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Four Span Continuous Beam - Equal Spans, Uniform Load on Two Spans

Four Span Continuous Beam - Equal Spans, Uniform Load on Two Spans formula

R1=V1=0.446wL 

R2=0.572wL 

R3=0.464wL 

R4=0.572wL

R5=0.054wL

V21=0.0554wL

V22=V31=0.018wL

V32=0.482wL

V41=0.518wL

V42=V5=0.054wL

M1(0.446LfromR1)=0.0996wL2

M2(atR2)=(0.0536wL2)

M3(atR3)=(0.0357wL2)

M4(0.518LfromR4)=0.805wL2

M5(atR4)=(0.0536wL2)

Δmax(at0.477LfromR1)=0.0097wL4λI

Symbol English Metric
Δ = deflection or deformation in mm
w = load per unit length lbf/in N/m
M = maximum bending moment lbfin Nmm
V = maximum shear force lbf N
λ   (Greek symbol lambda) = modulus of elasticity lbf/in2 Pa
R = reaction load at bearing point lbf N
I = second moment of area (moment of inertia) in4 mm4
L = span length under consideration in mm

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Diagram Symbols

Bending moment diagram (BMD)  -  Used to determine the bending moment at a given point of a structural element.  The diagram can help determine the type, size, and material of a member in a structure so that a given set of loads can be supported without structural failure.
Free body diagram (FBD)  -  Used to visualize the applied forces, moments, and resulting reactions on a structure in a given condition.
Shear force diagram (SFD)  -  Used to determine the shear force at a given point of a structural element.  The diagram can help determine the type, size, and material of a member in a structure so that a given set of loads can be supported without structural failure.
Uniformly distributed load (UDL)  -  A load that is distributed evenly across the entire length of the support area.

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