Indeterminate Structures—Compatibility Methods 343

L2
and f23 = (10.34)
6 EI 2
Substituting in Eq. 10.28 the values from Eqs. 10.29 and 10.30, we get
M 1 L1 M 2 L1 M 2 L2 M 3 L2 Ax Ax
+ + + + 1 1 + 2 2 =0 (10.35)
6 EI1 3EI1 3EI 2 6 EI 2 EI1 L1 EI 2 L2
Rearranging Eq. 10.31, we get
M1 L1 Ê L L ˆ M L 6A x 6A x
+ 2M 2 Á 1 + 2 ˜ + 3 2 = - 1 1 - 2 2 (10.36)
EI1 Ë EI1 EI 2 ¯ EI 2 EI1 L1 EI 2 L2

Equation 10.36 is the general form of the three-moment equation. The moment
quantities in Eq. 10.36 are positive according to the beam sign convention, that
is, positive moments cause tension at the bottom fibres of the beam. If EI is
constant throughout, Eq. 10.36 simplifies to
A1 x1 Ax
M1L1 + 2M2 (L1 + L2) + M3L2 = – 6 -6 2 2 (10.37)
L1 L2
The three-moment equation developed above involves not only the moment
over support 2 but also the moments at supports 1 and 3. In applying the three-
moment equation to a particular beam, we locate the interior supports, such as
2, 3, 4, etc. successively and write as many equations as the unknown redundant
support moments. A simultaneous solution of the equations for the unknown
moments yields the required results. The application of this method is illustrated
in the following examples.

It is required to determine the support moments and

Example 10.13
reactions for the three-span continuous beam shown in
Fig. 10.31a. EI is constant.
The beam is indeterminate to the second degree and requires the use of two
conditional equations. The three-moment equation, if used twice, once for the
two left hand spans (Fig. 10.31b) and once for the two right hand spans (Fig.
10.31d) supplies the two required conditional equations.
Applying Eq. 10.37 to the two left hand spans, we have
(60)(2) (426.67)(4)
MA (4) + 2MB (4 + 8) + MC (8) = – 6 -6
4 8
Since MA = 0, this simplifies to
24MB + 8MC = –1460 (10.38)
Similarly by applying Eq. 10.37 to the two right hand spans, we have
(426.67)(4) (180)(3)
MB (8) + 2MC (8 + 6) + MD (6) = – 6 -6
8 6
344 Basic Structural Analysis

20 20 kN 40 kN
1m
2m 10 kN/m 3m
A D
B C
4m 8m 6m
(a)

MC

(b) 80
20 20

2m 4m
A = 60 A = 426.67
(c)

MB

80 (d)
60

4m 3m

A = 426.67 (e) A = 180.0

80.0
42.25 52.70 33.65
9.44

Fig. 10.31 (a) Three-span continuous beam and loading, (b) Left two spans,
(c) Simple beam moment diagrams, (d) Right two spans, (e) Simple beam
moment diagrams, (f) Final moment diagram

or 8MB + 28MC = –1820 (10.39)

Solving Eqs. 10.38 and 10.39 simultaneously, we obtain
MB = – 42.25 kN.m, and MC = –52.70 kN.m
The reactions are determined by applying the equations of statics as follows
MB
RA = 20 +
4
(- 42.25)
or RA =20 + = 9.44 kN
4
 Indeterminate Structures—Compatibility Methods 345

Similarly,
-M B M C - M B
RB = 20 + 10(4) + + = 69.25 kN
4 8
M B - MC MC
RC = 60 + - = 70.09 kN
8 6
MC
Finally, RD = 20 + = 11.22 kN
6
The moment diagram is shown in Fig. 10.31f.
The theorem of three moments can also be applied to fixed end beams. The
required number of conditional equations can be obtained by considering an
imaginary span adjacent to the fixed end as having an arbitrary span length with
an infinite moment of inertia. This point is illustrated by solving the following
example.

It is required to determine the support moments and

Example 10.14
reactions for a continuous beam fixed at one end and
having a overhang at the other as shown in Fig. 10.32a. EI is constant.
The beam is statically indeterminate to the second degree and requires two
conditional equations.
For the purpose of writing three-moment equations, an imaginary span to the
left of fixed support A having an arbitrary length L¢ and moment of inertia I¢ = μ
may be considered (see Fig. 10.32b). The three-moment equation for spans A¢ –
A and A – B can be written as
Ê L¢ ˆ Ê L¢ L ˆ ÊL ˆ 6(80)(2)
M A¢ Á ˜ + 2M A Á + AB ˜ + M B Á AB ˜ = 0 - (10.40)
Ë μ¯ Ëμ I ¯ Ë I ¯ ILAB
Substituting for LAB = 4 and multiplying throughout by I, this reduces to
8MA + 4MB = –240 (10.41)
Similarly, writing the three-moment equation for spans A–B and B–C, we have
(80)(2) 6(80)(3)
MA (4) + 2MB (4 + 6) + MC (6) = - 6 - (10.42)
4 6
We know MC = –40 kN.m
Substituting this value in Eq. 10.42, we have
4MA + 20MB = –540 (10.43)
Solving Eqs. 10.41 and 10.43 simultaneously, we get
MA = – 18.33 kN.m, and MB = –23.33 kN.m
The moment diagram is shown in Fig. 10.32c. The reactions are evaluated
from the free-body diagrams in Fig. 10.32d and using statics only. Therefore,