Lecture 5 - Slope Deflection Method For Beams PDF

SLOPE-DEFLECTION METHOD
1
Introduction
We recall that in the force method, the unknown
redundant forces are determined first by solving the
structure’s compatibility equations; then the other response
characteristics of the structure are evaluated by equilibrium
equations or superposition.
An alternative approach that can be used for analyzing

indeterminate structures is termed the displacement
(stiffness) method.
Unlike the force method, in the displacement method the

unknown displacements are determined first by solving the
structure’s equilibrium equations; then the other response
characteristics are evaluated through compatibility
considerations and member force deformation relations
2
Introduction
The slope-deflection method for the analysis of
indeterminate beams and frames was introduced by George
A. Maney in 1915. The method takes into account only the
bending deformations of structures.
Although the slope-deflection method is itself considered to

be a useful tool for analyzing indeterminate beams and
frames, an understanding of the fundamentals of this method
provides a valuable introduction to the matrix stiffness
method, which forms the basis of most computer software
currently used for structural analysis.
3
Slope-deflection Equations
When a continuous beam or a frame is subjected to
external loads, internal moments generally develop at the
ends of its individual members.
The slope-deflection equations relate the moments at the

ends of a member to the rotations and displacements of its
ends and the external loads applied to the member.
4
Slope deflection equations
Let us focus our attention on an arbitrary member AB
of the continuous beam shown in Figure
Fig. 5.1(a)
When the beam is subjected to external loads and support

settlements, member AB deforms, as shown in the figure,
and internal moments are induced at its ends
5
The free-body diagram and the elastic curve for member
AB are shown using an exaggerated scale in Fig. 5.1(b)
Fig. 5.1(b)
6
MAB denotes the moment at end A of member AB,
MBA represents the moment at end B of member AB.
θA and θB denote, respectively, the rotations of ends A and B

of the member with respect to the undeformed (horizontal)
position of the member;
Δ denotes the relative translation between the two ends of the

member in the direction perpendicular to the undeformed axis
of the member;
and ψ denotes the rotation of the member’s chord (i.e., the

straight line connecting the deformed positions of the member
ends) due to the relative translation Δ.
7
Note that all the moments and rotations are shown in the
positive sense in Fig. 5.1(b).
The slope-deflection equations can be derived by relating the

member end moments to the end rotations and chord rotation
by applying the second moment-area theorem.
From Fig. 5.1(b), we can see that
8
 ΔBA is the tangential deviation of end B from the tangent

to the elastic curve at end A
 and ΔAB is the tangential deviation of end A from the

tangent to the elastic curve at end B.
9
According to the second moment-area theorem, the
expressions for the tangential deviations ΔBA and ΔAB can be
obtained by summing the moments about the ends B and A,
respectively, of the area under the M/EI diagram between
the two ends.
The bending moment diagram for the member is

constructed in parts by applying MAB, MBA, and the external
loading separately on the member with simply supported
ends.
10
Assuming that the member is prismatic—that is, EI is

constant along the length of the member:
11
13
 We sum the moments of the area under the M/EI diagram
about the ends B and A, respectively, to determine the
tangential deviations
14
•gB and gA are the moments about the ends B and A,
respectively, of the area under the simple-beam bending
moment diagram due to external loading (ML diagram in
Figure above)
• The three terms in Equations (5.4a) and (5.4b) represent

the tangential deviations due to MAB, MBA, and the external
loading, acting separately on the member (Fig. 5.1(d)), with a
negative term indicating that the corresponding tangential
deviation is in the direction opposite to that shown on the
elastic curve of the member in Fig. 5.1(b).
15
Slope-deflection equations
By substituting the expressions for ΔBA and ΔAB (Equations
(5.4)) into Eq. (5.3), we write:
To express the member end moments in terms of the end

rotations, the chord rotation, and the external loading, we
solve Equations (5.5a) and (5.5b) simultaneously for MAB and
MBA. Rewriting Eq. (5.5a) as:
16
•By substituting this equation into Eq. (5.5b) and solving the
resulting equation for MAB, and by substituting Eq. (5.6a) into
either Eq. (5.5a) or Eq. (5.5b), we obtain the expressions for
MAB and MBA;
17
Now, suppose that the member under consideration, instead
of being a part of a larger structure, was an isolated beam
with both its ends completely fixed against rotations and
translations, as shown in Fig. 5.1(e). The moments that
would develop at the ends of such a fixed beam are referred
to as fixed-end moments, and their expressions can be
obtained from Eqs. (5.6) by setting θA=θB=ψ=0; that is,
18
Thus, by substituting Equations (5.7) into Equations (5.6),
we obtain:
Equations (5.8), which express the moments at the ends of a

