Which type of beam is affected primarily by a combination of tension and compression forces?

The type of beam most notably affected by a combination of tension and compression forces is indeed a beam. In structural engineering, beams are horizontal members designed to support loads and resist bending. When loads are applied to a beam, it experiences bending moments which create tension on the bottom section, where the beam is 'stretched', and compression on the top section, where it is 'squished'.

As loads are applied, the beam must effectively balance these forces to maintain structural integrity, with tension pulling it apart and compression pushing it together. This is fundamental to how beams function in various types of structures, including residential buildings and commercial facilities.

In contrast, while a lintel is also a type of beam, it typically primarily deals with vertical loads above openings like doors and windows, and it behaves similarly to a beam but is more specific in application. A girder acts as a main horizontal supporting beam within a structure, but it can also take on more complex load distributions and typically carries more load than smaller beams. A cantilever beam is designed to project horizontally beyond a support and is characterized by a unique loading condition, which indeed experiences tension and compression, but specifically at its free end. However, the most general definition of a beam encompasses the