Beam & Hidden Beams: A Simple (But Complete) Guide

You must have seen bridge buildings, industries etc where structures are supported by steel and concrete frames

Assume small structure of a building it is having a foundation, a vertical member called column and horizontal members as beams and slabs

Each part is having own significance and utility now let us just concentrate on what is a beam also we need to understand the effects of loading on the beam

    What is Beam?

    Beam is a structural member of a system having external loads at right angles to its axis

    What Is Beam
    Beam

    You can see in the figure that the grey line is the axis and external load F is applied at the right angle of beams

    While bending moment develop tension and compression in their flanges

    When a beam experiences bending moments due to external load it will change its shape and also due to bending internal stresses will be developed

    Types of Bending

    There are three types of bending such as 

    1. Lateral Bending
    2. Torsional Bending
    3. Vertical Bending

    let us look at the pattern of bending which is hogging and sagging 

    Do you know what is Hogging and Sagging?

    Sagging: When Beam bend curved goes downwards it is called sagging and

    Hogging: When Beam bend curved goes upward it is called hogging

    Same is applicable to beams when the load is applied hogging describes a beam that curves upwards and sagging describes a beam that curves downwards

    Geometric Forms of Beams

    Do you know that there are many geometric forms of beams available?

    The selection of beams are based on span, loading conditions etc widely used cross-sections of beams are 

    1. Rectangular cross-section 
    2. T cross-section 
    3. I cross-section 
    4. Triangular cross-section 
    5. Circular cross-section 
    6. Channel cross-section

    There are various types of the beam in a structure that we studied but it is also very important to understand hidden beams as a structural point of view to know about it read this article up to the end and it is really appreciable if you share and subscribe to our Blog Civil Experience

    What are Hidden beams?

    Hidden beams can be defined as the members whose death is equal to the thickness of the slab it is also known as a concealed beam 

    Beams generally have a depth more than the slab it is lifting however hidden beams have the same depth as the slab 

    But it is reinforced separately from the slab which having stirrups to transfer shear forces and longitudinal bars just as a normal beam

    Hence they can’t be visible after casting of concrete they are hidden in the slab 

    Hidden Beams are generally inserted within the suspended slabs of the building where slab thickness is considered the concept of concealed being originated from the flat slab concept 

    They are more applicable in commercial buildings 

    Purpose/Use of Providing The Hidden Beam

    There are various types of the purpose of providing the hidden beam but some major are listed below
    1. Hidden Beam is used to spreading the load to the supporting slab
    2. These beams constructed to break a wide panel of the slab to the considerable size
    3. This type of beam is normally constructed within the suspended slabs where slab thickness is considerable
    4. This beam provides maximum floor height in the construction of the room
    5. To clear the way for electromechanical ducting work and
    6. By providing hidden beam improve aesthetical appearance by providing neat and levelled ceiling surface 
    7. Highly applicable in commercial buildings

    Advantages of Hidden Beam

    Now let’s understand what are the advantages of hidden beam
    1. It saves floor height clearance without affecting the aesthetical appearance
    2. It allows if brickwork needs to be constructed over the concrete slab 
    3. It is economical as it saves the cost of materials, formwork and labour and
    4. It gives a better aesthetic interior appearance in resident or office or any building

    Disadvantages of Providing The Hidden Beam

    If we talk about the disadvantages of the hidden beam then the structurally 
    1. It creates a spanning problem at spans for structural support are at a right angle to each other this means one slab structurally placed over the other slabs this is only the disadvantage of the hidden beam
    FAQ1 : What is Beam?

    Beam is a structural member of a system having external loads at right angles to its axis

    FAQ2 : What are Hidden beams?

    Hidden beams can be defined as the members whose death is equal to the thickness of the slab it is also known as a concealed beam

    FAQ3 : Use of Providing The Hidden Beam?

    1. To spreading the load 2. To provides maximum floor height 3. To improve the aesthetical appearance

    Civil Experience
    Author Aakash Dudhat

    It is my pleasure to welcome you to civilexperiences.com, a website created and managed by Dudhat Aakash. In addition to having a Bachelor's degree in Civil Engineering

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