STEEL BEAM

Beam analysis.

Analyze a simply supported steel beam under uniform load.

For preliminary evaluation only. This analysis is not a construction approval or a complete member design. Connections, bearing, stability and scaffold-specific requirements require separate review.

ARRANGEMENT

Beam arrangement

Select a label in the drawing to jump to its input. The drawing updates as you enter your dimensions.

SCHEMATIC

INPUTS

Beam setup

Enter the details of your arrangement.

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Project information

Project name OPTIONAL Prepared by OPTIONAL

Beam & supports

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Simply supportedOne span · two end supports

✓

Distance between supports L

Measure between the centers of the two supports.

Steel beam size W shape

Select an AISC wide-flange section to populate its properties.

Elastic modulus E

ksi

Moment of inertia I_x

in⁴

Strong-axis bending; nominal section stiffness.

Lateral brace locations x

Comma-separated positions measured from the left support. Braces are not vertical supports.

Loads & assumptions

Dead load D

kip/ft

Live load L

kip/ft

Uniform loads applied over the full span. Enter dead load excluding beam weight.

Include beam self-weight Added once using the selected section weight. Optional load comparison

Illustrative formula: D + (SF / 1.67)L. The 1.67 divisor does not apply to every limit state. Applied dead load may be part of the maximum intended load. These are not verified OSHA or ASD combinations; capacity and compliance are not evaluated.

Analysis stiffness factor

× EI

Default 0.80 for reduced-stiffness analysis. Nominal-stiffness service deflection is shown separately.

I understand this is a preliminary calculation and agree to the draft terms of use.

Results update when you calculate.

RESULTS

Analysis results

Responses for the load case shown above.

PRELIMINARY

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Your results will appear here.

Confirm your inputs and select Calculate beam to see the analysis.

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Independent comparison not completed

Member capacity and scaffold-specific checks are not evaluated by this analysis.

DIAGRAMS

Response diagrams

View how forces and displacement change along the span.

SERVICE LOAD

Shear forcekips

Calculate to view diagram

Bending momentkip-ft

Calculate to view diagram

Deflectionin

Calculate to view diagram

SECTION DATA

Section properties

AISC v15 properties from a third-party mirror; verify against the official source before use.

AISC v15 · mirrored

Select a beam size to see its section properties.

Terms of use · draft

This tool supports preliminary planning and does not replace review by a qualified professional. Verify inputs, applicable standards, connections, bearing, stability, and all scaffold-specific requirements before use. No certification or construction approval is provided.