Abstract: In order to study systematically the stiffness matrix and load array of space beam element with the impactof shear deformation, the element was analyzed by the energy variation principle. The displacement functions forspace beam element with shear deformation effect were put forward, and then expressions of element stiffness matrixand load array for this beam were deduced strictly by the minimum potential energy principle. Explicit integration wascarried out for the element stiffness matrix and the equivalent nodal loads under some forms of no-node load within aplane were calculated as well, which had revised the mistakes in relevant reference. Results show that the elementstiffness matrix computed by the method is consistent with those in related documents calculated by other methods,which makes a foundation for compiling the finite element procedure for space mega frame structure. Which has agood theoretical and practical value in the calculation of the element stiffness matrixes and load arrays for otherelements as well.