beams_introduction-min

Common types of beams and their associated forces

ZIMSEC O Level Combined Science Notes: An introduction to Beams and their types

  • A beam is any material that is supported so that it can hold a load
  • A simple beam is a length of material e.g steel supported along its length so that it can hold a load
  • at right angles to its length
  • A simply supported beam is a beam that rests on support at both ends or
  • on one support in the middle
  • A cantilever beam is a beam one end of which is built into a rigid support such as a wall
  • A cantilever beam is a projecting beam fixed only at one end
  • A fixed beam is a beam which is supported on both ends and is restrained from rotating

To access more topics go to the Combined Science Notes page.