Types of Beams in Constructions: Based On Support Conditions

Different types of beams are used in construction of building and structures.
These are
horizontal structural element that withstand vertical loads, shear forces and bending
moments. Beams transfer loads imposed along their length to their end points to walls,
columns, foundations, etc.
In this article, different types of beams used in building construction will be discussed
based on their manner of support, cross-section shape (profile), length, and their
material.
Types of Beams in Constructions

There are different types of beams which are classified based on the following
conditions
1. Based on Support Conditions
2. Based on Construction Materials
3. Based on Cross-Section Shapes
4. Based on Geometry
5. Based on Equilibrium Condition
6. Based on Method of Construction
7. Others
Based on Support Conditions
1. Simply Supported Beam
It is the one of the simplest structural elements that both ends are rest on supports but
are free to rotate. It contains pinned support at one end and roller support at the other
end. On the basis of assign load, it sustains shearing and bending.
Fig. 1: Simply supported beam
2. Fixed Beam
It is supported at both ends and fixed to resist rotation. It is also called a built-in beam.
The fixed ends produce fixing moments other than the reactions.
Fig. 2: Fixed beam
3. Cantilever Beam
If a beam is fixed at one end and set to be free at the end, it is termed as cantilever
beam. The beam distribute the load back to the support where it is forced against with
a moment and shear stress. Cantilever beams allow the creation of a bay window,
balconies, and some bridges.
Fig. 3: Cantilever beam
4. Continuous Beam
A continuous beam has more than two supports distributed along its entire length.
Fig. 4: Continuous beam
Based on Construction Materials

5. Reinforced Concrete Beams
It is constructed from concrete and reinforcement as shown in Fig. 5.
Fig. 5: Reinforced concrete beam
6. Steel Beams
It is constructed from steels and used in several applications.
Fig. 6: Steel beam
7. Timber beams
This type of beam is constructed from timber and used in the past, but its application
is significantly declined now.
Fig. 7: Timber Beam
8. Composite Beams
Composite beams are constructed from two or more different types of materials such
as steel and concrete, and various valid cross sections have been utilized as shown in
fig.8.
Fig. 8: Composite beam
Based on Cross-Section Shapes

Several cross sectional shapes of beams are available and used in different parts of of
structures. These beams can be constructed from reinforced concrete, steel, or
composite materials:
Reinforced concrete cross sectional shapes include:

9. Rectangular beam
This type of beam is widely used in the construction of reinforced concrete buildings
and other structures.
Fig. 9: Rectangular Reinforced concrete beam
10. T-section beam

This type of beam is mostly constructed monolithically with reinforced concrete slab.
Sometimes, Isolated T-beam are constructed to increase the compression strength of
concrete.
Added to that, inverted T-beam can also be constructed according to the requirements
of loading imposed.
Fig. 10: T-beam

Fig. 11: Inverted T-beam
11. L-section beam

This type of beam is constructed monolithically with reinforced concrete slab at the
perimeter of the structure, as illustrated in Fig. 10.
Steel cross sectional shapes include:

There are various steel beam cross sectional shapes. Each cross sectional shape offer
superior advantages in a given conditions compare with other shapes.
Square, rectangular, circular, I-shaped, T-shaped, H-shaped,C-shaped, and tubular are

examples of beam cross sectional shapes constructed from steel.
Fig. 12: Steel beam cross sectional shapes
Different types of beams based on cross sectional shapes constructed from

composite materials are shown in Fig. 8.
Based on Geometry
12. Straight beam
Beam with straight profile and majority of beams in structures are straight beams.
Fig. 13: straight beam
13. Curved beam

Beam with curved profile, such as in the case of circular buildings.
Fig. 14: Curved beam
14. Tapered beam

Beam with tapered cross section.
Fig. 15: Tapered beam

15. Statically determinate beam
For a statically determinate beam, equilibrium conditions alone can be used to solve
reactions, i.e the number of unknown reactions are equal to the the number of
equations.
Fig. 16: Statically determinate beam
16. Statically indeterminate beam

For a statically indeterminate beam, equilibrium conditions are not enough to solve
reactions. So, the analysis of this type of beam is more complicated than that of
statically determinate beams.
Fig. 17: statically indeterminate beam
Based on Method of Construction

