection () of a simply supported, center loaded
beam can be calculated from the following formula:
I 48E
PL

3
=
where,
P = concentrated load (lbs.)
L = span length of beam (in.)
E = modulus of elasticity
(lbs./in.
2
)
I = moment of inertia of axis
perpendicular to load P (in.
4
)

L
P
16
Beam Theory
Modulus of elasticity, E, is a property that indicates the
stiffness and rigidity of the beam material. For example,
steel has a much larger modulus of elasticity than wood.
Values of E for many materials are readily available in
tables in textbooks. Some common values are
Material Modulus of Elasticity
(psi)
Steel 30 x 10
6
Aluminum 10 x 10
6

Wood ~ 2 x 10
6

17
Beam Theory
Example: Calculate the deflection in the steel beam
supporting a 500 lb load shown below.
P = 500 lb
L = 36
b = 3
h = 2
12
bh
3
= I
I 48E
PL

3
=
18
Beam Theory
Step 1: Calculate the moment of inertia, I.
12
bh
3
= I
( )( )
12
in 2 in 3
3
= I
4
in 2 = I
19
Beam Theory
Step 2: Calculate the deflection, .
I 48E
PL

3
=
( )( )
( )
4
2
6
3
in 2
in
lb
10 x 30 48
in 36 lb 500

|
.
|

\
|
=
( )( )
( )
4
2
6
3
in 2
in
lb
10 x 30 48
in 46656 lb 500

|
.
|

\
|
=
in 0.0081 =
20
Beam Theory
These calculations are very simple for a solid, symmetric
cross section.
Now consider slightly more complex symmetric cross
sections, e.g. hollow box beams. Calculating the
moment of inertia takes a little more effort.
Consider a hollow box beam as shown below:
4 in.
6 in.
0.25 in.
21
Beam Theory
The same equation for moment of inertia, I = bh
3
/12, can
be used.
Treat the outer dimensions as a positive area and the
inner dimensions as a negative area, as the centroids of
both are about the same X-axis.
Positive Area
Negative Area
X-axis X-axis
22
Beam Theory
Calculate the moment of inertia about the X-axis for the
positive area and the negative area using I = bh
3
/12.
The outer dimensions will be denoted with subscript o
and the inner dimensions will be denoted with subscript
i.
b
i
= 3.5 in.
h
o
= 6 in.
h
i
= 5.5 in.
b
o
= 4 in.
X-axis
23
Beam Theory
b
i
= 3.5 in.
h
o
= 6 in.
h
i
= 5.5 in.
b
o
= 4 in.
X-axis
12
h b
3
o o
pos
= I
12
h b
3
i i
neg
= I
( )( )
12
in 6 in 4
3
pos
= I
( )( )
12
in 5.5 in 3.5
3
neg
= I
24
Beam Theory
Simply subtract I
neg
from I
pos
to calculate the moment of
inertia of the box beam, I
box
4 in.
6 in.
0.25 in.
neg pos box
- I I I =
( )( ) ( )( )
12
in 5.5 in 3.5
12
in 6 in 4
3 3
box
= I
4
box
in 23.5 = I
12
h b
12
h b
3
i i
3
o o
box
= I
( )( ) ( )( )
12
in 166.4 in 3.5
12
in 216 in 4
3 3
box
= I
25
Beam Theory
The moment of inertia of an I-beam can be calculated in
a similar manner.
26
Beam Theory
Identify the positive and negative areas
Positive Area Negative Area
27
Beam Theory
and calculate the moment of inertia similar to the box
beam (note the negative area dimensions and that it is
multiplied by 2).
b
o

h
i

b
i
b
i

h
o

12
h b 2
12
h b
3
i i
3
o o
=
beam I
I
28
Beam Theory
The moment of inertia of an H-beam can be calculated in
a similar manner
29
Beam Theory
The moment of inertia of an H-beam can be calculated in
a similar manner
30
Beam Theory
however, the H-beam is divided into three positive
areas.
b
2

b
1

h
2

h
1

b
1

h
1

12
h b
12
h b
12
h b
3
1 1
3
2 2
3
1 1
beam - H
+ + = I
12
h b
12
h b 2
3
2 2
3
1 1
beam - H
+ = I
31
Beam Theory
Example: Calculate the deflection in the I-beam shown
below. The I-beam is composed of three x 4 steel
plates welded together.
L = 8 ft
P = 5000 lb
f
x 4 steel plate (typ.)
32
Beam Theory
First, calculate the moment of inertia for an I-beam as
previously shown, i.e. divide the cross section of the
beam into positive and negative areas.
b
o
= 4 in.
b
i
= b
i

