ELI5: Explain Like I'm 5

Euler–Bernoulli beam theory

Imagine you have a long, skinny stick - this is like a beam. When you push or pull on the ends of the stick, it might bend a little bit. Euler-Bernoulli beam theory helps us understand exactly how the stick bends under different conditions.

The theory says that the beam will bend in a certain way, depending on how much force you apply and how long the beam is. The theory also tells us that the beam will bend more if it's thinner or softer. This can be tricky to understand, but think of a piece of spaghetti - it's easier to bend than a straw, right?

The way the beam bends is described using some complicated math called differential equations, but essentially what happens is that the beam will bend into a curved shape. This shape is called a deflection curve, and it depends on the amount of force being applied and the length of the beam.

Euler-Bernoulli beam theory is important because it helps engineers design buildings, bridges, and other structures. They can use the theory to predict how much a beam will bend under certain conditions and make sure it won't break or collapse.