Structure strength and stability

[zhern]

How do mass, shape and form of a beam affect the beam's ability to support a load?

[factor-fiction]

Coursework assignment? Which course?

[factor-fiction]

I have no knowledge whatsoever of beams but a quick google search shows there's loads of info.
e.g.

http://www.fgg.uni-lj.si/kmk/ESDEP/master/wg07 /l0920.htm

Read some of thos. your lecture notes and course texts may help too

[Muppit]

Oooo, this is one for me...

The two main points to consider are shear stress and bending moment.

The applied load causes both of the above; therfore the beams design is critical to resist both.

A flat thin beam will resist a lower bending moment than a tall beam. The second moment of area is a value based on the cross-sectional area of the beam.

The shear stress that a beam can withstand is directly related to the cross sectional area and the material strength.

The third point to consider is the loading of the beam. A uniformly distributed load (UDL) will create different bending characteristics to a / several point loads.

So are you doing homwork, building a house or something else?