Types of Beams in Construction: Common Questions Answered

We have answered some of the most common questions about beams and their use in construction, especially residential buildings. Get quick, clear answers to help you understand which beams work best for different construction projects.

What are Beams in Construction?

Beams form the backbone of structural systems in construction. They function as the primary means of transferring weight from horizontal building elements to vertical supports. Different construction projects require different beam solutions.

How Can I Select the Right Beam For My Construction?

The selection process depends on multiple factors, including building scale, intended use, and structural demands, ranging from small residential structures to complex bridge engineering projects.

What Are the Different Types of Beams in a Residential Building?

A typical house uses several different types of beams. Each one serves a specific function to ensure the stability of the home.

The plinth beam is one of the first beams constructed. It is built at the ground level to support the walls.

Lintel beams are placed over doors and windows to carry the weight of the wall above them. The main beams that support the floor are often called girders. These are the primary horizontal supports for the floor system.

In residential buildings, beams are essential for supporting loads from floors, roofs, and walls. The types of beams used vary depending on the design, materials, and structural requirements. Here's a list of the most common types of beams used in residential construction, along with their applications:

Types of Beams in Residential Buildings

1. RCC (Reinforced Cement Concrete) Beam

• Material: Concrete with steel reinforcement.

• Usage: Most common in modern homes for structural support.

• Application: Used in slabs, lintels, columns, and load-bearing walls.

2. Lintel Beam

• Material: RCC or precast concrete.

• Usage: Above doors and windows.

• Application: Transfers load from the wall above to the sides of the opening.

3. Plinth Beam

• Material: RCC.

• Usage: At the base of walls, just above the foundation.

• Application: Prevents differential settlement and distributes load evenly.

4. Tie Beam

• Material: RCC or steel.

• Usage: Connects columns at the base or top.

• Application: Prevents buckling and maintains alignment of columns.

5. Cantilever Beam

• Material: RCC or steel.

• Usage: Balconies, sunshades, projections.

• Application: Extends beyond support without external bracing.

6. Continuous Beam

• Material: RCC or steel.

• Usage: Multi-span support across several columns.

• Application: Reduces bending moments and improves load distribution.

7. T-Beam (RCC Slab Beam)

• Material: RCC.

• Usage: Integrated with slab construction.

• Application: Provides better resistance to bending in slab systems.

8. Wooden Beam

• Material: Timber.

• Usage: Traditional homes, cottages, or aesthetic interiors.

• Application: Used in roof framing, ceilings, and decorative structures.

9. Steel Beam (I-Beam or H-Beam)

• Material: Structural steel.

• Usage: Modern homes with large spans or open layouts.

• Application: Used in basements, garages, and modular construction.

Modern homes also use steel beams.

What Are Two Types of Steel Beams Used in Residential Construction?

I-beams and H-beams are two common types of steel beams used in residential construction for their high strength.

What is the Main Beam in a House Called?

The main horizontal support beam in a house that carries the weight of the floor joists is often referred to as a girder.

What Type of Beams Are Used in Skyscrapers?

A high-rise building requires a much stronger and more complex beam system. The beams in a skyscraper must support immense loads over large open spaces.

Engineers often use deep steel sections and composite beams in these structures. A composite beam is made of a steel section and a concrete slab working together. This combination creates an incredibly strong and stiff beam. This is ideal for the demanding environment of a high-rise building.

In skyscraper construction, beams are critical for supporting massive loads, resisting wind and seismic forces, and enabling large open spaces. The types of beams used are more specialized and robust compared to residential buildings. Here is a breakdown of the main types of beams used in skyscrapers, along with their functions and applications

Types of Beams Used in Skyscrapers

1. Steel I-Beams and H-Beams

• Material: Structural steel.

• Usage: Primary load-bearing elements in the frame.

• Application: Used in floors, columns, and roof structures due to high strength and flexibility.

2. Composite Beams

• Material: Steel + Concrete (e.g., steel beam with concrete slab).

• Usage: Floor systems and decks.

• Application: Combines the compressive strength of concrete with the tensile strength of steel.

3. Transfer Beams

• Material: Reinforced concrete or steel.

• Usage: Transfers loads from upper floors to different column arrangements below.

• Application: Used when column positions change between floors (e.g., podium levels).

4. Outrigger Beams

• Material: Steel or concrete.

• Usage: Connect core walls to perimeter columns.

• Application: Enhances lateral stiffness and wind resistance.

5. Belt Beams

• Material: Steel or concrete.

• Usage: Encircle the building at specific levels.

• Application: Distribute lateral loads and tie perimeter columns together.

6. Spandrel Beams

• Material: Steel or concrete.

• Usage: Located at the edge of floors.

• Application: Support curtain walls and transfer floor loads to columns.

7. Box Beams

• Material: Hollow steel sections.

• Usage: High-torsion areas like elevator shafts or mechanical floors.

• Application: Provide rigidity and resistance to twisting.

Which Type of Beam is Commonly Used for Long-Span Structures Such as Bridges?

Bridge construction presents a unique engineering challenge. Bridges must span very long distances without any intermediate support. This requires exceptionally strong and efficient beam designs.

The most common type of beam used for long-span structures like bridges is the steel I-beam or plate girder. For even longer spans, large, hollow box girders are used. Truss beams, which are made from a triangular framework of smaller members, are also a very common and efficient solution for bridge construction.