CHAPTER VII

THE SLOPE-DEFLECTION- METHOD

36. ?eneral Description of the Slope-deflection Method. The slope-

deflection method can be used to analyze all types of statically inde-
terminate beams or rigid frames. In this method all joints are consid-
ered rigid; i.e., the angles between members at the joints are considered
not to change in value as loads are applied. Thus the joints at the
interior supports of statically indeterminate beams can be considered
180º rigid joints; and ordinarily the joints in rigid frames are 90° rigid
joints. When beams or frames are deformed, the rigid joints are con-
sidered to rotate only as a whóle; in other terms, the angles between the
tangents to the various branches of the elastic curve meeting at a joint
remain the same as those in the original undeformed structure.
In the slope-deflection method the rotations of the joints are treated
as unknowns. It will be shown later ~hat for any one member bounded
by two joints the end moments can be expressed in terms of the end
rotations. But, to satisfy the condition of equilibrium, the sum of the
end moments which any joint exerts on the ends of members meeting
there must be zero, because the rigid joint in question is subjected to the
sum of these end moments (only reversed in direction). This equation of
equilibrium furnishes the necessary condition to cope with the unknown
rotation of the joint, and when these unknown joint rotations are found,
the end moments can be computed from the slope-deflection equations,
which will be derived in the next article.
· The theory in the preceding paragraph will be further clarified by the
following example: Suppose that it is required to analyze the rigid frame
of Fig. 123a, loaded as shown. This frame is statically indeterminate
to the sixth degree. The . method of consistent deformation could be
used, but the amount of work involved would make that method too
laborious. · It is to be noted that, in this problem, because the frame is
kept from horizontal movement by its connection at A and from vertical
movement by the fixed bases at D and E, and since axial deformation of
the members is usually neglected, all joints of this frame must remain in
their original locations. (The cases in which some jqints may change
positions when the frame is deformed will be taken up later.) Clockwise
joint rotations are consídered to be positive, such as are shown in Fig.
137
138 STATICALLY INDETERMINATE STRUCTURES

123a. The free-body diagrains of all members are sho~n in Fig. 123b.
At any one end of each member, there are three react10n components:
direct pull or thrust, end shear, and end moment. The end moment
which acts at end A of member AB is denoted as MAB; that ~t end B of
member AB as M BA• Counterclockwise end moments actm_g on the
members are considered to be positive, positive end moments bemg shown
in Fig. 123b. It is possible, by the use of the slope-deflection equations
to be derived in the next article, to express the end moments of each
P, Pz P, Bs
- B __ e A 1 J.._ 8

Pz
ª ·fª l Je e

o
{aJ-Rigicl frcime Mso
8() 10~E
E 1 e-
,
I
-.¡ 8s ...¡ Oc

{el- free bo~y cfo:1grnms of joints

(Only momel)ts oire shown)

E-
l"JMEt:
(bJ-free bocAy Gfiorgrams
of members
FIG. 123.

member in terms of the -end rotations and the loading which acts on the
member. Thus the eight end moments in this problem can be expressed
in terms of the two unknown joint rotations. The free-body diagrams
of all joints are shown in Fig. 123c. Of course, the action of the member .
on the joint consists of a force in the direction of the axis of the member,
a force perpendicular to this axis, and a momént, each being the opposite
of the action of the joint on the member. In Fig. 123c, only the moments
are shown. These moments are drawn in their positive direction, which
is clockwise. For equilibrium, summation of all moments acting on each
joint must be zero. Thus
Joint condition at B:
 THE SLOPE-DEFLECTION METHOD 139
Joint condition at C:
McB + McE = O
The above two equations are necessary and sufficient to determine the
values of 8B Oc. end moments can then be found by substituting
th~ ~nown Jomt_ rotat10~s into the slope deflection equations. By the
prmc1ples of statics the d1rect stress and shear and moment diagrams for
each member can be found.
It has been repeatedly pointed out that the analysis of statically inde-
terminate s~ructures must satisfy both statics and geometry. In the
slope-deflection method of analyzing rigid frames the conditions required
of the geometry of the deformed structure, which are those of the rigidity
of the joints, are satisfied at the outset by calling the joint rotation one
single unknown at each joint. Thus the conditions of statics, requiring
that the sum of moments actfüg on each joint be zero, are used to solve
for the joint rotations.
36. Derivation of the Slope-deflection Equations. In the slope-
deflection equations the end moments acting at the ends of a member

la) <bJ (cJ (d)

