Math Problem Statement
A steel beam measuring 60 feet long supports 1 storey of a 30’ wide house. In addition to the end bearings of 90mm each, there are 2 support columns with 150mm bearing plates.
- What size steel beam is required for this situation? W ____x ____
- How much would this beam weigh? _________ kg
Solution
To solve this, we need to approach it step by step:
Step 1: Determine the Required Size of the Steel Beam
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Length of the Beam: The beam is 60 feet long.
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Load on the Beam: We need to calculate the load the beam must support. Since it's for one storey of a house that is 30 feet wide, we will need information on the load per foot of beam.
- The load on the beam depends on several factors like the total weight of the house, the type of construction, and the weight distribution.
- For now, assuming an average load of 1.5 kN per foot (this is an estimate based on typical loads in residential buildings), the total load on the beam is:
You can adjust this figure based on the actual specifications of your structure.
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Moment of Inertia: The size of the steel beam depends on the bending moment the beam will experience, which depends on the load. A common choice for such beams is a wide flange steel beam (W-beam), where the number format is W , indicating the beam’s weight per unit length and depth.
Without detailed calculations of the bending moment, we can select a beam with sufficient strength for the estimated load. For a typical 1-storey residential house, a W8x24 beam is often used for a 60-foot span under moderate loads.
Step 2: Calculate the Weight of the Steel Beam
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Weight of the Beam: The weight of the beam can be calculated based on its size. For example, a W8x24 beam weighs approximately 24 pounds per foot. To convert pounds to kilograms:
So for a W8x24 beam, the weight is:
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Total Weight of the Beam: The total weight of the 60-foot long beam is:
Final Answers:
- Size of Steel Beam: W8x24
- Weight of the Beam: 653.4 kg
Let me know if you need more details or have any questions!
Additional Questions:
- What are the different types of steel beams used in construction?
- How does the span of a beam affect its required size?
- How do you calculate the maximum bending moment for a steel beam?
- What is the significance of the beam's weight per unit length (e.g., W8x24)?
- What factors should be considered when choosing the steel grade for a beam?
Tip:
When selecting a beam, always ensure that the beam is designed to withstand both the dead load (permanent load like the weight of the house) and live load (temporary loads like furniture or people).
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Math Problem Analysis
Mathematical Concepts
Structural Engineering
Load Calculations
Unit Conversions
Moment of Inertia
Weight Calculation
Formulas
Total Load = Beam Length × Load per Foot
Weight per Foot × Beam Length = Total Weight
1 lb = 0.453592 kg
Theorems
Bending Moment Theorem
Load Distribution Principles
Suitable Grade Level
Undergraduate Engineering or Advanced High School Physics
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