Beam loading formula from machinery handbook

Not being a mechanical engineer, I was looking at simple beam deflection calculations in the machinery handbook and was wondering why there seems to be a discrepancy from posted formula on various sites.
For instance, for a beam with a single support and uniform load, the handbook states for maximum deflection:
ymax (at end) = (wl^3)/(8EI)
the formula ymax = -(w * l^4) / (8 * E * I) at x = l
from
http://ourworld.compuserve.com/homepages/MJVanVoorhis/T303.htm
agrees with the results from beamboy and other postings. I also measured it experimentally.
So I guess the question is l^3 vs l^4 unless E or I are calculated differently in the handbook??
thanks.

lightmetal wrote:
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That's a cantilevered beam with uniform loading.
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The 2nd formula is correct. I've checked 2 of my books.
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Looks like different definitions for "w".
In one case (wL^4), w is load per unit length. In the other (wL^3) , w is total load.
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As the saying goes: Who ya going to call: Marks Handbook or a private web page and some posters?
Next: I hope you can distinguish between 2nd moment, initialized as 9th letter of the alphabet, upper case I and length, initialized as 12th letter, lower case l . But I think you can.
Last, I hope you are accounting for uniformly distributed load vs. point load - which accounts for a factor of 3/8 in deflection, but I think you are.
That leaves the one definition that you are probably forgetting. A uniform load, which is often given as load per unit length (along the cantilever) versus a uniform load totaled over the whole length. The difference introduces a factor of l
Brian W
On 29 Jan 2004 15:47:39 -0800, snipped-for-privacy@pacbell.net (lightmetal) wrote:
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