Fm. 124.

are expressed in terms of the end rotations and the loading on the mem-
ber. Thus for span AB shown in Fig. 124a it is required to express M AB
and MBA in terms of the end rotations 8A and 8B and the app]ied loading
P and P 2• Note that the end moments are shown as counterclockwise
1
(positive) and the end rotations are sho,yn as clockwise (positive). Now,
with the applied loading on the member, the fixed end moments, M FAB
and M FBA (both shown as ·counterclockwise) are required to hold the
tangents at the ends fi.xed (Fig.· 124b). The additional end moments,
M' and M' should be such as to cause rotations of 8A and 8B, respec-
ti:ely. lf ~Al and OBi are the end rotations caused by M~ and 8A2 and
8B by M~ (Fig. 124c and d), the conditions required of geometry are
2

8A = -8Al + 8A2 (56)

8B = 8Bl - 8B2
By superposition
MAB = MFAB+ M~ (57)
MBA = MFBA + M~
 STRUCTURES
140 STATICALLY INDETERMINA TE

By the conjugate-beam method

M~L
0A1 = ·3EJ (58)
M~L
0A2 = 6El
Substituting (58) into (56),
i'

(59)

· Solving Eq. (59) for M~ and M~,

.Lll~ = + L2El (-20A - 0B

)
(60)
M'
B
= + ZEI
L
(-20B - 0A)

Substituting Eq. (60) into Eq. (57),

. 2El
MAB = MFAB +L (-20A - 0B)
(61)
· 2El
MBA = .Lv.lFBA + L (-20B - 0A)

Equations (61) are the slope-deflection equations which express the end
moments in terms of the end rotations and the applied loading. Note
again that counterclockwise moments acting at the ends of the member
(M.rn, MBA, MFAB, and MFBA) are positive and clockwise rotations (0A and
OB) are positive.
The case in which joint Bis deflected by an amount A in the direction
perpendicular to the original axis of the member will be taken up later.
37. Application of the Slope-deflection Method to· the Analysis of
Statically Indeterminate Beams. The procedure of analyzing statically

f11
A
11 ' 1! f 11 i:l' j ¡t' ¡ 11:Q;
,8 ,C
!
11 1 J 1 1 J I J· 1 '1
,!)
Fm. 125.

indeterminate beams by the slope-deflection method is as follows (see

Fig. 125):
 7'HE SLOPE-DEFLECTION METHOD 141
l. Determine the fixed-end moments at the ends of each span using
the f ormulas shown in Fig. 126. '
p
Of
.¡ b

L
Consfanf él Consfc,nf EI
wL2 Pba 2
MFAs=-1--
12 MFBA = --¡y-
(a) {bJ
Fm. 126.

2. Express all end momeñ.ts in terms of the fixed-end moments and the
joint rotations by using the slope-defl.ection equations.
3. Establish simultaneous equations with the rotations at the supports
as unknowns by applying the conditions that the sum of the end moments
acting on the ends of the two members meeting at the support should be
zero.
4. Solve for the rotations at all supports.
5. Substitute the rotations back into the slope-deflection equations,
and compute the end moments.
6. Determine all reactions, draw shear and moment diagramsl. and
sketch the elastic curve. 1

Example 64. Analyze the continuous beam shown in Fig. 127 by the
slope-deflection method. Draw shear and moment diagrams. Sketch
the elastic curve.
Solution. In the slope-deflection equations
2EI
MAB = MFAB +----i-- (-20,t - 0s)
2EI
MsA = MFBA + --¡;-(-20s - 0A)

the coefficient 2El /L before the parentheses is different for each span
If the 2EI/L values for all spans are made N times smaller, the effect
will be only to make all 8 values N times larger, while the products
of the expressions 2El/L and (-28near - 81&r), or the v~lues of the end
moments remain unchanged. If the absolute magnitudes of the 0
values ar~ not of direct interest, therefore, the relative values of 2EI/L
can be used before the parentheses. If the relative values of I/L are
called the relative stiffness, K, the slope-deflection equations become
MAB = MFA.B + KA.s(-20A - 0s) (62)
MsA = MFBA + KA.s(-20s - 0A)
142 STATICALLY INDETERMINATE STRUCTURES

