Beam Deflection Calculator
Calculate deflection and forces for simply supported beams under point loads.
Additional Information and Definitions
Beam Length
The total length of the beam between supports
Point Load
The concentrated force applied to the beam
Load Position
The distance from the left support to the point where the load is applied
Young's Modulus
The elastic modulus of the beam material (200 GPa for steel, 70 GPa for aluminium)
Beam Width
The width (b) of the rectangular beam cross-section
Beam Height
The height (h) of the rectangular beam cross-section
Structural Beam Analysis
Analyse beam behaviour with precise calculations for deflection, reactions, and bending moments.
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Understanding Beam Deflection
Key concepts in structural beam analysis
Deflection:
The displacement of a beam from its original position when subjected to loading, measured perpendicular to the beam's axis.
Young's Modulus:
A measure of material stiffness, representing the relationship between stress and strain in elastic deformation.
Bending Moment:
The internal moment that resists bending of the beam, calculated from external forces and their distances.
Moment of Inertia:
A geometric property of the beam's cross-section that indicates its resistance to bending.
What Engineers Don't Tell You: 5 Beam Design Facts That Will Shock You
Structural beams have been fundamental to construction for millennia, yet their fascinating properties continue to surprise even experienced engineers.
1.Ancient Wisdom
The Romans discovered that adding hollow spaces to beams could maintain strength while reducing weight - a principle they used in the Pantheon's dome. This ancient insight is still applied in modern I-beam designs.
2.The Golden Ratio Connection
Research has shown that the most efficient rectangular beam height-to-width ratio closely approximates the golden ratio (1.618:1), a mathematical concept found throughout nature and architecture.
3.Microscopic Marvels
Modern carbon fibre beams can be stronger than steel while weighing 75% less, thanks to their microscopic structure that mimics the arrangement of atoms in diamond crystals.
4.Nature's Engineers
Bird bones naturally evolved into hollow beam structures that optimise strength-to-weight ratios. This biological design has inspired numerous aerospace engineering innovations.
5.Temperature Secrets
The Eiffel Tower grows taller by up to 6 inches in summer due to thermal expansion of its iron beams - a phenomenon that was intentionally accounted for in its revolutionary design.