Shaft Deflection Calculator
Calculate shaft deflection and stress for simply supported and cantilever beams
About this calculator
The Shaft Deflection Calculator determines how much a shaft bends under applied loads and calculates the resulting stress for both simply supported and cantilever beam configurations. This tool is essential for engineers designing mechanical systems, helping ensure shafts can handle operational loads without excessive deflection that could cause misalignment, vibration, or failure. By inputting material properties, dimensions, and loading conditions, users can verify their designs meet safety standards and performance requirements before manufacturing.
How to use
Enter your shaft's material properties (Young's modulus), geometric dimensions (length, diameter or moment of inertia), and loading conditions (force magnitude and position). Select whether your shaft is simply supported (fixed at both ends) or cantilevered (fixed at one end). The calculator will instantly compute maximum deflection and stress values for your specific configuration.
Frequently asked questions
What's the difference between simply supported and cantilever beams?
Simply supported beams are fixed at both ends, while cantilever beams are only fixed at one end. Cantilever beams typically have higher deflections.
What units should I use for inputs?
Use consistent units throughout - either metric (N, mm, MPa) or imperial (lbs, inches, psi) for accurate results.
How accurate are the calculated deflection values?
Results are highly accurate for linear elastic materials under small deflections using standard beam theory equations from engineering mechanics.