Beam analysis is all about studying the beam's behavior imposed with loads. In this series of posts, we'll explore different examples of how to analyze beams.
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Beam analysis is the process of studying the behavior of a beam when imposed with loads. It serves as our preliminary phase before going to the design stage - finding the suitable material, size, and shape of the beam.

What is A Full Analysis?

How much information do we need to know about our beam? When do we say that a beam is fully solved? Generally, that would depend on the problem, but it would consist of four parts:

  1. Assessing its stability
  2. Finding the reactions
  3. Solving for internal force and stresses
  4. And analyzing the deflections

The internal forces of a beam would entail solving for shear and moment. Axial forces and torsion may get involved, but we'll limit most discussions to shear and moment unless otherwise stated.

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Basic Analysis

Basic beam analysis limitations

Beam analysis is not straightforward because beams can be different shapes and sizes. Unless otherwise stated, we'll limit several things when analyzing beams:

  1. All loadings and reactions act along the transverse axis of the beam and lie in the plane of symmetry.
  2. The longitudinal axis of the beam is straight (not curved).
  3. The material of the beam is homogeneous and isotropic.
  4. The beam's cross-sections are symmetrical, meaning its longitudinal axis is a straight plane that passes through the centroid.
  5. The beam is uniform - the cross-section shape is constant along its length.
  6. The beam is a non-composite beam.

Summary

Beam analysis is studying the behavior of your beam when imposed with loads.
There are four essential aspects for a complete analysis: (1) stability, (2) reaction analysis, (3) internal force and stress analysis, and (4) deflection analysis.
Fundamental beam analysis has these limitations: (1) all loadings and reactions act along the transverse axis of the beam and lie in the plane of symmetry, (2) the longitudinal axis of the beam is straight (not curved), (3) the material of the beam is homogeneous and isotropic, (4) the cross-sections of the beam are symmetrical which means that its longitudinal axis is a straight plane that passes through the centroid, (5) the beam is uniform - cross-section shape is constant along its length, and (6) the beam is a non-composite beam.

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Tree Navigation

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1

How to Perform Beam Analysis?

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This post shows an example of a complete beam analysis - stability, reactions, internal force, and deflections. It is an illustration of what a typical beam analysis is.

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How to Analyze Beams Using Virtual Work?

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In this post, let's explore how to analyze a beam example using work and energy principles. Using this method, we'll illustrate how to solve for reactions, shear, and moment.

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How to Analyze Compound Beams?

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In this post, let's explore how to analyze compound beams. We shall analyze its stability, the force carried by supports, and the internal force the beam experience.

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Analyzing the Structural Truss

Concept

Truss analysis is studying the truss's behavior imposed with loads. In this series of posts, we'll explore different examples of how to analyze trusses.

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Analyzing the Structural Frame

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Frame analysis is studying the frame's behavior imposed with loads. In this series of posts, we'll explore different examples of how to analyze frames.

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Applications of Classical Approach

Crossroad

This series of posts shows how to apply the different structural concepts and theories in analyzing structures. It serves as an illustration of how to analyze structures.

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Created On
June 9, 2023
Updated On
February 23, 2024
Contributors
Edgar Christian Dirige
Founder
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