Simply Supported Beam (Uniformly Distributed Load) Calculator: Roof Support Beam

Diagram of the simply supported beam with load applied at the center.

You're designing a roof where beams support the weight of the roof and any potential snow load. The beam is simply supported at both ends, and you want to calculate the deflection under a uniformly distributed load.

Calculation:

For a simply supported beam with a uniformly distributed load, the deflection at the center is given by:

Deflection (δ) = (5 × w × L⁴) / (384 × E × I)

Where:

• w = Uniform load per unit length
• L = Length of the beam
• E = Modulus of Elasticity of the beam material
• I = Moment of Inertia of the beam's cross-section

Uniform Load (w in N/m):

Length (L in m):

Modulus of Elasticity (E in GPa):

Moment of Inertia (I in m^4):

Calculate Deflection

Example-3 : Practical Use of Beam Deflection Calculator: Roof Support Beam