Algodoo

This beam calculator tool calculates slopes, deflections, moments, and stresses for beams. This scene is a marvel of Software and Mechanical Engineering. From a software perspective it has 10 widgets with approximately 90 controls (labels, buttons, text boxes, slider, display boxes) and 27,456 lines of code (mostly generated by Algodoo but a good portion by me). From a mechanical perspective it can handle beams of any length, of any material, and in any set of consistent units. It can calculate the section properties for any beam cross-section drawn in Agodoo to any scale. It also handles end supports, point loads, distributed loads, and applied moments. Results are plotted using a method found in Xray's Triggered-S­weep Oscilloscop­e scene. The scene solves beam problems not by using beam equations but by simulating the beam in Algodoo and then reading slopes, deflections, and moments directly from Algodoo objects. The model stays the same size regardless of beam length and results are scaled appropriately. ABS and PLA listed in the table are materials used for 3D printing.

Rev A: Added I-Beam example.
Rev B: Fixed missing eye dropper.
Rev C: Recalculates any fixed beam constraints after beam properties are entered.

Note: Algodoo hinges have a max hinge constant = 1E+8 when the hinge constant is set to NaN. Larger hinge constants fail. This causes some deflection error when using large forces. The examples use kip (1000 pound) and kN units in order to minimize this error (since Algodoo will then treat 1 kip and 1 kN as 1 N).