Skip to main content

Deflection: steel or wood

For EITHER steel or wood beams, a question that asks for the allowable deflection limit (maximum) for live loads only requires which of the following equations?
A. L/240
B. L/360
C. ∆ = 5wl⁴ / 384EI
D. ∆ = 5Wl³ / 384EI

AnswerB. L/360 or span in inches divided by 360.
ARE 4.0 exam prep: SS

Note on calculations: From posted discussions on AREforum, memorization of most equations is not advised. However, even when the equation may be available in in-exam reference, selection of the appropriate equation requires correct identification.

Comments

Try These Too!

Townships double post!

How many sections are contained within a township? Answer 36 (each is 1 mile square) What are the dimensions of 1/2 of a township? H & W Answer 18 miles square (3x6 sections) ARE 4.0 exam prep: SPD

Parking units

What are the car stall dimensions for a compact car? Answer A compact car stall size can be set by each municipality and therefore varies. Generally it is 7ft 6in wide by 15ft 0in long. However, in Fresno CA it's 8 1/2ft x 16ft and according to an Iowa urban design manual, it's 7ft 6in by 16ft. ARE 4.0 exam prep: SPD

Building Efficiency

Convert the usable area of classrooms planned with medium efficiency level of new construction to the gross building area given the following model factors: Net Assignable Square Feet: 10,000, Space Factor: 1.5, Building Efficiency Ratio: 67%