Technical resources

Technical guides: understand before calculating

These guides explain quantities, assumptions, common mistakes and practical tips, then link to the appropriate calculators.

IPE beam: a complete worked example

Reproduce an IPE 200 beam example: add self-weight, calculate moment, bending stress and deflection, then compare major and minor axes.

Calculate the ideal mass of a 60 × 3 mm steel tube, distinguish kg from newtons, and convert linear mass to a beam self-weight load.

Understand torque, power and speed with a diagram, analogy, worked example and university references.

A student-friendly method to select cylinder bore and estimate force, speed, flow and stroke time.

Understand hydraulic pressure, flow and power using a water analogy, circuit diagram, formulas and a worked example.

Understand A, I, W and r with an analogy, major/minor-axis diagram, numerical example and university references.

Use ΔL = αL₀ΔT, compare indicative material coefficients and follow a checked linear thermal expansion example.

Use the general 3D, plane-stress 2D and principal-stress Von Mises formulas, then follow a checked numerical example.

Pre-sizing method for a solid or hollow shaft using torque, allowable stress, fatigue, keyways and selection of a real diameter.

Understand hoop and longitudinal stress, minimum thickness, the thin-wall assumption and remaining code checks.