What term best describes a beam that extends beyond supports in an overhanging position with the extended end unsupported?

What term best describes a beam that extends beyond supports in an overhanging position with the extended end unsupported?

• A. Cantilever beam
• B. Propped span
• C. Continuous beam
• D. Simply supported beam

Answer: (A)

A cantilever is a beam fixed at one end that carries its length beyond that support with the far end left unsupported. This setup matches a beam that extends past its supports and has no support at the extended tip, which is the defining feature of a cantilever. The bending effect concentrates at the fixed end and the free overhang deflects under load, with no support at the far end. The other terms don’t fit this scenario: a propped span involves an extra support that reduces but does not eliminate the need for a support at the ends; a continuous beam is supported at multiple points along its length; and a simply supported beam has supports at both ends with no overhang.

A cantilever is a beam fixed at one end that carries its length beyond that support with the far end left unsupported. This setup matches a beam that extends past its supports and has no support at the extended tip, which is the defining feature of a cantilever. The bending effect concentrates at the fixed end and the free overhang deflects under load, with no support at the far end.

The other terms don’t fit this scenario: a propped span involves an extra support that reduces but does not eliminate the need for a support at the ends; a continuous beam is supported at multiple points along its length; and a simply supported beam has supports at both ends with no overhang.