The Marine Beam Calculator Built for Naval Architects
BeamCore is part of Lumoship, a modern marine structural engineering
software suite designed for naval architects, ship designers, and marine structural
engineers. While general-purpose beam calculators exist, BeamCore is purpose-built
for the unique requirements of marine and shipbuilding applications.
Every feature, profile library, and material grade in BeamCore reflects the practical
needs of marine engineering practice — from the EN 10067 Holland Profile (HP) catalog
commonly used in stiffener design, to shipbuilding steel grades AH32 and AH36 specified
by classification societies including DNV, Lloyd's Register, Bureau Veritas, and RINA.
How to Use BeamCore
The workflow is designed to mirror engineering practice:
1
Setup
Enter project information, designer name, and analysis date. These details
appear on the exported PDF calculation sheet for documentation.
2
Define Geometry
Set the beam length and select your profile. Choose from Flat Bar (FB),
L-Profile, T-Profile, or pick from the complete HP catalog per EN 10067.
Add an attached plate if modeling a stiffened panel.
3
Material & Safety
Select steel grade (A, AH32, AH36) and a safety factor. Allowable stress
is calculated automatically based on the yield strength and chosen factor.
4
Supports
Add any number of supports at any position. Choose between pinned
(vertical restraint), fixed (vertical + rotation), or roller. BeamCore handles
statically determinate and indeterminate structures.
5
Loads
Apply point loads, uniformly distributed loads (UDL), or applied moments.
Mix and match load types. Define location for point loads and start/end
positions for UDLs.
6
Analyze
Click "Run Analysis". BeamCore computes reactions, shear forces, bending
moments, and deflections using the Direct Stiffness Method. Results appear
as numerical values and diagrams within seconds.
Common Analysis Scenarios
Simply Supported Beam — UDL
Classic deck beam or stiffener under uniform pressure. Two pinned/roller
supports at the ends, UDL across the span. BeamCore returns the well-known
wL²/8 maximum moment at midspan.
Cantilever — Point Load
Bracket structure or overhanging member. One fixed support, point load at
the free end. Maximum moment occurs at the fixed support (PL).
Continuous Beam — Multi-Span
Continuous deck longitudinal over multiple frames. Add three or more
supports, apply UDL. Hyperstatic — BeamCore solves automatically.
Propped Cantilever
One end fixed (e.g., welded to a bulkhead), other end on a support. Combines
fixed-end characteristics with simple span behavior. Single solver step.
Beam with Mixed Loads
Real-world combinations — equipment as point loads, hydrostatic pressure as
UDL, plus applied moments at hatch corners. BeamCore superposes them all.
Why BeamCore vs. Generic Beam Calculators?
Marine-First Profile Library
Built around the EN 10067 HP (Holland Profile) catalog — the standard
bulb-flat stiffener used in shipbuilding worldwide. Generic calculators don't
include these.
Shipbuilding Steel Grades
AH32 and AH36 grades pre-loaded with their correct ReH yield values.
Standard structural engineering tools use civil grades (S235, S355).
Class Society Awareness
The profile catalog and grade selections reflect classification society
requirements (DNV, Lloyd's Register, Bureau Veritas, RINA, Türk Loydu).
Attached Plate Modeling
Quickly model stiffened panels by attaching an effective plate width to the
profile. Critical for ship deck and bottom structure analysis.
Free for 2026
No sign-up, no credit card, no usage limits. Lumoship is in early access
throughout 2026, building real value before charging.
Modern, Browser-Based
Nothing to install. Works on any device with a browser. Results computed
server-side using Python/NumPy for accuracy and reliability.
About Lumoship
BeamCore is one of multiple tools in the Lumoship suite — a software
platform built specifically for marine structural engineering. The vision is a
comprehensive, modern toolkit covering everything from concept design to
class-compliant scantling analysis.
Currently available:
- BeamCore — Beam structural analysis (this tool)
- SectionPro — Section properties calculator for marine profiles
In development for 2026:
- NODAL — Beam-based grillage solver for hatch covers, decks,
bulkheads, and stiffened panels
- Lumoship Midship — Multi-class scantling tool with full rule
check support for DNV, Lloyd's Register, Bureau Veritas, and RINA
Lumoship is founded by Ebubekir Akarsu, a structural-focused naval
architect with 7+ years of experience across European and Turkish marine engineering
firms. The platform reflects real practitioner needs — built by an engineer, for engineers.
Learn more at lumoship.org.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is BeamCore really free?
Yes, BeamCore is completely free during 2026. No sign-up required, no usage
limits, no hidden charges. Starting 2027, paid plans will become available for
advanced features, but the core calculator will remain accessible.
What calculation method does BeamCore use?
BeamCore implements the Direct Stiffness Method based on
Euler-Bernoulli beam theory. Calculations are performed server-side using Python
and NumPy for numerical accuracy. Each beam is meshed into multiple elements
(typically L/40 maximum element length) for high-resolution results.
Can I analyze multi-span continuous beams?
Yes. BeamCore handles any number of supports at any position along the beam.
Two-span, three-span, or more continuous beams are supported. The solver
automatically handles statically indeterminate structures.
Which profile types are supported?
BeamCore supports four profile types: Flat Bar (FB), L-Profile (angle),
T-Profile, and Holland Profile (HP) per the EN 10067 catalog. The complete HP
range from HP 60×4 to HP 400×16 is available with tabulated section properties.
What steel grades are available?
Three shipbuilding steel grades are pre-loaded with their correct yield
strengths (ReH) per classification society requirements: Grade A (ReH = 235 N/mm²),
AH32 (315 N/mm²), and AH36 (355 N/mm²). The elastic modulus is set to 206 GPa
(per IACS standards).
Can I export results as PDF?
Yes. BeamCore generates a complete PDF calculation sheet including project
information, geometry, loads, supports, analysis results, and diagrams. The PDF
is suitable for design submittals and project records.
How accurate are the results?
BeamCore uses high-precision numerical methods. Results match analytical
solutions to within machine precision for standard cases (simply supported,
cantilever, etc.). The solver has been validated against textbook examples
and finite element references.
Does BeamCore work offline?
No. BeamCore is a browser-based tool that computes results server-side.
An internet connection is required. The server is hosted on Railway with 99.9%
uptime. Results are returned within seconds for typical beam problems.
Can I save and load my projects?
Within a single session, you can save and load beam cases using the "Saved
Cases" feature. Browser refresh clears these. Future versions will support
persistent project storage with user accounts.
Who is BeamCore for?
BeamCore is designed for naval architects, marine structural
engineers, ship designers, and shipbuilding draftsmen. It's also
useful for academic purposes — marine engineering students learning beam
analysis on real-world ship profiles.
Ready to Start?
Use BeamCore for your next ship structural analysis project. No sign-up, no install,
no cost during 2026.
Start Calculating ↑
Have questions or feedback? Email contact@lumoship.org