member in terms of its end rotations and translations for a
specified external loading, are called the slope-
deflection equations
19
These equations are valid only for prismatic members
composed of linearly elastic material and subjected to small
deformations. Also, although the equations take into account
the bending deformations of members, the deformations due
to axial forces and shears are neglected.
From Equations (5.8), we observe that the two slope-
deflection equations have the same form and that either one
of the equations can be obtained from the other simply by
switching the subscripts A and B.
Thus it is usually convenient to express these equations by
the following single slope-deflection equation:
20
Subscript n refers to the near end of the member where the
moment Mnf acts and the subscript f identifies the far (other)
end of the member.
Fixed-End Moments
The expressions for fixed-end moments due to any loading

condition can be derived by using the method of consistent
deformations,
However, it is usually more convenient to determine the fixed-

end moment expressions by applying Equations (5.7), which
require only the computation of the moments of the area under
the simple-beam bending moment diagram about the ends of
the beam.
21
Example
22
Example cont’d
The moments of the area under the simple-beam bending
moment diagram about the ends A and B are given by
By substituting L = a+ b into these equations and simplifying,

we obtain
23
By substituting the expressions for gA and gB into
Equations (5.7), we determine the fixed-end moments to be
Thus the negative answer for FEMBA indicates that its

correct sense is clockwise; that is,
24
Slope-deflection equations/
Members with One End Hinged
The slope-deflection equations derived previously (Eqs.

(5.8) or Eq.( 5.9)) are based on the condition that the
member is rigidly connected to joints at both ends, so that
the member end rotations θA and θB are equal to the
rotations of the adjacent joints;
When one of the member’s ends is connected to the

adjacent joint by a hinged connection, the moment at the
hinged end must be zero.
The slope-deflection equations can be easily modified to

reflect this condition.
25
•We write:
•To eliminate θB from the slope-deflection equations, we

substitute Eq. (5.11) into Eq. (5.10a), thus obtaining the
modified slope-deflection equations for member AB with
a hinge at end B:
26
•Similarly, it can be shown that for a member AB with a hinge
at end A, the rotation of the hinged end is given by:
•The modified slope-deflection equations can be expressed as
•Because the modified slope-deflection equations given by

Equations (5.12) and (5.14) are similar in form; they can be
conveniently summarized as
27
r refers to the rigidly connected end of the member where the
moment Mrh acts and the subscript h identifies the hinged
end of the member. The rotation of the hinged end can now be
written as
28
Basics concept of Slope-deflection equations
Analysis of continuous beams
The analysis of indeterminate beams by slope deflection method
considers the following aspects which are explained through
numerical example:
•Figure 5.3 29
•Although the structure actually consists of a single
continuous beam between the fixed supports A and D, for the
purpose of analysis it is considered to be composed of three
members, AB, BC, and CD, rigidly connected at joints A,B,C,
and D located at the supports of the structure.
•Note that the continuous beam has been divided into

members and joints, so that the unknown external reactions
act only at the joints
30
a)Degrees of freedom
These are unknown independent displacements
(translations and rotations) of the joints of the structure.
The number of degrees of freedom is sometimes called the
degree of kinematic indeterminacy of the structure.
A structure without any degrees of freedom is termed
kinematically determinate. In other words, if the
displacements of all the joints of a structure are either zero
or known, the structure is considered to be kinematically
determinate. 31
•The number of degrees of freedom is sometimes called the
degree of kinematic indeterminacy of the structure.
•Since the beam of Fig. 5.3(a) has two degrees of freedom, it is

considered to be kinematically indeterminate to the
second degree.
• A structure without any degrees of freedom is termed

kinematically determinate.
•In other words, if the displacements of all the joints of a

structure are either zero or known, the structure is considered
to be kinematically determinate.
32
ANALYSIS OF CONTINUOUS BEAMS
a) Degrees of freedom
The beam has two degrees of freedom which are the
rotations at support B and C.
b) Equations of equilibrium
The unknown joint rotations are determined by solving

the equations of equilibrium of the joints that are free to
rotate (B and C)
33
Equations of equilibrium
 Because the entire structure is in equilibrium, each of its

members and joints must also be in equilibrium.
 By applying the moment equilibrium equations ∑MB=0

and ∑MC=0, respectively, to the free bodies of joints B
and C, we obtain the equilibrium equations
34
 Equations (5.17)) can be expressed in terms of the
unknown joint rotations, θB and θC, by using slope-
deflection equations that relate member end moments to
the unknown joint rotations;
 Before we can write the slope-deflection equations, we need

to compute the fixed-end moments ;
35
 To calculate the fixed-end moments, we apply
imaginary clamps at joints B and C to prevent
them from rotating, as shown .
36
Since no external loads act on member CD, its fixed-end
moments are zero; that is,
Note that, in accordance with the slope-deflection sign

convention, the counterclockwise fixed-end moments are
considered to be positive.
37
The slope-deflection equations for the three members of

the continuous beam can now be written by using Eq.
(5.9).
Since none of the supports of the continuous beam

translates, the chord rotations of the three members are
zero (i.e., ψAB=ψBC=ψCD=0).
Also, since supports A and D are fixed, the rotations

