Beam Deflections Module

This module presents a list of choices of some common loading and support situations to be used as basis for estimating how much plates and components might bend. This program assumes components of uniform cross-section. There is a brief description of each loading and support situation beside the option box for choosing it. As you select the different option boxes, the picture changes to offer a visual representation.

One of the choices to be made is the units you wish to work with: Newton's per square millimeter or pounds per square inch. Then it is a matter of answering the questions asked, based on the loading and support combination chosen. Once this choice has been made, be sure to keep the units consistent. Enter the quantities requested in the text boxes beside the questions.

The distance "x" in each situation is the distance from the left support to the point in question.

The calculations require that you also enter the modulus of elasticity. For steel, this is generally 30,000,000 p.s.i.. In metric units, the Modulus of Elasticity is approximately 207,000 Newton's per square millimeter (MPa) for steel.

The deflection calculations require that the Moment of Inertia of the plane area perpendicular to the bending be entered. The stress calculations require the Section Modulus of the same area also be entered. There is a long command button at the bottom of the page that will bring up the DZynSource page for calculating those properties on 10 common, simple geometric shapes. If you choose to use that page, the software will automatically send the information to the right location on beam deflection page. For more complex shapes, a CAD package may offer the quickest solutions for moments of inertia.

Press Calculate. The answers appear in a separate data page. By default the answers are rounded to a maximum of 6 places beyond the decimal, although this level of accuracy is meaningless when you consider the scatter of the data compiled in the testing of materials.

There is a text box at the bottom of the page that allows you to change the number of places beyond the decimal that the answer is carried. Also, this software is not to be considered equivalent, or a substitute for, finite element analysis. DZynSource is to be used for engineering approximations.

Use the Clear button to clear all fields, however this is not necessary in order to do another calculation. You may simply type over the previous entries.

You may send the page to your default printer by pressing Print, press Main Menu to return to the main menu selection area, or press Exit DzynSource close the program.