Moment-Distribution Method

- can be used only for the analysis of continuous beams and frames, taking into account their bending
deformations only
- is an iterative procedure, in which it is initially assumed that all joints of the structure that are free to rotate are
temporarily restrained against rotation by imaginary clamps applied to them
- initially developed by Hardy Cross in 1924
I. Analysis of Beams
Procedure for the Analysis of Continuous Beams
1. Calculate the distribution factors.
At each joint that is free to rotate, calculate the distribution factor for each of the members rigidly connected to
the joint.
K
DF =
∑K
⎧I
⎪L if far end of member is fixed
⎪
where K = ⎨
⎪3⎛ I ⎞ if far end of member is hinged
⎜ ⎟
⎩⎪ 4 ⎝ L ⎠

I
K BA =
4 K BA = 3
I 12
K BC = ⇒ multiply all by ⇒ K BC = 3
4 I
I K CD = 4
K CD =
3
At joint B:
K BA 3
DFBA = = = 0.5
K BA + K BC 3+ 3
K BC 3
DFBC = = = 0.5
K BA + K BC 3+ 3
At joint C:
K CB 3
DFCB = = = 0.429
K CB + K CD 3+ 4
K CD 4
DFCD = = = 0.571
K CB + K CD 3+ 4
The sum of all the distribution factors at a joint must equal 1.

2. Compute the fixed-end moments.

Assuming that all the free joints are clamped against rotation, evaluate, for each member, the fixed-end
moments due to the external loads and support settlements (if any). The counterclockwise fixed-end moments
are considered to be positive.
30 ( 4 )
2

FEM AB = = 40 kNm ccw or +40 kNm

12
FEM BA = 40 kNm cw or −40 kNm
120 ( 4 )
FEM BC = = 60 kNm ccw or +60 kNm
8
FEM CB = 60 kNm cw or −60 kNm
FEM CD = FEM DC = 0
 Fixed-end Moments

3. Balance the moments at all the joints that are free to rotate by applying the moment-distribution process as
follows:
a. At each joint, evaluate the unbalanced moment and distribute the unbalanced moment to the members
connected to the joint. The distributed moment at each member end rigidly connected to the joint is
obtained by multiplying the negative of the unbalanced moment by the distribution factor for the member
end.
b. Carry over one-half of each distributed moment to the opposite (far) end of the member.
c. Repeat steps 3(a) and 3(b) until either all the free joints are balanced or the unbalanced moments at these
joints are negligibly small.
Distributed Moment at joint C:
DM CB = DFCB ( −UM C ) = 0.429 ( +60 ) = +25.7 kNm
DM CD = DFCD ( −UM C ) = 0.571( +60 ) = +34.3 kNm
Carry Over Moment at the end B of member BC:
1
COM BC = COFCB ( DM CB ) = ( +25.7 ) = +12.85 kNm
2
 Carry Over Moment at the end D of member CD:
1
COM DC = COFCD ( DM CD ) = ( +34.3) = +17.15 kNm
2
4. Determine the final member end moments by algebraically summing the fixed-end moment and all the
distributed and carryover moments at each member end.
If the moment distribution has been carried out correctly, then the final moments must satisfy the equations of
moment equilibrium at all joints of the structure that are free to rotate.

Joints A B C D
Member Ends AB BA BC CB CD DC
DF 0 0.5 0.5 0.429 0.571 0
FEM +40 -40 +60 -60 0 0
DM 1 0 -10 -10 +25.7 +34.3 0
COM 1 -5 0 +12.85 -5 0 +17.15
DM 2 0 -6.425 -6.425 +2.145 +2.855 0
COM 2 -3.212 0 +1.072 -3.212 0 +1.428
DM 3 0 -0.536 -0.536 +1.378 +1.834 0
COM 3 -0.268 0 +0.689 -0.268 0 +0.917
DM 3 0 -0.344 -0.344 +0.115 +0.153 0
COM 3 -0.172 0 +0.058 -0.172 0 +0.076
DM 3 0 -0.029 -0.029 +0.074 +0.098 0
Final Moments +31.348 -57.334 +57.335 -39.24 +39.24 +19.571

5. Compute member end shears by considering the equilibrium of the members of the structure.
6. Determine support reactions by considering the equilibrium of the joints of the structure.
7. Draw shear and bending moment diagrams by using the beam sign convention.

Problems.

1. Determine the member end moments for the three-span continuous beam shown by the moment distribution
method.

M AB = +21.7 kNm M BA = −70.2 kNm M BC = +70.2 kNm

M CB = −70.2 kNm M CD = +70.2 kNm M DC = −21.7 kNm

2. Determine the reactions and draw the shear and bending moment diagrams for the two-span continuous beam
shown by using the moment distribution method.

M AB = +108.4 kNm M BA = −83.4 kNm M BC = +83.4 kNm M CB = 0

 3. Determine the member end moments for the continuous beam shown by using the moment-distribution
method.

M AB = −13.7 kNm M BA = −27.5 kNm M BC = +27.5 kNm

M CB = −120 kNm M CD = +120 kNm

4. Determine the member end moments for the continuous beam shown due to a settlement of 20 mm at support
B. Use the moment-distribution method.

M AB = +98 kNm M BA = +91.1 kNm M BC = −91 kNm

M CB = −56 kNm M CD = +56 kNm M DC = +28 kNm

II. Analysis of Frames Without Sidesway

- the procedure is similar to the analysis of beams, but more than two members may be connected to a joint of a
frame
Problem. Determine the member end moments for the frame shown by using the moment-distribution method.

M AC = +92.1 kNm M CA = −115.9 kNm M CD = +115.9 kNm

M DC = −186.4 kNm M DB = −19.4 kNm M DE = +205.6 kNm

M ED = 0 M BD = −9.7 kNm
III. Analysis of Frames With Sidesway
- frames whose joints may undergo both rotations and translations

The member end moments in the actual frame can be expressed as:
⎛ R⎞
M = MO + ⎜ ⎟ MQ
⎝ Q⎠
Problem. Determine the member end moments for the frame shown by using the moment-distribution method.

M AC = −12 kNm M CA = −24 kNm M CD = +23.9 kNm

M DC = −24 kNm M DB = +24 kNm M BD = +12 kNm