3.1.

1 SHALLOW FOUNDATIONS
3.4 REINFORCED CONCRETE FLOOR SYSTEMS

3.4.2 REINFORCED CONCERETE BEAMS

A Beam - a structural member, resting on

supports usually at its ends, which supports
transverse loads. The loads that act on the beam,
as well as the weight of the beam itself, tend to
bend rather than lengthen or shorten it. A girder is
a term applied to a beam that supports one or
more smaller beams, as concentrated loads.
3.43.1.1 SHALLOW FOUNDATIONS
REINFORCED CONCRETE FLOOR SYSTEMS

3.4.2 REINFORCED CONCERETE BEAMS

Beams may be classified as:

a. Simple beams - These are beams having a single span with a

support at each end, there being no restraint at the supports.

b. Cantilever beams - These are beams that are supported at one

end only, or they may be that portion of beams projecting beyond
one of its supports.

c. Continuous beams -These are beams resting on more than two

supports. The term “semi-continuous” is also frequently used in
reinforced-concrete. It refers to a beam having two spans with
little or no restraint at the two extreme ends of the beam. The end
span of a continuous beam, where little or restraint is provided at
the end support, is referred to as a semi-continuous beam.
3.4 REINFORCED CONCRETE FLOOR SYSTEMS
3.1.1 SHALLOW FOUNDATIONS

3.4.3 TYPES OF REINFORCED CONCRETE BEAMS

1. Rectangular beams

2. T – beams - When a reinforced concrete floor slab

and its supporting
beam (or girder) are built at the same
time and thoroughly tied together, a
part of the slab may be considered to
act with upper part of the beam in
compression. This form of a beam is
called a T- beam.
3. Beam with Compression Reinforcement - These are beams with
reinforcement in the compression as well as the tension side of the
beam, hence they are also called double reinforced beams. In this
type of beam no bent up bars are required. Beams with compression
reinforcement are used when the cross-sectional dimensions of the
beam are limited by architectural or structural conditions so that
there is an insufficient concrete area for the compressive stresses.
3.4 REINFORCED CONCRETE FLOOR SYSTEMS
3.1.1 SHALLOW FOUNDATIONS

4. Cantilever Beams
The tensile reinforcement is located at top of the beam and inverted
U-stirrups are provided.

5. Hollow box girders

These are double reinforced beams used for long spans. In order to
reduce the dead load (the weight of the beam) it is hollowed in the
center of the section. Diaphragms are provided at intervals
throughout the length of the beam.
6. Beam Brackets or Corbels
Short beam extensions from columns used to support rafters or
trusses.