ABSTRACT
The term beam is utilized when the structure is subjected to a lateral load in the x-z plane, in the z-direction, distributed and/or concentrated, applied to the upper and/or lower surface, such that bending occurs. The term "rod" is used when the structure is loaded in the axial direction by tensile forces which try to "stretch" the structure. The term "column" is used when the structure shown is subjected to compressive forces in the x-direction which reduces the length of the structure, resulting in compressive stresses, and/or elastic instability of the structure. Combinations of these loads may occur, such as when lateral and in-plane compressive loads occur simultaneously, resulting in the structure being referred to as a "beam column." When analyzing a structure, in addition to looking at maximum deflections, maximum stresses, and natural frequencies, one must investigate under what loading conditions an instability can occur, which is also generically referred to as buckling.
