Application of spreadsheet in beam bending calculations

Abstract

The paper presents the application of an Excel spreadsheet as an educational tool for the beam bending calculations. It describes the advantages of using the spreadsheet in engineering education. It also describes the spreadsheet which uses Macaulay's method for beam calculations. The spreadsheet can be applied to both statically determined and indeterminate beams. It calculates the reactions (both forces and moments), shear force and bending moment as well as deflections for any of four typical beam end-fixing conditions (simply supported, cantilever, propped and built-in). The dimensions of the beam, the loads and their location are given by the user. The spreadsheet works as a menu driven program and is designed to be user-friendly. The paper therefore makes a case for the use of spreadsheets in beam bending calculation to improve students understanding and performance in this topic.

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