Architectural Structures

BEAM
Module 4

ENGR. KARLIE JANE DABU

Department of Engineering and Architecture
 Bataan Heroes College

MODULE 4: BEAM

BEAM
Reinforced concrete beams are structural elements that designed to carry transverse external
loads. The loads cause bending moment, shear forces and in some cases torsion across their
length.

DESIGN OF RCC BEAM

The beam design mainly depends on the total load.
1. Assume the section size, grade of steel and concrete according to the structure to be built,
2. Calculate the total UDL, point load and other loads if applicable,
3. Calculate the factored moment,
4. Revise the size and grade of materials if required,
5. Calculate the area of steel required,
6. Provide the reinforcement detail.

REINFORCED CONCRETE BEAM TYPE

There are two types of RCC beam.
1. Singly reinforced beam
If the factored moment (Mu) is less than the limiting moment (Mu lim ) then the beam is
designed as a singly reinforced beam.
( Mu<Mulim )

Architectural Structures (Module 4) Page 2 of 6

Engr. Karlie Jane Dabu
 Bataan Heroes College
We mostly use the singly reinforced beam in the building if the stresses are less.
The bottom reinforcements are designed to resist the tensile load.
Top reinforcements are also provided in a singly reinforced beam but it is designed to hold the
stirrups in position and not designed to be carried the compression load.

2. Doubly reinforced beam

When the factored moment (Mu) is greater than the limiting moment (Mulim) then the beam is
designed as a doubly reinforced beam.
(Mu > Mulim)

The bottom reinforcements are designed to resist the tensile load and top reinforcements are
designed to resist the compressive load.
The doubly reinforced beam is most suitable where there is a higher chance of earthquake or
stress reversal. Also, if an increase in depth is limited for the beam.

Minimum Reinforcing Bars

2 bars of 12mm at the bottom
2 bars of 10mm at the top

Architectural Structures (Module 4) Page 3 of 6

Engr. Karlie Jane Dabu
 Bataan Heroes College
DIFFERENT TYPES OF BEAM
Under the design basis, A structure is made from different kind of beams, few of them are here:

1. CANTILEVER BEAM- In the structural design of the residential building, commercial

building, the one end of a cantilever beam is free from any support whereas the other end
remains fixed. Generally, we design the cantilever beams to support the covering or
sunshade of a bigger span of the building. They are used for the maximum shear forces &
moments developed at the support section, which is usually a reinforced concrete column.

2. SIMPLY SUPPORTED BEAM- It is the type of beam which is loose to rotate because
it’s one end is roller support, whereas the other end has pinned support. So it is supported
from both the ends, and it is the most basic type of beam. You can quickly identify the
simply supported beam in 2 to 3 storey building design plans or multi-storey building
design plans.

3. CONTINUOUS BEAM – The continuous beams usually have two or more than two
supports, it has one end fixed, and the other end goes continue. The use of these
continuous beams is mostly in multi-storeyed buildings of several bays in right-angle
direction. You can easily calculate the dimension of the beam to beam design formula.

4. OVERHANGING BEAM – It is also a type of beam used in the structural design of the
residential building, the commercial building has two conditions. If one end of the beam
expands beyond the support, then it is called overhanging beam, and if both ends of the
beam expand beyond the support, then the beam is called a double overhanging beam.

5. FIXED BEAM- Fixed-beam has strong support from both the ends due to which it
opposes any rotation, on either column or wall.

6. LINTEL BEAM- It is a type of beam usually used during constructions for openings like
windows or door. It also acts as a guard for windows and doors during rain.

7. COMPOSITE BEAM- A composite beam is a structural element provided horizontally or

a horizontal structural element, with a combination of concrete and steel section, is called
a composite beam or an encased beam.

8. L BEAM- Beams are cast uniformly on one side of the slabs of the rib are called L-
Beams. At the support section, hogging and torsional bending moments are maximum.

9. T BEAM- This type of beam is mostly constructed monolithically with a reinforced

concrete slab. Sometimes, Isolated T-beam is built to increase the compression strength
of concrete.

Architectural Structures (Module 4) Page 4 of 6

Engr. Karlie Jane Dabu
 Bataan Heroes College
BEAM DIMENSION
NSCP 2015

Minimum width of beam = 200mm

b = D/1.5

Architectural Structures (Module 4) Page 5 of 6

Engr. Karlie Jane Dabu
 Bataan Heroes College
ILLUSTRATIVE EXAMPLES:
1. A simply supported beam has a length of 6.5m from center to center of 0.5mx0.5m column.
Find the depth and breadth of the beam.

Architectural Structures (Module 4) Page 6 of 6

Engr. Karlie Jane Dabu