ABSTRACT
Beams are straight bars which carry transverse loading by means of bending action. The determination of internal forces present in beams is simpler than for arches, not only because of their straight line geometry, but also because their supports are usually designed so that no axial forces are present. If beams are symmetrical about the plane of the loading, a 2D analysis is possible both to determine internal forces and also to investigate possible stress distributions. Statically determinate beams are generally either 'cantilevered',
that is, having one end built-in, or 'simply-supported', in which one support is pinned and another has a pin and roller. The two relevant internal forces are conveniently represented graphically in the form of shear force diagrams (SFDs) and bending moment diagrams (BMDs).
