Quizzical Pursuit
The Architecture Puzzler
Created by Dave Guadagni
Solution to Last Week's Puzzler
Architecture Puzzler #468
Question
What would you expect to be different in the construction of a beam designed to withstand a positive moment compared to a beam designed to resist a negative moment?
Answer
For a beam designed with a positive moment (simple supported beams), the reinforcing steel would be located in the bottom of the beam. For a beam designed with a negative moment (such as for overhangs and cantilevers), the steel is located near the top of the beam.
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Dave Guadagni, AIA, is an architect with Robertson/Sherwood/Architects
Quizzical Pursuit is Copyright 2010, Dave Guadagni.
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Workers guide a steel beam at a high-rise construction site.
Photo: National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health
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