Description

A cantilever is a rigid structural element that extends horizontally and is supported at only one end. Typically it extends from a flat vertical surface such as a wall, to which it must be firmly attached. Like other structural elements, a cantilever can be formed as a beam, plate, truss, or slab.

Cantilevers provide a clear space underneath the beam without any supporting columns or bracing. Cantilevers became a popular structural form with the introduction of steel and reinforced concrete. They are used extensively in building construction, notably in: Cantilever bridges.