"In this chapter we continue our study of the bending of beams by examining several specialized topics, including the analysis of composite beams (that is, beams of more than one material), beams with inclined loads, unsymmetric beams, shear stresses in thin-walled beams, shear centrs, elastoplastic bending, and nonlinear bending."

BEAM
A SUPPORT THAT IS USED TO TRANSMIT AND SUPPORT FORCES

COMPOSITE
MADE UP OF SEVERAL DISTINCT ELEMENTS OR MATERIALS

COMPOSITE BEAM
A BEAM MADE UP OF SEVERAL DIFFERENT MATERIALS

FLEXURAL RIGIDITY
THIS IS CONSTANT THAT IS USED TO DESCRIBE THE RIGIDITY OF A BEAM OR BAR. BEAMS WITH HIGH RIGIDITY REQUIRE A LARGE SIDEWAYS FORCE TO DEFLECT THE BEAM A UNIT DISTANCE.

FLEXURE FORMULA
AN EQUATION THAT RELATES THE LONGITUDINAL STRESS DISTRIBUTION ON A BEAM TO THE INTERNAL BENDING MOMENT ACTING ON THE BEAM'S CROSS SECTION.

I-BEAM
A BEAM WITH A CROSS SECTION THAT HAS THE SHAPE OF THE CAPITAL LETTER I. THIS SHAPE IS USED TO PROVIDE RIGIDITY AND REMAIN LIGHTWEIGHT.

SANDWICH BEAMS
A BEAM MADE OF STRUCTURAL TIMBERS BOLTED TOGETHER WITH A STEEL PLATE BETWEEN THEM.