Beam Deflection Calculator
Construction & Home ImprovementEstimate the maximum deflection of a simply supported or cantilever beam under a point or uniform load.
Maximum Deflection
Maximum expected deflection at the point of greatest movement.
Span-to-Deflection Ratio
1,600
Span divided by deflection, often compared against a code stiffness guideline such as 360.
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Construction & Home Improvement calculators
Calculator Stats
Creators
Odeh Ahwal0people find this calculator helpful
Views
Helpful
Saved
Embeds
Construction & Home Improvement calculators
Frequently Asked Questions
What load and beam combinations does this calculator support?
Four combinations: a simply supported beam with a point load at midspan or a uniform distributed load, and a cantilever beam with a point load at the free end or a uniform distributed load. These are the four most common textbook load cases in beam mechanics.
What is moment of inertia and where do I find it?
Moment of inertia, I, describes how a cross-section resists bending, and depends only on the shape and dimensions of the beam, not the material. For a rectangular section it equals width times height cubed divided by 12; for standard steel or engineered lumber shapes, the manufacturer publishes I directly in their product tables.
Is a lower span-to-deflection ratio better or worse?
A higher span-to-deflection ratio means less relative deflection, so it is generally better. Many building codes reference a minimum ratio, commonly 360, as a stiffness guideline for finished floors.
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