24
1 12 1
12' /
2 / "11 r,;,.
1• • 12=6 =0
I
Re,a we shffness ízJ =4/ J( (2 (7\
=\V
-156 +J2 -16
Fixecl end momenfs +36 -36 +!56
20k /8k

+-- i l ~J?
3k/ff
ng)0
zk/ff
l l ! ! l 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 11~
/07. 70
. lJ.62

+!O + !O +/2 +6 +6
End re01cfions due +18 +/8
+24 -1-Z4
fo appl/ecl loadin9
End reQcf/ons due -8.975 -/.420 +4.6JS -4.6JS
-1-8.975 -1-,/.420
to end momenfs
+J2.S80 +/6.635 +/.365 +6
Total end reacfion +9.025 +26.915 +JS.420
Rc=49.2tSk Ro=7.J6sk
RA=9.025k R8 =62.39Sk

+JS.420

+l6.6JS

+66.54 -10. 92 +6
18
-I.J6S

-26.97S
Sheci r cl ici g roi m -J2.S80

!7J.J4

-18.00

-107.70
Moment cli01groim

,¡J¡¡----- -==
A

Eloistrc curve
FIG. 127.
 1'HE SLOPE-DEFLECTION METHOD 143
Relative § tj ff!},ess. In the pres t
stiffness are deter mined in Table ~~-txample the values of the relative

TABLE 54-1
Span AB BC CD

I . .. ..... . ... 3[ 10[ 21

L .. .... .. .... 12 ft 24fr 12 ft
I/L ... . .... . . 31/12 10//24 2//12
K ...... .. ... ' 3 5 2

Fixed-end M oments

MFAB = + (
3
)g 22
) = +36 kip-ft
MFBA = -36 kip-ft .
(2) (24) 2 ,
M FBC = + 12 + (½) (20) (24) = + 156 kip-ft
M FCB = -156 kip-ft
)(4)(
M FCD = + (l 8(l )
8) 2 - +32 k' ft
- lp-
2 2

M = - (l 8(l)(S)(
)
4) 2 = -16 k' -ft
lp
. FDC
2 2

Slope-deflection Equations. By using the modified slope-deflection

equations (62), the following expressions for the end moments are found:
= +36 + 3(-20A - 0B) = +36 -
MAB
MBA
MBc
=
=
-36 +
3(-20B _ ºA) = -36 -
+156 + 5(-20» - Oc) = +156
60A - 30B
60B - 30A
- 100n - 50c
r
McB = -156 + 5(c-20c - 0n) = -156 - 100c - 50n l
11.
McD = +32 + 2(-20c - 0D) = +32 - 40c - 20D f
1 MDc = -16 +
2(-20D - 0c) = -16 - 40D -20c

Joint Conditions
Joint A:
MAB =o
Joint B:
MBA + MBc = O
Joint C:
Mc»+M ~D=O
Joint D:
•MDc = -18 kip-ft
 INATE STRUCTURES
144 STATICALLY INDETERM
. mber CD at D is 18 kip-ft clockwise or
.(Note: End moment actmg on me ,
M D~ -- -18 kip-ft • ) • B substituting t h e s1ope-d efl ec t·ion equa-
Simultaneous Equations. Y . • lt ·
. · . . . d't'
t1ons mto the Jomt con 1 10ns, the followmg s1mu aneous equations are
established:

"'
-60A -
· ~
30s - - 36 (a)

-30A - 160s - 50c - -120 (b)

508 - 140c - 281> = + 124 (e)

(d)
- 20c - ,40D = - 2
~ ·

Note that if a diagonal is drawn downward to the right on the left side
of Eqs. (a) to (d), not only are the coefficients on this diagonal predom-
inant in their own equations, but the other coefficients are symmetrical
with respect to this diagonal. This can be proved to be always true by
the nature of the slope-deflection equations and the joint conditions.
In order to observe this phenomenon, which sometimes serves as a check,
it is important to arrange the unknowns in the order of OA, 88 , Oc, and OD ).
along the horizontal direction and the joint conditions in the order of
joints A, B, C, and D in the vertical direction.
Solutions f or Relative Values of J oint Rotations
-60A - 30s - 36 (a)
{ - -Z ) -30A - 160s - 50c = -120 (b)
- 50s - 140c "7 20D = 124 + (e)
- 20c - 40D = 2 (d)
Subtracting twice (b) from (a),
~ ·

+290s + 108c = +204 (e)

