Shear Force Calculator
Calculate the maximum shear force and reactions for a simply supported beam with a uniform distributed load.
Each Reaction
2,400 lbs
Each Reaction vs Beam Span
Formule
## Shear Force (Simply Supported Beam) **V_max = wL / 2** For a simply supported beam with uniform load, the maximum shear force occurs at the supports and equals half the total load. The shear force decreases linearly to zero at mid-span.
Exemple Résolu
16 ft beam with 300 lb/ft uniform load.
- 01Total load = 16 x 300 = 4,800 lbs
- 02Reaction at each support = 4800 / 2 = 2,400 lbs
- 03Max shear = 2,400 lbs (at each support)
Questions Fréquentes
Where is shear force highest?
For a uniformly loaded simply supported beam, maximum shear occurs at the supports. For point loads, shear is highest between the load point and the nearest support.
Why does shear matter?
Shear failures cause the beam to split horizontally near the supports. Wood beams are particularly susceptible because wood is weak in horizontal shear along the grain.
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