Open Excel-based beam calculator - unlimited supports, multi-material spans, instant shear/moment/deflection charts.
Contact: beam.bending@gmail.com - Paul Brault
Beam-Bending is a lightweight Excel/VBA tool for quick beam analysis.
It runs entirely inside Excel - no external dependencies, no UI layers, and no double data entry.
Supports unlimited spans and materials, with live charts for shear (V), moment (M), and deflection.
Beam geometry, materials, and loads are entered directly in Excel cells.
Instant shear, bending moment, and deflection diagrams are generated automatically.
- Unlimited supports and spans
- Mixed materials per span (variable E and I)
- Point and distributed loads
- Instant V/M/deflection charts
- 100% visible Excel logic (no hidden macros or hidden sheets)
- Compatible with Excel 365 (or older versions with minor adjustments on formulas, VBA is already compatible)
- Download
Beam-Bending.xlsm - Enable macros when prompted
- Enter supports, spans, material properties (E, I), and loads
- View automatic chart updates for shear, moment, and deflection
The solver expects one line of input containing 9 fields, separated by ;.
Inside each field, values are separated by :.
Units must be consistent (SI).
-
Support positions (x) [m]
Beam span supports.- If no overhangs (no cantilevers), include
0as the first value. - Example:
0:3:7
- If no overhangs (no cantilevers), include
-
Span end positions (x) [m]
End of each continuous beam section.- If only one material/geometry, provide just the total length.
- Example:
10
-
Young’s modulus per span [N/m²]
One value per span section (same count as span ends).- Example:
2.1E11
- Example:
-
Moment of inertia per span [m⁴]
One value per span section (same count as span ends).- Example:
8.5E-6
- Example:
-
Point load positions (x) [m]
Positions of nodal loads.- Example:
4:8
- Example:
-
Point load magnitudes [N]
Values corresponding to the positions above (same count).- Example:
-5000:-3000
- Example:
-
Distributed load start positions (x) [m]
One value for each distributed load.- Example:
2
- Example:
-
Distributed load end positions (x) [m]
Same count as distributed load starts.- Example:
5
- Example:
-
Distributed load intensities [N/m]
Constant intensity, same count as distributed load starts.- Example:
-2000
- Example:
- Use
:inside fields,;between fields. - Beam end positions must be strictly increasing.
- Number of values must match across related fields (e.g., point load positions ↔ point load magnitudes).
- At least 2 supports are required.
- At least one nonzero load is required.
The main workbook (beam-bending.xlsm) already includes a preloaded example reproducing the same case analyzed in RDM6/RDM7.
This benchmark illustrates:
- A continuous beam with 6 supports and 7 spans
- Three different materials (varying E and I across spans)
- A combination of point and uniformly distributed loads
- Instant computation of reactions, bending moments, and deflections
- Perfect consistency with the results from RDM6/RDM7
This comparison validates the accuracy and speed of the Excel/VBA solver.
Reference model: example_rdm6-rdm7.fle
This Excel-based structural beam calculator is designed for projects where speed, volume, and efficiency are critical.
Unlike heavier software or Python scripts, the VBA backend is optimized for Windows, allowing hundreds of beam simulations in just fractions of a second - with no duplicate data entry since everything is contained directly in the spreadsheet environment.
It supports flexion (bending) cases, multiple beams, and multiple load conditions in a single run, bringing advanced structural analysis into a lightweight tool engineers already use daily.
High-volume design of pallet racks, warehouse shelving, flow racks, AS/RS systems, and mezzanines.
Used for batch calculations of rack beams, checking deflection, bending stress, and load capacity according to EN 15512, RMI, and AISC standards.
Rapid simulation of solar racking systems, rooftop PV mounts, and ground-mount frames.
Handles wind load, snow load, and aluminum profile bending checks under Eurocode 1, Eurocode 9, and ASCE 7.
Ideal for iterating many design variants quickly during solar structural engineering projects.
Fast verification of HVAC supports, pipe racks, strut channel frames, and MEP modular structures.
Automates span checks, bending resistance, and deflection limits for large sets of support elements using Eurocode 3, AISI, and ASTM.
Eliminates manual re-entry by keeping data fully inside Excel.
Optimized for batch checking of scaffold ledgers, braces, temporary beams, and formwork systems.
Ensures structural safety under multiple load cases with EN 12811, OSHA, and BS 5975 compliance.
Well-suited for scaffolding contractors running repetitive beam verifications.
Efficient sizing of free-standing mezzanines, industrial work platforms, and warehouse decks.
Performs beam and column bending analysis, deflection checks, and load capacity verifications according to AISC 360 and IBC.
Accelerates large-batch design studies for platform layouts.
Structural checks for aluminum extrusion frames, conveyors, machine bases, and automation structures.
Excel-driven deflection and bending analysis using Eurocode 9 and DIN 4113.
Useful for running many profile span variations in seconds without needing external CAD/FEA.
High-speed analysis of roadside guardrails, crash barriers, and bridge parapets.
Verifies beam deflection and impact resistance according to EN 1317 and AASHTO LRFD.
Enables rapid testing of multiple barrier configurations for safety compliance.
- Batch simulations: run dozens or hundreds of cases in a fraction of a second.
- Optimized VBA engine: faster than Python for spreadsheet-native workflows, with direct Windows integration.
- No double entry: all inputs, outputs, and results live in Excel.
- Multiple beams and load cases: flexible for real-world engineering projects.
- Advanced bending analysis in a lightweight tool: bridges the gap between manual spreadsheets and heavy FEA software.
The beam solver is based on the Euler–Bernoulli finite element method (FEM) for linear static analysis.
-
Discretization
The continuous beam is divided into finite elements, each connecting two nodes.
Each node carries two degrees of freedom: vertical displacement and rotation.
This allows accurate modeling of deflection and bending behavior, even across spans with different materials. -
Element stiffness formulation
For each element, a local 4×4 stiffness matrix is derived from the Euler–Bernoulli beam equations,
relating nodal forces and displacements through the material properties (E, I) and the element length (L).
The local stiffness matrices are then assembled into a global stiffness matrix that represents the entire structure. -
Loading
Point loads are applied directly at the nodes, while distributed loads are converted into equivalent nodal forces.
These contributions are combined into a single global load vector. -
Boundary conditions
Supports (simple or fixed) are introduced by constraining the relevant degrees of freedom.
This ensures that the structure reacts consistently with the physical boundary conditions of the beam. -
System resolution
The global linear system (stiffness matrix × displacements = loads) is solved using Gaussian elimination.
The resulting displacements and rotations at each node define the deformation of the entire beam. -
Post-processing
Once the nodal displacements are known, internal forces and moments are computed within each element.
Shear force, bending moment, and deflection diagrams are then reconstructed along the beam length
using cubic Hermite shape functions.
The solver automatically extracts the maximum deflections, support reactions, and bending moment extrema for each span.
This classical finite element formulation provides both accuracy and computational efficiency,
while remaining transparent and fully accessible inside Excel.
This tool is intended for educational and quick-analysis purposes.
It is not certified for structural design or regulatory compliance.
Always verify results against engineering standards and professional judgment.
MIT License - free for personal and commercial use.
Attribution appreciated.