[Loaded Beam]

Beams, Bending, and Boundary Conditions



Beams hold up the roof over your head and give support to the walls surrounding you. Beams are literally all around us. Engineers use beams to support and strengthen structures ranging from silos to bridges to towering skyscrapers. In this lab, we will explore the mathematics associated with the static deformation of beams. We will begin with the geometric concepts of centroids and moments of inertia, and then learn how different methods of supporting a beam contribute to the beam's ability to support loads.
Next: The Main Ideas of the Module

The Geometry Center Calculus Development Team

Support for the Curriculum Initiative Project at the University of Minnesota has been provided by a grant from the National Science Foundation (DUE 9456095) and by the Geometry Center. Copyright © 1996 by The Geometry Center.

Last modified: Fri Apr 12 15:55:34 1996