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6/22/24, 8:06 PM Beam Deflection Formula: Definition, Equations and Examples

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Beam
ASK Deflection Formula
Deflection, in structural engineering terms, means the movement of a beam or
CONCEPTS
node from its original position. It happens due to the forces and loads being
applied to the body. Deflection also referred to as displacement, which can
occur from externally applied loads or from the weight of the body structure
itself. It can occur in beams, trusses, frames and basically any other body
structure. In this article, we will discuss the beam deflection formula with
examples. Let us learn it!

Beam Deflection Formula

What is Beam Deflection?

Deflection is the degree to which a particular structural element can be

displaced with the help of a considerable amount of load. It can also be referred
to as the angle or distance. The distance of deflection of a member under a load
is directly related to the slope of the deflected shape of the body under that
load. It can be computed by integrating the function which is used to describe
the slope of the member under that load.

The Beam is a long piece of a body that is capable to hold the load by resisting
the bending. The deflection of the beam towards in a particular direction when
force is applied to it is known as Beam deflection.

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 mainly four variables, which can
6/22/24, 8:06 PM determine
Beam Deflection Formula:the magnitude
Definition, of the beam
Equations and Examples

deflections. These include:

How much loading is on the structure?

The length of the unsupported member

The material, specifically the Young’s Modulus

The Cross-Section Size, specifically the Moment of Inertia (I)

There is a variety of range of beam deflection equations that can be used to

calculate a basic value for deflection in different types of beams. Generally, we
calculate deflection by taking the double integral of the Bending Moment
Equation means M(x) divided by the product of E and I (i.e. Young’s Modulus
and Moment of Inertia).

The unit of deflection, or displacement, will be a length unit and normally we

measure it in a millimetre. This number defines the distance in which the beam
can be deflected from its original position.

The formula for Beam Deflection:

Cantilever beams are the special types of beams that are constrained by only
one given support. These types of objects would naturally deflect more due to
having support at one end only. To calculate the deflection of the cantilever
beam we can use the below equation:

WL3
D= 3EI

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6/22/24, 8:06 PM Beam Deflection Formula: Definition, Equations and Examples
D Beam deflection

W Force at one end

L Length of beam

E Young’s Modulus

I Moment of Inertia

Solved Examples
Q: Calculate the deflection of a cantilever beam of length 2 meter which has
support at one end only. Young’s modulus of the metal is 200 × 109 and the
moment of inertia is 50 Kg m². At the end force applied is 300 N.

Solution:

Given values are,

E= 200 × 109 N m−2

I = 50 kgm²

L=2m

W = 300 N

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 3
D= WL
6/22/24, 8:06 PM3EI Beam Deflection Formula: Definition, Equations and Examples

Substituting the values,

300×23
D= 3×200×50

2400
D= 30000

So,

D = 0.08 m

Therefore value of beam deflection will be 0.08 m i.e. 8 cm.

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5 responses to “Spring Potential Energy Formula”

1. Roger Carmichael says:

March 17, 2021 at 2:14 am

Typo Error>
Speed of Light, C = 299,792,458 m/s in vacuum
So U s/b C = 3 x 10^8 m/s
Not that C = 3 x 108 m/s
to imply C = 324 m/s
A bullet is faster than 324m/s

Reply

2. Malek safrin says:

March 26, 2021 at 2:42 am

I have realy intrested to to this topic

Reply

3. umer says:
March 27, 2021 at 10:06 am

m=f/a correct this

Reply

4. Kwame David says:

March 29, 2021 at 2:00 am

Interesting studies

Reply

5. Yashdeep tiwari says:

March 31, 2021 at 1:18 pm

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