| Structural beam plays crucial role in the overall | | | | beam analysis. In order to calculate the bending |
| stability and safety of the building or structure. | | | | and shear stresses it is necessary to calculate the |
| The process of determining the sufficiency of | | | | maximum shear and maximum bending moment |
| steel, wood or even a concrete beam is more or | | | | that take place within the beam. |
| less the same. | | | | The maximum shear and moment will most |
| Once you choose a beam, the process of | | | | commonly take place at various locations and the |
| structural analysis is as follows: | | | | process used to identify their value is critical for |
| # Identify the live and dead loads | | | | overall stability of structure. The other two pieces |
| # Calculate the stresses | | | | of information needed to identify the stresses is |
| # Compare the allowable stresses against the | | | | the section modulus and cross sectional area of |
| actual stresses | | | | the beam. The section modulus and cross |
| Determine the Loads: | | | | sectional area can be calculated, or in most cases |
| First step in the structural beam analysis is | | | | can be found out in tables (like AISC Steel Manual |
| identify the amount of load or weight the beam is | | | | for steel beams and the National Design |
| going to support. There are two types of loads: | | | | Specification for wood). |
| Dead Loads - this kind of loads are permanently | | | | Allowable Stress vs. Actual Stress: |
| attached to a structure such as weight of building | | | | For most structures the allowable stresses are |
| materials, fixtures, etc. Many times loads of | | | | mentioned in a design manual of some sorts (such |
| materials are exactly known and can be | | | | as AISC Steel Manual for steel and the NDS for |
| considered together to find out the total dead | | | | wood). |
| load. Sometimes the dead load is barely assumed | | | | While carrying beam design analysis, one must |
| and is added with an approximate weight. | | | | choose right structural design software and cad |
| Live Loads - this kind of load is temporarily placed | | | | techniques. Various engineering design software |
| on a structure such as loads from wind, vehicles, | | | | are available in the market for beams, columns, |
| etc. The amount of live loads is referenced in | | | | sections and foundation design. AutoCAD, |
| regional building codes. | | | | StaddPro and Tekla are most sought after |
| Calculating the Stresses: | | | | structural design software by structural engineers |
| While designing or analyzing a beam, two types of | | | | and designers. |
| stresses are calculated: bending stress and shear | | | | Email us at to help you in best possible way for |
| stress. A more comprehensive knowledge of both | | | | structural beam design and analysis related |
| shear tress and bending stress is required for | | | | requirements. |