Continuous Beam Analysis

Multi-span continuous beams solved with a proper FEM engine, directly inside Excel. Pinned, roller, fixed, and spring supports — any configuration, any number of spans.

Why Most Calculators Fall Short

Most free beam calculators handle simply supported beams well — but continuous beams are statically indeterminate. You can't solve them with wL²/8. You need either the three-moment equation (limited to uniform loads) or a full finite element approach.

BeamBuddy uses a proper FEM stiffness method. That means any combination of spans, any load types (point, UDL, trapezoidal, triangular, moments), and any support conditions — including spring supports with variable stiffness. The same engine handles a 2-span beam and a 20-span beam.

And because it runs inside Excel, your span lengths and loads can come directly from cells in your design spreadsheet via bidirectional cell linking.

What You Can Do

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Any Number of Spans

From 2-span to 20+ span continuous beams. Add or remove spans in seconds — the FEM engine handles any configuration.

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Mixed Support Types

Combine pinned, roller, fixed, and spring supports freely. Model real-world conditions like settlement or partial fixity.

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Spring Supports

Variable stiffness spring supports for modelling flexible foundations, soil-structure interaction, or partial restraints.

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Full Diagrams Across All Spans

Shear force, bending moment, and deflection diagrams plotted continuously across every span. No per-span workarounds.

Proper FEM Engine

A real finite element solver — not simplified formulas. Handles indeterminate structures that three-moment-equation tools struggle with.

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Cell-Linked Spans

Link each span length and support position to Excel cells. Run parametric studies on geometry without re-entering data.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can BeamBuddy analyse continuous multi-span beams?

Yes. BeamBuddy uses a proper finite element method (FEM) engine to solve continuous beams with any number of spans. It handles pinned, roller, fixed, and spring supports, and provides full shear force, bending moment, and deflection diagrams across all spans.

What support types are available for continuous beams?

BeamBuddy supports pinned, roller, fixed, and spring supports with variable stiffness. You can mix support types across spans — for example, a fixed end with intermediate roller supports and a spring support at the far end.

How many spans can BeamBuddy handle?

There is no hard limit on the number of spans. Engineers regularly use BeamBuddy for 2-span to 20+ span continuous beams. The FEM engine scales efficiently with additional spans.

Analyse continuous beams inside Excel.

14-day free trial. No credit card required. Multi-span analysis included on all plans.