Gh.

Asachi Technical University of Iai

Department of Structural Mechanics

Hyperstatic structures
Cezar Aanici, Dr. Eng.

CONTINUOUS BEAMS
DISPLACEMENT METHOD
THE MOMENT DISTRIBUTION ITERATIVE METHOD

Let solve the following continuous beam applying the moment distribution and transmission
iterative method (Cross method).

Numerical data:

l = 3.4 m, p = 2700 daN/m, F = 5000 daN

F

2I0

3I0

4I0

I0

2l

3l

3l

The continuous beam is a plane structure with fixed joints (no kinematic degrees of
freedom). The cross-sections above the simple supports are considered as beam connections,
consequently stiff joints must be considered.
1. The primary system will be obtained by introducing totally joint restraints as follows
F
p
M
3

34

2l

3l

3l

2. The beam ends rotation stiffnesses - kik, and the joint rotation stiffnesses - ki are:
3E 2 I 0
= 0.882 EI 0
2l
4 E 3I 0
k23 = k32 =
= 1.176 EI 0
3l
3E 4 I 0
k34 =
= 1.176 EI 0
3l
k21 =

3EI 0 12 EI 0
+
= 2.059 EI 0
3.4
10.2
12 EI 0 12 EI 0
k3 = k32 + k34 =
+
= 2.353EI 0
10.2
10.2
k2 = k21 + k23 =

3. The distribution coefficients dik are sometimes referred as relative stiffnesses (rik). A
relative stiffness physically represents the percentage of the unbalanced joint bending
moment which is transferred to the corresponding beam end.

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Gh. Asachi Technical University of Iai

Department of Structural Mechanics

Hyperstatic structures
Cezar Aanici, Dr. Eng.

k21

r21 = d 21 = k = 0, 429

2
joint no. 2:
k
r = d = 23 = 0,571
23
23
k2

check:

k32

r32 = k = 0,500

3
joint no. 3:
r = k34 = 0,500
34 k3

check:

ij

= 0.429 + 0.571 = 1

ij

= 0.5 + 0.5 = 1

4. For an easy analysis, the fixed end bending moments were considered toward the beam
The cantilever is replaced by a couple of equivalent external forces a concentrated force
and its corresponding bending moment, both applied in joint 4. The external fixed end
bending moment will be obtained by a simple superposition of the uniform distributed load,
and the transmitted bending moment from the cantilever. Because the beam 3-4 has a
constant moment of inertia along the whole length, the transmission coefficient is 0.5, and
the final fixed end bending moment is:
M 34 =

p (3l ) 2 M
2700 (3 3.4) 2 1
+
=
+ 5000 3.4 = 26614 daNm
8
2
8
2

5. The iterative process means to multiply the unbalanced bending moment with the
distribution coefficients, and the resulted values will be written above the corresponding
beam ends with the opposite sign. Then, these distributed bending moments will be
transmitted with the same sign only to the opposite fixed ends, with their corresponding
values (1/2 if the double fixed end beam has a constant moment of inertia along its whole
length).
12290 -12290
-3074

3074

-15

-19
34
-271
475

5
-10
68
-135
950

-2855 -3799

-1900

6654

13307

-204

0.429
1

12295 -12284

68
950

13307
-26614
0.500 0.500

0.571

2
t 12=0

t 23=0.5

4
t 34=0

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Gh. Asachi Technical University of Iai

Department of Structural Mechanics

Hyperstatic structures
Cezar Aanici, Dr. Eng.

6. The final internal effort diagrams (shear forces and bending moments) are drawn
on an exploded structure in distinct simply supported beams, each of them loaded with the
above balanced bending moments, and with the corresponding external loads. Finally, all
these diagrams will be joined in unique diagrams, and drawn on the original continuous
beam.
5000 daN
3074 daNm

12290 daNm
3

10.2 m

6.8 m
452

2700 daN/m

14814

1958

19232

5000

13308

452

3.4 m

10.2 m

Q
x=5.4867 m

1506

14232

17000
12290

M
3074
20087

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