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Background engineering concepts referenced across Calcs.com calculators, useful when interpreting results or setting up complex designs.

Beams and Deflection

Calculate Beam Deflection

The closed-form deflection formula for a simply supported beam, and when to use the beam calculator instead.

Size a Beam from Deflection

Worked examples in US and metric units for sizing a beam from a deflection limit.

Calculate Bending Stress from the Moment

Get bending stress from a moment using the elastic section modulus.

Find How Far a Steel Beam Can Span

Find the usable span of a steel beam by iteration, checking deflection and strength.

Creep Deflection

Shear Deflection in Wood Beam Calculators

Please note that shear deflection is applied to I-joist sections in the AU Timber Beam Calculator, but is not performed for other AU timber sections.

Typical Formula References

A quick guide showing how to use formulas and references in Calcs.com and typical ones you may encounter in our calculators.

Design Methods and Codes

ASD and LRFD Calculations

Get Eurocodes and National Annexes

Eurocodes and National Annexes - Where to Get Them!

Structures

Truss Types

A quick guide displaying the different types of trusses in Calcs.com and their advantages for various applications in residential design.

Size and Place Supports in Residential Design

Why supports matter in residential work, how they are sized and placed, and common materials.

Foundations and Retaining Walls

Footings Under Biaxial Bending

How Calcs.com finds soil pressures on a spread footing under bending in both directions at once, and how to do the same by hand.

Sleeper Retaining Wall: Comparing Analysis Methods

A comparative analysis of different methods for calculating pile embedment depth for sleeper retaining walls, including BROMS, AS/NZS 4676, and IBC approaches

Understand Soil Conditions in Sleeper Retaining Wall Design

What are Soil Conditions in Sleeper Retaining Wall Design?

US Spread Footings

Design spread footings to ACI 318-14

Europe Calculators

Eurocode-based design calculators