Bending

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Figure 1. A side view of a simply supported beam (top) bending under a distributed lateral load (bottom).
Figure 1. A side view of a simply supported beam (top) bending under a distributed lateral load (bottom).

This article is about the structural behavior. For other meanings see Bending (disambiguation).

In engineering mechanics, bending (also known as flexure) characterizes the behavior of a structural element subjected to a lateral load. A structural element subjected to bending is known as a beam.

A closet rod sagging under the weight of clothes on clothes hangers is an example of a beam experiencing bending.

[edit] See also

  • Contraflexure
  • Deflection
  • Shear strength
  • Shear stress
  • Bending (metalworking)