Subtracting (d) from twice (e),

Multiplying (e) by 2.6,

-lOOs - 260c = +250 (f)

Adding (f) and (g), +75.40n + 260c = +530.4 (g)

+65.40B
= +780.4
Substituting (h) into (f), OB = + 11.9327 (h)
-119.327 - 268c = +250
Oc = -14.2049 (i)
 'l'HE SLOPE-DEFLECTION METHOD 145
Substituting (h) into (a),
-60..t - 35.7981 = -36
0.-t = +0.03365 (j)
Substituting (i) into (d),
+28.4098 - 40n = -2
0D = +7.6025 (k)
The method of elimination is used. When the value of 0B is found in
(h), 0c may be found from either (e) or (f), but (f) is preferred because the
coefficient of 0c in (f) is predominant; thus a greater accuracy is preserved.
For the same reason, values of 0.-t and 0D are computed from (a) and-(d),
respectively.
Computation for End Moments
M..tB = +36 - 60..t -30B = +36- (6)(+0.03365) - (3)(+11.9327)
=0
MiJA = ~36 - 60B -30..t = -36- (6)(+11.9327) - (3)(+0.03365)
= -107.70 kip-ft
MBc = +156 - 100B - 50c = +156 - (10)(+11.9327)
-(5)(-14.2049) = +107.70kip-ft
M cB = -156 - 100c - 50B = -156 - (10) ( -14.2049)
- (5)( + 11.9327) = -73.62 kip-ft
M CD = +32 - 40c - 20v = +32 - (4)(-14.2049) - (2)( +7.6025)
= +73.62 kip-ft
MDc = -16 - 40n - 20c = -16 - (4)(+7.6025) - (2)(-14.2049)
= -18.00 kip-ft
Note that the four joint conditions 1\!l AB = O, M BA + M Bc = O,
M cB + M cD = O, and M nc = -18 kip-ft are satisfied.
Reactions, Shear and Moment Diagrams, and Elastic Curve. The end
moments determined above are sho,vn to act at the ends of the spans
(Fig. 127). Note again that positive end moments are counterclockwise
when acting on the member. The shear and moment diagrams are
drawn as usual. The sketch of the elastic curve, with relative slopes of
tangents at the supports known, is also shown in Fig. 127.
Example 66. Analyze the continuous beam shown in Fig. 128 by the
sJope-deflection method. Draw shear and moment diagrams. Sketch
the elastic curve.
Solution. The values of the relative stiffness and the fixed-end ··
moments are computed and shown in Fig. 128. Extreme care must be
exercised in determining these values because the subsequent computa-
tion, even though its own correctness can be checked and thus assured,
depends nevertheless on these preliminary quantities.
146 STATICALLY INDETERMINATE STRUCTURES

1 12 4 1
3k/f'f -
!
'
zk/f'f

A
. lllTTllll
¡/,
¿6···'¿~~•+•·'''''~
wB 11, "r¡C
2I
07/, mE
.JI /OI
12 1 24 1 12 1

J 1 x/2 /0 = §_xl2 =© .1.=J.xlZ =(v

Relaf/ve .sf/ffness -=-
/2 4 =® 24 12 12 6
-IS6 +J2 -16
Fixed end momenfs +36 -36 +/56

m
tok 18k 6k

Q I 111J)(!.112.Y7, , 1, ,,1 , , ,
a/8
1

107.64 lJ.62
!__~J
....
18.00

End reacfions dve +18 +/O +!O +12 +6 +6

+/8 +24
lo app//ed loadlng · +Z4
End reacfions due -8.9S5 + 8.9S5 + /.418 - /.418 +4.óJS -4.635
fo end momenfs
7ofa/ end reaction +9.04S +26.9S5 +JS.418 +J2.S82 +l6.6JS +I.J6S +6
~=9.01/Sk Re=62.J7Jk Rc=49.2f7k R0 =7.J6sk

