SLOPE-DEFLECTION METHOD

The slope-deflection method uses displacements as unknowns and is referred to as a displacement method. In the
slope-deflection method, the moments at the ends of the members are expressed in terms of displacements and end
rotations of these ends.
An important characteristic of the slope-deflection method is that it does not become increasingly complicated to
apply as the number of unknowns in the problem increases. In the slope-deflection method the individual equations
are relatively easy to construct regardless of the number of unknowns.
DERIVATION OF THE SLOPE-DEFLECTION EQUATION
When the loads are applied to a frame or to a continuous beam, the member will develop end moments and become
deformed as indicated. The notation used in the figure will be followed.
i

ji
M
ij
M
ij

L
1- The moments at the ends of the member are
designated as M
ij
and M
ji
indicating that they act at
ends I and j of member ij.
2- Rotations of ends I and j of the member are
denoted by
i
and
j
. Since the rotations of all
members of a rigid frame meeting at a common
joint are equal, it is customary to refer to each of
them as the joint rotation.
3-The term
ij
represents the translation of one
end of the member relative to the other end in a
direction normal to the axis of the member.
Sometimes the rotation of the axis of the member

ij
=
ij
/L is used in place of
ij
.
The moments, the rotations at the ends of the
member and the rotation of the axis of the member
are positive when clockwise.
2
2
2 2
2 3 2 3 8 3 2
2 2
2 3 2 3 8 3 2
ji ij
j
ji ij
i
j
i
i
j
M L M L
L L qL L L
EI EI EI
M L M L
L L qL L L
EI EI EI
L
L


= + +
= + +

=
i

ji
M
ij
M

+
ij
M
ji
M
2
8
q L
( )
( )
3
3
2
2
3 6 2 4
6 3 2 4
2
2 3
1 2
2
2 3
1 2
i j j i
i
i j j i
j
i j i j
j i i j
M L M L
q L
E I E I E I
M L M L
q L
E I E I E I
E I q L
M
L
E I q L
M
L




= +
= +
= +
= + +
Now we wrote M
ij
and M
ji
in terms of the deformations
i
,
j

ij
and the external load q acting on the member.
These equations are referred to as SLOPE-DEFLECTION EQATIONS. Slope-deflection equations consider only
bending deformations. Deformations due to shear forces and axial forces in bending members are ignored.
n f
2
2 3
F E M
n f n f
E I
M M
L L


| |
= +
|
\ .
Example: It is required to determine the support moments for the continuous beam.
20 kN/m
1
2
3
100 kN
3I
I
12 21
2
23 32
100*5
62.5
8
20*7.5
93.75
12
F F
F F
M M kNm
M M kNm
= = =
= = =
2x2.5m
7.50
( )
( )
12 2
21 2
23 2 3
32 2 3
.
2
62.5
5
2
2 62.5
5
6
2 93.75
7.5
6
2 93.75
7.5
Slope Deflection Equations
EI
M
EI
M
EI
M
EI
M

= =
= + =
= + =
= + + =
20 kN/m
93.75
100
46.875
87.5 62.5
59.375
40.625
12
M
1
32
M
3
2
23
M
21
M
2 3
2 3 2 3
12 21
23 32
2.4 0.8 31.25
39.0625 78.125
0.8 1.6 93.75
. . . in . . .
46.875 , 93.75
93.75 , 0
EI EI
EI EI
EI EI
Substitude these results slope deflection equations
M kNm M kNm
M kNm M kNm


+ =

+ = = =
= =
= =
21 23
32
. . .
0
0
Equilibrium equations of jonts
M M
M
+ =
=
20 kN/m
1
2
3
46.875
100
40.625
87.5 62.5
59.375
62.5
-
+
3.125 m
Shear Force Diagram
59.375
+
40.62
5
87.5
-
+
+
93.75
97.66
54.69
Bending Moment Diagram
46.875
Example: A continuous beam is supported and loaded as shown in the figure. During loading support 2 sinks by 10 mm.
Analyze the beam for support moments and reactions.
2
6
6 4
2
200 *10 ...
100 *10 ...
20000...
kN
m
E
I m
EI kNm

