True or False: A beam is primarily subject to compression while a column is primarily subject to shear.

The statement that a beam is primarily subject to compression while a column is primarily subject to shear is false because it inaccurately describes the roles of both structural elements.

In structural engineering, beams are typically designed to resist bending, which means they experience both compressive and tensile forces. When loads are applied to a beam, the top portion usually experiences compression, while the bottom portion experiences tension. Thus, it is essential to recognize that beams engage in both compressive and tensile forces due to bending moments, rather than just compression.

On the other hand, columns are primarily designed to carry vertical loads, which result in axial forces, meaning they predominantly experience compression. While columns can be subject to lateral forces that may induce shear, their main role in a structural system is to transfer loads from the beams and slabs above down to the foundations, primarily through axial compression rather than shear.

By understanding the fundamental behaviors of beams and columns in response to loads, it's clear that the original statement mischaracterizes these structural components, leading to the conclusion that the correct response is false.