Don’t be stumped when you have questions that seem out of the blue! Companies often like to disguise beam bending questions in the form of an application or hypothetical situation.
This is a classic beam deflection question. Think of the general form equation:
Deflection = \frac{PL}{EI}
By looking at the equation:
- Reduce the load (w), move the load closer to support of cantilever beam if it’s a point load, distribute the load more if distributed load
- Decrease the length L
- Increase the stiffness EI factor
- Increase modulus of elasticity and moment of inertia
- Increase the section size/depth if steel and with most materials
When taking a cross-section of the flagpole, let’s imagine the shape as a solid extruded cylinder or a hollow cylinder.
As such, to increase the area moment of inertia factory, we would increase the diameter in the case of a solid base, or increase the width for a hollow base.