=
=
=
20 40 kN
12 21
2
23 32
40*4
20
8
10*6
30
12
F F
F F
M M kNm
M M kNm
= = =
= = =
10 kN/m
1
2
3
6 m
2m 2
2
1 2 2
2 1 2
2 3 2 3
3 2 2 3
.
2 0 . 0 1
3 2 0
4 4
2 0 . 0 1
2 3 2 0
4 4
2 0 . 0 1
2 3 3 0
6 6
2 0 . 0 1
2 3 3 0
6 6
S l o p e D e f l e c t i o n E q u a t i o n s
E I
M
E I
M
E I
M
E I
M

| |
= =
|
\ .
| |
= + =
|
\ .
| |
= + + =
|
\ .
| |
= + + + =
|
\ .
1
0.01
12 4
=
0.01
23 6

=
2
3
32
M
3
20*2 40.kNm =
2
23
M
21
M
2 3
2 3
3
2
3
3
51.667
1.667 0.3333
23.333
0.3333 0.6667
42.222
2.111.10
56.111
2.8055.10
EI
EI
rad
EI
rad
EI

+ =
+ =
= =

= =
21 23
32
0
40 0
M M
M
+ =
=
12 21
23 32
. .
in . . .
73.889 , 12.778
12.778 , 40
Substitude these results
slope deflection equations
M kNm M kNm
M kNm M kNm
= =
= =
40
73.889
3
12.778
40
10 kN/m
20
1
20
-
+
3.125 m
21.2
1.67
38.8
-
+
+
9.45 12.778
35.25
40

Bending Moment
Diagram
Shear Force
Diagram

41.67
20 30
8.8
21.67

73.889
ANALYSIS OF FRAMES WITH NO SIDESWAY
A frame will not side sway, or be displaced to the left or right, provided it is properly restrained. Also no side sway will
occur in an unrestrained frame provided it is symmetric with respect to both loading and geometry.
Example: It is required to analyze the frame for moments at the ends of members. EI is constant for all members.
40kN
3
20. / kN m
Fixed-End Moments
1 2
2
12 21
23 32
42 24
20*4
26.67
12
40*4
20
8
20*4
10
8
F F
F F
F F
M M kNm
M M kNm
M M kNm
= = =
= = =
= = =
2
20kN
2
4
4m 2 2
( )
( )
( )
( )
12 2
21 2
23 2 3
32 2 3
42 2
24 2
.
2
26.67
4
2
2 26.67
4
2
2 20
4
2
2 20
4
2
10
4
2
2 10
4
Slope Deflection Equations
EI
M
EI
M
EI
M
EI
M
EI
M
EI
M

= =
= + =
= + =
= + + =
= =
= + =
27.88
24.245
31.82
0
7.575
11.21
2
32
M
21
M
3
23
M
24
M
21 23 24
32
. . .
0
0
Equilibrium equations of jonts
M M M
M
+ + =
=
( )
( )
2 3
2 3 2 3
2
6 16.67 0
4
2 2.425 18.787
2 20 0
4
. . . in . . .
EI
EI
EI EI
Substitude these results slope deflection equations


+ + =

+ + = = =
40
27.88
24.25
20
31.82
7.57
24.08

+
+
+
27.88
24.25
31.82
7.57
10.61
11.21
39.09
20 12.04
40.91
9.09

+
+
+
11.21
27.96

10.91
Example: Find Member end moments and draw shear and moment diagrams
21 23
32 34
0
0
M M
M M
+ =
+ =
60. / kN m
Equilibrium equations of joints
2
3
8
4
1 4
EI is constant
2
23 32
60*8
320.
12
F F
M M kNm = = =
2 3
2 3 2 3
12 21
23 32
34 43
1.5 0.25 320
256 256
0.25 1.5 320
. . . in . . .
128 , 256
256 , 256
256 , 128
EI EI
EI EI
EI EI
Substitude these results slope deflection equations
M kNm M kNm
M kNm M kNm
M kNm M kNm


+ =

+ = = =
= =
= =
= =
240

240
96
+
+
( )
( )
( )
( )
12 2
21 2
23 2 3
32 2 3
34 3
43 3
.
2
4
2
2
4
2
2 320
8
2
2 320
8
2
2
4
2
4
Slope Deflection Equations
EI
M
EI
M
EI
M
EI
M
EI
M
EI
M

= =
= =
= + =
= + + =
= =
= =
256 256
Shear
(kN)
96
128
128
224

+
+
+
128 128
256 256

240

240

96
Moment
(kN.m)
Normal
Force
Example: Find member end moments and draw the diagrams of the frame
2 2
0
12
2 2
0
21
2 2
23
2 2
2 2
32
2 2
* 12*5
15
20 20
* 12*5
10
30 30
50*3*7
73.5
10
50*3 *7
31.5
10
F
F
F
F
q L
M
q L
M kNm
Pab
M kNm
L
Pa b
M kNm
L
= = =
= = =
= = =
= = =
50
12
kN
m
3
2EI
2
EI 5
1
3 7.m
( )
( )
12 2
21 2
23 2 3
32 2 3
.
2
15
5
2
2 10
5
4
2 73.5
10
4
2 31.5
10
Slope Deflection Equations
EI
M
EI
M
EI
M
EI
M

