The Steel Beam Load Calculator is a specialized tool designed to compute the load capacity of steel beams under various loading conditions. It employs mathematical formulas based on principles of structural mechanics to determine the maximum amount of weight a beam can support without experiencing failure or excessive deformation.
Formula of Steel Beam Load Calculator
Uniformly Distributed Load (UDL):
If the load is evenly distributed along the length of the beam, you can use the following formula:
Load Capacity = (Width of Beam) × (Depth of Beam) × (Length of Beam) × (Weight Density of Steel)
Where:
- Width of beam is the horizontal dimension of the beam.
- Depth of beam is the vertical dimension of the beam.
- Length of beam is the span or length over which the beam is supported.
- Weight density of steel is the weight per unit volume of steel material used for the beam. Typically, it’s around 7850 kg/m³.
Point Load or Concentrated Load:
If the load is concentrated at a specific point along the beam, the formula depends on the location of the load and the beam’s support conditions (e.g., simply supported, fixed).
For a simply supported beam with a point load at the center:
Load Capacity = (Moment of Inertia of Beam) / (Distance from the Neutral Axis to the Extreme Fiber)
Where:
- Moment of inertia of the beam depends on the beam’s cross-sectional shape and dimensions.
- Distance from the neutral axis to the extreme fiber also depends on the beam’s cross-sectional shape and dimensions.
General Terms and Conversions Table
| Beam Size (Width x Depth in mm) | Material | Typical Load Capacity (UDL in kg) |
|---|---|---|
| 100 x 50 | Steel | 1,500 |
| 150 x 75 | Steel | 3,000 |
| 200 x 100 | Steel | 5,000 |
| 250 x 125 | Steel | 7,500 |
Example of Steel Beam Load Calculator
Let’s consider a scenario where we have a steel beam with the following dimensions:
- Width of Beam: 0.3 meters
- Depth of Beam: 0.5 meters
- Length of Beam: 10 meters
- Weight Density of Steel: 7850 kg/m³
Using the formula for the Uniformly Distributed Load (UDL), we can calculate the load capacity as follows:
Load Capacity = 0.3 m × 0.5 m × 10 m × 7850 kg/m³ = 11775 kg
Thus, the load capacity of the steel beam under a uniformly distributed load is 11775 kg.
Most Common FAQs
A: Simply input the dimensions of your steel beam and select the type of load (uniformly distributed or point load). The calculator will then provide you with the load capacity based on the entered parameters.
A: Yes, the calculator accepts inputs in various units, such as meters for dimensions and kilograms per cubic meter for weight density. It automatically computes the load capacity regardless of the units used.
A: The calculator is design to work with most standard steel beam profiles. However, for specialized or non-standard beams, additional calculations may be necessary.