Introduction

Beams are an important class of structural element, and are normally horizontal.

The primary function of building structures is to support the major space enclosing elements: commonly these are floors, roofs and walls. The total behaviour of any building structure can be complicated but frequently two types of sub-structure can be identified; vertical elements (associated with walls) and horizontal elements (associated with floors and roofs).

Vertical elements are columns, walls and lift cores etc. Horizontal elements include slabs, trusses, space frames and most importantly beams.