17. Cast In-situ Concrete Beam
This type of beam is constructed on project site. so, forms are initially fixed then fresh
concrete is poured and allowed to be hardened. Then, loads will be imposed.
Fig. 18: Cast in situ beam
18. Precast Concrete Beam

This type of beam is manufactured in factories. So, the construction condition is more
controllable compare with on-site construction. Consequently, the quality of concrete
of the beam will be greater. Various cross sectional shapes can be manufactures such
as T- beam, Double T-beam, Inverted T-beam and many more.
Fig. 19: Precast concrete beam
19. Prestressed Concrete Beam

This type of beam constructed by stressing strands prior to applying loads on the
beam. Pre-tensioned Concrete beam and post-tensioned Concrete Beam are variations
of pre-stressed concrete beam.
Fig. 20: Prestressed concrete beam
Others
20. Deep Beam
beams that have large depths, and its clear span to depth ratio is less than 4 according
to ACI Code. Significant amount of the load is carried to the supports by a
compression force combining the load and the reaction. Consequently, the strain
distribution is no longer considered linear as in the case of conventional beams.
Fig. 21: Deep beam
21. Girder
Beams that take heavy loads, generally steel sections are used.
Different types of beams are used in construction of building and structures. These are
horizontal structural element that withstand vertical loads, shear forces and bending
moments. Beams transfer loads imposed along their length to their end points to walls,
columns, foundations, etc.
In this article, different types of beams used in building construction will be discussed
based on their manner of support, cross-section shape (profile), length, and their
material.
Types of Beams in Constructions

There are different types of beams which are classified based on the following
conditions
1. Based on Support Conditions
2. Based on Construction Materials
3. Based on Cross-Section Shapes
4. Based on Geometry
6. Based on Method of Construction
7. Others
Based on Support Conditions
1. Simply Supported Beam
It is the one of the simplest structural elements that both ends are rest on supports but
are free to rotate. It contains pinned support at one end and roller support at the other
end. On the basis of assign load, it sustains shearing and bending.
Fig. 1: Simply supported beam
2. Fixed Beam
It is supported at both ends and fixed to resist rotation. It is also called a built-in beam.
The fixed ends produce fixing moments other than the reactions.
Fig. 2: Fixed beam
3. Cantilever Beam
If a beam is fixed at one end and set to be free at the end, it is termed as cantilever
beam. The beam distribute the load back to the support where it is forced against with
a moment and shear stress. Cantilever beams allow the creation of a bay window,
balconies, and some bridges.
Fig. 3: Cantilever beam
4. Continuous Beam
A continuous beam has more than two supports distributed along its entire length.
Fig. 4: Continuous beam
Based on Construction Materials

5. Reinforced Concrete Beams
It is constructed from concrete and reinforcement as shown in Fig. 5.
Fig. 5: Reinforced concrete beam
6. Steel Beams
It is constructed from steels and used in several applications.
Fig. 6: Steel beam
7. Timber beams
This type of beam is constructed from timber and used in the past, but its application
is significantly declined now.
Fig. 7: Timber Beam
8. Composite Beams
Composite beams are constructed from two or more different types of materials such
as steel and concrete, and various valid cross sections have been utilized as shown in
fig.8.
Fig. 8: Composite beam
Based on Cross-Section Shapes

Several cross sectional shapes of beams are available and used in different parts of of
structures. These beams can be constructed from reinforced concrete, steel, or
composite materials:
Reinforced concrete cross sectional shapes include:

9. Rectangular beam
This type of beam is widely used in the construction of reinforced concrete buildings
and other structures.
Fig. 9: Rectangular Reinforced concrete beam
10. T-section beam

This type of beam is mostly constructed monolithically with reinforced concrete slab.
Sometimes, Isolated T-beam are constructed to increase the compression strength of
concrete.
Added to that, inverted T-beam can also be constructed according to the requirements
of loading imposed.
Fig. 10: T-beam

Fig. 11: Inverted T-beam
11. L-section beam

This type of beam is constructed monolithically with reinforced concrete slab at the
perimeter of the structure, as illustrated in Fig. 10.
Steel cross sectional shapes include:

