In a simple beam, the compressive and tensile forces above and below the neutral axis result in a shortening and lengthening of the longitudinal fibers respectively above and below the neutral axis. This effect causes bending in the beam and displaces the beam fibers from their original positions. By definition, deflection is the displacement of the beam from its original horizontal position when subjected to loads. #structuralanalysis #shearforcediagram #bendingmomentdiagram #deflection #simplysupportedbeam #strengthofmaterialstutorials #civilengineeringnotes #civilengineeringbasics