Cantilever beams are beams that are fixed at one end and free at the other. They are commonly used in construction to support overhangs, balconies, and other structures that extend beyond the support.
Cantilever beams can carry both shear and bending loads. The shear load is the force that tries to shear the beam in half, while the bending load is the force that tries to bend the beam in the middle.
The maximum shear force in a cantilever beam occurs at the fixed end. The maximum bending moment occurs at the free end.
In theory, a cantilever beam can carry shear loads only and support no compression load at all (not even self-weight). However, in practice, this is not possible.
The reason is that the shear force in a cantilever beam is always accompanied by a bending moment. The bending moment causes the beam to deflect, and this deflection creates a compression load at the bottom of the beam.
The amount of compression load created by the deflection is small, but it is not zero. Therefore, a cantilever beam can never support purely shear loads.
The minimum compression load that a cantilever beam can support is equal to the weight of the beam itself. This is the load that is required to prevent the beam from deflecting.
In practice, cantilever beams are typically designed to support a combination of shear and compression loads. The amount of shear and compression load that a beam can support depends on its cross-section, material, and length.
When designing a cantilever beam, it is important to consider the maximum shear and compression loads that the beam will be subjected to. The beam must be designed to be strong enough to carry these loads without failing.
Here are some additional things to keep in mind when designing cantilever beams:
The length of the cantilever beam affects the amount of shear and compression load that it can support. The longer the beam, the greater the shear and compression loads.
The cross-section of the beam affects its ability to carry shear and compression loads. A beam with a larger cross-section is stronger than a beam with a smaller cross-section.
The material of the beam affects its ability to carry shear and compression loads. Steel is stronger than wood, so a steel beam can support more shear and compression loads than a wood beam.
The deflection of the beam is also important to consider. The deflection is the amount that the beam bends under load. The deflection should be limited to an acceptable amount to prevent damage to the beam or the structure that it supports.
By considering all of these factors, engineers can design cantilever beams that are safe and reliable.
