An overview of beams and frames

This section provides basic background information about beams and frames. It highlights their applications, the objectives of simulating/analyzing these structures, and some important technical features relevant to their analysis.

You will likely be familiar with the technical jargons of the mechanics of Solids and its restrictive definition of a simple beam as a structure that satisfies these conditions:

• Capable of supporting transverse loads, which are loads that are applied perpendicular to its length
• Has a length that is far greater than the dimensions of its cross-sections

However, in a more general sense, a beam can support transverse, axial, and torsional loads. But in this chapter, we will only focus on beams supporting transverse loads.

Beams remain one of the most flexible categories of structures used for the design of many engineering products, machines, and systems. You will find them in simple forms, such as...