Simple beam calculator
Command |
Workspace: Path |
Simple Beam Calculator |
Architect: AEC > Framing Landmark: Landmark > Architectural Spotlight: Spotlight > Architectural |
The Simple Beam Calculator command is available to be added to any Vectorworks Design Suite workspace. It provides a quick way to analyze a simply-supported beam with a single load.
To use the Simple Beam Calculator:
Select the command.
The Simple Beam Calculator dialog box opens.
Select the desired configuration, and then enter the values to be calculated.
Click to show/hide the parameters.Click to show/hide the parameters.
Parameter |
Description |
Configuration |
Select the simple beam configuration to analyze; the preview window updates to correspond to the selected configuration |
Input |
|
Units |
Select Imperial or Metric (SI) as the displayed unit value |
Beam and Load Data |
Select Imperial or Metric (SI) as the displayed unit value |
Beam Length (L) |
Enter the length of the beam |
Concentrated Load (P) |
Enter the value of a concentrated load or loads |
Dist. from end of beam (a) |
Enter the distance from the end of the beam to the load |
Distributed Load (w) |
Enter the value per unit length of a distributed load |
Beam Properties |
|
Modulus of Elasticity |
Enter the modulus of elasticity of the beam |
Moment of Inertia |
Enter the moment of inertia of the beam |
Section Modulus |
Enter the section modulus of the beam |
Opens the Select Structural Shape and Material dialog box for selection of a structural shape, series, size, and material for the beam and axis about which the properties are needed (see Structural shapes and details). The beam properties section is updated with these values for the selected structural shape, and the fields can be manually adjusted. |
|
Solution |
|
Reaction at Left End (rL) |
Displays the reaction at the left support |
Reaction at Right End (rR) |
Displays the reaction at the right support |
Moment at Left End (mL) |
Displays the bending moment at the left support |
Moment at Right End (mR) |
Displays the bending moment at the right support |
Max. Shear (vMax) |
Displays the maximum vertical shear |
Max. Bending Moment (mMax) |
Displays the maximum bending moment |
Max. Shear Stress |
Displays the maximum shear stress |
Max. Deflection |
Displays the maximum deflection |
at x (from left end) |
Displays the point from the left end of the beam at which the maximum deflection occurs |
Click Solve.
The results are displayed in Solution.
Click Close to exit the Simple Beam Calculator dialog box.