Load Distribution Calculator

Calculate how loads distribute to supports, reactions, and through structural elements.

Beam Span (ft)

Load Type

Uniform Load (lb/ft or plf)

Point Load (lbs)

Distance from Left Support (ft)

Distance from Each End (ft)

Number of Spans

Span 1 Length (ft)

Span 2 Length (ft)

Span 3 Length (ft)

Uniform Load (lb/ft)

Spans Equal?

Point/Column Load (kips)

Footing Type

Footing Width B (ft)

Footing Length L (ft) Same as B for square

Allowable Soil Bearing (psf)

Footing Depth (ft) Depth below grade

Slab Type

Short Span (ft)

Long Span (ft)

Dead Load (psf)

Live Load (psf)

Beam Spacing (ft) For one-way slab

Scenario	Left Reaction (RA)	Right Reaction (RB)	Max Moment
Uniform load (w) on simple span (L)	wL/2	wL/2	wL²/8 at center
Point load (P) at center	P/2	P/2	PL/4 at center
Point load (P) at distance a	P(L-a)/L	Pa/L	Pa(L-a)/L at load
2-span continuous, uniform	3wL/8	5wL/4 (interior)	9wL²/128

Gravity loads: Slab → Beam → Girder → Column → Footing → Soil
Tributary width: Each beam carries load from half the distance to adjacent beams
Two-way slabs: Load distributes to all four edges based on aspect ratio
Continuous beams: Negative moment at supports reduces positive moment
Load combinations: Apply factors per ASCE 7 (1.2D + 1.6L typical)