How Does Distributed Load Affect Spring Compression in a Supported Beam?

[pityocamptes]

If I have a beam supported by two springs at either end and each spring is rated for 500 lbs, does that mean the max load that can be applied to beam (assuming the beam can hold it) is 500 lbs before the springs compress all the way? Or does the distibuted load across the beam diminish the load on either spring mount? Would the same formula for beam load (point or spread) be used? Thanks.

 

[FredGarvin]

Draw a free body diagram. Forget that you have 2 springs for a second. Consider a rigid mounted beam with your 500 pound load. What are the reaction forces at the two ends?

 

[piercas]

I can provide some insight into your spring problem. First of all, the maximum load that can be applied to the beam is not solely determined by the spring ratings. The beam itself also has a maximum load capacity that needs to be taken into consideration. However, assuming the beam can hold the load, the springs will compress as the load is applied. The distributed load across the beam will indeed diminish the load on either spring mount, as the load is spread out over a larger area.

The formula for calculating the load on the beam will depend on whether the load is applied at a single point or is spread out over the entire beam. In the case of a point load, the load will be concentrated at a specific point, while a distributed load will be spread out over a larger area. Therefore, different formulas will need to be used in these two scenarios.

In summary, the maximum load that can be applied to the beam will depend on both the spring ratings and the maximum load capacity of the beam itself. The load on the springs will be diminished by the distributed load across the beam, and different formulas will need to be used to calculate the load depending on whether it is a point load or a distributed load. I hope this helps with your spring problem.