THEORY OF STRUCTURES SE 3.

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Tutorial 2: Slope deflection analysis of beams and frames
Solutions
1. The continuous beam shown in Fig. 1 has two spans and a cantilever all of the same cross-section. Identify how many
independent joint rotations there are.. Then analyse the structure using slope deflection. Then draw the bending moment
diagram and sketch the deflected shape of the structure.
A 7.5kN B 1kN/m C 5kN
D

30m 20m 10m

Fig. 1

1 Initial assessment
This is a beam with no joint translations.
There is no symmetry in this problem.
There are two joint rotations to consider: B and C. This will lead to a 22 matrix to solve.

2 Fixed end moments

In member AB
MFAB = WL/8 = 7.5 30 / 8 = 28.125 kNm
MFBA = +WL/8 = + 28.125 kNm

In member BC
2 2
MFBC = L /12 = 1.0 20 / 12 = 33.33 kNm
2
MFCB = +L /12 = + 33.33 kNm

3 Boundary conditions
The fixed end at A gives A = 0
The cantilever CD gives MCD = 5 10 = 50.0 kNm
Cantilever CD: ALWAYS USE A FREE BODY DIAGRAM to make sure that you get the sign right in clockwise positive
notation:

4 Slope-Deflection Equations
Member AB
MAB = MFAB + 2
= 28.125 + 2 (EI/30) (0 + B) = 28.125 + (2/30) EIB
MBA = MFBA + 2
= +28.125 + 2 (EI/30) (0 + 2B) = +28.125 + (4/30) EIB
Member BC
MBC = MFBC + 2
= 33.3 + 2 (EI/20) (2B + C) = 33.3 + (1/5) EI B + (1/10) EI C
MCB = MFCB + 2
= + 33.3 + 2 (EI/20) (B + 2C) = +33.3 + (1/10) EI B + (1/5) EI C
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Answers [Q1 2, -28.125, + 28.125, -33.3, +33.3kNm; -50kNm; -28.9kNm, -26.6 kNm, -50.0kNm; 56.25kNm, 50.0 kNm.

2. The small frame shown in Fig. 2 is subject to a single horizontal load H on the column. It has uniform flexural rigidity
EI. The column base is pinned at A. Identify how many independent joint rotations there are.. Then analyse the frame using
slope deflection. Then draw the BMD, the SFD and sketch the deflected shape of the structure.
L

B C
L/3
H

2L/3

Fig. 2
1 Initial assessment
This is a no-sway frame since the one internal joint (B) cannot translate because this would require either AB or BC to change
length.
There is no symmetry in this problem.
There are two joint rotations to consider: A and B. This will lead to a 22 matrix to solve.

2 Fixed end moments

In member AB
2 2 2 2
MFAB = Wab /L = H (2L/3) (L/3) /L = 2 HL / 27
2 2 2 2
MFBA = +Wa b/L = -H (2L/3) (L/3) /L = +4 HL / 27.

In member BC
MFBC = 0 and MFCB = 0

3 Boundary conditions
The pin at A gives MAB = 0
The fixed end at C gives C = 0

Cantilever BD: ALWAYS USE A FREE BODY DIAGRAM to make sure that you get the sign right in clockwise positive
notation:

For MBD clockwise MBD = + 24 0.5 = + 12.0 kNm

Note that because of the clockwise sign convention, a cantilever projecting on the LHS of the structure gives a positive
moment in the S-D equations, but one on the RHS gives a negative moment in the S-D equations!!

Always draw a Free Body Diagram to make sure that you dont get the sign wrong.

4.5.4 Slope-Deflection Equations

Member AB
MAB = MFAB + 2
= 0 + 2 (2A + B) = 4 EIo A + 2EIo B
MBA = MFBA + 2

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= 0 + 2 ( A + 2 B) = 2 EIo A + 4EIo B
Member BC
MBC = MFBC + 2
= 8.0 + 2 (2B + 0) = 8.0 + EIo B
MCB = MFCB + 2
= + 8.0 + 2 (B + 20 - 30) = + 8.0 + B

4.5.5 Joint Equilibrium

Write a moment equilibrium equation at each joint

For the Joint B

MBA + MBC + MBD = 0
These joint equilibrium equations are always a summation to zero because the sign convention is
clockwise positive.

4.5.6 Equation Assembly

Now substitute the S-D equations into the joint equilibrium equations to obtain a set of simultaneous
equations in the unknown displacements.
MBA + MBC + MBD = 0
with MBA = 2 EIo A + 4EIo B
MBC = 8.0 + EIo B
MBD = + 12.0
so 2 EIo A + 4EIo B 8.0 + EIo B + 12.0 = 0
or 2 EIo A + 5EIo B = 4.0 (4.3.1)

When all the joint equilibrium equations have been used, check the number of equations and the number
of unknowns:
1 equation, 2 unknowns: so we need 1 more equation from the boundary conditions.

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Check for unused boundary conditions:

MAB = 0
substitute in the S-D equation
MAB = 4 EIo A + 2EIo B = 0
so 2 EIo A + EIo B = 0

4.5.7 Simultaneous Equation Solution

2 EIo A + 5EIo B = 4.0
2 EIo A + EIo B = 0
=
Whence EIo A = 0.5 and EIo B = 1.0
So A is clockwise (positive) and B is negative and twice as large, which seems to make sense.
Sketch the deformations to make sure that you think they are credible.

Note that this is OK because MDB > MFBC

4.5.8 Back Substitution

Substitute the joint rotations back into the S-D equations to obtain the moments at the ends of the members.
MAB = 0 (pin at boundary condition)
MBA = 2 EIo A + 4EIo B = 20.5 + 4(-1) = -3.0 kNm
MBC = 8.0 + EIo B = -8.0 + (-1) = -9.0 kNm
MCB = + 8.0 + B = +8.0 + 0.5(-1) = +7.5 kNm
MBD = +12.0 kNm (cantilever)

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4.5.9 Change of Sign Convention to Sagging Positive to draw BMD

Clockwise positive sketch:

Sagging positive sketch:

4.5.10 Drawing the BMD

First draw the FREE BMD (all members assumed simply supported at their ends)
AB: no transverse loads
BC: Height of Free BMD = Mmax =

Q2 2, -2HL/27, +4HL/27; 20HL/189, 10Hl/189; 222HL/189; +83H/189, -106H/189, +10H/63.

3. The portal frame shown in Fig. 3 has one column with flexural rigidity 2EI o, but all other members have EI o. Identify
how many independent joint rotations there are.. Then analyse the frame using slope deflection. Draw the bending moment
diagram and sketch the deflected shape of the structure.

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6m 12m 6m
A
1kN/m C 1kN/m
D
EIo B EIo EIo

EIo 6m
12m
2EIo F

E
Fig. 3

Q3 2, -3.0, +3.0kNm; -18.0kNm; -4.220, +0.559, -2.441, -1.220, +1.881, +5.593, 6.203, -18.0 kNm; 4.5 kNm.

4. The rigid-jointed frame shown in Fig. 4 is cross-braced with stiff members that are joined at E. All members have the
same flexural rigidity EI. Identify how many independent joint rotations there are.. Then analyse the frame using slope
deflection, exploiting symmetry. Draw the bending moment diagram and sketch the deflected shape of the structure.
6m uniform
B 5kN/m C EI

8m
E 8m

A D
Fig. 4

Q4: 1, RHS: +21.0kNm; +16.71, -10.26, -6.43, -3.21, -5.13, 0, 0 kNm; 31.5kNm]