uncated portion intersected? Not even
the bending should be considered, except in the case of relatively
shallow members, but simply the tendency on the part of the wedge-shaped
section to slip out on the 45 deg. planes, thereby requiring sufficient
reinforcement at the crossing of these planes of principal weakness to
take the component of the load on this portion, tending to shove it out.
This reinforcement, of course, should be anchored securely both ways; in
mid-span by extending it clear through, forming a suspensory, and, in
the other direction, by prolonging it past the supports, the concrete,
in this case, along these planes, being assumed to assist partly or not
at all.

This would seem to be a fair assumption. In all events, beams designed
in this manner and checked by comparison with the usual methods of
calculation, allowing continuity of action, are found to agree fairly
well. Hence, the following statement seems to be warranted: If enough
steel is provided, crossing normally or nearly so the 45 deg. planes from
the edge of the support upward and outward, to care for the component of
the load on the portion included within a pair of these planes, tending
to produce sliding along the same, and this steel is adequately anchored
both ways, there will be enough reinforcement for every other purpose.
In addition, U-bars should be provided for practical reasons.

The weak point of beams, and slabs also, fully reinforced for continuity
of action, is on the under side adjacent to the edge of the support,
where the concrete is in compression. Here, too, the amount of concrete
available is small, having no slab to assist it, as is the case within
the middle section, where the compression is in the top. Over the
supports, for the width of the column, there is abundant strength, for
here the steel has a leverage equal to the depth of the column; but at
the very edge and for at least one-tenth of the span out, conditions are
serious. The usual method of strengthening this region is to subpose
brackets, suitably proportioned, to increase the available compressive
area to a safe figure, as well as the leverage of the steel, at the same
time diminishing the intensity of compression. Brackets, however, are
frequently objectionable, and are therefore very generally omitted by
careless or ignorant designers, no especial compensation being made for
their absence. In Europe, especially in Germany, engineers are much more
caref