12
h b 2
12
h b
3
i i
3
o o
=
beam I
I
h
o
= 5 in. h
i
= 4 in.
33
Beam Theory
First, calculate the moment of inertia for an I-beam as
previously shown, i.e. divide the cross section of the
beam into positive and negative areas.
b
o
= 4 in.
b
i
=1.75in b
i

( ) ( ) ( ) ( )
12
4in 1.75in 2
12
5in 4in
3 3
=
beam I
I
h
o
= 5 in. h
i
= 4 in.
4
in 23.0 =
beam I
I
34
Beam Theory
Next, calculate the deflection (E
steel
= 30 x 10
6
psi).
I 48E
PL

3
=
L = 8 ft
P = 5000 lb
f
35
Beam Theory
Calculate the deflection, .
I 48E
PL

3
=
( )( )
( )
4
2
f
6
3
in 23
in
lb
10 x 30 48
in 96 lb 5000

|
.
|

\
|
=
( )( )
( )
4
2
6
3
in 23
in
lb
10 x 30 48
in 884736 lb 5000

|
.
|

\
|
=
in 0.134 =
36
Beam Theory
Example: Calculate the volume and mass of the beam if
the density of steel is 490 lb
m
/ft
3
.
L = 8 ft x 4 steel plate (typ.)
37
Beam Theory
Volume = (Area) x (Length)
( )( )( ) 8ft 4in 0.5in 3 V =
AL V=
( )( ) in 96 2.0in 3 V
2
=
3
in 576 V =
38
Beam Theory
Convert to cubic feet
3
3
12in
1ft
in 576 V
|
.
|

\
|
=
|
|
.
|

\
|
=
3
3
3
1728in
1ft
576in V
3
ft 0.333 V =
39
Beam Theory
Calculate mass of the beam
Mass = Density x Volume
V m=
( )
3
3
m
0.333ft
ft
lb
490 m
|
.
|

\
|
=
m
lb 163.3 m=
40
Materials
Basswood can be purchased from hobby or craft
stores. Hobby Lobby carries many common
sizes of basswood. DO NOT purchase balsa
wood.
1201 teams must submit a receipt for the
basswood.
The piece of basswood in the Discovery Box
WILL NOT be used for Project 2.
Clamps and glue are provided in the Discovery
Box. Use only the glue provided.
41
Assembly
I-beams and H-beams: Begin by
marking the flanges along the
center where the web will be
glued.
Box beams: No marking is
necessary.
I-beams and H-beams: Apply a
small amount of glue along the
length of the web and also to the
flange.
Box beams: Apply a small
amount of glue two one side and
the bottom to form an L shaped
section.
42
Assembly
I-beams and H-beams: Press
the two pieces together and hold
for a couple of minutes.
Box beams: Press the two pieces
together into an L shape and
hold for a couple of minutes.
I-beams and H-beams: Clamp
the pieces and allow the glue to
cure as instructed on the bottle.
Box beams: Clamp the pieces
and allow the glue to cure as
instructed on the bottle.
YOU MUST ALLOW EACH GLUE
JOINT TO CURE COMPLETELY
BEFORE CONTINUING ON TO
ADDITIONAL GLUE JOINTS!
43
Assembly
Stiffeners may be applied to the
web of an I or H beam or between
sides of a box beam.
Stiffeners are small pieces of
wood that aid in gluing and
clamping the beam together.
Stiffeners may be necessary if the
pieces of wood that the team has
chosen are thin (less than ~3/16).
Thin pieces of wood may collapse
when clamped together.
Stiffeners keep the flanges stable
during clamping and glue curing.