Structural Engineering Slide Library

Simply supported beams

	Image-GoddenA1.1 Stonehenge, England. One of the earliest examples of beam and column construction, it was built in approximately 2000 B.C. The picture shows part of a 30-meter circle of 30 upright stones, each weighing approximately 25 tons, capped by a continuous ring of 30 lintel stones, each weighing about 7 tons. The stones were brought 30 km from the quarry. Transport and construction procedures are still a matter of conjecture. (England)
	Image-GoddenA2 The Parthenon. Situated on the Acropolis and completed in 438 B.C. Perfect example of Greek architecture and of early column and beam construction. The temple is 228 ft. long, 101 ft. wide, and 66 ft. high. Columns are 6 ft. 1 1/2in. diameter at the base, and 34 ft. high. The architrave beams are 14 ft. 5 in. long. (Athens, Greece)
	Image-GoddenA3 Temple of Olympian Zeus. Completed by the Roman Emperor Hadrian (AD 76-138) 700 years after the first columns were raised. Columns are 6 ft. 4 in. diameter, 56 ft. high, 18 ft. centers. Architrave beam span is obviously limited by the self-weight and tensile strength of the stone. (Athens, Greece)
	Image-GoddenA4 Modern construction in the Bay Area Rapid Transit System (BART). The beams are hollow box-girder construction in prestressed concrete. Typical span is 75 ft. (Oakland, California)
	Image-GoddenA5 Modern construction in the Bay Area Rapid Transit System. Close-up of beam support of structure in GoddenA4 showing hinged supports. (End details of these beams can be seen in Godden Set G where some of the construction sequence is shown). (Oakland, California)
	Image-GoddenA6 New United Nations Building. Long thin variable depth steel I-beams used vertically as mullions. Loading (when completed) will be primarily due to wind pressure on the windows. (Geneva, Switzerland)
	Image-GoddenA7 Contra Costa County Branch Library building during construction. Four identical 75 ft. plate girders support the roof. Each beam is supported at one end on the outer wall of the building, and at the other end on the next beam at the 1/3rd point. (Pinole, California)
	Image-GoddenA8 Contra Costa County Branch Library after completion. Interior of library building [of GoddenA7] after completion. (Pinole, California)

Set A: Beam Structures