= =
= + =
= + =
= + + =
21 23
32
0
0
M M
M
+ =
=
2 3
12 21
23 32
56.61 67.68
. . . in . . .
7.64 , 55.29
55.29 , 0
EI EI
Substitude these results slope deflection equations
M kNm M kNm
M kNm M kNm


= =
= =
= =

40.53
9.47
+
+
+
22.59
7.41
7.64
55.29
66.3
Shear
Moment
ANALYSIS OF FRAMES WITH SIDESWAY
A frame will side sway or be displaced to the side when the frame or loading acting on it is non-symmetric. In the
analysis of frames with side sway it is necessary to consider the shear forces at the base of the columns and the
horizontal external load must be in equilibrium (force equilibrium equation) in addition to the equilibrium of joints.
Example: Using the slope-deflection method determine the end moments of the members and draw the shear force and
bending moment diagrams of the frame. EI is constant throughout the frame.
40.
kN
m
1
2 3
4
60.kN
2

Axial deformation is neglected (no change
in length of the members) so the lateral
displacement of joint2 and 3 are equal.
2
4.m
1
1
12 21
2
23 32
60*4
30
8
40*4
53.33
12
F F
F F
M M kNm
M M kNm
= = =
= = =
( )
( )
12 2
21 2
23 2 3
32 2 3
34 3
43 3
.
2
3 30
4 4
2
2 3 30
4 4
2
2 53.33
4
2
2 53.33
4
2
2 3
3 3
2
3
3 3
Slope Deflection Equations
EI
M
EI
M
EI
M
EI
M
EI
M
EI
M

| |
= =
|
\ .

| |
= + =
|
\ .
= + =
= + + =

| |
= =
|
\ .

| |
= =
|
\ .
Equilibrium Equations
21 23
32 34
12 43
0
0
60 0
M M
M M
Q Q
+ =
+ =
+ + =
60
43
Q
12
Q
Shear forces at the base of columns
34
M
1
2
12
Q
43
Q
43
M
21
M
12
M
60
3
4
2 21 12 12
3 34 43 43
21 12
12
34 43
43
0 4 2 * 60 0
0 3 0
30
4
3
M M M Q
M M M Q
M M
Q
M M
Q
= + =
= + =
+
=
+
=

2
3
2 3
12 21
23
3 5.333 5.06 240
1
4 1 0. 75 46.67
1 4. 667 1.33 106. 67
23.96 14. 857 45.98
. . . i n
. .
35. 26 , 36. 72
EI
EI EI EI
Subst i tude these r esul ts
sl ope def lect ion equat i ons
M kN m M kN m
M

| | | | | |
| | |
=
| | |
| | |

\ . \ . \ .

= = =
= =
32
34 43
36. 79 , 50. 45
50. 46 , 40. 56
kN m M kN m
M kN m M kN m
= =
= =
36.75
50.45
36.26
40.56

76.57
30.37
30.34
+
+
+
+
+
35.26
24
60
50.45
36.53

Moment
(kN.m)
40
83.43
29.63

36.75
40.56
Shear
(kN)
Example: Determine the member end moments of the frame and draw the shear and moment diagrams.
1
2
3
4

3
1

2
3
tan

tan

sin

sin

50kN
sin 0.8
tan 4/ 3

=
=
sin 0.8
tan 4/ 3

=
=
5 3m 2.25
( )
( )
( )
1 2 2 2
2 1 2 2
2 3 2 3 2 3
3 2 2 3
.
2 2
3 0 . 7 5
5 5 s i n 5
2 2
2 3 2 0 . 7 5
5 5 s i n 5
2 1 1 2
2 3 2 0 . 9
5 5 t a n t a n 5
2 1 1
2 3
5 5 t a n t a n
S l o p e D e f l e c t i o n E q u a t i o n s
E I E I
M
E I E I
M
E I E I
M
E I
M

| |
= = =
|
\ .

