Cantilever
A cantilever is a beam supported only at one end, with load carried over the overhang. This is in contrast to a simply-supported beam, which is supported at both ends.
Cantilevers provide a clear space underneath the beam without any supporting columns or bracing.
Cantilevers became a popular structural form with the introduction of steel and reinforced concrete. They are used extensively in building construction, notably in:
- Cantilever bridges.
- Overhanging elements and projections.
- Balconies, such as at Frank Lloyd Wright’s ‘Falling water’.
- Machinery and plant such as cranes.
- Overhanging roofs such as stadium roofs, and shelters.
- Shelving.
- Furniture.
Cantilever construction can be used in bridge building for crossing large spans. A simple cantilever span is constructed from two cantilever arms extending from opposite sides, and meeting in the middle. A common variation of this is the suspended span where the cantilever arms support a central truss bridge resting on the ends of the cantilever arms. A classic example of the cantilever bridge is the Forth Railway Bridge in Scotland which has three cantilevers with two connecting suspended spans.
Cantilever cranes (otherwise known as 'hammerhead crane') are hoisting cranes with a swing or fixed cantilever along which a hoisting trolley moves. They are often used in shipyards and during the construction of tall buildings.
[edit] Related articles on Designing Buildings Wiki
- Abutment.
- Adaptive structures.
- Arches.
- Barrel vault.
- Canopy.
- Concrete v steel.
- Conoid shell.
- Engineer.
- Folded plate construction.
- Flying buttress.
- Hyperbolic paraboloid.
- Moment.
- Pendentive dome.
- Point of contraflexure.
- Resonant column method.
- Shell roof.
- Structural engineer.
- Structural systems for offices.
- Substructure.
- Superstructure.
- Swing bridge.
- Types of beam.
Featured articles and news
ECA 2024 Apprentice of the Year Award
Entries open for submission until May 31.
UK gov apprenticeship funding from April 2024
Brief summary the policy paper updated in March.
For the World Autism Awareness Month of April.
70+ experts appointed to public sector fire safety framework
The Fire Safety (FS2) Framework from LHC Procurement.
Project and programme management codes of practice
CIOB publications for built environment professionals.
The ECA Industry Awards 2024 now open !
Recognising the best in the electrotechnical industry.
Sustainable development concepts decade by decade.
The regenerative structural engineer
A call for design that will repair the natural world.
Buildings that mimic the restorative aspects found in nature.
CIAT publishes Principal Designer Competency Framework
For those considering applying for registration as a PD.
BSRIA Building Reg's guidance: The second staircase
An overview focusing on aspects which most affect the building services industry.
Design codes and pattern books
Harmonious proportions and golden sections.
Introducing or next Guest Editor Arun Baybars
Practising architect and design panel review member.
Quick summary by size, shape, test, material, use or bonding..