THEORY OF STRUCTURE

MICROPROJECT
Topic:
Draw the cross-section of rail components
and Prepare the detailed report with site
photographs

Made By:
Soumya Omprakash Sonawane
Yashodeep Lakhesingh Patil
Yogendra Somsing Rajput
And Guided By:
Mr. D.D Shelke
Cantilever Beam

A cantilever beam is a rigid structural element supported at one end and free at the other, as
shown in Figure-1. The cantilever beam can be either made of concrete or steel whose one
end is cast or anchored to a vertical support. It is a horizontal beam structure whose free end
is exposed to vertical loads.

In a building, a cantilever is constructed as an extension of a continuous beam, and in

bridges, it is a segment of a cantilever girder.  It can be constructed either cast-in-situ or by
segmental construction by pre-stressing methods.

Cantilever construction allows overhanging structures without additional supports and

bracing. This structural element is widely used in the construction of bridges, towers, and
buildings, and can add a unique beauty to the structure.

Structural Behaviour of Cantilever Beam

A cantilever beam bends downwards when it is subjected to vertical loads, as shown in

Figure. A cantilever beam can be subjected to point load, uniform load, or varying load.
Irrespective of the type of load, it bends downwards by creating a convexity upwards. This
bending creates tension in the upper fibre and compression in the lower fibres. Hence main
reinforcement is provided to the upper fibre of the concrete beam, as there is high tensile
stress as shown in Figure.

Shear Force (SF) and Bending Moment (BM) Diagram of Cantilever Beam

The shear force at any section of a cantilever beam is the sum of loads between the section
and the free end. The bending moment at a given section of a cantilever beam is the sum of
moments about the section of all the loads acting between the section and the free end.

Consider a cantilever beam AB of length 'l' subjected to a point load 'W' at the end B. A
section X-X at a distance 'x' from the free end B is placed. Then the shear force at section X-
X is Rx, which is equal to W and the bending moment about the section X-X is Mx, which is
equal to W.x.

The shear force at the fixed support A is determined by keeping the section at A, which gives
the shear force Ra=W; and moment Ma = W.l.
Applications of Cantilever Beam in Construction:

Cantilever beam structures are used in the following applications:

 Construction of cantilever beams and balconies

 Temporary cantilever support structures
 Freestanding radio towers without guy-wires
 Construction of cantilever beam for pergolas
 Lintel construction in buildings

Advantages and Disadvantages of Cantilever Beams

The important advantages of cantilever beams are:

Cantilever beams do not require support on the opposite side.

The negative bending moment created in cantilever beams helps to counteract the positive
bending moments created.

Cantilever beams can be easily constructed.

The disadvantages of cantilever beams are:

Cantilever beams are subjected to large deflections.

Cantilever beams are subjected to larger moments.

A strong fixed support or a back span is necessary to keep the structure stable.