| |
= = =
|
\ .
| |
| |
= + + + = + + =
|
|
\ .
\ .
|
| |
= + + +

|
\ .
\
( )
( )
( )
2 3
3 4 3 3
4 3 3 3
2
2 0 . 9
5
2 2
2 3 2
3 . 7 5 3 . 7 5 s i n 3 . 7 5
2 2
3
3 . 7 5 3 . 7 5 s i n 3 . 7 5
E I
E I E I
M
E I E I
M

|
= + + =
|
.
| |
= = =
|
\ .
| |
= = =
|
\ .
23
M
32
M
23 32
5
M M +
21
M
12
M
34
M
43
M
1
2
3
4
43
Q
12
Q
23 32
5
M M +
23 32
5
M M +
23 32
2 12 12 21
23 32
3 43 43 34
12 43
0 4 *3 ( ) 0
5
0 3 *2.25 ( ) 0
5
0 50 0
x
M M
M Q M M
M M
M Q M M
F Q Q
+
= + + =
+
= + + =
= + + =

21 23
32 34
12 43
0
0
50 0
M M
M M
Q Q
+ =
+ =
+ + =
2
3
2 3
12 21
23
4 1 0.15 0
1
0. 2 0. 933 0. 087 0
0.03 0.0867 0. 361 25
4.59 7.646 71.41
. . . i n
. .
23.26 , 25.1
25.1
EI
EI EI EI
Subst it ude t hese result s
slope def lecti on equat ions
M kN m M kN m
M

| | | | | |
| | |
=
| | |
| | |

\ . \ . \ .

= = =
= =
=
32
34 43
0 , 30
30 , 34
kN m M kN m
M kN m M kN m
=
= =

+
9.67
11.02
17.06
+
+
+
34
30
25.1
23.26

Equilibrium Equations
Example: Determine the member end moments and draw the shear and moment diagrams of given continuous beam.
3
kN
m
2
kN
m
12
10
10 5 5
1 2 3 4
Rotations at the left
and right side of the
internal hinges are
different from each
other
hinge hinge
Equilibrium Equations
( )
( )
12 2
21 2
23 2 3
32 2 3
34 3
43 3
.
2
3 25
10 10
2
2 3 25
10 10
2
2 3 15
10 10
2
2 3 15
10 10
2
2 16.667
10
2
16.667
10
L
L
R L
R L
R
R
Slope Deflection Equations
EI
M
EI
M
EI
M
EI
M
EI
M
EI
M

| |
= =
|
\ .

| |
= + =
|
\ .

| |
= + + =
|
\ .

| |
= + + + =
|
\ .
= =
= + =
34 3
21
23
32
41.667
0
0
0
0
R
M
EI
M
M
M
= =
=
=
=
12
M
21
M
23
M
32
M
3
kN
m
12
23 32
12*5
10
M M +
12 21
150
10
M M + +
Shear forces at each side of the hinge must be equal to each other
23 32 12 21
15 6
10 10
M M M M + +
+ =
Force Eq. Equation
2
2
3
2 2 3
3 3 3 1.2 1050
2 0 0 0.3 125
1
0 2 1 0.3 75
0 1 2 0.3 75
800 500 650
5750
L
R
L
L R L
EI
EI EI EI
EI

| |
( (
|
( (

|
( (
=
|
( (
|
( (
|

\ .

= = =
=
3
kN
m
2
kN
m
12
1 2 3 4
hinge hinge
10
5 5 10

+ +
6 12.5
Shear
Force
Diagram

+
7.5
+

6
36
39.06
30
Bending
Moment
Diagram
25
210
Example: Find the member end moments and draw the shear force and bending moment diagrams of the given frame.
20.
kN
m
20.
kN
m
4 1
2 3
10 4 4
3
1
2 3
1
2
3
4
1
2
3
4
1 2 2
2 1 2
2 3 2
3 2 2
.
2
5
2
2
5
2
2 3 4 1 . 6 6 7
5 5
2
3 4 1 . 6 6 7
5 5
S l o p e D e f l e c t i o n E q u a t i o n s
E I
M
E I
M
E I
M
E I
M

= =
= =

| |
= =
|
\ .

| |
= + =
|
\ .
32
Q
21 23
32
0
0
M M
Q
+ =
=
2 32
23 32
0 0
250 0
M Q
M M
= =
+ + =

2
3
12 21
23 32
66.66 133.33
133.33 116.67
M M
M M
= =
= =
2
166.667
937.5
EI
EI
=
=
+
+

40
40
100
100
+
+
+

116.66
133.33
133.33
66.67
66.67
Frame is symmetrical both loading and
geometry. Half of the frame can be analyzed
23
M
32
M
20
kN
m
Equilibrium Equations
Shear
Force
Diagram
Bending
Moment
Diagram