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Airy Points

Consider a straight beam that is comprised of a material that is homogenous, linear-‐elastic, and isotropic. The
beam is subjected to a uniform loading across its entire length (e.g. its own weight), has a constant cross
section, and is simply supported at two points spaced symmetrically about its length. The spacing of the two
support points can be chosen such that when the beam is deflected, the slope at each end of the beam is zero
and the end faces are both vertical. The spacing of these two support points, known as the Airy points, can be
found using the relation

L
s= (1)
3,

where s is the spacing of the supports and L is the overall length of the beam. This result has been derived
using Euler-‐Bernoulli beam bending theory, and thus is only valid for cases that adhere to the requisite
assumptions.

Airy points are named after Sir George Airy, who originally investigated the requirements for supporting
precision length standards. These points are commonly used in precision metrology when supporting
precision line and end standards.

In addition to being applicable in precision metrology, the concept of Airy points may be of interest to the
engineer who is developing a design where it is desirable to minimize angularity of the end faces of a beam or
structure. In cases of great precision, the engineer will need to be sure to closely respect all assumptions used
in derivation of the Airy points when they formulate their design. In non-‐precision designs, deviation from
these assumptions may be acceptable if the behavior of the structure is within required limits. In both design
cases, structuring supports to occur at the Airy points has minimal impact to product cost or complexity, and
so it is worthwhile for the design engineer to consider the relevance of this concept when developing designs.

Derivation of the result presented in equation 1 is provided in the remaining portion of this technical note.

Airy Points 1


Derivation

i. Nomenclature: Figure 1 illustrates the geometric nomenclature that will be used to derive the Airy point
spacing. A coordinate system is established with the origin at the intersection of the left edge and the
neutral axis of the beam. The x coordinate represents horizontal position, and the v coordinate represents
deflection. The overall length of the beam is denoted as L, and the support points are positioned
symmetrically at a spacing denoted as s. The modulus of elasticity of the beam and the area moment of
inertia of the cross-‐section are assumed constant and denoted as E and I, respectively.

Figure 1. Geometric nomenclature for derivation

ii. Reaction Force Solution: A free body diagram is useful to help determine reaction forces at the beam
support points. Figure 2 displays two forces, R1 and R2, which have replaced the two supports shown in
Figure 1. In addition to reaction forces, the beam weight is shown as a distributed loading of magnitude w
(Units of weight/length).

Figure 2. Free body diagram

Figure 3 further simplifies the free body diagram by replacing the distributed loading with a point loading
equal to the beam weight, wL, at the center of gravity of the beam.

Figure 3. Free body diagram further simplified

Airy Points 2


With the free body diagram complete, Newton’s second law can be used to investigate forces on the
beam. Since the beam is static, the sum of all forces must be equal to zero; that is,

∑ F = 0 (2)

Equation 2 is expanded based on the free body diagram of Figure 3 resulting in:

R1 + R2 − wL = 0 (3)

Equation 3 is then solved for one of the unknown reaction forces, R1, so that

R1 = wL − R2 (4)

Again, the second law can be used, this time considering moments applied to the beam. Since the beam is
static, the sum of all moments must be equal to zero; that is,

∑ M = 0 (5)

Equation 5 is expanded based on the free body diagram of Figure 3 and the geometric nomenclature in
Figure 1 resulting in:

L # L −s& #L+s&
wL ⋅ − R1 % ( − R2 % (=0
2 $ 2 ' $ 2 ' (6)

Equation 6 is simplified resulting in:

wL2 − R1L + R1s − R2 L − R2 s = 0 (7)

The result in equation 4 is now substituted into equation 7 to eliminate one of the unknown reaction
forces. The remaining equation is

wL2 − ( wL − R2 ) L + ( wL − R2 ) s − R2 L − R2 s = 0
(8)

Equation 8 is simplified to obtain the solution for one of the reaction forces:

wL
R2 =
2 (9)

Airy Points 3


Using the result for R2 provided in equation 9, and substituting it back into equation 4, a solution can be
determined for the other unknown reaction force, R1. This process is illustrated below.

wL wL
R1 = wL − R2 = wL − =
2 2 (10)

wL
∴ R1 = R2 =
2 (11)

Since the reaction forces are equal in magnitude and direction, the subscripts previously used with the
reaction forces will be eliminated. R1 and R2 will be notated as R in the remainder of the analyses that

follow.

iii. Beam Slope Solution: The information presented in sections i and ii will be used in conjunction with the
beam bending moment equation,

d 2v
M ( x ) = −EI 2
dx (12)

to derive the slope of the beam as a function of position along its length. Because the beam is supported
at two intermediate points, the bending moments across the length of the beam cannot be represented by
a single continuous function. The discontinuities in bending moment that occur at the support points
make it necessary to formulate the bending moment equation for each of the three sections of the beam.
Note that the same coordinate system will be utilized for each section.

