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Hint Horizontal objects extend from left to right. Vertical objects extend up and down.
vertical supports
Materials
Beams can be made of different materials, such as wood, stone, concrete, and steel. Choosing the right material for beams helps make structures strong and stable.
An engineer needs to think about strength and weight when choosing the material for a beam. For example, a steel beam is stronger than a wood beam, but it is also heavier.
I-Beams
I-beam a beam that is in the shape of the letter I when seen from the end
Beams can have different forms. Some forms are stronger than others. The I-beam is a strong beam shape. Many buildings use I-beams (Figure 2).
Some homes use wooden I-beams, also called I-joists. They support the ceilings and floors. Wooden I-beams are lighter than steel beams, but they can support heavy loads.
Corrugation
corrugation multiple folds in a material that provide additional strength
Folding a beam makes it stronger. Ridges, grooves, or folds in a structure are called corrugation. Corrugation is common in cardboard boxes. A layer of folded paper is sandwiched between two layers of flat paper. Plastic and metal roofs also use corrugation for extra strength.
Rebar
Beams experience compression on top and tension on the bottom. Concrete beams are not good at resisting tension. Steel reinforcing bars add strength to concrete beams. These bars are called rebar. Concrete with rebar is called reinforced concrete. Reinforced concrete is good at resisting compression and tension.
THE CANTILEVER
cantilever a beam supported at only one end
Beams do not always have vertical supports at both ends. A cantilever is a beam that has support at only one end. A tree branch and a diving board are examples of simple cantilevers. Many apartment balconies are also cantilevers. Cantilevers can go across long distances without a central support. They are useful when a central support would be hard to build (Figure 3).
Structural Support
Structural supports make cantilevers stronger. There are different types of structural supports. A tie is set at an angle above the beam. It connects the beam and its vertical support. It resists tension forces. A strut is set at an angle below the beam. It connects the beam and its vertical support. It resists compression forces. A gusset is a flat plate. It is usually triangular in shape. It reinforces the connection between the beam and its vertical support. It can be used to resist tension or compression.
Name:
_________________________________________
Date: ________________________
Figure 4 shows how a tie, a strut, and a gusset can be used to support a cantilever.
tie
strut
gusset
Figure 4 The tie, strut, and gusset add support to the beam.
3. Look at Figure 3. Why do you think the engineer used a cantilever beam in this location?
4. Think back to the Key Question. How do ties and struts strengthen beams? (Hint: What forces do they resist?)