Deformation of a Uniformly Loaded Beam

Description

Determine the maximum displacement in Y-direction of a uniformly loaded beam with a fixed support at one end and a simple support at the other end. The length of the beam is 20" and the beam section is a square of side 1".

File Name

Browse to drive letter:\Users\Public\Public Documents\SOLIDWORKS\SOLIDWORKS version\samples\Simulation Examples\Verification\Static_22.SLDPRT and open the file.

Study Type

Static.

Mesh Type

Solid mesh and Beam mesh.

Material Properties

Modulus of elasticity = 3 X 107 psi, Poisson's ratio = 0.28.

Results

 

Theory

SOLIDWORKS Simulation

Solid Mesh

SOLIDWORKS Simulation

Beam Mesh
Maximum Displacement in the Y-direction (UY), inch 1.733e-3 1.755e-3 1.728e-3

Analytical Solution

UYmax = ( W * L4 ) / ( 184.6 * E * I)

where:
  • W: Uniform load
  • L: Beam length
  • E: Modulus of Elasticity
  • I: Moment of inertia

Reference

Shigley, J. E. and Mischke, C. R., “Mechanical Engineering Design”, 5th Edition, Table A-9, Page 741, Item 13.