θA=θD=0. By applying Eq.( 5.9) for member AB, with A
as the near end and B as the far end, we obtain the
slope-deflection equation
38
39
•These slope-deflection equations automatically satisfy the
compatibility conditions of the structure.
•Since the member ends are rigidly connected to the adjacent

joints, the rotations of member ends are equal to the rotations
of the adjacent joints.
•Thus, the θ terms in the slope-deflection equations

(Equations (5.18)) represent the rotations of the member ends
as well as those of the joints.
40
JOINT ROTATION
c) Joint Rotations
By substituting the slope deflection equations into

equilibrium equations:
Or
41
JOINT ROTATION
•Solving Equations simultaneously for EIθB and EIθC, we
obtain
42
d) Member end moments
Substituting the values of rotations into slope deflection

equations:
43
d) Member end moments
Note that a positive answer for an end moment

indicates that its sense is counterclockwise,
whereas a negative answer for an end moment
implies a clockwise sense. You can also check
that the equilibrium equations are satisfied.
End shears and support reactions can be

determined by considering the equilibrium of
each member and each joint. 44
End shears
Reactions
45
Shear force diagram
Bending moment diagram
46
PROCEDURE FOR ANALYSIS OF CONTINUOUS BEAMS
1. Identify the degrees of freedom of the structure. For continuous
beams, the degrees of freedom consist of the unknown rotations of
the joints
2. Compute fixed-end moments. The counterclockwise fixed-end
moments are considered to be positive.
3. In the case of support settlements, determine the rotations of the
chords of members adjacent to the supports that settle by dividing
the relative translation between the two ends of the member by the
member length (ψ=Δ/L).
4. Write slope-deflection equations. For each member, apply Eq. (5.9)
to write two slope-deflection equations.
5. Write equilibrium equations. For each joint that is free to rotate,
write a moment equilibrium equation, ∑M= 0, in terms of the
moments at the member ends connected to the joint. The total
number of such equilibrium equations must be equal to the number
of degrees of freedom of the structure
47
6. Determine the unknown joint rotations. Substitute the slope-
deflection equations into the equilibrium equations, and solve the
resulting system of equations for the unknown joint rotations.
7. Calculate member end moments by substituting the numerical

values of joint rotations determined in step 6 into the slope-
deflection equations.
8. To check whether or not the solution of simultaneous equations was

carried out correctly in step 6, substitute the numerical values of
member end moments into the joint equilibrium equations
developed in step 5. If the solution is correct, then the equilibrium
equations should be satisfied.
9. Compute member end shears. For each member, (a) draw a free-
body diagram showing the external loads and end moments and (b)
apply the equations of equilibrium to calculate the shear forces at
the ends of the member.
10. Determine support reactions by considering the equilibrium of the
joints of the structure. 48
11. To check the calculations of member end shears and support
reactions, apply the equations of equilibrium to the free body of the
entire structure. If the calculations have been carried out correctly,
then the equilibrium equations should be satisfied.
12. Draw shear and bending moment diagrams of the structure by

using the beam sign convention
49
Beams with Simple Supports at Their Ends
•Although the foregoing procedure can be used to analyze

continuous beams that are simply supported at one or both
ends, the analysis of such structures can be considerably
expedited by using the modified slope-deflection equations
(Equations (5.15)) for spans adjacent to the simple end
supports, thereby eliminating the rotations of simple supports
from the analysis (see Example 5.3). However, this simplified
approach can be used only for those simple end supports at
which no external moment is applied. This is because the
modified slope-deflection equations for a member with one end
hinged (Equations (5.15)) are based on the condition that the
moment at the hinged end is zero.
50
Beams with Cantilever Overhang
Consider a continuous beam shown in Fig. 5.4(a). Since
the cantilever portion CD of the beam is statically
determinate in the sense that the shear and moment at its
end C can be obtained by applying the equations of
equilibrium (Fig. 5.4(b)), it is not necessary to include this
portion in the analysis. Thus, for the purpose of analysis,
the cantilever portion CD can be removed from the
structure, provided that the moment and the force exerted
by the cantilever on the remaining structure are included
in the analysis. The indeterminate part AC of the
structure, which needs to be analyzed, is shown in Fig.
5.4(c).
51
Example-1
•Determine the reactions and draw the shear and bending
moment diagrams for the three-span continuous beam
shown in Fig. 5.6(a) by the slope-deflection method.
54
Example- 1 cont’d
Solution
Degrees of Freedom: θB and θC
Fixed-End Moments
55
Example- 1 cont’d
Slope-Deflection Equations: Using Eq. (5.9) for members
AB, BC, and CD, we write
56
Example- 1 cont’d
Equilibrium Equations
Joint Rotations: By substituting the slope-deflection

