Engineering & Construction

Simply Supported Beam Calculator

Find the support reactions and midspan moment of a simply supported beam, plus the elastic deflection. A point load is at midspan.

LoadLoad (kN, or kN/m)Span (m)E (GPa)Used only for the deflection.I (cm⁴)

How this number is worked out

The two supports share the load equally. Point load at midspan: each reaction is P/2 and the moment is PL/4. Uniform load: each reaction is wL/2 and the moment is wL²/8. This is a planning estimate. Confirm quantities against the structural drawings before ordering or cutting material.

Result

Enter the sizes, then press Calculate. The answer stays in this panel.

Result

Enter the sizes, then press Calculate. The answer stays in this panel.

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How to use the Simply Supported Beam Calculator

1Choose a point load at midspan or a uniform load.
2Enter the load and the span.
3Enter E and I if you want the deflection as well.

Questions

How are the reactions shared?

Equally. Each support takes half of a central point load, or half of a uniform load.

What is the moment?

PL/4 for a central point load, and wL²/8 for a uniform load.

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How to use the Simply Supported Beam Calculator

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