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Stress and Deflections in Beams

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Stress and Deflections in Beams


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The calculator below can be used to calculate maximum stress and deflection of beams with one or uniform loads.

Beam Supported at Both Ends, Uniform Load

Maximum Stress

Maximum stress in a beam with uniform load supported at both ends can be calculated as
= y q L2 / 8 I

(1)

where
= maximum stress (Pa (N/m2), N/mm2, psi)
y = Perpendicular distance from to neutral axis X (m, mm, in)
q = uniform load per length unit (N/m, N/mm, lb/in)
L = length of beam (m, mm, in)
I = moment of Inertia (m4, mm4, in4)



1 N/m2 = 1x10-6 N/mm2 = 1 Pa = 1.4504x10-4 psi


1 psi (lb/in2) = 144 psf (lbf/ft2) = 6,894.8 Pa (N/m2) = 6.895x10-3 N/mm2

Maximum deflection can be expressed as


= 5 q L4 / E I 384

(2)

where
= maximum deflection (m, mm, in)
E = modulus of elasticity (Pa (N/m2), N/mm2, psi)
Metric Units

q - Uniform load (N/mm)

5000

L - Length of Beam (mm)

78125000

I - Moment of Inertia (mm4)

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Stress and Deflections in Beams

200000
150

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E - Modulus of Elasticity (N/mm2))


y - Perpendicular distance from to neutral axis (mm)

Calculate!





1 mm4 = 10-4 cm4 = 10-12 m4


1 cm4 = 10-8 m = 104 mm
1 in4 = 4.16x105 mm4 = 41.6 cm4
1 N/mm2 = 106 N/m2 (Pa)

Imperial Units

100

q - Load (lb/in)

100

L - Length of Beam (in)

285

I - Moment of Inertia (in4)

29000000
6.25

E - Modulus of Elasticity (psi)


y - Perpendicular distance from to neutral axis X (in)

Calculate!
Example - Beam with Uniform Load, English Units

The maximum stress in a "W 12 x 35" Steel Wide Flange beam, 100 inches long, moment of inertia 285 in4, modulus of elasticity 29000000
psi, with uniform load 100 lb/in can be calculated as
= y q L2 / 8 I
= (6.25 in) (100 lb/in) (100 in)2 / 8 (285 in4)
= 2741 (lb/in2, psi)
The maximum deflection can be calculated as
= 5 q L4 / E I 384
= 5 (100 lb/in) (100 in)4 / (29000000 lb/in2) (285 in4) 384
= 0.016 in

Beam Supported at Both Ends, Load at Center

Maximum Stress

Maximum stress in a beam with uniform load supported at both ends can be calculated as
=yFL/4I

(3)

where
= maximum stress (Pa (N/m2), N/mm2, psi)
y = Perpendicular distance from to neutral axis (m, mm, in)
F = load (N, lb)
L = length of beam (m, mm, in)
I = moment of Inertia (m4,mm4, in4)
Maximum deflection can be expressed as
= F L3 / E I 48

(4)

where
= maximum deflection (m, mm, in)

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Stress and Deflections in Beams

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E = modulus of elasticity (Pa (N/m2), N/mm2, psi)


Metric Units

30000

F - Load (N)

5000

L - Length of Beam (mm)


I - Moment of Inertia (mm4)

78125000

E - Modulus of Elasticity (N/mm2)

200000
150

y - Perpendicular distance from to neutral axis (mm)

Calculate!
Imperial Units

10000

F - Load (lb)

100

L - Length of Beam (in)

285

I - Moment of Inertia (in4)

29000000

E - Modulus of Elasticity (psi)

6.25

y - Perpendicular distance from to neutral axis (in)

Calculate!
Example - Beam with a Single Center Load

The maximum stress in a "W 12 x 35" Steel Wide Flange beam, 100 inches long, moment of inertia 285 in4, modulus of elasticity 29000000
psi, with a center load 10000 lb can be calculated like
=yFL/4I
= (6.25 in) (10000 lb) (100 in) / 4 (285 in4)
= 5482 (lb/in2, psi)
The maximum deflection can be calculated as
= F L3 / E I 48
= (10000 lb/in) (100 in)3 / (29000000 lb/in2) (285 in4) 48
= 0.025 in

Some Typical Vertical Deflection Limits









total deflection : span/250


live load deflection : span/360
cantilevers : span/180
domestic timber floor joists : span/330 (max 14 mm)
brittle elements : span/500
crane girders : span/600
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Stress and Deflections in Beams









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Moment of Section Conversions - Convert Moment of Section (Inertia) units


Normal Flange I Beams - Properties of normal flange I profile steel beams
Section Modulus Conversions - Convert Section Modulus
Steel Angles - Dimensions and static parameters of steel angles with equal legs - imperial units
Steel Angles with Unequal Legs - Dimensions and static parameters of steel angles with unequal legs - imperial units
Steel Angles with Unequal Legs - Dimensions and static parameters of steel angles with unequal legs - metric units
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