There are various steel beam cross sectional shapes. Each cross sectional shape offer
superior advantages in a given conditions compare with other shapes.
Square, rectangular, circular, I-shaped, T-shaped, H-shaped,C-shaped, and tubular are

examples of beam cross sectional shapes constructed from steel.
Fig. 12: Steel beam cross sectional shapes
Different types of beams based on cross sectional shapes constructed from

composite materials are shown in Fig. 8.
Based on Geometry
12. Straight beam
Beam with straight profile and majority of beams in structures are straight beams.
Fig. 13: straight beam
13. Curved beam

Beam with curved profile, such as in the case of circular buildings.
Fig. 14: Curved beam
14. Tapered beam

Beam with tapered cross section.
Fig. 15: Tapered beam

15. Statically determinate beam
For a statically determinate beam, equilibrium conditions alone can be used to solve
reactions, i.e the number of unknown reactions are equal to the the number of
equations.
Fig. 16: Statically determinate beam
16. Statically indeterminate beam

For a statically indeterminate beam, equilibrium conditions are not enough to solve
reactions. So, the analysis of this type of beam is more complicated than that of
statically determinate beams.
Fig. 17: statically indeterminate beam
Based on Method of Construction

17. Cast In-situ Concrete Beam
This type of beam is constructed on project site. so, forms are initially fixed then fresh
concrete is poured and allowed to be hardened. Then, loads will be imposed.
Fig. 18: Cast in situ beam
18. Precast Concrete Beam

This type of beam is manufactured in factories. So, the construction condition is more
controllable compare with on-site construction. Consequently, the quality of concrete
of the beam will be greater. Various cross sectional shapes can be manufactures such
as T- beam, Double T-beam, Inverted T-beam and many more.
Fig. 19: Precast concrete beam
19. Prestressed Concrete Beam

This type of beam constructed by stressing strands prior to applying loads on the
beam. Pre-tensioned Concrete beam and post-tensioned Concrete Beam are variations
of pre-stressed concrete beam.
Fig. 20: Prestressed concrete beam
Others
20. Deep Beam
beams that have large depths, and its clear span to depth ratio is less than 4 according
to ACI Code. Significant amount of the load is carried to the supports by a
compression force combining the load and the reaction. Consequently, the strain
distribution is no longer considered linear as in the case of conventional beams.
Fig. 21: Deep beam
21. Girder
Beams that take heavy loads, generally steel sections are used.

Types of Beams in Constructions: Based On Support Conditions

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Different types of beams are used in construction of building and structures.

Types of Beams in Constructions

1. Based on Support Conditions

2. Based on Construction Materials

3. Based on Cross-Section Shapes

5. Based on Equilibrium Condition

6. Based on Method of Construction

Fig. 1: Simply supported beam

Fig. 3: Cantilever beam

Fig. 4: Continuous beam

Based on Construction Materials

Fig. 6: Steel beam

Fig. 8: Composite beam

Based on Cross-Section Shapes

Reinforced concrete cross sectional shapes include:

10. T-section beam

Fig. 10: T-beam

11. L-section beam

Steel cross sectional shapes include:

Square, rectangular, circular, I-shaped, T-shaped, H-shaped,C-shaped, and tubular are

Fig. 12: Steel beam cross sectional shapes

Different types of beams based on cross sectional shapes constructed from

13. Curved beam

Fig. 14: Curved beam

14. Tapered beam

5. Based on Equilibrium Condition

Fig. 16: Statically determinate beam

16. Statically indeterminate beam

Fig. 17: statically indeterminate beam

Based on Method of Construction

18. Precast Concrete Beam

Fig. 19: Precast concrete beam

19. Prestressed Concrete Beam

Fig. 21: Deep beam

Types of Beams in Constructions

1. Based on Support Conditions

2. Based on Construction Materials

3. Based on Cross-Section Shapes

5. Based on Equilibrium Condition

6. Based on Method of Construction

Fig. 1: Simply supported beam

Fig. 3: Cantilever beam

Fig. 4: Continuous beam

Based on Construction Materials

Fig. 6: Steel beam

Fig. 8: Composite beam

Based on Cross-Section Shapes

Reinforced concrete cross sectional shapes include:

10. T-section beam

Fig. 10: T-beam

11. L-section beam

Steel cross sectional shapes include:

Square, rectangular, circular, I-shaped, T-shaped, H-shaped,C-shaped, and tubular are

Fig. 12: Steel beam cross sectional shapes

Different types of beams based on cross sectional shapes constructed from

13. Curved beam

Fig. 14: Curved beam

14. Tapered beam