equations; (Equations (1) through (6)) into the equilibrium
equations (Equations (7) and (8)), we obtain
57
Example- 1 cont’d
By solving Equations (9) and (10) simultaneously, we
determine the values of EIθB and EIθC
Member End Moments
58
Example- 1 cont’d
Member End Shears and Support Reactions:
Equilibrium Check :The equilibrium equations check
Shear and Bending Moment Diagrams
59
Example- 1 concluded
60
Example- 2
Determine the member end moments and reactions for the
continuous beam shown in Fig. 5.7(a) by the slope deflection
method
61
Example- 2 cont’d
Solution
Degrees of Freedom: θB
Fixed-End Moments
62
Example- 2 cont’d
Slope-Deflection Equations: Since both members of the
beam have one end hinged, we use Equations (5.15) to
obtain the slope-deflection equations for both members.
Thus
63
Example- 2 cont’d
Equilibrium Equation: By considering the moment
equilibrium of the free body of joint B (Fig. 5.7(b)), we
obtain the equilibrium equation
Joint Rotation: To determine the unknown joint rotation

θB, we substitute the slope-deflection equations (Equations
(1) and (2)) into the equilibrium equation (Eq. (3)) to obtain
64
Example- 2 cont’d
Member End Moments The member end moments
can now be computed by substituting the numerical
value of EIθB into the slope-deflection equations
(Equations (1) and (2)). Thus
Member End Shears and Support Reactions:See Fig.

5.7(c) and (d).
Equilibrium: Check See Fig. 5.7(d).
65
Example- 3 concluded
66

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SLOPE-DEFLECTION METHOD

An alternative approach that can be used for analyzing

Unlike the force method, in the displacement method the

Although the slope-deflection method is itself considered to

The slope-deflection equations relate the moments at the

When the beam is subjected to external loads and support

MBA represents the moment at end B of member AB.

θA and θB denote, respectively, the rotations of ends A and B

Δ denotes the relative translation between the two ends of the

and ψ denotes the rotation of the member’s chord (i.e., the

The slope-deflection equations can be derived by relating the

From Fig. 5.1(b), we can see that

 ΔBA is the tangential deviation of end B from the tangent

 and ΔAB is the tangential deviation of end A from the

The bending moment diagram for the member is

Assuming that the member is prismatic—that is, EI is

• The three terms in Equations (5.4a) and (5.4b) represent

To express the member end moments in terms of the end

Equations (5.8), which express the moments at the ends of a

The expressions for fixed-end moments due to any loading

However, it is usually more convenient to determine the fixed-

By substituting L = a+ b into these equations and simplifying,

Thus the negative answer for FEMBA indicates that its

The slope-deflection equations derived previously (Eqs.

When one of the member’s ends is connected to the

The slope-deflection equations can be easily modified to

•To eliminate θB from the slope-deflection equations, we

•The modified slope-deflection equations can be expressed as

•Because the modified slope-deflection equations given by

•Note that the continuous beam has been divided into

•Since the beam of Fig. 5.3(a) has two degrees of freedom, it is

• A structure without any degrees of freedom is termed

•In other words, if the displacements of all the joints of a

The unknown joint rotations are determined by solving

 Because the entire structure is in equilibrium, each of its

 By applying the moment equilibrium equations ∑MB=0

 Before we can write the slope-deflection equations, we need

Note that, in accordance with the slope-deflection sign

The slope-deflection equations for the three members of

Since none of the supports of the continuous beam

Also, since supports A and D are fixed, the rotations

•Since the member ends are rigidly connected to the adjacent

•Thus, the θ terms in the slope-deflection equations

By substituting the slope deflection equations into

Substituting the values of rotations into slope deflection

Note that a positive answer for an end moment

End shears and support reactions can be

Analysis of continuous beams

Analysis of continuous beams

Shear force diagram

Bending moment diagram

7. Calculate member end moments by substituting the numerical

8. To check whether or not the solution of simultaneous equations was

12. Draw shear and bending moment diagrams of the structure by

•Although the foregoing procedure can be used to analyze

Degrees of Freedom: θB and θC

Joint Rotations: By substituting the slope-deflection

Member End Moments

Equilibrium Check :The equilibrium equations check

Shear and Bending Moment Diagrams

Joint Rotation: To determine the unknown joint rotation

Member End Shears and Support Reactions:See Fig.

Equilibrium: Check See Fig. 5.7(d).