Theorem of Three Moments

Continuous beams example with different spans

3span, assuming no horizontal load 4reactions, 2Equilibrium equations.SID=2
w/m

L1

L2

L3

4span, assuming no horizontal load, 5reactions, 2Equilibrium equations.SID=3

w/m

L2

L1

L3

L4

5span, assuming no horizontal load, 6reactions, 2Equilibrium equations.SID=4

w/m

L1

L2

L3

L4

L5

Static determinate (SSB) with redundant reactions

w/m

L1

L2

L3

w/m

L2

L1

L3

L4

w/m

L1

L2

L3

L4

L5

 Clapeyron in 1857 proposed a method to solve the continuous beams which was
later modified by Otto Mohr in 1860: Theorem of Three Moments
The three-moment equation represents, the compatibility condition that the slope of
the elastic curve be continuous at an interior support of the continuous beam
w/m
A

B
ba

bc

L1

cd

L2
w/m

cb

L3

=
C

B
L1

L2

D
L3

+
A

L1

L2

L3

 Consider continuous beam ABC

B
L1

L2

The continuous beam ABC is indeterminate to first degree, since the

beam is continuous @B, slope @B is continuous using this slope
compatibility condition i.e., ba = -bc considering the bending moment at
B as redundant the reactions can be determined
B

C +

L1
A

L2
B

L1

A
L1

C +
L2

MB

C
L2

MB
L1

C
L2

 Now the beams AB, BC are two SSB with the given external loading the slope ba
and ba is no more equal. Redundant bending moment should produce the slope at B
such that the sum of slopes meet the compatibility
A
ba0
ab
b1

L1

M/EI Diagram

X1
A1

bc0

cb

L2
A2

X2

c1

From the second moment-area theorem ba is product of A1 (Area between A&B) and
centroidal distance x1 i.e., ba =A1x1
From triangle ABb1ba0=A1x1/E1I1L1
From triangle BCc1bc0=A2x2/E2I2L2

baM

L1

MB

C
bcM

L2

baM=MBL1/3EI (Please see the previous week class notes)

bcM=MBL2/3EI

Note: If the beam is continuous at A and C additional baM=MAL1/6EI and

bcM=MCL2/6EI
From the compatibility:ba0+baM=-(bc0 +bcM)
A1x1/L1EI1+MBL1/3EI1+MAL1/6EI1=-(A2x2/L2EI2+MBL2/3EI2+MCL2/6EI2)
Simplifying and Assuming E to be constant throughout

MA(L1/I1)+(2MB)(L2/I2+L1/I1)+Mc(L2/I2)=-6{(A1(x1/L1I1)+(A2(x2/L2I2)}
Claperyon Equation for continuous beam

What is Theorem of Three moments?????

Claperyons equation is applicable when the beam is subjected to external
loadings alone.
In a SID beam the stress (bending and shear) can be due to indirect loading such
as support settlement.
A generalized equation to solve a two span continuous beam with external loading
and support settlement considering internal moments as redundants is Three
moment equation or Theorem of Three moments
Modified Claperyon Equation or Theorem of Three Moments is as follows:
MA(L1/I1)+(2MB)(L2/I2+L1/I1)+Mc(L2/I2)= -6{(A1(x1/L1I1)+(A2(x2/L2I2)}+6E{((A-B)/L1 )+((B-C)/L2)}

If I1=I2=I i.e., Moment of Inertia is constant throught out the spans

Due to support settlement

MA(L1)+(2MB)(L2+L1)+Mc(L2)= -6{(A1(x1/L1+(A2(x2/L2)}+6EI{((A-B)/L1 )+((B-C)/L2)}

MA MB MC are the moments at A,B,C respectively

L1,L2 Length or Span of AB,BC respectively
I1,I2 Second moment of area or moment of inertia of span AB,BC respectively
A1,A2 area of BMD (M/EI)due to external loading on span AB,BC respectively
x1 centroidal distance of BMD A1 from A for span AB
x2 centroidal distance of BMD A2 from C for span BC
A B C displacement or support settlement at support at A, B, C
E is the modulus of Elasticity

1. Select the unknown bending moments at all interior supports of the beam as
the redundants
2. By treating each interior support successively as the intermediate support c,
write a three-moment equation. When writing these equations, it should be
realized that bending moments at the simple end supports are known.
3. For such a support with a cantilever overhang, the bending moment equals
that due to the external loads acting on the cantilever portion about the end
support.
4. The total number of three-moment equations thus obtained must be equal to
the number of redundant support bending moments, which must be the only
unknowns in these equations.
5. Solve the system of three-moment equations for the unknown support bending
moments.
6. Compute the span end shears. For each span of the beam, (a) draw a free-body
diagram showing the external loads and end moments and (b) apply the
equations of equilibrium to calculate the shear forces at the ends of the span.
7. Determine support reactions by considering the equilibrium of the support
joints of the beam.
8. If so desired, draw shear and bending moment diagrams of the beam by using
the beam sign convention.

Reference
Devdas Menon, Structural Analysis, Narosa Publishing
Aslam Kassimali, Structural Analysis, Fourth Edition