A fixed beam is a beam the ends of which are constrained or built-in to remain in horizontal position.
Point to be noted for the fixed beam:
1. The beam is stiffer, stronger and more stable.
2. The slope at both the ends is zero.
3. Due to the fixidity, the moment will be induced at each end.
4. The induced moments will be in the opposite direction to that of moments due to external loading.
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The upstand beam is very important as it provides support to the given structure. The upstand beam should remain fixed until the construction is over.
"Fixed" means that the ends cannot translate and cannot rotate. "Pinned" means that the ends cannot translate but can rotate.
Positive and Negative are just directions. The main concern is whether there exist a bending moment or not. Then according to sign convention we classify bending moment as positive or negative. Elaborating on this point, If clockwise bending moments are taken as negative, then a negative bending moment within an element will cause "sagging", and a positive moment will cause "hogging" Sagging and hogging moments are important to differentiate. As hogging causes tension in the upper part of the beam x-section whereas sagging causes tension in the lower part of the x-section. This concept is of great importance in designing reinforced concrete members as we have to provide steel rebar in the zone of beam having tensile stress as concrete is weak in tension.
Main disadvantages 1. Needs more concrete and reinfrocement steel if compared to pad footings 2. Bending moments, has to be designed similar to a standard beam
The term "point of contraflexure" is often used in structural engineering, specifically in the context of analyzing and designing beams subjected to bending loads. In simple terms, the point of contraflexure is the location along the length of a beam where the bending moment is zero. When a beam is subjected to bending loads, it experiences tensile (positive) bending moments and compressive (negative) bending moments along its length. The bending moment varies along the beam, reaching a maximum at the points where the bending is the most significant. These points are usually located near the supports of the beam. However, in some cases, particularly in continuous beams or beams with complex loading conditions, there may be a section along the beam where the bending moment changes direction from positive to negative or vice versa. This section is known as the point of contraflexure. At the point of contraflexure, the bending moment is zero, and the beam's curvature changes direction. This point is essential in the analysis and design of structures as it affects the internal forces and stresses within the beam. Identifying the point of contraflexure is crucial for engineers to ensure the beam's stability and design it appropriately to handle the bending loads effectively. The bending moment diagram is used to visualize the variation of bending moments along the length of the beam and to locate the point of contraflexure if it exists.