> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://enercalc.com/docs/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://enercalc.com/docs/sel-user-manual/calculation-modules/analysis/general-beam-analysis.md). # General Beam Analysis How to analyze a beam for shear, moment, reactions, and deflections without performing any design checks. The General Beam Analysis module offers beam analysis functionality but does not incorporate any design processes. In this way, it can be a useful tool for situations where only analysis results are desired, such as shear, moment, reactions, and deflections. **General tab:** The General Data tab allows you to set the span conditions, span lengths, and support conditions in much the same way that this information is provided in the other beam modules. Refer to the [Beams](/docs/sel-user-manual/calculation-modules/beams.md) topic for additional explanation. In addition to these pieces of data, the General Data tab also provides input fields for the elastic modulus for bending, and the cross sectional area and moment of inertia of each span of the beam, as shown below: ![](https://3283832020-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FiBJmBoewuy4ZcBC7RF3m%2Fuploads%2Fgit-blob-c439b0bbdb5867d7da689f0daae2e08577ebca12%2Fclip0369_was_BMP.jpg?alt=media) **Span Loads tab:** The Span Loads tab allows you to specify loads on one span at a time. The behavior of the tools on this tab is identical to the tools described for use in the other beam modules. Refer to the [Beams](/docs/sel-user-manual/calculation-modules/beams.md) topic for additional explanation. **Loads All Spans tab:** The Loads All Spans tab allows you to specify loads on all spans at the same time. The behavior of the tools on this tab is identical to the tools described for use in the other beam modules. Refer to the [Beams](/docs/sel-user-manual/calculation-modules/beams.md) topic for additional explanation. **Load Combinations tab:** The Load Combinations tab provides a view of the load combinations that will be analyzed. It also offers the ability to: * Select a different set of load combinations, * Modify the values used as load factors, and * Turn certain combinations on and off. Refer to the [Beams](/docs/sel-user-manual/calculation-modules/beams.md) topic for additional explanation. The General Beam Analysis module offers output options that are analogous to the output options provided by the other beam modules, with the exception that no design results are provided. The right half of the screen is dedicated to the display of results. The horizontal strip of tabs in the upper right-hand corner of the display allows you to choose between Calculations, 2D Sketch, Diagram and 3D Rendering as explained below. **Calculations:** The Calculations tab offers four sub-tabs: Summary Results: Displays extreme moments, maximum shear, extreme deflections and extreme reactions. ![](https://3283832020-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FiBJmBoewuy4ZcBC7RF3m%2Fuploads%2Fgit-blob-d23110e0506f9a49cb36888cd0c608e342b8a1da%2Fclip0370_was_BMP.jpg?alt=media) Maximum Combinations: Displays extreme moments and shears, on a span-by-span basis, for all load combinations. ![](https://3283832020-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FiBJmBoewuy4ZcBC7RF3m%2Fuploads%2Fgit-blob-3c96ac8977291489d7b9cc3699225dc06b37c128%2Fclip0371_was_BMP.jpg?alt=media) M-V-D: Summary: Displays moment, shear, and deflections at small increments along all spans. Moment and shear are displayed for all load combinations. Deflection is displayed for service load combinations only. ![](https://3283832020-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FiBJmBoewuy4ZcBC7RF3m%2Fuploads%2Fgit-blob-151b7bd75ea7b17839489fa21bcab1cf848fe43e%2Fclip0372_was_BMP.jpg?alt=media) ![](https://3283832020-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FiBJmBoewuy4ZcBC7RF3m%2Fuploads%2Fgit-blob-5120481d29591295e3b7922e21522a8005a00255%2Fclip0410_was_BMP.jpg?alt=media) Support Reactions: Displays support reactions for all supports, for all load combinations. ![](https://3283832020-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FiBJmBoewuy4ZcBC7RF3m%2Fuploads%2Fgit-blob-df998b9b0168a41bcd2d3d82092ae9537b26dc61%2Fclip0373_was_BMP.jpg?alt=media) **2D:** Displays a sketch of the beam, indicating span lengths, support conditions, and applied loads. ![](https://3283832020-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FiBJmBoewuy4ZcBC7RF3m%2Fuploads%2Fgit-blob-c3d848596043d84945af6ea9b7f46333215c38ff%2Fclip0374_was_BMP.jpg?alt=media) **Diagram:** Displays a graphic depiction of the beam with superimposed graphs of Moment, Shear, or Deflection for a selected load combination, or for an envelope of all load combinations. ![](https://3283832020-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FiBJmBoewuy4ZcBC7RF3m%2Fuploads%2Fgit-blob-8367ca764ba1b49c15abd2d3fe1901e755a89bbc%2Fclip0375_was_BMP.jpg?alt=media) --- # Agent Instructions This documentation is published with GitBook. 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