11.

Making Structures Strong: The Beam

Key Question: What features support and strengthen beams?
Some features are used in many structures. For example, most house frames look similar, even if the finished houses look different. One feature that is common to many structures is the beam. A beam is a horizontal structure that supports a load. A doorframe is an example of a structure that uses a beam (Figure 1). It has a horizontal upper beam and two vertical supports.
upper beam

beam a horizontal structure designed to support a load

Hint Horizontal objects extend from left to right. Vertical objects extend up and down.

vertical supports

Figure 1 Most doorframes have beams.

STRENGTHENING THE BEAM

Beams cannot always support large loads. Sometimes the beam needs to be made out of a stronger material or have a different form. Sometimes the beam needs to be strengthened.

Materials
Beams can be made of different materials, such as wood, stone, concrete, and steel. Choosing the right material for beams helps make structures strong and stable.

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An engineer needs to think about strength and weight when choosing the material for a beam. For example, a steel beam is stronger than a wood beam, but it is also heavier.

I-Beams
I-beam a beam that is in the shape of the letter I when seen from the end

Beams can have different forms. Some forms are stronger than others. The I-beam is a strong beam shape. Many buildings use I-beams (Figure 2).

Figure 2 I-beams give support to houses and other buildings.

Some homes use wooden I-beams, also called I-joists. They support the ceilings and floors. Wooden I-beams are lighter than steel beams, but they can support heavy loads.

Corrugation
corrugation multiple folds in a material that provide additional strength

Folding a beam makes it stronger. Ridges, grooves, or folds in a structure are called corrugation. Corrugation is common in cardboard boxes. A layer of folded paper is sandwiched between two layers of flat paper. Plastic and metal roofs also use corrugation for extra strength.

Rebar
Beams experience compression on top and tension on the bottom. Concrete beams are not good at resisting tension. Steel reinforcing bars add strength to concrete beams. These bars are called rebar. Concrete with rebar is called reinforced concrete. Reinforced concrete is good at resisting compression and tension.

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THE CANTILEVER
cantilever a beam supported at only one end

Beams do not always have vertical supports at both ends. A cantilever is a beam that has support at only one end. A tree branch and a diving board are examples of simple cantilevers. Many apartment balconies are also cantilevers. Cantilevers can go across long distances without a central support. They are useful when a central support would be hard to build (Figure 3).

Figure 3 This cantilever is on the Observation Tower over Niagara Falls.

Structural Support
Structural supports make cantilevers stronger. There are different types of structural supports. A tie is set at an angle above the beam. It connects the beam and its vertical support. It resists tension forces. A strut is set at an angle below the beam. It connects the beam and its vertical support. It resists compression forces. A gusset is a flat plate. It is usually triangular in shape. It reinforces the connection between the beam and its vertical support. It can be used to resist tension or compression.

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Name:

_________________________________________

Date: ________________________

Figure 4 shows how a tie, a strut, and a gusset can be used to support a cantilever.

tie

strut

gusset

Figure 4 The tie, strut, and gusset add support to the beam.

CHECK YOUR UNDERSTANDING

1. Name two places you have seen beams in your community.

2. (a) What is corrugation?

(b) Where is corrugation used?

3. Look at Figure 3. Why do you think the engineer used a cantilever beam in this location?

4. Think back to the Key Question. How do ties and struts strengthen beams? (Hint: What forces do they resist?)

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