Calculation of Max. Bending Moment in Simply Supported Beam


Length of the beam (L) = 5 m
Central Load (W) = 20 kN


Max. Bending Moment (M) = WL/4


Substituting the given values in the formula, we get
M = 20 kN * 5 m / 4
M = 25 kNm

Therefore, the maximum bending moment in the beam is 25 kNm.


When a load is applied on a beam, it causes the beam to bend. The bending moment in the beam is the product of the load and the distance from the load to the point of support. In the case of a simply supported beam with a central load, the maximum bending moment occurs at the center of the beam.

The formula to calculate the maximum bending moment in a simply supported beam with a central load is M = WL/4, where W is the load and L is the length of the beam.

In this case, the load is 20 kN and the length of the beam is 5 m. Substituting these values in the formula, we get the maximum bending moment to be 25 kNm.

The maximum bending moment is an important factor in the design of a beam as it determines the size of the beam required to support the load. If the bending moment exceeds the strength of the beam, it can cause the beam to fail. Therefore, it is essential to calculate the maximum bending moment accurately and design the beam accordingly.