Uniformly Loaded Simple Beam, 2 Span Continuous Beam, 2 Span Cantilever Beam

A quick comparison between beam options. This is a pair of simple beams over 3 posts of equal span and uniform load, or a continuous full length beam under the same conditions, or a cantilever pair, same span and load conditions. The cantilever overhangs into the second span by .172L which is the inflection point under these conditions, the point where bending moment passes through zero.

Total Load on Beam(pounds)
Dead Load on Beam (pounds)
Span of Beam (inches)
Width of Beam
Depth of Beam
Select Species and Grade
Allowable Fiberstress in Bending (Fb)(psi)
Modulus of Elasticity (E or MOE)(million psi)
Allowable Shear (Fv)(psi)

Simple Beam


Fiberstress in BendingDeflection Horizontal shear
Max Moment (ft-lbs) Deflection (inches) Shear (PSI)
Section Modulus Required Max 1/360 (Floor) Section Required
Section Modulus Input Max 1/240 (Roof) Section Input
Section Modulus Pass/Fail Deflection Pass/Fail Shear Pass/Fail
Minimum Bearing Each End (sq") Maximum Allowable Compression Perpendicular to Grain (psi)

Continuous Beam

Fiberstress in BendingDeflection Horizontal shear
Max Moment in span (ft-lbs) Deflection (inches) EndShear (PSI)
Max Moment over center post (ft-lbs) Shear over midpost (PSI)

Cantilever Beam

Fiberstress in BendingMoments derived from coefficients Horizontal shear
Max Moment in span (ft-lbs) Max Moment (ft-lbs, coeff End and Inflection Point Shear (PSI)
Max Moment over center post (ft-lbs) Max Moment over center post (ft-lbs), coeff Shear over Midpost (PSI)
Just checking there, the moments in the left column are using beam equations, those in the right are using coefficients that should give mighty close to the same values.
In the simple beam calc you can run up the loads until you find the max allowable bending moment, triggering a fail. Note that value and use that as the max allowable bending moment in the calcs below.
For shear notice the max allowable shear at the bottom of the input tables when you click "show result" and again do not surpass that value.
I have not found deflection calcs for the cantilever beam yet. It should be in the neighborhood of the continuous beam.


Caveats
The cantilever equations are assuming a hinged connection.
"The horizontal shear stress as determined by these formulas, except in the case of checked sawn beams, may not exceed the design value in horizontal shear. The formula should not be used when the beam end is notched, when the beam is supported by fastenings at the ends such as bolts, or when the beam supports hanging loads near the end.
..The notch induces tension perpendicular to grain stresses, which interact with the horizontal shear creating a splitting tendency."
Have fun!