The moment in section 1 of the beam is formulated and substituted into equation 12, resulting in:

!x$ d 2v
wx # & = −EI 2
"2% dx (13)
Equation 13 can be further simplified to:

wx 2 d 2v
= −EI 2
2 dx (14)

Equation 14 is then integrated to obtain the slope characteristic of the first section of the beam.

wx 2 d 2v
∫ 2 dx = ∫ dx 2 dx
−EI
(15)

Airy Points 4


The resulting slope equation for the first section of the beam is:

wx 3 dv
+ C1 = −EI
6 dx (16)


!x$ ( ! L − s $+ d 2v
wx # & − R * x − # &- = −EI 2
"2% ) " 2 %, dx (17)


wx 2 "L −s% d 2v
− Rx + R $ ' = −EI
2 # 2 & dx 2 (18)

Equation 18 is then integrated to obtain the slope characteristic of the second section of the beam.

( wx 2 " L − s %+ d 2v
∫ *) 2 − Rx + R $# 2 '&-,dx = ∫ −EI dx 2 dx
(19)

Completing integration provides:

wx 3 Rx 2 "L −s% dv
− + R$ ' x + C2 = −EI
6 2 # 2 & dx (20)

Using equation 11, a substitution can be made in equation 20 for R, producing:

wx 3 wLx 2 wL " L − s % dv
− + $ ' x + C2 = −EI
6 4 2 # 2 & dx (21)

The resulting slope equation for the second section of the beam is:

wx 3 wLx 2 wL2 x wLsx dv
− + − + C2 = −EI
6 4 4 4 dx (22)


!x$ ( !L −s$+ ( ! L + s $+ d 2v
wx # & − R * x − # &- − R * x − # &- = −EI 2
"2% ) " 2 %, ) " 2 %, dx (23)
Airy Points 5



wx 2 "L −s% "L+s% d 2v
− Rx + R $ ' − Rx + R $ ' = −EI
2 # 2 & # 2 & dx 2 (24)

Equation 24 is then integrated to obtain the slope characteristic of the third section of the beam.

( wx 2 "L −s% " L + s %+ d 2v
∫ *) − Rx + R $ ' − Rx + R $ '-dx = ∫ −EI dx 2
dx

2 # 2 & # 2 &,
(25)

Completing Integration results in:

wx 3 Rx 2 "L −s% Rx 2 "L+s% dv
− + R$ 'x − + R$ ' x + C3 = −EI
6 2 # 2 & 2 # 2 & dx (26)

Using equation 11, a substitution can be made in equation 26 for R, producing:

wx 3 wLx 2 wL " L − s % wLx 2 wL " L + s % dv
− + $ ' x − + $ ' x + C3 = −EI
6 4 2 # 2 & 4 2 # 2 & dx (27)

Further simplification leads to the resulting slope equation for the third section of the beam:

wx 3 wLx 2 wL2 x dv
− + + C3 = −EI
6 2 2 dx (28)

The general slope equations are now defined. However, it is still necessary to solve for the unknown
integration constants. This will be accomplished by using two known conditions. Since the beam is
symmetrically supported the deformed shape will be symmetric about the center. This leads to the first
condition, which is that the slope at the midpoint of the beam must be zero. Substituting this condition
into equation 22 provides the following result:

3 2
w ! L $ wL ! L $ wL2 ! L $ wLs ! L $
# & − # & + # &− # & + C2 = 0
6"2% 4 "2% 4 "2% 4 "2% (29)

After simplification of equation 29, a final solution is determined for the integration constant C2.

wL3 wL2 s
C2 = − +
12 8 (30)

Airy Points 6


Since the beam has a smooth shape without abrupt change, the slope must be continuous over the length
of the beam. This leads to the second known condition, which is that the slope calculated at the support
points must be equivalent as determined by both equations that apply for that given support point. Since
E and I are equivalent for all sections of the beam, they can be lumped with the slope to simplify reduction
of the equations. Using equations 16 and 22 this condition is setup in equation 31.

wx 3 wx 3 wLx 2 wL2 x wLsx
+ C1 = − + − + C2
6 6 4 4 4 (31)

Prior to substituting the coordinate for the first support point in for x, some simplifications are made to
make subsequent operations easier.

wLx 2 wL2 x wLsx
C1 = − + − + C2
4 4 4 (32)

Now the coordinate for the first support point is substituted into equation 32.

