ABSTRACT
One of the most frequently encountered types of structural member is the beam, the main function of which is to transfer load principally by means of flexural or bending action. In a typical rectangular building frame the beams would comprise the horizontal members which span between adjacent columns; secondary beams might also be used to transmit the floor loading into the main beams. For the more usual forms of structural framing it is normally sufficient to consider only bending effects, the influence of any torsional loading on the beams being relatively slight. Certain types of problem, such as design of crane girders do, however, require a proper allowance to be made for the effects of torsion.
