Simple Beam Calculator

The Simple Beam Calculator command provides a quick way to analyze a simply-supported beam with a single load.

To use the Simple Beam Calculator:

1.	Select the appropriate command.

 

Product	Command
Architect	AEC > Framing > Simple Beam Calculator
Landmark	Landmark > AEC > Simple Beam Calculator
Spotlight	AEC > Simple Beam Calculator
Machine Design	Machine Design > Simple Beam Calculator

The Simple Beam Calculator dialog box opens.

2.	Select the desired configuration, and then enter the values to be calculated.

 

Parameter	Description
Configuration	Select the simple beam configuration to analyze
Input
Units	Select Imperial or Metric (SI) as the displayed unit value
L	Enter the length of the beam
P	Enter the value of a concentrated load or loads
a	Enter the distance as represented by “a”
w	Enter the value per unit length of a distributed load
E	Enter the modulus of elasticity of the beam
I	Enter the moment of inertia of the beam
s	Enter the section modulus of the beam
Solution
rL	Displays the reaction at the left support
rR	Displays the reaction at the right support
mL	Displays the bending moment at the left support
mR	Displays the bending moment at the right support
vMax	Displays the maximum vertical shear
mMax	Displays the maximum bending moment
sMax	Displays the maximum shear stress
yMax	Displays the maximum deflection
at x	Displays the point from the left end of the beam at which the maximum deflection occurs

Certain input fields may appear dimmed depending on the configuration selected.

3.	Click Solve.

The results are displayed in Solution.

4.	Click Close to exit the Simple Beam Calculator dialog box.