Difference Between Beam and Column | What Is Beam | What Is Column

What Is Beam?

The beam is a structural element that stands against the bending. Mainly beam carries vertical gravitational forces, but also pull the horizontal loads on it.

The beam is called a wall plate or sill plate that carries the transmits and load it to the girders, columns, or walls. It is attached with.

In the early centuries, timbers were the most preferred material to be used as a beam for this structural support purpose, now to bear the force along with carrying vertical gravitational force, now they are made up of aluminum, steel, or other such materials.

In actual means, beams are these structural materials, which bear the sheer force of the load and the bending moment.

Fixed Beam & Over Hanging Beam

To carry on the more tension and load, pre-stressed concrete beams are widely used nowadays in the foundation of bridges and other such humongous structures.

Several famous beams used nowadays are supported Beam, Fixed Beam, Cantilever Beam, Continuous Beam, Overhanging Beam.

Also, read: What is Plum Concrete | Application | Mix Design | Methodology

Construction Beams

In building construction, a beam is a horizontal member spanning an opening and carrying a load that may be a brick or stone wall above the opening, in which case the beam is often called a lintel (see post-and-lintel system).

Types of Beam.

• Simply Supported Beam
• Cantilever Beam
• Over Hanging Beam
• Continuous Beam
• Fixed Ended Beam

What Is Column?

A compression member, i.e., column, is an important element of every reinforced concrete structure. These are used to transfer a load of superstructure to the foundation safely.

Mainly columns, struts, and pedestals are used as compression members in buildings, bridges, supporting systems of tanks, factories, and many more such structures.

A column is defined as a vertical compression member who is mainly subjected to the effective length and axial loads of which exceeds three times its least lateral dimension.

The compression member whose effective length is less than three times its least lateral dimension is called Pedestal

Shape of Column 

The compression member who is inclined or horizontal and is subjected to axial loads is called Strut. Struts are used in trusses.

The function of columns is to transfer the load of the structure vertically downwards to transfer it to a foundation.

Apart from the wall performs the following functions also:

• It encloses building areas into different compartments and provides privacy.
• It provides safety from burglary and insects.
• It keeps the building warm in cools in summer and winter.

Also, read: What Is Honeycomb In Concrete | Cause | Cure | Type of Grouting

Types of Column.

1. Tied Column
2. Spiral Column
3. Composite column
4. Axially Loaded Column
5. Column with Uniaxial Eccentric Loading
6. Column with Biaxial Eccentric Loading
7. Short Column
8. Long Column
9. Square or Rectangular Column
10. Circular column
11. L-Shape Column
12. T-Shape column
13. Shape of Steel Column
14. Shape of Composite Column
15. Reinforced Concrete, Steel, timber, Brick, Block, and Stone Column.

Also, read: What Is Spalling Concrete | Causes of Spalling in Concrete | Repairing Concrete Spalding 

Difference Between Beam and Column

Minimum width of the beam is 200 mm. Minimum width of a column is 200 mm, however, for earthquake resistance, it should be 300mm.