What is a beam?

A beam is a structural element that primarily resist the loads applied to is laterally, these beams are known as structural beams. The complete effect of all the forces acting on the beam is to produce shear forces and bending moments to counter predict when breakages might occur, that in turn induce internal stress, strains and deflections on the beam. Beam are characterized in a few different ways, their manner of support, profile, shape of cross section, equilibrium conditions, length, and the material in which they are made of. Beams are typically descriptions of building or engineering structural elements. However, there are many other products that contain structural beams such as automobiles, aircrafts, machine frames, and other mechanical systems with heavy weight.

What is an U beam?

U beam is also known as Channel beams or C beams, this name was given to them based on their shape, most commonly used in construction of buildings and bridges. Channel section steel is kind of carbon structural steel, known for its high strength and good weldability, it can be used in construction and automobile manufacture. Sometimes called a parallel flange channel (PFC). Channels or U-beams are often used where the flat, back side of the web can be mounted to another flat surface for maximum contact area. They are also sometimes welded together back-to-back to form a non-standard I-beam. Used for many different types of walls, steel channel U beams are often used in garages, warehouse, workshops, and other metal buildings. They are used like studs similar to conventional wood framing techniques. The beams run vertically from bottom to top of the wall to support and bear weight. Compare to wood studding steel channels can support a much great weight, however they are more difficult to install because they require the use of bolting, welding, or riveting. In light duty roofs, steek U beams can be used as rafters to support the roof deck. The use of U channels beams can allow for the roofing structure to support moore weight and are less likely to rot like wooden supports tend to do. On more heavu duty roof I beams are typically used to support while the steel U beams are placed horizontally from every few feet from rafter to rafter to distribute the weight perpendicular to the rest of the structure. U beam are also used in automobiles because of there lighter weight than other structural support beams. It can be used to create the mainframe or tongue of the vehicle that will eventually have other pieces snapped on to it.