V1.4 — Two-span continuous beam, uniform load

A beam continuous over three supports (two equal spans) under a uniform load — a statically indeterminate case with a shared centre support.

Time
About 5 minutes
Level
All levels
You'll need
None — this is a reference document
You're done when
You can see how V1.4 compares to its reference
On this page
  1. Description
  2. Reference
  3. Model
  4. Comparison
  5. Conclusion

← Verification — Linear (Frames & Trusses)

V1.4 — Two-span continuous beam, uniform load

Exact

Description

A beam continuous over three supports (two equal spans) under a uniform load — a statically indeterminate case with a shared centre support.

Reference

Standard two-span continuous beam formulas (closed form): Rend = 3wL/8, Rcentre = 5wL/4, Mcentre = −wL²/8.

Model

A single elastic frame line over three supports, pinned at both outer ends and at the shared centre support, meshed 8 elements per span, under a uniform load along the full length.

Uniform load, w0.1 kip/in
Span length240 in (each of 2 spans)
Elastic modulus, E29,000 ksi
Section width, b12 in
Section depth, d24 in
Moment of inertia, I13,824 in⁴
Elements per span8

Comparison

QuantityReferencevfopro% diffStatus
End reaction, left (kip)99-0.00%Exact
End reaction, right (kip)99-0.00%Exact
Centre support reaction (kip)30300.00%Exact
Centre support moment, hogging (kip-in)7207200.00%Exact
Span-1 midspan deflection (in)-0.0043-0.0043-0.00%Exact
Centre support deflection (in)00n/aExact

Conclusion

Every reported quantity matched the closed-form value to at least 6 significant figures.

Last updated September 22, 2026 · applies to vfopro 20260922.0.0 or later