Support reactions on a simply supported beam
The fetched OmniCalculator beam load tool focuses on a simply supported beam. The goal is to determine the support reactions at each end of the span from the applied point loads.
In practical framing terms, you can imagine a door header as the beam and the jack studs as the supports. If the loads sit closer to one side, that support must react with a larger force.
How the reactions are calculated
Omni explains the calculation through equilibrium. The beam is not accelerating, so the sum of vertical forces and the sum of moments are both zero.
ΣF = 0
ΣMA = 0
With loads measured from support A, the reaction at B is the total moment about A divided by the span, and the reaction at A is whatever force remains to balance the beam.
Using multiple point loads
The Omni tool allows multiple loads on the same span. This version does the same, with up to 10 loads. Enter downward loads as positive values and upward loads as negative values.