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
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| 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
- Lateral Bending
- Torsional Bending
- 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
- Rectangular cross-section
- T cross-section
- I cross-section
- Triangular cross-section
- Circular cross-section
- 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
- Hidden Beam is used to spreading the load to the supporting slab
- These beams constructed to break a wide panel of the slab to the considerable size
- This type of beam is normally constructed within the suspended slabs where slab thickness is considerable
- This beam provides maximum floor height in the construction of the room
- To clear the way for electromechanical ducting work and
- By providing hidden beam improve aesthetical appearance by providing neat and levelled ceiling surface
- Highly applicable in commercial buildings
Advantages of Hidden Beam
- It saves floor height clearance without affecting the aesthetical appearance
- It allows if brickwork needs to be constructed over the concrete slab
- It is economical as it saves the cost of materials, formwork and labour and
- It gives a better aesthetic interior appearance in resident or office or any building
Disadvantages of Providing The Hidden Beam
- 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
