Analysis of the Effect of Load Position Variation on the Mechanical Response of Beams Using Web-Based Computational Modeling

Abstract

This study investigates the influence of variations in load position on the mechanical response of simply supported beams using a web-based computational modeling approach. As structural analysis increasingly shifts toward accessible, browser-based simulation platforms, understanding how such tools represent classical beam behavior is essential for both educational applications and preliminary engineering design. A prismatic beam with a uniform cross-section was modeled and subjected to a concentrated point load applied at several positions along its span, namely 0.25L, 0.50L, and 0.75L, where L denotes the total span length. Web-based finite element analysis was used to compute the deflection, bending moment, and shear force distributions for each loading scenario, and the results were verified against analytical solutions derived from classical beam theory. The findings indicate that load position significantly affects the magnitude and distribution of internal forces and deflection. The maximum deflection and bending moment occur when the load is applied at midspan, whereas eccentric load positions produce asymmetric bending moment and shear force diagrams, with lower peak deflections and shifts in the locations of the maximum responses. The web-based model showed close agreement with the analytical results, with deviations of less than 5% across all tested configurations, confirming that browser-based computational tools can provide reliable and rapid insights into beam behavior without requiring specialized desktop software. These findings support the use of web-based computational modeling as a practical and accessible tool for structural analysis education and preliminary design evaluation.