arnentals of

fundcuralSteel Design
StftJC
....
Chapter 05 - Beams and Other
FlexuralMembers 191

Beams and Other

Flexural Members
5.1 INTRODUCTf ON
Beams are members acted upon primarily by transverse loading (i.e., loads
5.2 TYPES OF BEAMS
Beams are usually designated by names that are representati ve of thir func
or ngid f-rames. A stringer is a main longitudinal beam, usually supprting bndge
decks. A fl oor bea111 is a transverse beam in bridge decks. A spandr(l IS
t in ex enor s1 es o e u1 ·
ll.t ler, are someh mes used.
Corn . d rd hot-rolled shapes includ
stren e most efficient. Channls have go

- .re s&.th,and they require horizontal bracing

: i.

llltable only for light loads.

teral support. Tees and angles

v D 0 <J
., loads that are applied at right angles to the longitudinal axis of the member). Th

hir funcons:

ndr(l IS a beam on the outside . f th b 'Id. g A girt is a light beam that spports only

s including W, S .... tnonly used beam cross sections are stan a h as and
e member). They are primarily subjected to flexure or bending. Beams may be subj

hat spports only the lightweight pert1 eter.do ef thut b i;ding Other terms, such

h as and M sections are / ' and L shapes. Dou bly symmetn fl ral str
 Beams may be subject (unavoidably) by some axial loading. The effect of axial Jo

ng Other terms, such as header, tnmmer, and

symmetn fl ral strength but poor in lateral

The effect of axial Joads is generally negligible, and the member is treated strictly
ber is treated strictly as a beam. However, if the axial compressive load is substanti
sive load is substantial in magnitu de, the member is called a beam column, \hich w
eam column, \hich will be discussed in the next chapter.