A continuous beam is defined as one that is supported by?

A continuous beam is defined as one that is supported by?

• A. Two points
• B. Three or more points
• C. One point
• D. No points

Answer: (B)

A continuous beam is defined by being supported at more than two points. When a beam rests on three or more supports, the bending moment is carried smoothly across interior supports, creating a statically indeterminate system that requires compatibility of slopes and deflections to solve. This continuous path over multiple supports distinguishes it from a simply supported beam, which has only two supports and zero moment at the ends. A beam with a single support would be unstable in bending, and one with no supports isn’t supported at all.

A continuous beam is defined by being supported at more than two points. When a beam rests on three or more supports, the bending moment is carried smoothly across interior supports, creating a statically indeterminate system that requires compatibility of slopes and deflections to solve. This continuous path over multiple supports distinguishes it from a simply supported beam, which has only two supports and zero moment at the ends. A beam with a single support would be unstable in bending, and one with no supports isn’t supported at all.