Calculate beam deflection for various support conditions and loading types. Perfect for structural engineers and students.
Beam deflection is the displacement of a beam from its original position due to applied loads. It's a crucial factor in structural engineering to ensure beams don't deflect beyond acceptable limits.
Common support types include simply supported (pinned at one end, roller at other), cantilever (fixed at one end), and fixed-fixed (both ends rigidly fixed). Each has different deflection characteristics.
Material properties like Young's modulus (E) and moment of inertia (I) directly affect deflection. Higher E and I values result in less deflection under the same load.
Maximum allowable deflection typically ranges from L/360 to L/600 for most building codes, where L is the span length. This ensures structural integrity and prevents damage to finishes.