Continuous beams are stiffer than simple spanned beams

Structure · Beams · printed page 48 (PDF page 49)

Book index entries

Beams – Continuous and Simply Spanned Continuous versus Simply Spanned Beams Simply Spanned versus Continuous Beams Structural

Text in the illustration

continuous beam
simple span beam
floor joists
beam
tension
column
simple span beams deflect more than continuous beams because the ends of simple span beams are free to rotate over the columns

Generated explanation

The illustration compares a continuous beam passing over a column with two simple-span beams meeting above a column. Floor joists impose downward loads on both assemblies, while upward arrows indicate support reactions at the columns. The continuous beam is shown bending across the support, with tension indicated along its upper surface over the column. The simple-span beam ends rotate independently at the support, illustrating greater deflection than the continuous arrangement.

Components

continuous beam simple-span beams floor joists support columns column cap plates

Materials

wood metal