2
wL " L − s % wL2 " L − s % wLs " L − s %
C1 = − $ ' + $ '− $ ' + C2
4 # 2 & 4 # 2 & 4 # 2 & (33)

Simplifying equation 33, the final result for integration constant C1 is:

wL3 wLs 2
C1 = − +
48 16 (34)

The same condition is applied for the second support point, using equations 22 and 28.

wx 3 wLx 2 wL2 x wLsx wx 3 wLx 2 wL2 x
− + − + C2 = − + + C3
6 4 4 4 6 2 2 (35)

Prior to substituting the coordinate for the second support point in for x, some simplifications are made to
make subsequent operations easier.

wLx 2 wL2 x wLsx
− − + C2 = C3
4 4 4 (36)

Now the coordinate for the second support point is substituted into equation 36.

2
wL ! L + s $ wL2 ! L + s $ wLs ! L + s $
# & − # &− # & + C2 = C3
4 " 2 % 4 " 2 % 4 " 2 % (37)

Airy Points 7



7wL3 wLs 2
C3 = − −
48 16 (38)

With a solution determined for all three of the integration constants, it is now possible to list the complete
slope equations for each section of the beam. The slope equation for section 1 of the beam, from the left
end to the first support is:

wx 3 wL3 wLs 2 dv
− + = −EI
6 48 16 dx (39)

The slope equation for section 2 of the beam, from the first support to the second support is:

wx 3 wLx 2 wL2 x wLsx wL3 wL2 s dv
− + − − + = −EI
6 4 4 4 12 8 dx (40)

The slope equation for section 3 of the beam, from the second support to the right end of the beam is:

wx 3 wLx 2 wL2 x 7wL3 wLs 2 dv
− + − − = −EI
6 2 2 48 16 dx (41)

iv. Beam Deflection Solution: The beam slope equations derived in the previous section can now be
integrated to obtain equations defining deflection of the beam as a function of position along its length.
Equation 39 is integrated to determine the deflection characteristic for the first section of the beam.

" wx 3 wL3 wLs 2 % " dv %
∫ $# 6 − 48 + 16 '&dx = ∫ $#−EI dx '&dx
(42)
4 3 2
wx wL x wLs x
− + + C4 = −EIv
24 48 16 (43)

Equation 40 is integrated to determine the deflection characteristic for the second section of the beam.

" wx 3 wLx 2 wL2 x wLsx wL3 wL2 s % " dv %
∫ $# 6 − 4 + 4 − 4 − 12 + 8 '&dx = ∫ $#−EI dx '&dx
(44)
4 3 2 2 2 3 2
wx wLx wL x wLsx wL x wL sx
− + − − + + C5 = −EIv
24 12 8 8 12 8 (45)

Airy Points 8


Equation 41 is integrated to determine the deflection characteristic for the third section of the beam.

" wx 3 wLx 2 wL2 x 7wL3 wLs 2 % " dv %
∫ $# 6 − 2 + 2 − 48 − 16 '&dx = ∫ $#−EI dx '& dx
(46)
4 3 2 2 3 2
wx wLx wL x 7wL x wLs x
− + − − + C6 = −EIv
24 6 4 48 16 (47)

After integration is complete it is still necessary to determine the integration constants. This is
accomplished by identifying several known conditions. The first condition considered is that deflection at
the first support point must be equal to zero. This condition is applied to equation 43.

4
w " L − s % wL3 " L − s % wLs 2 " L − s %
$ ' − $ '+ $ ' + C4 = 0
24 # 2 & 48 # 2 & 16 # 2 & (48)


3wL4 3wL2 s 2 wLs 3 ws 4
C4 = − + −
384 64 24 384 (49)

The same condition is now applied to equation 45.

4 3 2 2
w " L − s % wL " L − s % wL2 " L − s % wLs " L − s % wL3 " L − s % wL2 s " L − s %
$ ' − $ ' + $ ' − $ ' − $ '+ $ ' + C5 = 0
24 # 2 & 12 # 2 & 8 # 2 & 8 # 2 & 12 # 2 & 8 # 2 & (50)


7wL4 wL3s wL2 s 2 wLs 3 ws 4
C5 = − − + −
384 32 64 32 384 (51)

Similar to the previous condition, deflection at the second support point must also be zero. This condition
is applied to equation 45.

4 3 2
w ! L + s $ wL ! L + s $ wL2 ! L + s $ 7wL3 ! L + s $ wLs 2 ! L + s $
# & − # & + # & − # &− # & + C6 = 0
24 " 2 % 6 " 2 % 4 " 2 % 48 " 2 % 16 " 2 % (52)

Simplifying equation, the final result for integration constant C6 is:

11wL4 wL2 s 2 wLs 3 ws 4
C6 = + + −
384 64 24 384 (53)
Airy Points 9


With all integration constants derived, it is possible to assemble complete deflection equations for each
section of the beam. The deflection equation for section 1 of the beam is:

wx 4 wLs 2 x wL3 x 3wL4 3wL2 s 2 wLs 3 ws 4
+ − + − + − = −EIv
24 16 48 384 64 24 384 (54)

