Calculate reactions, shear, bending moment, and deflection for a concentrated point load on a simple beam. Use this point load calculator for beams, headers, joists, girders, equipment loads, post loads, wheel loads, and preliminary structural planning.
Support reactions:
The calculator distributes the point load to the left and right supports based on the load location.
Maximum moment:
The calculator estimates the bending moment directly under the point load.
Maximum shear:
The calculator uses the larger support reaction as the maximum shear estimate.
Deflection check:
The calculator estimates point-load beam deflection and compares it to the selected span limit.
A point load calculator helps estimate how a concentrated load affects a beam, joist, header, girder, or support.
It can help compare left reaction, right reaction, maximum shear, maximum moment, bearing pressure, deflection, span ratio, and load position.
Your result shows estimated support reactions, maximum shear, bending moment, bearing pressure, deflection, allowable deflection, and span ratio. These are simplified planning estimates only.
A point load is a concentrated load applied over a small area or at a specific point, such as a post, wheel, equipment foot, column, or concentrated framing load.
For a simple beam, each support reaction depends on how close the load is to that support. A centered load splits evenly, while an off-center load puts more load on the closer support.
For a simple beam with one point load, maximum bending moment occurs directly under the point load.
No. Final beam design may require bending checks, shear checks, bearing checks, deflection checks, connection design, load combinations, code requirements, and professional review.