Beams are structural supports that transfer transverse loads to vertical supports. They distribute weight evenly, reducing hot spots and pressure points. Beams come in various styles, including wood, metal, and truss. Beam design can be complicated, and manufacturing must adhere to safety standards. The arrangement of beams can create usage restrictions, but some designers use them as decorative elements.
A beam is a structural support designed to carry transverse loads and transfer those loads to vertical supports such as columns. Beams are used in the construction of buildings, bridges and some types of heavy equipment and come in a variety of styles. They are usually designed by engineers who also determine their placement, aiming for maximum structural stability and efficiency. Readers of wiseGEEK who frequently pass by or over a bridge have likely seen girders in action, as girder bridges are the most common type of bridge design.
If all of a structure’s weight were carried vertically, the structure would be in danger of collapsing or warping. The beams are designed to help distribute weight evenly. They reduce the development of hot spots and pressure points when installed correctly, adding transverse bracing that makes structures safer and more stable. Beams can connect with columns, joists and beams in a structure.
The simplest beam is simply a block of wood or concrete to which other structural supports can be bolted. Beams can also be made from metal that has been shaped or forged, with I, H and Z shapes used in various types of construction along with tubular or box beams, which have a hollow core. An engineer may also choose to make a beam by welding multiple pieces together to create a truss where large horizontal pieces are joined by smaller vertical ones creating a series of triangles to distribute weight and pressure.
Beam design can get very complicated, especially with custom or complex structures. Basic buildings and bridges can be made with pre-manufactured beams, saving costs, but for large projects it is often necessary to fabricate beams. The manufacturing process must be closely monitored to ensure that beams adhere to standards of construction, for safety and structural integrity, and beams are usually inspected after installation to confirm they have been installed correctly and to check for of signs of security problems.
The arrangement of the beams can sometimes create usage restrictions for a structure. Because the integrity of a structure is paramount, beams take priority over walls and interior spaces, and compromises sometimes have to be made to accommodate beams. Some designers specialize in developing innovative and creative layouts where the beams do not hinder the utility of the space or where the beams are used as decorative elements in addition to structural ones.
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