Structural Engineering · Engineering Glossary
A beam is a horizontal structural member that carries loads primarily through bending, spanning between supports such as columns, walls, or other beams. Beams transfer floor, roof, and wall loads to their supports and must be designed for bending moment, shear force, and deflection.
Beams can be made from steel, reinforced concrete, wood, or engineered lumber such as LVL or glulam. The critical design checks are flexural (bending) strength, shear strength, and serviceability deflection limits. For steel beams, AISC 360 governs; for wood beams, the NDS applies; for concrete beams, ACI 318 is the standard. In renovation projects, existing beams must be evaluated for their capacity to carry new loads — a task that often requires field verification of the beam size and connections. Apex Grid engineers new and replacement beams for commercial, industrial, and multifamily projects.
Apex Grid Engineering maintains this glossary as a resource for architects, contractors, developers, and property owners who encounter unfamiliar engineering terminology on their projects.
View All Engineering TermsApex Grid's licensed PEs provide structural engineering services across multiple jurisdictions — with fast quote turnaround and permit-ready documents.
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