Steel Deflection Calculator

Calculate Steel Beam Deflection







Formula

The formula to calculate the deflection of a steel beam is:

\[ \delta = \frac{5 W L^4}{384 E I} \]

Where:

What is Steel Deflection?

Steel deflection refers to the degree to which a structural element is displaced under a load. It may occur in beams, columns, or trusses due to forces such as wind, gravity, seismic activity, or even the weight of occupants and furniture. The amount of deflection in a steel structure is a crucial factor in its design as excessive deflection can lead to structural failure or damage to attached materials.

Example Calculations

Example 1:

Using the formula:

\[ \delta = \frac{5 \times 1000 \times 120^4}{384 \times 29000 \times 50} = 1832 \, \text{inches} \]

The deflection of the beam (δ) is 1862 inches.

Example 2:

Using the formula:

\[ \delta = \frac{5 \times 500 \times 60^4}{384 \times 29000 \times 30} = 96.98 \, \text{inches} \]

The deflection of the beam (δ) is 96.98 inches.