+JS.4/8

+l6.6JS
+l/.418
+66.S

-lJ6S

-26.9SS Shear clioigram

-.12.582

+l7J.J7

-0./8 -/8.00
·7J.67
-107.34

Elc:tstic c;yrve
FIG. 128.
-----
THE SLOPE-DEFLECTION METHOD 147
Slope-deflection Equations. The modified slope-deflection equations
MAB = MFAB + KAn(-2.(h - 0n)
MBA = MFBA + KAn(-20n - 0A)
will be used .
In the present problem, 0,. is known to be zero .
M,1,n · +36 + 3(-20,. - 0n) = +36 - 30B
= +36- (3)(+11.9399) = +0.18kip-ft
MBA = -36 + 3(-20B - (JA) = -36 - 60B
= -36- (6)(+11 .9399) = -107.64kip-ft
MBo = +156 + 5(-20B - 0c) = +156 - 100B - 50c
= +156 - (10)(+11.9399) - (5)(-14.2076) = +107.64 kip-ft
M oB = -156 + (5)(-20c - 0n) = -156 . .:. . 100c - 50n
= -156 - (10)(-14.2076) - (5)( + 11 .9399) = -73.62 kip-ft
MoD = +32 + 2(-20c - 0D) = +32 - 40c - 20D
. +32 - (4)(-14.2076) - 2( +7 .6038) = +73.62 kip-ft
MDc -16 + 2(-20D - Oc) = -16 - 4(JD - 20c
= -16 - (4)(+7.6038) - (2)(:-14.2076) = -18.00 kip-ft .
J oint Conditions
.Joint B: · MnA + Mnc = O (a)
Joint C: Mcn + McD = O (b)
Joint D: M DC = -18 kip-ft (e)

"'
-160n -

- "--
50c

50s - 140c - 20D

= -120

= +124
(a')

(b')

- 20c - 40v = -2 (e')

Subtracting (e') from twice (b'), "--

-100n - 260c = +250, (d)
Multiplying (d ) by 1.6,
-160n - 41.60c = +400 (e)
Subtracting (e) from (a'),
+36.60c = -520.
0c = -14.2076 (f)
. . (f) into (a'), = -120
Substitutmg 8s ~ +11.9399
-168s+ 71.038
(g)
148 STATICALLY INDETERMINATE STRUCTURES

Substituting (f) into (e'),

+28.4152 - 40n = -2
On = +7.6038 (h)

These 0 values are substituted into the slope-deflection equations to

obtain the end moments. The reactions, shear and moment diagrams,
and the elastic curve are shown in Fig. 128.
EXERCISES
72 to 76. Analyze the continuous beam shown by the slope-deflection method.
Draw shear and moment diagrams. Sketch the elastic curve.

r t
.., Jk 8k

ic 6 • • 6I
lo /
I I
l2k/ff
~
AA )i!) 1 1 "¡¡ 1 1 1 1
·~
1 , 21
12'
1
: :
411
/6 :
1
:
u/2' :
I V
EXERCISE 72
8*
6' L G'~,.

DV
.A
21 4[ JI
1
12' 16
•
EXERCISE 73

+
/6k

f
1 1

6 6

A~ 12' B 18' •~C

Consfanf El
EXERCISE 74
J5k
1
61 1 6

A~ nm t:J rtrtr. e, mtr, D

. ' /2 1

Conslcmt Ef
ExERCISE 75
38. Slope-deflection Equations for Members .Which Are Subjected
to Applied Loadings and Unequal Movements of End Joints in the
Direction Perpendicular to the Axis of the Member. The slope-defler-
tion equations as shown in Eqs. (61) express the end moments in terms
of the end rotations and the applied loading. If, in addition to the

........
 THE SLOPE-DEFLECTION METHOD 149
applied loading, the end joints are subjected to unequal movements in
the direction perpendicular to the axis of the member, additional fixed
end moments M~'AB and :.M~BA (Fig 129c) are indueed to act on the
member to keep the tangents at the ends fixed. Then M~ and M~
P, Pz
0K1~ 1 i
---
.MAS 1
Conshmf El
L
(o,)
11
P, · Pz
~AB
c)A l
---. _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
I .-J~BA B~
(bJ

+
I
MFAB
,;:¡

· .
·+ Bs,
M' C~ e;;¡-------~
A 1 (o/) . 1

0Az , +
l~ -------b~PM~
(eJ
FIG. 129.

should be such as to cause rotations of 0A and 0B, respectively. The

conditions required of geometry are

0A = -0Al 0A2 + (63)

0B = 0Bl - 0B2
By superpositíon,
111AH = M FAB + M~AB + 1l1~ (64)
r-
111BA = MFBA + M~BA + M~
From Eqs. (60),

kl: = + L2El (_-20A - 0B) (60)

il[~ = +2 f I ( -20B - 0A)