Bending Moments

Bending moments refer to the internal forces that arise in a structure when external loads are applied. Imagine a beam supported at both ends; if you place weight in the middle, it will sag or bend. The bending moment is a measure of the tendency of the beam to bend at that point due to the weight. It’s crucial in engineering because it helps determine how strong materials need to be to safely handle the forces they encounter, ensuring structures like bridges and buildings remain stable and safe.