Introduction to Beams

• A beam is a
horizontal structural
member used to
support loads
• Beams are used to
support the roof and
floors in buildings

1
 Introduction to Beams
• Common shapes are

I Angle Channel

• Common materials are steel and wood

Source: Load & Resistance Factor Design (First Edition), AISC
2
 Introduction to Beams
• The parallel portions on an I-beam or H-beam are
referred to as the flanges. The portion that connects the
flanges is referred to as the web.
Web

Web Flanges

Flanges

3
 Introduction to Beams
• Beams are supported in structures via
different configurations

Source: Statics (Fifth Edition), Meriam and Kraige, Wiley

4
 Introduction to Beams
• Beams are designed to support various
types of loads and forces

Concentrated Load Distributed Load

Source: Statics (Fifth Edition), Meriam and Kraige,5Wiley

 Beam Theory
• Consider a simply supported beam of
length, L. The cross section is
rectangular, with width, b, and depth, h.

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 Beam Theory
• An area has a centroid, which is similar to a center of
gravity of a solid body.
• The centroid of a symmetric cross section can be easily
found by inspection. X and Y axes intersect at the
centroid of a symmetric cross section, as shown on the
rectangular cross section.

Y - Axis

h/2
X - Axis
h/2

b/2 b/2 7
 Beam Theory
• An important variable in beam design is the moment of
inertia of the cross section, denoted by I.
• Inertia is a measure of a body’s ability to resist rotation.
• Moment of inertia is a measure of the stiffness of the
beam with respect to the cross section and the ability of
the beam to resist bending.
• As I increases, bending and deflection will decrease.
• Units are (LENGTH)4, e.g. in4, ft4, cm4

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 Beam Theory
• I can be derived for any common area using calculus.
However, moment of inertia equations for common cross
sections (e.g., rectangular, circular, triangular) are readily
available in math and engineering textbooks.
• For a rectangular cross section,
X-axis (passing
through centroid)
bh 3
Ix  h

12
b

• b is the dimension parallel to the bending axis. h is the

dimension perpendicular to the bending axis.

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 Beam Theory
• Example: Calculate the moment of inertia about the X-
axis for a yardstick that is 1” high and ¼” thick.

Y-Axis
3
bh
Ix 
12

0.25 in1.00 in

h = 1.00” X-Axis 3
Ix 
12

I x  0.02083 in 4
b = 0.25”

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 Beam Theory
• Example: Calculate the moment of inertia about the Y-
axis for a yardstick that is 1” high and ¼” thick.

3
bh
X-Axis
Iy 
12

1.00 in0.25 in

Y-Axis h = 0.25” 3
Iy 
12
b = 1.00”

I y  0.00130 in4
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 Beam Theory
• Suppose a concentrated load, P, is
applied to the center of the simply
supported beam.

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 Beam Theory
• The beam will bend downward as a result
of the load P.

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 Beam Theory
• The deflection (Δ) is the vertical
displacement of the of the beam as a
result of the load P.

Deflection, Δ

14
 Beam Theory
• The deflection (Δ) of a simply supported, center loaded
beam can be calculated from the following formula:

3
PL
Δ 
48E I
where, P
P = concentrated load (lbs.)
L = span length of beam (in.)
E = modulus of elasticity
(lbs./in.2)
I = moment of inertia of axis L
perpendicular to load P (in.4)
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 Beam Theory
• Modulus of elasticity, E, is a property that indicates the
stiffness and rigidity of the beam material. For example,
steel has a much larger modulus of elasticity than wood.
Values of E for many materials are readily available in
tables in textbooks. Some common values are

Material Modulus of Elasticity

(psi)
Steel 30 x 106
Aluminum 10 x 106
Wood ~ 2 x 106

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 Beam Theory
• Example: Calculate the deflection in the steel beam
supporting a 500 lb load shown below.

P = 500 lb

h = 2”

b = 3”

L = 36”

PL 3
bh 3
Δ  I 
48E I 12 17
 Beam Theory
• Step 1: Calculate the moment of inertia, I.

bh 3
I 
12

I 
3 in2 in3

12

I  2 in4

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 Beam Theory
• Step 2: Calculate the deflection, Δ.

PL3
Δ 
48E I

Δ 
500 lb 36 in 3


48  30 x 10 6 lb 
2 
in 
2 in 4



Δ 
500 lb 46656 in3 

48  30 x 10 6 lb 
2 
in 
2 in 4


Δ  0.0081 in 19
 Beam Theory
• These calculations are very simple for a solid, symmetric
cross section.
• Now consider slightly more complex symmetric cross
sections, e.g. hollow box beams. Calculating the
moment of inertia takes a little more effort.
• Consider a hollow box beam as shown below:

0.25 in.

6 in.

20
4 in.
 Beam Theory
• The same equation for moment of inertia, I = bh3/12, can
be used.
• Treat the outer dimensions as a positive area and the
inner dimensions as a negative area, as the centroids of
both are about the same X-axis.

X-axis

Positive Area Negative Area

21
 Beam Theory
• Calculate the moment of inertia about the X-axis for the
positive area and the negative area using I = bh3/12.
The outer dimensions will be denoted with subscript “o”
and the inner dimensions will be denoted with subscript
“i”.

ho = 6 in.
X-axis hi = 5.5 in.

bi = 3.5 in.
bo = 4 in.
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 Beam Theory

ho = 6 in.
X-axis hi = 5.5 in.

bi = 3.5 in.
bo = 4 in.

