Engineering guides
Practical how-to guides for everyday mechanical calculations — each explains the method to its governing standard, works a numeric example, and links to the calculator that runs it.
Structural
- Beam Deflection Formulas for Common Load CasesClosed-form beam deflection formulas for simply supported, cantilever and fixed-fixed beams under point loads and UDLs — with a verified worked example and a free online calculator.
- Column Buckling: Euler vs Johnson — Which Formula to UseHow to choose between the Euler and Johnson buckling formulas, compute the critical load and slenderness, and apply the correct safety factor — with a worked steel column example.
- How to Design a Fillet Weld to EN 1993-1-8 — Directional Method ExplainedHow to check fillet weld strength to EN 1993-1-8 — the directional method, throat stress components σ⊥ τ⊥ τ∥, correlation factor βw, and a worked S355 bending example.
Bearings
Power Transmission
- How to Calculate Belt Drive Power, Tension and Pulley SizingCalculate belt drive power, tight-side/slack-side tension, wrap angle and belt length with the Euler–Eytelwein equation — worked example, key formulas and a free belt calculator.
- How to Calculate Press-Fit and Interference-Fit Contact Pressure (Lamé / DIN 7190)How to calculate interference-fit contact pressure using Lamé thick-wall theory (DIN 7190) — hub hoop stress, von Mises burst safety, torque capacity and a worked steel-hub example. With a free calculator.
Fasteners
Springs
Manufacturing & Metrology
Gears
Fatigue
Fluid & Thermal Systems
- Heat Exchanger Sizing: LMTD and Effectiveness-NTU MethodsHow to size and rate a heat exchanger using the LMTD method with F-correction and the effectiveness-NTU method — formulas, the F factor explained, and a fully worked counterflow example.
- Hydraulic Cylinder Force, Speed and Rod Buckling ExplainedHow to calculate hydraulic cylinder extension and retraction force, piston speed, flow rate, and piston rod buckling safety factor — with a fully worked 80 mm bore example.
- How to Calculate Pipe Pressure Drop with the Darcy-Weisbach EquationStep-by-step guide to pipe pressure drop calculation using Darcy-Weisbach and the Colebrook-White friction factor — Reynolds number, flow regime, Moody chart, and a worked DN50 turbulent-flow example.