Beam deflection worksheet with answers

Free printable Beam deflection worksheet: 6 problems from easy to exam level, with an answer key. Print it or save it as a PDF.

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1.Easy
P = 20 kNABθ1.5 m

A cantilever carries a point load P at its free end. Find the slope θB of the beam at the free end B, in radians.

P = 20 kNL = 1.5 mE = 11 GPa (timber)I = 84 × 10⁶ mm⁴
θB = rad
2.Easy
P = 25 kNABδ3 m3 m

A simply supported beam carries a point load P at midspan. Find the midspan deflection δmax.

P = 25 kNL = 6 mE = 11 GPa (timber)I = 160 × 10⁶ mm⁴
δmax = mm
3.Medium
P = 20 kNABδ1.5 m2.5 m

A cantilever of length L is fixed at A and carries a point load P at a distance a = 1.5 m from A. Find the deflection δB at the free end B.

P = 20 kNa = 1.5 mL = 4 mE = 70 GPa (aluminium)I = 120 × 10⁶ mm⁴
δB = mm
4.Medium
w = 5 kN/mδL = 3 m

A simply supported beam carries a uniformly distributed load w over its whole span. Find the maximum deflection δmax, at midspan.

w = 5 kN/mL = 3 mE = 70 GPa (aluminium)I = 36 × 10⁶ mm⁴
δmax = mm
5.Hard
w = 2.5 kN/mABδ6 m

A simply supported timber beam of rectangular section, 150 mm wide, carries a uniformly distributed load w over its whole span. Its midspan deflection may not exceed span/250. Find the smallest depth hreq of the section.

w = 2.5 kN/mL = 6 mE = 11 GPa (timber)b = 150 mm
hreq = mm
6.Hard
P = 6 kNABδ4.5 m1.5 m

A simply supported beam carries a point load P at b = 1.5 m from support B. Find the maximum deflection δmax of the beam.

P = 6 kNb = 1.5 mL = 6 mE = 11 GPa (timber)I = 84 × 10⁶ mm⁴
δmax = mm

Answer key

  1. 1. θB = 0.02435 rad
  2. 2. δmax = 63.92 mm
  3. 3. δB = 9.375 mm
  4. 4. δmax = 2.093 mm
  5. 5. hreq = 233.8 mm
  6. 6. δmax = 20.42 mm

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