Portal Method – Procedure for Analysis

1. Draw a sketch of simplified frame with internal hinge at assumed inflection points.
(We will use h/2 as our assumption)
2. Cut the frame at imaginary section just above the support (or bottom level) to
determine the column shears for each storey of the frame. Recall shear in interior
column is twice the shear of exterior column.
3. Draw FBD of members and joints of the frame showing column and shears and
compute column end moments. Moments at columns ends have equal magnitude
and sense.
4. Compute forces at joint connections
5. Determine axial forces in girders
6. Do a check of calculations. Use the 3 equilibrium equations of the entire frame to
check that support reactions all sum to 0.

Cantilever Method – Procedure for Analysis

1. Draw a sketch of the simplified frame with internal hinge at midpoint of each
member for fixed support or in girder for pinned support.
2. Make section through columns at mid-heights (through hinges) for the storey under
consideration. Draw FBD of section above cut.
3. Determine the location of the centroid of columns on the storey under
consideration.
4. Determine the axial force in the columns. Assume axial force is directly proportional
to their distances from the centroid.
5. Draw FBD of members and joints of the frame. Determine girder shears and
moments. Start on one end and work to the other end.
6. Determine column moment and shear forces starting at the top storey.
7. Determine the girder axial force for each storey of the frame.
8. Do a check of calculations. Use the 3 equilibrium equations of the entire frame to
check that support reactions all sum to 0.