Calculating Deflection for a Fixed Beam

## 1. Introduction

A fixed beam is a structural element restrained at both ends, preventing rotation and vertical
displacement. Deflection refers to the vertical displacement of the beam under applied loads. This
document provides a method to calculate the maximum deflection for a fixed beam under common
loading conditions.

## 2. Assumptions

- The beam is made of a homogeneous, isotropic, linear elastic material.

- The beam has a constant cross-section and material properties (Young’s modulus \( E \), moment of
inertia \( I \)).

- Loads are applied in the plane of symmetry, causing deflection in the vertical direction.

- Small deflection theory applies (deflections are small compared to the beam’s length).

## 3. Key Parameters

- \( L \): Length of the beam (m)

- \( E \): Young’s modulus of the material (Pa or N/m²)

- \( I \): Moment of inertia of the beam’s cross-section (m⁴)

- \( w \): Uniformly distributed load (N/m)

- \( P \): Point load (N)

- \( \delta \): Deflection (m), positive downward

- \( a \): Distance from the left support to the point load (m)

## 4. Deflection Formulas

The deflection of a fixed beam depends on the type and location of the load. Below are the formulas
for maximum deflection for common cases, derived from structural mechanics.

### Case 1: Point Load at Midspan (\( a = L/2 \))

For a point load \( P \) applied at the center of the beam:

\[

\delta_{\text{max}} = \frac{P L^3}{192 E I}

\]
- Location: At midspan (\( x = L/2 \)).

- Note: The deflection is maximum at the point of load application.

### Case 2: Uniformly Distributed Load

For a uniformly distributed load \( w \) over the entire length:

\[

\delta_{\text{max}} = \frac{w L^4}{384 E I}

\]

- Location: At midspan (\( x = L/2 \)).

- Note: This assumes the load is evenly distributed across the beam.

### Case 3: Point Load at Arbitrary Position

For a point load \( P \) applied at distance \( a \) from the left support:

\[

\delta_{\text{max}} = \frac{P a^2 (L - a)^2}{3 E I L}

\]

- Location: At the point of load application (\( x = a \)).

- Note: This is more complex and requires specifying \( a \). For \( a = L/2 \), it simplifies to Case 1.

## 5. Step-by-Step Calculation Procedure

1. **Identify the Loading Condition**: Determine whether the beam is subjected to a point load,
uniformly distributed load, or a combination.

2. **Gather Beam Properties**:

- Measure or obtain \( L \), \( E \), and \( I \).

- For \( I \), use the moment of inertia formula for the cross-section (e.g., for a rectangular section,
\( I = \frac{b h^3}{12} \), where \( b \) is the width and \( h \) is the height).

3. **Select the Appropriate Formula**: Based on the load type, choose the relevant deflection
formula from Section 4.

4. **Input Values**: Substitute the known values (\( P \), \( w \), \( L \), \( E \), \( I \), \( a \)) into the
formula.

5. **Calculate Deflection**: Compute \( \delta_{\text{max}} \) using the formula. Ensure units are
consistent (e.g., convert all lengths to meters, forces to Newtons).
6. **Verify Results**: Check the deflection magnitude against allowable limits (e.g., \(
\delta_{\text{max}} < L/360 \) for typical building codes) and ensure calculations align with expected
behavior.

## 6. Example Calculation

### Problem

A fixed steel beam has:

- Length \( L = 4 \, \text{m} \)

- Young’s modulus \( E = 200 \, \text{GPa} = 200 \times 10^9 \, \text{Pa} \)

- Moment of inertia \( I = 1.2 \times 10^{-5} \, \text{m}^4 \) (rectangular section, \( b = 0.1 \, \text{m}
\), \( h = 0.2 \, \text{m} \))

- Uniformly distributed load \( w = 10 \, \text{kN/m} = 10,000 \, \text{N/m} \)

Calculate the maximum deflection.

### Solution

1. **Identify Loading**: Uniformly distributed load.

2. **Formula**: Use \( \delta_{\text{max}} = \frac{w L^4}{384 E I} \).

3. **Input Values**:

- \( w = 10,000 \, \text{N/m} \)

- \( L = 4 \, \text{m} \)

- \( E = 200 \times 10^9 \, \text{Pa} \)

- \( I = 1.2 \times 10^{-5} \, \text{m}^4 \)

4. **Calculate**:

\[

L^4 = 4^4 = 256 \, \text{m}^4

\]

\[

E I = (200 \times 10^9) \times (1.2 \times 10^{-5}) = 2.4 \times 10^6 \, \text{N·m}^2

\]

\[

\delta_{\text{max}} = \frac{10,000 \times 256}{384 \times 2.4 \times 10^6}

\[

= \frac{2,560,000}{921,600,000} \approx 0.00278 \, \text{m} = 2.78 \, \text{mm}

\]

5. **Verify**: \( \delta_{\text{max}} = 2.78 \, \text{mm} \) is reasonable for a steel beam. Compare

### Answer

The maximum deflection is approximately **2.78 mm** at midspan.

## 7. Notes

- For complex loading (e.g., multiple point loads or partial distributed loads), use superposition by
calculating deflections for each load separately and summing them.

- If the beam’s cross-section varies or the material is non-linear, advanced methods (e.g., finite
element analysis) may be required.

- Always verify results with structural engineering software or hand calculations for critical
applications.

- For real-time data or additional resources, consider searching engineering databases or standards
(e.g., AISC, Eurocode).

## 8. References

- Timoshenko, S., & Gere, J. M. (1972). *Mechanics of Materials*.

- Hibbeler, R. C. (2017). *Structural Analysis*.

- Relevant standards: AISC Steel Construction Manual, Eurocode 3.

---

This document provides a clear, actionable guide for calculating fixed beam deflection. If you need a
specific format (e.g., PDF, LaTeX) or additional details (e.g., shear force diagrams, slope calculations),
let me know!