Spreader beam

http://www.engineeringtoolbox.com/beam-stress-deflection-d_1312.html

The calculator below can be used to calculate maximum stress and deflection of
beams with one or uniform loads.

Beam Supported at Both Ends, Uniform Load

Maximum Stress

Maximum stress in a beam with uniform load supported at both ends can be
calculated as

= y q L2 / 8 I (1)
where

= maximum stress (Pa (N/m2), N/mm2, psi)

y = Perpendicular distance from to neutral axis X (m, mm, in)

q = uniform load (N/m, N/mm, lb/in)

L = length of beam (m, mm, in)

I = moment of Inertia (m4, mm4, in4)

1 N/m2 = 1x10-6 N/mm2 = 1 Pa = 1.4504x10-4 psi

1 psi (lb/in2) = 144 psf (lbf/ft2) = 6,894.8 Pa (N/m2) = 6.895x10-3 N/mm2

Maximum deflection can be expressed as

= 5 q L4 / E I 384 (2)

where

= maximum deflection (m, mm, in)

E = modulus of elasticity (Pa (N/m2), N/mm2, psi)

Example - Beam with Uniform Load, English Units

The maximum stress in a "W 12 x 35" Steel Wide Flange beam, 100 inches long,
moment of inertia 285 in4, modulus of elasticity 29000000 psi, with uniform load 100
lb/in can be calculated as

= y q L2 / 8 I

= (6.25 in) (100 lb/in) (100 in)2 / 8 (285 in4)

= 2741 (lb/in2, psi)

The maximum deflection can be calculated as

= 5 q L4 / E I 384

= 5 (100 lb/in) (100 in)4 / (29000000 lb/in2) (285 in4) 384

= 0.016 in
 Beam Supported at Both Ends, Load at Center

Maximum Stress

Maximum stress in a beam with uniform load supported at both ends can be
calculated as

=yFL/4I (3)

where

= maximum stress (Pa (N/m2), N/mm2, psi)

y = Perpendicular distance from to neutral axis (m, mm, in)

F = load (N, lb)

L = length of beam (m, mm, in)

I = moment of Inertia (m4,mm4, in4)

Maximum deflection can be expressed as

= F L3 / E I 48 (4)

where

= maximum deflection (m, mm, in)

E = modulus of elasticity (Pa (N/m2), N/mm2, psi)

 Example - Beam with a Single Center Load

The maximum stress in a "W 12 x 35" Steel Wide Flange beam, 100 inches long,
moment of inertia 285 in4, modulus of elasticity 29000000 psi, with a center load
10000 lb can be calculated like

=yFL/4I

= (6.25 in) (10000 lb) (100 in) / 4 (285 in4)

= 5482 (lb/in2, psi)

The maximum deflection can be calculated as

= F L3 / E I 48

= (10000 lb/in) (100 in)3 / (29000000 lb/in2) (285 in4) 48

= 0.025 in