Uniformly Distributed Load
Load per unit length of a beam.
Formula
Live Calculator
MembersVariables
Example
6000 N over 3 m = 2000 N/m
How it works
A uniformly distributed load (UDL) tells you how much force is spread along each metre of a beam. It is found by dividing the total load by the length of the span, because the same total force is shared evenly over every unit of distance. The result is a load intensity, usually given in N/m or kN/m, which is what structural calculations use for beams and supports.
When to use it
Use this when a load is spread evenly over a beam, floor strip, bridge deck, or similar structural member. It is common in civil and structural engineering whenever weights such as roofing, flooring, or evenly spaced materials are treated as a constant load along a length.
Worked example, step by step
A beam carries a total evenly spread load of 9000 N over a span of 6 m. Use the formula: w = W / L Substitute the values: w = 9000 / 6 Calculate: w = 1500 N/m Final answer: the uniformly distributed load is 1500 N/m.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Using the formula for a point load that is concentrated at one spot
- Mixing up units, such as dividing newtons by millimetres instead of metres
- Forgetting that the total load must be evenly spread along the full span length
Did You Know?
Distributed loads model self-weight and flooring.
Share this formula
More in Materials & Civil
View allStress
BasicInternal force per unit cross-sectional area.
Strain
BasicFractional deformation under load.
Young Modulus
IntermediateRatio of stress to strain; measures material stiffness.
Factor of Safety
IntermediateRatio of a material strength to the actual applied stress.
Cantilever Beam Deflection
AdvancedMaximum deflection of a cantilever with an end load.
Rectangular Area Moment of Inertia
AdvancedSecond moment of area for a rectangular cross-section.