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 = 5 kNδL = 3 m

A cantilever carries a point load P at its free end. Find the deflection δ at the free end.

P = 5 kNL = 3 mE = 70 GPa (aluminium)I = 23 × 10⁶ mm⁴
δ = mm
2.Easy
P = 8 kNABθ6 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 = 8 kNL = 6 mE = 70 GPa (aluminium)I = 120 × 10⁶ mm⁴
θB = rad
3.Medium
P = 19 kNABδ1 m1.5 m

A cantilever of length L is fixed at A and carries a point load P at a distance a = 1 m from A. Find the deflection δP under the load.

P = 19 kNa = 1 mL = 2.5 mE = 70 GPa (aluminium)I = 12 × 10⁶ mm⁴
δP = mm
4.Medium
w = 12 kN/mδL = 2.5 m

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

w = 12 kN/mL = 2.5 mE = 11 GPa (timber)I = 12 × 10⁶ mm⁴
δmax = mm
5.Hard
w = 4 kN/mP = 4 kNδL = 5 m

A simply supported beam carries a uniformly distributed load w and a point load P at midspan. Using superposition, find the midspan deflection δmax.

P = 4 kNw = 4 kN/mL = 5 mE = 70 GPa (aluminium)I = 36 × 10⁶ mm⁴
δmax = mm
6.Hard
w = 1 kN/mABδ3 m

A simply supported timber beam of rectangular section, 75 mm wide, carries a uniformly distributed load w over its whole span. Its midspan deflection may not exceed span/300. Find the smallest depth hreq of the section.

w = 1 kN/mL = 3 mE = 11 GPa (timber)b = 75 mm
hreq = mm

Answer key

  1. 1. δ = 27.95 mm
  2. 2. θB = 0.01714 rad
  3. 3. δP = 7.54 mm
  4. 4. δmax = 46.24 mm
  5. 5. δmax = 17.05 mm
  6. 6. hreq = 115.3 mm

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