3 3
b h b h
Ipos  o o Ineg  i i
12 12

Ipos 
4 in6 in3 Ineg 
3.5 in5.5 in3
12 12 23
 Beam Theory
• Simply subtract Ineg from Ipos to calculate the moment of
inertia of the box beam, Ibox

Ibox  Ipos - Ineg

3 3
0.25 in. b o ho b i hi
Ibox  
6 in. 12 12

Ibox 
4 in6 in3  3.5 in5.5 in3
12 12
4 in.
Ibox 
4 in216 in3   3.5 in166.4 in3 
12 12

Ibox  23.5 in4 24

 Beam Theory
• The moment of inertia of an I-beam can be calculated in
a similar manner.

25
 Beam Theory
• Identify the positive and negative areas…

Positive Area Negative Area

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 Beam Theory
• …and calculate the moment of inertia similar to the box
beam (note the negative area dimensions and that it is
multiplied by 2).

ho
hi

bo bi bi

3 3
b h 2 b i hi
I I beam  o o 
12 12
27
 Beam Theory
• The moment of inertia of an H-beam can be calculated in
a similar manner…

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 Beam Theory
• The moment of inertia of an H-beam can be calculated in
a similar manner…

29
 Beam Theory
• …however, the H-beam is divided into three positive
areas.

h1 h2 h1

b2

b1 b1
3 3 3
b 1 h1 b 2 h 2 b 1 h1
IH-beam   
12 12 12
3 3
2 b 1 h1 b 2 h 2
IH-beam   30
12 12
 Beam Theory
• Example: Calculate the deflection in the I-beam shown
below. The I-beam is composed of three ½” x 4” steel
plates welded together.

P = 5000 lbf

L = 8 ft ½” x 4” steel plate (typ.)

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 Beam Theory
• First, calculate the moment of inertia for an I-beam as
previously shown, i.e. divide the cross section of the
beam into positive and negative areas.

ho = 5 in. hi = 4 in.

bi = bi
bo = 4 in.
3 3
b h 2 b i hi
I I beam  o o 
12 12

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 Beam Theory
• First, calculate the moment of inertia for an I-beam as
previously shown, i.e. divide the cross section of the
beam into positive and negative areas.

ho = 5 in. hi = 4 in.

bi =1.75in bi
bo = 4 in.

I I beam 
4in 5in 3  2 1.75in 4in 3
12 12

I I beam  23.0 in4 33

 Beam Theory
• Next, calculate the deflection (Esteel = 30 x 106 psi).

P = 5000 lbf

L = 8 ft

3
PL
Δ 
48E I 34
 Beam Theory
• Calculate the deflection, Δ.

PL3
Δ 
48E I

Δ 
5000 lb 96 in 3


48  30 x 10 2 
in 

6 lb f 
23 in 4



Δ 
5000 lb 884736 in3 

48  30 x 10 6 lb 
2 
in 
23 in 4


Δ  0.134 in 35
 Beam Theory
• Example: Calculate the volume and mass of the beam if
the density of steel is 490 lbm/ft3.

L = 8 ft ½” x 4” steel plate (typ.)

36
 Beam Theory
• Volume = (Area) x (Length)

V  AL
V  3 0.5in 4in 8ft 
 
V  3 2.0in 2 96 in
V  576 in3

37
 Beam Theory
• Convert to cubic feet…
3
 1ft 
V  576 in 
3

 12in 
 1ft 3

V  576in 
3
3

 1728in 

V  0.333 ft3

38
 Beam Theory
• Calculate mass of the beam
• Mass = Density x Volume

m  ρV

 lb m 

m   490 3  0.333ft 3
ft 



m  163.3 lb m

39
 Materials
• Basswood can be purchased from hobby or craft
stores. Hobby Lobby carries many common
sizes of basswood. DO NOT purchase balsa
wood.
• 1201 teams must submit a receipt for the
basswood.
• The piece of basswood in the Discovery Box
WILL NOT be used for Project 2.
• Clamps and glue are provided in the Discovery
Box. Use only the glue provided.
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 Assembly
• I-beams and H-beams: Begin by
marking the flanges along the center
where the web will be glued.
• Box beams: No marking is
necessary.

• I-beams and H-beams: Apply a

small amount of glue along the
length of the web and also to the
flange.
• Box beams: Apply a small
amount of glue two one side and
the bottom to form an “L” shaped
section.
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 Assembly
• I-beams and H-beams: Press
the two pieces together and hold
for a couple of minutes.
• Box beams: Press the two pieces
together into an “L” shape and
hold for a couple of minutes.

• I-beams and H-beams: Clamp

the pieces and allow the glue to
cure as instructed on the bottle.
• Box beams: Clamp the pieces
and allow the glue to cure as
instructed on the bottle.
• YOU MUST ALLOW EACH GLUE
JOINT TO CURE COMPLETELY
BEFORE CONTINUING ON TO 42
ADDITIONAL GLUE JOINTS!
 Assembly
• Stiffeners may be applied to the
web of an I or H beam or between
sides of a box beam.
• Stiffeners are small pieces of
wood that aid in gluing and
clamping the beam together.
• Stiffeners may be necessary if the
pieces of wood that the team has
chosen are thin (less than ~3/16”).
Thin pieces of wood may collapse
when clamped together.
• Stiffeners keep the flanges stable
during clamping and glue curing.

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