What effect does a load carried by a beam produce?

A load carried by a beam primarily results in bending stress. When a beam is subjected to an external load, the distribution of internal forces changes. The top surface of the beam typically experiences compressive forces, while the bottom surface experiences tensile forces, leading to a bending moment.

As the load is applied, the beam bends around a neutral axis, where there is no tensile or compressive stress. Beyond this neutral axis, the material experiences different stress types: the upper fibers (above the neutral axis) are under compressive stress, and the lower fibers (below the neutral axis) are under tensile stress. Bending stress is a result of the moment caused by the load applied to the beam’s length.

While shear stress can occur in the cross-section of the beam due to vertical loads, compressive and tensile stresses arise only on the surfaces relative to the neutral axis during bending. Thus, the effect of the load on a beam focuses on generating bending stress, not just compressive stress alone.