Calculating Required Moment of Inertia for Simply Supported Beam

What is the required moment of inertia (Iₓ) for a simply supported beam 20' long with a uniformly distributed total service load of 800 plf throughout the full length of the beam, assuming A992 steel and a W-flange member?

Calculation for Required Moment of Inertia

To determine the required moment of inertia (Iₓ) for a simply supported beam with a uniformly distributed load, we will use structural engineering formulas. First, we calculate the maximum bending moment (M) using the formula:

M = wL² / 8

Where: M = Maximum bending moment w = Uniform load per unit length L = Length of the beam For the given scenario: w = 800 plf (pounds per linear foot) L = 20 feet M = 800 plf * (20 ft)² / 8 M = 40000 ft-lb Next, we convert this moment to inch-pounds: M = 40000 ft-lb * 12 in/ft M = 480000 in-lb Using the flexural formula: σ = M / S Where: σ = Allowable stress of A992 steel S = Section modulus Assuming the bending stress for A992 steel is 36 ksi with a factor of safety of 0.90: σ = 36 ksi * 0.90 σ = 32.4 ksi Converting ksi to psi: σ = 32.4 ksi * 1000 psi/ksi σ = 32400 psi Calculate S: S = 480000 in-lb / 32400 psi S = 14.81 in³ To find the required moment of inertia: Iₓ = S * c Where c is the distance from the neutral axis to the outermost fiber. For a W-flange beam, assume c = 10 inches: Iₓ = 14.81 in³ * 10 in Iₓ = 148.1 in⁴ None of the provided choices match with the calculated value. It is crucial to verify the assumptions made about the factor of safety and beam dimensions for specific applications.
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