Options & decisions
Compare design options
Change one parameter deliberately and compare its effect on section size, utilization and deflection.
Open example in CALCThe task is prefilled in the chat. Review it and send it when you are ready to start.
A practical task
How does the required section change when a steel beam spans 7.5 m instead of 6 m? Compare both options using the same load and design assumptions.
Inputs & targets
- Option A
- 6 m span
- Option B
- 7.5 m span
- Material
- S235 for both options
- Uniform load
- 12 kN/m including self-weight, fixed for both options
- Common targets
- Deflection ≤ L/300; utilization ≤ 0.90
How to proceed
Establish a baseline
Calculate the 6 m option first and review its assumptions. This becomes the common starting point.
Change one parameter
Increase the span to 7.5 m. Keep the total uniform load and other agreed conditions unchanged.
Assess the differences
Compare sections and results side by side. The absolute deflection limit follows L/300 for each span.
What you can work with next
A comparison with shared assumptions and explicit differences, helping you assess the consequences of the longer span.
Scope & prerequisites
The longer span is the only specified change. Total load is deliberately held constant for this comparison. This is not automatic optimization of an entire structure.
Read the workflow in the manualYour starter task for CALC
Investigate a simply supported S235 steel beam with a 6 m span and a uniformly distributed load of 12 kN/m including self-weight. Select a suitable IPE section. The targets are deflection at most L/300 and utilization at most 0.90. Before calculating, clarify the load level, load combinations, lateral restraint and applicable National Annex with me. Then show the governing result, system and inputs, assumptions, checks, and moment, shear and deflection diagrams. Identify checks not performed. Then compare a second option with a 7.5 m span. Keep the specified total uniform load of 12 kN/m and the agreed design assumptions unchanged. Tabulate the required IPE section, utilization, absolute deflection and the applicable limit for each option. Document any further change explicitly.
Open example in CALCThe task is prefilled in the chat. Review it and send it when you are ready to start.
The next step in your workflow
Concept & design
Size a steel beam
Describe your steel beam, establish its boundary conditions and explore a suitable section with a traceable calculation.
Explore the example
Documentation & handover
Create a calculation report
Bring results, inputs and assumptions together in an editable report and prepare it for PDF export.
Explore the example
Content updated: