General

A frame is liable to be subjected to horizontal forces due to wind pressure and

seismic effects. Such these forces introduce direct loads in columns and bending
moments in all the members of the frame. Since these effects are small, an elaborate and
rigorous method of analysis is not required. Moments and shears due to the above forces
may be determined by approximate method.
The following approximate methods are in practice;
(i) The portal method and
(ii) The cantilever method.
(iii) Modified Kani’s method.
3.1.1 The portal method
In this methods the following assumptions are made
(a) Points of contraflexure occur at the middle points of the members of the frame
and
(b) Horizontal shear taken by each interior column is double the horizontal shear
taken by each of the external columns.
Fig. 3.1 shows a multistoreyed structure. It is assumed that the horizontal forces
transmitted to the top and bottom of the storey. Let P1, P2, P3, P4 be the horizontal
forces transmitted at A1, A2, A3, A4.
Now consider the vertical member A1A2, B1B2, C1C2, D1D2 and E1E2. Let the
horizontal shear for each of the intermediate members B1B2, C1C2 and D1D2 will be
equal to 2P. P can be determined by the condition,
P1 = P + 2P + 2P + 2P + P = 8P; P = P1/8
Similarly consider the vertical members, A2A3, B2B3, C2C3, D2D3 and E2E3
Let Q be the horizontal shear in each of the exterior members. The horizontal
shear in each of the interior members will be 2Q. Q can be determined by the condition,
P1 + P2 = Q + 2Q + 2Q + 2Q + Q = 8Q; Q = P1+P2/8
Similarly, for the vertical members A3A4, B3B4, C3C4, D3D4 and E3E4
P1 + P2 + P3 = 8R; R= P1 + P2 + P3/8
Similarly, for the vertical members A4A5, B4B5, C4C5, D4D5 and E4E5
P1 + P2 + P3 + P4 = 8S; R= P1 + P2 + P3+ P4/8
Now the moments for the columns at top and bottom of each storey can easily
determined.
Ma1 a2 = Ma2 a1 = Ph/2 (numerically)
A1 Ph/2
Ma2 a3 = Ma3 a2 = Qh/2 (numerically)
Mb1 b2 = Mb2 b1 = 2Ph/2 =Ph (numerically)
Ph/2 A2
Mb2 b3 = Mb3 b2 = 2Qh/2 =Qh (numerically)

MOMENTS IN BEAMS. CONSIDER THE BEAM END AT A3

B.M. in column just above A3 = Qh/2
B.M. in column just below A3 = Rh/2