Beams deliver loads perpendicular to what?

• A. Their own length
• B. Their imposed load
• C. The ceiling
• D. The foundation

Answer: (B)

Beams are designed to carry loads that act across the span, meaning forces that are perpendicular to the beam’s length. The loads applied to a floor or roof (dead and live loads) are the imposed loads, and the beam transfers those transverse forces to the supports. In this sense, the direction of the loads the beam is carrying is defined by the imposed loads themselves, which makes the statement that beams deliver loads perpendicular to their imposed load the best match among the options.