Maximum value of bending moments for a center loaded beam supported by two simple supports

Description

A bending moment is the reaction induced in a structural element when an external force or moment is applied to the element causing the element to bend. The most common or simplest structural element subjected to bending moments is the beam. The moment created by external forces (and external moments) must be balanced by the couple induced by the internal loads. The resultant internal couple is called the bending moment while the resultant internal force is called the shear force (if it is transverse to the plane of element) or the normal force (if it is along the plane of the element). The maximum value of bending moments for a beam subjected to a central point load can be calculated by the force acting on the center of the beam and the length of the beam between the supports.