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Deflection (engineering)
In engineering, deflection is the degree to which a structural element is displaced under a load. It may refer to an
angle or a distance.

The deflection distance of a member under a load is directly related to the slope of the deflected shape of the member
under that load, and can be calculated by integrating the function that mathematically describes the slope of the
member under that load. Deflection can be calculated by standard formula (will only give the deflection of common
beam configurations and load cases at discrete locations), or by methods such as virtual work, direct integration,
Castigliano's method, Macaulay's method or the direct stiffness method, amongst others. The deflection of beam
elements is usually calculated on the basis of the Euler–Bernoulli beam equation while that of a plate or shell element
is calculated using plate or shell theory.

An example of the use of deflection in this context is in building construction. Architects and engineers select materials
for various applications. The beams used for frame work are selected on the basis of deflection, amongst other factors.

Contents
Beam deflection for various loads and supports
Cantilever beams
End-loaded cantilever beams
Uniformly-loaded cantilever beams
Simply-supported beams
Center-loaded simple beams
Off-center-loaded simple beams
Uniformly-loaded simple beams
Change in Length
Units
International system (SI)
US customary units (US)
Others
Structural deflection
See also
References
External links

Beam deflection for various loads and supports

Beams can vary greatly in their geometry and composition. For instance, a beam may be straight or curved. It may be
of constant cross section, or it may taper. It may be made entirely of the same material (homogeneous), or it may be
composed of different materials (composite). Some of these things make analysis difficult, but many engineering
applications involve cases that are not so complicated. Analysis is simplified if:

-The beam is originally straight, and any taper is slight

-The beam experiences only linear elastic deformation
-The beam is slender (its length to height ratio is greater than 10)
-Only small deflections are considered (max deflection less than 1/10 the span).

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In this case, the equation governing the beam's deflection ( ) can be approximated as:

where the second derivative of its deflected shape with respect to is interpreted as its curvature, is the Young's
modulus, is the area moment of inertia of the cross-section, and is the internal bending moment in the beam.

If, in addition, the beam is not tapered and is homogeneous, and is acted upon by a distributed load , the above
expression can be written as:

This equation can be solved for a variety of loading and boundary conditions. A number of simple examples are shown
below. The formulas expressed are approximations developed for long, slender, homogeneous, prismatic beams with
small deflections, and linear elastic properties. Under these restrictions, the approximations should give results within
5% of the actual deflection.

Cantilever beams
Cantilever beams have one end fixed, so that the slope and deflection at that end must be zero.

End-loaded cantilever beams

The elastic deflection and angle of deflection (in radians) at the free
Schematic of the deflection of a
end in the example image: A (weightless) cantilever beam, with an end
cantilever beam.
load, can be calculated (at the free end B) using:[1]

Cantilever beam with a force on the

where
free end
= Force acting on the tip of the beam
= Length of the beam (span)
= Modulus of elasticity
= Area moment of inertia of the beam's cross section

Note that if the span doubles, the deflection increases eightfold. The deflection at any point, , along the span of an
end loaded cantilevered beam can be calculated using:[1]

Note : (the end of the beam), the and equations are identical to the and equations above.

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Uniformly-loaded cantilever beams

The deflection, at the free end B, of a cantilevered beam under a uniform
load is given by:[1]

Cantilever beam with a uniform

distributed load

where

= Uniform load on the beam (force per unit length)

= Length of the beam
= Modulus of elasticity
= Area moment of inertia of cross section

The deflection at any point, , along the span of a uniformly loaded cantilevered beam can be calculated using:[1]

Simply-supported beams
Simply-supported beams have supports under their ends which allow rotation, but not deflection.

Center-loaded simple beams

The elastic deflection (at the midpoint C) of a beam, loaded at its center,
Schematic of the deflection of a
supported by two simple supports is given by:[1]
simply-supported beam.

where

= Force acting on the center of the beam

= Length of the beam between the supports
= Modulus of Elasticity Simply-supported beam with a force
= Area moment of inertia of cross section in the center

The deflection at any point, , along the span of a center loaded simply
supported beam can be calculated using:[1]

for

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Off-center-loaded simple beams

The maximum elastic deflection on a beam supported by two simple
supports, loaded at a distance from the closest support, is given by:[1]

where Simply-supported beam with a force

off center
= Force acting on the beam
= Length of the beam between the supports
= Modulus of Elasticity
= Area moment of Inertia of cross-section
= Distance from the load to the closest support (i.e. )

This maximum deflection occurs at a distance from the closest support and is given by:[1]

Uniformly-loaded simple beams

The elastic deflection (at the midpoint C) on a beam supported by two
simple supports, under a uniform load (as pictured) is given by:[1]

Simply-supported beam with a

Where uniform distributed load

= Uniform load on the beam (force per unit length)

= Length of the beam
= Modulus of elasticity
= Area moment of inertia of cross section

The deflection at any point, , along the span of a uniformly loaded simply supported beam can be calculated using:[1]

Change in Length
The change in length of the beam is generally negligible in structures, but can be calculated by integrating the
slope function, if the deflection function is known for all .

Where:

= change in length (always negative)

= slope function (first derivative of )
[2]

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If the beam is uniform and the deflection at any point is known, this can be calculated without knowing other
properties of the beam.

Units
The formulas supplied above require the use of a consistent set of units. Most calculations will be made in the
International System of Units (SI) or US customary units, although there are many other systems of units.

International system (SI)

Force: Newton ( )

Length: meters ( )

Modulus of Elasticity:

Moment of Inertia:

US customary units (US)

Force: Pounds force ( )

Length: Inches ( )

Modulus of Elasticity:

Moment of Inertia:

Others
Other units may be used as well, as long as they are self-consistent. For example, sometimes the kilogram force ( )

unit is used to measure loads. In such a case, the modulus of elasticity must be converted to .

Structural deflection
Building codes determine the maximum deflection, usually as a fraction of the span e.g. 1/400 or 1/600. Either the
strength limit state (allowable stress) or the serviceability limit state (deflection considerations among others) may
govern the minimum dimensions of the member required.

The deflection must be considered for the purpose of the structure. When designing a steel frame to hold a glazed
panel, one allows only minimal deflection to prevent fracture of the glass.

The deflected shape of a beam can be represented by the moment diagram, integrated (twice, rotated and translated to
enforce support conditions).

See also
Slope deflection method

References
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1. Gere, James M.; Goodno, Barry J. Mechanics of Materials (Eighth ed.). pp. 1083–1087. ISBN 978-1-111-57773-5.
2. Roark's Formulas for Stress and Strain, 8th Edition Eq 8.1-14

External links
Beam Deflection Calculator (https://skyciv.com/free-beam-calculator/)
Beam Deflection Formula (https://skyciv.com/tutorials/beam-deflection-formula-and-equations/)
Beam Deflection Reference (https://mechanicalc.com/reference/beam-analysis)
Online Calculator for Slope and Deflection of Beam (https://civilengineer.webinfolist.com/str/sdcalc.htm)
Deflection & stress of beams Calculators (http://www.engineersedge.com/beam_calc_menu.shtml)
Deflection Calculators Online (http://calcpad.net/library/12/deflections)
Deflection of beams (http://www.mathalino.com/reviewer/mechanics-and-strength-of-materials/chapter-6-beam-de
flections)
Beam Deflections (http://www.clag.org.uk/beam.html)

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