Beam Load Calculator

Your details

Simply supported: pinned at both ends (equal reactions for symmetric loads). Cantilever: one end fixed, the other free.
Point load is applied at the midspan of a simply-supported beam or at the free end of a cantilever. UDL is spread evenly over the full span.
Clear span between supports (or fixed wall to free end for a cantilever).
m
Point load in kN (or kip), or total UDL intensity in kN/m (or kip/ft).
kN
Selects the elastic modulus E used for deflection. Override with a custom value if your material differs.
Width b of the rectangular cross-section (b x d).
mm
Depth d of the rectangular cross-section (b x d). The neutral axis is at d/2.
mm
Max shear forceDeflection OK (L/360+)
5

Largest internal shear force anywhere along the beam.

Reaction at A5
Reaction at B5
Max bending moment12.5
Max deflection0.3858
Max bending stress5.556
Second moment of area (I)337,500,000
Span/deflection ratio12,960
Reaction A5
Reaction B5
Max shear5
Max moment12.5
12,960 L/d
Excessive<240Borderline240-360OK360+

Simply-supported beam with central point load: results calculated.

  • Max shear force: 5.000 kN. Max bending moment: 12.500 kN-m.
  • Maximum deflection at the critical point: 0.386 mm.
  • The span-to-deflection ratio is L/12960, which is within the typical L/360 serviceability limit.
  • Maximum bending stress in the outer fibre: 5.56 MPa. Compare this to the material allowable stress.

Next stepThese results assume elastic, isotropic behaviour and a rectangular cross-section. For I-beams, T-beams, or composite sections, use the actual second moment of area (I) and section modulus (Z = I / y_max) in the formulas shown in the steps panel.

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