» What is a Beam
A structural element that has one dimension significantly greater than the other two, and carries loads applied laterally (transverse) to the main dimensional axis is generally termed a BEAM. Some typical examples of beams are shown at right (click on description below to see example):

• Floor Joists
• Steel I-beams
• Atomic Force Microscopes (AFMs)
• Glue-Lam Ceiling Joists

» Modeling Beams
Beams are typically classified according to both the way in which they are SUPPORTED (their end-conditions) and the way in which they are LOADED. Some examples are shown at right (click on description below to see example):

• Simply supported beam with two point loads.
• Cantilever beam with uniform distributed load (w) at free end.
• Built-in beam, or double cantilever beam, with varying distributed load, w(x).
• Simply-supported beam with linear distributed load and point moment, M.

» Beam Cross-sections and Materials
Beams are also classified according to the shape of their CROSS-SECTION and the MATERIAL from which they are constructed. Some common beam cross-sections and materials are shown at right (click on description below to see example):

• Rectangular Wooden Beam.
• Steel I-Beam.
• Aluminum Channel Beam.
• Rebar-reinforced Concrete Box Beam.
• Wood-Fiber Glass Composite T-Beam.