Subject
Beams are used to span open areas providing overhead support or cover.
A beam is a longitudinal member with a substantial portion of unsupported length. A load applied anywhere along its unsupported length, will cause the beam to react at its support(s) and throughout its length in the form of deformation, strain, shear forces, bending moments, etc.
The magnitude of the various reactions to the applied load will depend upon the structural properties of the beam, its unsupported length, the type of end supports and the nature of the load.
Beams calculates the end reaction(s), deflection, bending moment, stress and strain anywhere between the supports of a beam with constant cross section, that has been manufactured from a material that obeys Hooke's law throughout its entire length at the applied load and deflects less than 5% of its length.
You can select your beam properties from CalQlata's Steel Beam Sizes or calculate them using Area Moments and Area Moments+ or you can iterate the beam’s second moment of area until you achieve your desired reactions.
Your load may be applied anywhere between its supports and at right-angles to the neutral axis. If you enter a radial distance from its neutral axis, Beams will calculate the stress in the beam material at that radial distance.
The beam strength calculator includes 6 different end support combinations and 3 different load types (see below).
Beams+ should be used to determine the behaviour of large-deflection beams; i.e. those that deflect more than 5% of their length
Whilst you can use Beams to calculate the reactions in a beam exposed to multiple loads (see Technical Help), you may find it easier to use CalQlata’s Bending Moments and Engineering Basics calculators
For help using this calculator see Technical Help
Beam Strength Calculator - Options
For all calculation options listed below:
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You enter: |
and the beam strength calculator will provide: |
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Cross-sectional area
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Angular deflection at each end and at ‘x’
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Lateral deflection at each end and at ‘x’
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Shear force at each end and at ‘x’
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Bending moment at each end and at ‘x’
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Stress at ‘x’
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Strain at ‘x’
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Beam Support Conditions (6 off):
The six end support conditions provided in Beams are as follows (refer to Glossary for a definition of each support).
Free-Fixed
End ‘A’ of the beam is free to move in any direction. All movement is prevented in end ‘B’.
Guided-Fixed
Movement in end ‘A’ is constrained by a guide. All movement is prevented in end ‘B’.
Simple-Fixed
Movement in end ‘A’ is constrained by a simple ‘vertical’ support. All movement is prevented in end ‘B’.
Fixed-Fixed
All movement is prevented in ends ‘A’ and ‘B’.
Simple-Simple
Movement in ends ‘A’ and ‘B’ are constrained by a simple ‘vertical’ support.
Guided-Simple
Movement in end ‘A’ is constrained by a guide and movement in end ‘B’ is constrained by a simple ‘vertical’ support.
Beam Loading Conditions (3 off):
You may apply any of the following loads anywhere along the beam between ends ‘A’ & ‘B’ to any of the above support conditions:
Point Load
A single load concentrated at distance ‘ℓ’ from end ‘A’ of the beam.
Distributed Load (linearly variable)
A linearly variable load applied between distance ‘ℓ’ from end ‘A’ to end ‘B’.
Applied Moment
A moment concentrated at distance ‘ℓ’ from end ‘A’ of the beam.
Check minimum system requirements
