Column vs Beam

Structures are the foundations of a mega city. Structures are mainly

in three categories namely steel structures, timber structures and
concrete structures. Large structures, which are in different shapes
and in different styles, stand on columns and beams, creating
frames in handling different loading arrangements. With the
capacity, which the structure is holding, the strength of material,
the reinforcement requirements, and the area of the sections varies
for both columns and beams. The columns and beams are
differentiated in a variety of ways in the structural design, which
are going to be analyzed in this article.
Columns
In building structures, columns are connected to different footings
to transfer the load of the building to the footings of the building.
Columns are classified as slender columns and short columns. The
slender columns were introduced with the finding of high strength
materials. The column is said to be slender, if the cross sectional
dimensions are small compared to its length. The load actions on
the slender columns are prominent in the form of lateral deflection.
The columns are classified as short columns when the condition is
opposite to that of slender columns. In practice, short columns are
widely used than slender columns. In short columns, compression
action dominates above the bending action.
In concrete columns, whether slender or short, the main
reinforcements are used parallel to the vertical loads, and
rectangular or circular ties are used to prevent the bars buckling
action. The vertical reinforcement has to be erected straight while
pouring concrete.

Beams
Beams in a structure is used to carry the loads from the slabs to the
columns. In a broader context, concrete beams can be classified as
T beams, L beams and rectangular beams. The definition of either
L , T or rectangular is got because of the shape of the cross
sectional area. In steel beams there are I sections, L sections, U
sections etc.
Beams are mainly designed for bending moments and shear stress
that are the results of loading. In concrete beams, the transverse
reinforcement is used to prevent the bending moments while the
vertical reinforcement is used to prevent the shear stresses caused
due to loading.
In the industry, pre-stressed concrete beams are widely used in
Bridges, while in small scale in houses. The advantage of the
prestressed beam is the higher load carrying capacity compared to
the normal beam.

Colums vs Beams

- Both, the beams and columns are load carrying elements, but
differ in the method or the way of handling the load by each
member. That means, the columns bear the compression of the
load, whereas beams bear the bending moment and the shear force
of the load.
- Similar materials are used in the construction of columns and
beams, which are steel, timber and concrete.
- A building cant stand without columns but a building can stand
without beams.
- Design classifications of beams and columns are different.
Column are classified as slender or short, while beams are
classified as T,L or rectangular.
- The ties of the columns and the ties or shear reinforcement of
beams act differently.
- One should be careful in stating the behavior of each, because the
behaviors of the two elements are different.

Difference between T-beam and rectangular beam?

Dasign of T- beam is some what similar to rectangular beam, in

design slab thickness is determined first. the slab is acts as
compression flange in designing the beam. the flange acts as
compression zone, which is balance by steel embeded in the
bottom web of the beam.
slab thickness= t, in.
effective depth= d, in.
width of web= b', in.
flange width= b, in.
width of flange should be least of the three alternatives,
1. span/4.
2. b' + 16t.
3. centre to centre spacing of beams.
Beam section at support have to be designed as Rectangular
and
Beam section at mid span have to be designed as Tbeam for
interior beams and L
beam for exterior beams
If Mu < Mr - Tee beam requires 9% lesser
reinforcementwhen compared to
rectangular beam.
If Mu = Mr. The beam requires20% lesser than that required
for
rectangular beam. For span greater than 4m, the bending
moment is appreciable hence it is advisable to design beam at
mid span as Tee or Ell beam.
In case of continuous beam, tee beam design gives lesser
reinforcement than rectangular beam.