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A crucial component in the design of beams is the identification and measurement of deflection. A comprehensive understanding of deflections is necessary when dealing with indeterminate beams.

Consider an overhanging beam that carries two concentrated loads. The reactions at the supports are computed by analyzing the free-body diagram of the beam.

With the free-body diagram and reaction supports, a bending-moment diagram is constructed, which depicts how the beam bends.

The bending moment diagram shows that the beam curves upwards between the beginning and a specific point due to a positive bending moment, and it curves downwards from that point to the end of the beam due to a negative bending moment.

The largest value of the curve or smallest radius of curvature happens at the support where the bending moment is at its highest.

For a detailed analysis and design of a beam, it's crucial to have precise data on the beam's deflection and slope at various points, with a special focus on understanding the maximum deflection.