Superposition to find deflection of beam with multiple point loads?

[StructureMan44]

I know the moment and shear force can be found via superposition. If I have a simply supported beam with 5 point loads, can the deflection be found using superposition of 5 beams with a single point load? I have been adding all 5 point loads together and treating it as a single center point load but the deflection from this is conservative.

 

[UcfSE]

Design Aid for Deflection of Simple Beams Under Concentrated Loads

 

[IDS]

The spreadsheet here:

https://newtonexcelbach.wordpress.com/2013/12/03/moving-load-spreadsheet-update-and-how-to-use/

will analyse any number of point loads on a single span or continuous beam, or you can define a vehicle as a series of point loads and find the position that gives the maximum deflection (or any other output value).

And its free even if you are not a member of the AISC.

As noted by others, if you are dealing with concrete allow for cracked stiffness (if the beam is cracked under maximum loads), and allow for creep, shrinkage and differential temperature effects for long term loads.

Doug Jenkins
Interactive Design Services

http://newtonexcelbach.wordpress.com/

 

[desertfox]

Look at figure 29, example 8 of the link below

http://www.assakkaf.com/courses/enes220/lectures/lecture19.pdf