Cantilever Beam – Advantages & Disadvantages


What Is Cantilever Beam?

A cantilever beam can be defined as a beam that is supported on only one end. That means one end is fixed and the other end is exposed beyond the support. The beam transfers the load to the support where it can manage the moment of force and shear stress.

The moment of force is the tendency of a force to twist or rotate an object. Shear stress is defined as stress which is applied parallel to the face of a material.

In simple words, the beam carries a specific weight on its free end as a result of the support on its enclosed end, in addition, to prevent breaking down as a result of the shear stress, the weight would generate on the cantilever beam structure.

Cantilever construction allows for overhanging structures without external bracing/support pillars. Cantilever beams can also be constructed with trusses or slabs.

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Cantilever Beam

cantilever beam

Advantages Of Cantilever Beam:

1. Very simple to construct.

2. Only one fixed support is required, support on the opposite side is not required.

3. Cantilever beam creates a negative bending moment, which can help to counteract a positive bending moment created elsewhere.

This is particularly helpful in cantilevers with a back span where a uniform load on the back span creates positive bending, but a uniform load on the cantilever creates negative bending

4. The span can be greater than that of a simple beam because a beam can be added to the cantilever arms.

5. Because the beam is resting simply on the arms, thermal expansion and ground movement are fairly simple to sustain.

6. Cantilever beams are very rigid, due to their depth.

Disadvantages Of Cantilever Beam:

1. Large deflections restrict the size of cantilever beam.

2. Generally results in larger moments.

3. You either need to have fixed support or have a back span and check for the uplift of the far support.

4. when the cantilever beam is loaded at one end, the moment at the fixed end is higher, if more load is applied, it can break free from the support.

Also Read –

Advantages And Disadvantages Of T-Beam

All Types Of RCC Beams In Construction

Types Of Slabs Used In Construction

All Types Of Bridges And Their Uses

Water Cement Ratio In Concrete

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2 thoughts on “Cantilever Beam – Advantages & Disadvantages”

  1. Hi,

    I have a query. When the ground floor of our house was constructed , the constructor didn’t make any cantilever beam however there was extra roof space/slab of 1.5–2 feet was left on all the 4 sides. So now we want to extent the first floor so that it uses this leftover space. Can I extend the wall even if there was no cantilever beam present to bear that load ? how much extension does not require a cantilever beam ? Can cantilever beam can be made after the construction of the roof?

    Reply

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