The deflection equation for section 2 of the beam is:

wx 4 wLx 3 wL2 x 2 wLsx 2 wL3 x wL2 sx 7wL4 wL3s wL2 s 2 wLs 3 ws 4
− + − − + + − − + − = −EIv
24 12 8 8 12 8 384 32 64 32 384 (55)

The deflection equation for section 3 of the beam is:

wx 4 wLx 3 wL2 x 2 7wL3 x wLs 2 x 11wL4 wL2 s 2 wLs 3 ws 4
− + − − + + + − = −EIv
24 6 4 48 16 384 64 24 384 (56)

v. Airy point Solution: Notice that the deflection and slope equations derived up to this point are valid for
any spacing, s, of the support points. In order to derive a single solution specifically for the Airy points, an
additional constraint must be considered. This constraint is to set the slope equal to zero when x is equal
to zero. This condition is substituted into equation 30 and the resultant equation is solved to determine
the relationship between L and s.

w ⋅ 0 wL3 wLs 2
− + = −EI ⋅ 0
6 48 16 (57)
wL3 wLs 2
− + =0
48 16 (58)
2 3
wLs wL
=
16 48 (59)
2
L
s2 =
3 (60)
L
s=
3 (61)

Airy Points 10


References and Additional Reading

[1] Haque, Serajul. "Effect of Supports." Manufacturing Science. By M. I. Khan. New Delhi: Prentice Hall
India, 2011. 503-‐05. Print.

[2] Hibbeler, R. C. Mechanics of Materials. Upper Saddle River, NJ: Prentice Hall, 2000. Print.

[3] Jain, K. C. "Points of Support." A Textbook of Production Engineering. New Delhi: PHI Learning, 2010.
514-‐15. Print.

[4] Moore, Wayne R. “Support of Length Standards.” Foundations of Mechanical Accuracy. Bridgeport, CT:
The Moore Special Tool Company, 1970. 122-‐24. Print.

[5] Smith, S.T., and D.G. Chetwynd. “Appendix A.” Foundations of Ultraprecision Mechanism Design. Boca
Raton, FL: CRC Press, 1992. 323. Print.

Key words

Airy Points, Structural Analysis, Precision Metrology, Beam, Deflection, Support, Ideal
Airy Points 11


Scilab Solver Code

//Airy Point Calculator
//Given input parameters, the calculator will determine Airy point locations and calculate the deflection vs length characteristic

clear;

//Input Parameters

//Beam Length [m]
L = 1;

//Beam Height [m]
h = 0.01;

//Beam Thickness [m]
b = 0.01;

//Beam Modulus [Pa]
E = 69000000000;

//Beam Density [kg/m^3]
Beamdensity = 2700;

//Calculations

//Airy Point Spacing [m]
s = L/sqrt(3);

//Beam Section Second Moment of Area [m^4]
I = 1/12*b*h^3;

//Beam weight [kg]
Beammass = Beamdensity*L*h*b;
Beamweight = Beammass*9.80665;
w = Beamweight/L;

//Support Coordinate 1 [m]
X1 = (L -‐ s)/2;

//Support Coordinate 2 [m]
X2 = (L + s)/2;

//Beam Descritization Parameters
resolution = 1000;
increment = L/resolution;
i = 1;

//Calculate Deflection
for i = 1:(resolution+1)

//Determine current x coordinate
x = (i -‐ 1)*increment;

//Calculate Deflection for Section 1
if (x <= X1) then
deflectionX(i,1) = x;
deflectionY(i,1) = -‐(w*x^4/24+w*L*s^2*x/16-‐w*L^3*x/48+3*w*L^4/384-‐3*w*L^2*s^2/64+w*s^3*L/24-‐w*s^4/384)/(E*I);
end

Airy Points 12


if ((x < X2) & (x > X1)) then
deflectionY(i,1) = -‐(w*x^4/24-‐w*L*x^3/12+w*L^2*x^2/8-‐w*L*s*x^2/8-‐w*L^3*x/12+w*L^2*s*x/8+7*w*L^4/384-‐w*L^3*s/32-‐
w*L^2*s^2/64+w*L*s^3/32-‐w*s^4/384)/(E*I);
end

if ((x>= X2) & (x <= L)) then
deflectionY(i,1) = -‐(w*x^4/24-‐w*L*x^3/6+w*L^2*x^2/4-‐7*w*L^3*x/48-‐w*L*s^2*x/16+11*w*L^4/384+w*L^2*s^2/64+w*L*s^3/24-‐
w*s^4/384)/(E*I);
end
i = i + 1;
end

//Plot Results
plot(deflectionX,deflectionY)
Airy Points 13

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References and Additional Reading

Scilab Solver Code

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