Beam strength is proportional to which dimension?

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Multiple Choice

Beam strength is proportional to which dimension?

Explanation:
In bending, a beam’s ability to resist a moment grows mainly with the depth of its cross-section. For a rectangular section, the section modulus is S = b h^2 / 6, where b is width and h is depth. The bending stress is sigma = M / S, so increasing depth dramatically increases S and lowers stress for the same moment. Width does affect capacity, but only linearly with b, making depth the dominant factor. Span relates to the moment produced, not the intrinsic strength of the cross-section, so depth is the controlling dimension for beam strength.

In bending, a beam’s ability to resist a moment grows mainly with the depth of its cross-section. For a rectangular section, the section modulus is S = b h^2 / 6, where b is width and h is depth. The bending stress is sigma = M / S, so increasing depth dramatically increases S and lowers stress for the same moment. Width does affect capacity, but only linearly with b, making depth the dominant factor. Span relates to the moment produced, not the intrinsic strength of the cross-section, so depth is the controlling dimension for beam strength.

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