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Deflection Formula:
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The point load deflection formula calculates the maximum deflection at the center of a simply supported wood beam with a concentrated load at its midpoint. This formula is essential for structural engineering and wood beam design.
The calculator uses the deflection formula:
Where:
Explanation: The formula calculates how much a wood beam will bend under a specific load at its center point, considering the beam's material properties and dimensions.
Details: Accurate deflection calculation is crucial for ensuring structural integrity, preventing excessive bending that could lead to failure, and meeting building code requirements for wood beam design.
Tips: Enter point load in pounds, beam length in inches, modulus of elasticity in psi, and moment of inertia in in⁴. All values must be positive numbers.
Q1: What is a typical modulus of elasticity for wood?
A: Modulus of elasticity varies by wood species. Common values range from 1,000,000 to 1,800,000 psi for structural lumber.
Q2: How do I calculate moment of inertia?
A: For rectangular beams, I = (b × h³)/12, where b is width and h is height. For other shapes, different formulas apply.
Q3: What is considered acceptable deflection?
A: Building codes typically limit deflection to L/360 for live loads and L/240 for total loads, where L is the span length.
Q4: Does this formula work for other materials?
A: Yes, the formula applies to any homogeneous, isotropic material behaving elastically, though the modulus of elasticity will differ.
Q5: What if the load is not at the center?
A: Different formulas are needed for off-center point loads or distributed loads. This calculator is specifically for center point loads.