Final answer:
Advanced materials and engineering techniques yield structures that surpass the strength and distance span capabilities of steel beams. These include ship superstructures, container vehicles, power cables, and the flexible, yet strong cables used in suspension bridges, which are well-designed to manage stretching, weight distribution, and thermal stress.
Step-by-step explanation:
When considering materials that are stronger than steel beams, capable of taking various forms, and able to span great distances, several advanced materials and engineering solutions come to mind. In the realm of transportation, materials are selected for their strength-to-weight ratios, such as those found in ships' superstructures, the bodies of container vehicles, and tube trains. Similarly, overhead power cables with a steel core for reinforcement effectively span vast distances while bearing considerable loads.
Engineering strategies also include allowing materials like steel beams and concrete to expand and contract to prevent thermal stress, utilizing materials with similar coefficients of linear expansion. For supporting structures in large constructions, engineers utilize cranes and other machinery to hoist materials such as the heavy sandstone beams employed in historical constructions.
Suspension bridge engineering demonstrates how materials can be stronger and longer-spanning than steel beams alone. The cables used in suspension bridges, like the iconic Golden Gate Bridge, distribute the weight evenly and take on a characteristic curved form, showing flexibility and strength.
Lastly, understanding materials at the molecular level, concepts like the surface tension of water enable steel needles or paper clips to float despite their density, presenting an intriguing juxtaposition of material properties in practical applications.