Using Simultaneous Equation Solver

This will sound similar to the third section of the ESC Key Tutorial, well thats because the equation solver is ESC Key is identical to this program.

We have designed the Simultaneous Equation Solver to be simple to use.
The three input boxes are where you input the equations. These are located on the left hand side of the screen. If you are using two equations then leave the bottom box empty.

Input your equations using the following formats:

For two equations:
2X+4Y=50
Or
X+Y=5

For three equations:
2X+3Y-4Z=20
Or
X+Y+2Z=50
Or
0X+Y+3Z=80

Remember these four simple rules:

No Spaces
Always ensur all of the X's, Y's and Z's are there for three equations, X's and Y's for two equations.
The numbers, +'s and -'s can be changed
You must use X, Y and Z nothing else

Once you have entered all your equations either hit enter or click "Calculate"

For both two and three simultaneous equations this program uses Gaussian Elimination

Using Simple Beam Graphs

Once the program has opened you are greated with the standard home screen.
In the top left corner of this window are some buttons and input boxes. This is where the program asks for the information about your beam.

The firest piece of information the program reuires is the total number of all the loads acting on the beam. This includes all point loads, uniformally distributed loads and supports.

For the purpose of this tutorial we shall use this beam:

As can be seen there are four loads. After inputtng this calue into the box, located next to the question, click the "Next" button.

We are now prompted for the overall length of the beam, for this tutorial we will use 10 metres. Remember all units must be the base metric unit, by this we mean use metres and newtons not feet and pounds or even use millimetres.

Now we are prompted for information about the first load. It is best to start with the left most load and work your way to the right.
The first thing Simple Beam Graphs wants to know about the load is the location of the load from the left hand edge of the beam, again in metres.
The next piece of information the program requires is the size of the load. Here we have to remember that if the force is acting down on the beam then the size of the load must be a negative. If the load is a supporting force, acting upwards on the beam, then enter it as a positive load. Use newtons as the unit for the loads.
The final part of this load is the length of the load. This is used for uniformally distributed loads (UDLs) a UDL has a unit of Newtons per Metre (N/m) and so Simple Beam Graphs needs to know how long the load is. If you are currently filling in the information for point load enter a value of 0 for this.
Press the "Next" button.

Repeat this process for all of the loads.

The final thing to do is decide on what increments you want the results tables to go up in, again this is in metres.

After pressing the "Next" button a diagram of the beam will be produced, check the diagram and ensure that it is correct.

Now simply prss either the "Shear Force" or "Bending Moment" buttons to produce the required graphs.