A beam is used to secure a roof or structure.
The concept of beam comes from the Latin biga , a term used to refer to a carriage with a pair of horses. The beam, with a "v", identifies the curved piece (which can be made of iron or wood) present in old cars with the purpose of allowing the connection between the front and rear sets.
Nowadays, the word is used to refer to a long, thick piece of iron or wood used to support the roofs of buildings or secure the structure . For example: “Be careful, that beam doesn't look very firm” , “We're going to have to ask the authorities to install new beams to avoid problems with the museum's roof” , “The boss asked me to paint the beams green” .
The beam in construction
According to construction experts, the beam is an element that works by bending, the resistance of which causes tensile and compressive stresses. When beams are located on the outer perimeter of a slab, it is possible that torsional stresses may also be observed.
There are many different materials used to make beams, and wood stands out among them all, as it has the advantage of having a great tensile capacity. However, in addition to this, and focusing more on the present, we must underline that the most common thing is that these structures are made of concrete, whether pre-tensioned, post-tensioned or reinforced.
Engineering and architecture use various formulas to calculate the slopes and deformations of beams when subjected to different types of loads. These data are essential for the development of constructions.
Wood, iron and concrete are some of the most commonly used materials for manufacturing beams.
The term in bridges and presses
In the field of architecture, we must also highlight the existence of a construction called a beam bridge. Specifically, this can be defined as a bridge that is characterised by the fact that its different spans are supported by beams. This simplicity is what makes it one of the most commonly used types of bridge, especially highlighting the fact that it is frequently used in the construction of pedestrian crossings on different motorways.
Another use of the concept of beam is linked to the press formed by a wooden beam of considerable size and horizontal format, which is articulated at one end and is loaded with weights at the opposite vertex with the purpose of achieving, through it, the compression of whatever is placed below it when descending with the help of a guide.
Other uses of the beam concept
In addition to all of the above, we must make clear that there are different expressions that are used to make use of the aforementioned concept that we are addressing. Thus, in Mexico it is common to hear the adverbial phrase “to throw the beam” which is used to express that a person is reprimanding another for a specific reason.
Viga is also the portion of ground olive that is repeatedly pressed and compressed in mills to obtain oil .
We cannot overlook the fact that Viga is the name of a rock band from Madrid that has been on stage for more than three decades. This group has had to face several setbacks and changes, and has numerous albums on the market, including “Electrokalambrera” , “Con un par… de ladrillos” and “Construyendo Rock & Roll” .