There are three common forms of beams, as follows:

(1) Simple beam - a bar resting upon two supports, one near each end. (See Fig. 16, No. 1.)

(2) Cantilever beam - a bar resting upon one support or fulcrum, or that portion of any beam projecting out of a wall or beyond a support. (See Fig. 16, No. 2.)

(3) Continuous beam - a bar resting upon more than two supports. (See Fig. 16, No. 3.)

Figure 16

Three common forms of beams. 1. Simple. 2. Cantilever. 3. Continuous.