10.10, BEAM OF UNIFORM STRENGTH In common practice, a beam of constant cross-section throughout the length is provided. ‘This gives rise of constant section modulus and has constant or uniform moment of resistance. Since the actual moment generally varies along the length, such a section is not economical. Under heavy loads, a beam of variable section is designed to have uniform strength. There can ‘be two such configurations : (/) beam of uniform width, and (ii) beam of uniform depth. We shall investigate both the configurations for the case of a beam with a concentrated load at the mid span It is to be noted that a beam of uniform strength has the same maximum bending stress all along the length. (@) Beam of constant width Let the depth vary along the length such that the depth at the distance x from the LH. support is de and that at the mid-span is d. gee be : 4 . Mux =f Zeaf.god on er Bit ane (2) LonciTuoma section Lee™ i 2" () PLAN enix To! FIG. 1021, BEAM OF UNIFORM STRENGTH Tr CONSTANT WIDTH which gives a= SE Ve neve (10.13) ‘Thus, the depth will be proportional to Vx and the variation of depth will be parabolic, as shown in Fig. 10.21(a). At the mid span, when x= wf 10.13 @) (6) Beam of constant depth Let the width of the beam vary along the length such that the width at a distance x from the r support be 6,, and that at the mid-span be d. 4 1 1a—+}—ue mney (a) Lonartuomat. section . Mec =fZe= J Ebel? reo But af (or Puan FIG, 1022 BEAM OF UNIFORM STRENGTH CONSTANT DEPTH