Beam Calculations
Beam calculations are the cornerstone of any structurally sound building, ensuring that horizontal supports can safely bear and transfer the loads placed upon them. Our specialised structural engineering team at Focus 360 Energy provides rigorous, detailed steel beam calculations and general beam calculation reports for every type of construction project, from domestic knock-throughs to complex commercial spanning requirements. This crucial analysis ensures your structure is safe, compliant with Building Regulations, and optimised for efficiency.
What are Beam Calculations?
A beam calculation is a highly detailed engineering assessment that determines the forces acting on a horizontal structural element and verifies that the resulting structural response is safe and compliant. This process, carried out by qualified structural engineers, ensures the chosen material (steel, timber, or concrete) and cross-section is adequate.
Calculations must precisely account for the dead load (weight of the structure itself) and live load (occupants, snow, furniture) while ensuring the beam has sufficient resistance to bending, shear, and excessive deflection to prevent damage to internal finishes.
What Does the Beam Calculation Service Include?
Load Analysis: A clear, detailed breakdown of all forces (uniform, point, and partial loads) applied to the beam from walls, floors, and roofs.
Shear Force & Bending Moment Diagrams (SFD/BMD): Graphical representations showing the internal stresses along the beam, critical for determining required structural depth and size.
Design Check Verification: Verification that the chosen beam section (e.g., a specific Universal Beam or UC column) has sufficient strength to resist all calculated shear, bending, and deflection forces.
Support Reactions: Calculation of the forces transferred from the beam ends to the supporting walls, foundations, or columns.
Certified Compliance Report: The final report is meticulously reviewed and signed off by a qualified structural assessment engineer, providing certified proof of structural integrity for Building Control.
Why Beam Calculations Matter
Accurate beam calculations provide peace of mind by guaranteeing the structural performance of your building’s primary horizontal elements.
They are absolutely essential for regulatory compliance, as Building Control requires certified proof that all structural alterations meet current British/Eurocodes.
Crucially, they enable material optimisation by specifying the exact size and grade needed, avoiding costly over-engineering while guaranteeing safety. Finally, they ensure deflection control, preventing the excessive sagging that causes damage to plaster, tiling, and floor finishes.
How Our Accredited Assessors Support You
Our structural engineers specialise in translating complex physics and mechanics into practical, safe, and buildable solutions. Every project benefits from the scrutiny of a dedicated structural assessment engineer with deep experience in steel, timber, and concrete design.
We don’t use generic charts; we perform bespoke calculations tailored to your project’s unique load configuration.
Our final reports are clear, fully documented, and formatted specifically to meet the rigorous submission requirements of local building control bodies, guaranteeing a fast and smooth approval process.
Related Sustainability Services
Beam Calculations is frequently combined with the following additional services:
Structural Design & Calculations
Find out moreStructural Drawings
Find out moreStructural Inspections & Reports
Find out moreRetaining Wall Design
Find out moreFire Strategy Reports
Find out moreMechanical Design
Find out moreOur Process
Book your Beam Calculations Quote Today.
Ensure your renovation or new build is safe and compliant. Take the critical first step with Focus 360 Energy’s expert steel beam calculations and detailed reports. Get your personalised quote now and partner with a team committed to certified structural integrity.
Click the Get a Quote link to access our online portal, or use the form to share brief details about your project and we will respond promptly.
Why choose Focus 360 Energy
Expert Oversight: Every calculation is overseen and certified by a dedicated structural assessment engineer with deep industry experience.
Regulatory Guarantee: Our reports are specifically prepared and formatted to secure fast and smooth approval from all UK Building Control bodies.
Fast Turnaround: We deliver accurate, clear calculation reports promptly to ensure your renovation or construction timeline stays on track.
Material Optimisation: Precision engineering ensures you use the correct, most cost-effective materials without compromising safety.
Integrated Design: Our beam calculations integrate seamlessly with our structural drawing services, ensuring a consistent, buildable design package.
Frequently Asked Questions
The most frequent application is calculating the size of a steel beam (or lintel) required when removing a load-bearing wall to create an open-plan living space.
No. Generic charts are unsafe and non-compliant, as they cannot account for your project’s unique load configuration. A professional calculation is essential for safety and Building Control acceptance.
We perform calculations for all standard structural materials, including steel beams (RSJs, I-beams), timber beams (softwood, glulam), and reinforced concrete beams.
We require the span (length) of the beam, the material, and full details of the loads above and supported by the beam (typically sourced from your architectural drawings).
Absolutely. Our calculation reports are certified by a qualified structural assessment engineer specifically to meet the rigorous submission requirements of local building control bodies.
It is the engineering check that ensures the beam does not sag excessively under load, preventing cosmetic damage to ceilings, plasterwork, and internal finishes.
The timeline is project-dependent, but we prioritise fast turnaround for small domestic projects, typically delivering reports within 3-5 working days of instruction and receiving all data.
Dead loads are permanent (e.g., the weight of walls, floors, and the roof structure itself). Live loads are transient (e.g., occupants, furniture, snow, wind).
Yes, the report specifies the reaction forces transferred to the supports, which informs the design of the necessary bearing plates or column connections
Yes. Often, when removing a wall, the new beam requires support from a column (or post). We can include the design and calculation for the supporting column within the same report.
