CIV3115

Slope Deflection Method of Analyzing

Statically Indeterminate Structures
Slope Deflection Method of Analyzing Indeterminate
Structures
The unknown displacements of a structure are referred to as the degrees of freedom for the
structure.
They consist of either joint displacements or rotations.
The slope-deflection equations relate the unknown moments at each joint of a structural
member to the unknown rotations that occur there.
This equation is applied twice to each member or span, considering each side as the “near”
end and its counterpart as the far end.
Slope Deflection Method
• This equation is only applied once, where the “far” end is at the pin
or roller support.
 Slope Deflection Method
MN= internal moment in the near end of the span; this moment is positive
clockwise when acting on the span.
E and k = modulus of elasticity of material and span stiffness respectively
θN and θF are the near and far-end slopes or angular displacements of the span
at the supports; the angles are measured in radians and are positive clockwise.
ψ = span rotation of its cord due to a linear displacement, that is ψ = Δ/L , this
angle is measured in radians and is positive clockwise.
FEMN= fixed end moment at the near-end support; the moment is positive
clockwise when acting on the span; refer to the table on the inside back cover
for various loading conditions.
 Slope Deflection Method
Once the slope-deflection equations are written, they are substituted into the
equations of moment equilibrium at each joint and then solved for the
unknown displacements.
If the structure (frame) has sidesway, then an unknown horizontal
displacement will occur, and the unknown column shears must be related to
the moments at the joints, using both the force and moment equilibrium
equations.
Once the unknown displacements are obtained, the unknown reactions are
found from the load-displacement relations.
 Slope Deflection Method
The linear displacement is considered positive as shown, since this
displacement causes the cord of the span and the span’s cord angle to rotate
clockwise
Slope Deflection Method

Equation 1

Equation 2
Slope Deflection Method
Equation 1 becomes
Procedure for Analysis
• Degrees of Freedom - By drawing the deflected shape of the structure, it will
be possible to identify the number of degrees of freedom.
• Slope-Deflection Equations
For Internal Span or End Span with Far End Fixed, apply equ. 1 to each end of
the span, thereby generating two slope deflection equations for each span.
If a span at the end of a continuous beam or frame is pin supported, apply
equ.2 only to the restrained end, thereby generating one slope-deflection
equation for the span
• Equilibrium Equations
For beams and frames write the moment equation of equilibrium at each
support, and for frames also write joint moment equations of equilibrium.
If the frame sidesways or deflects horizontally, column shears should be
related to the moments at the ends of the column.
 Procedure for Analysis
Substitute the slope-deflection equations into the equilibrium equations and
solve for the unknown joint displacements.
These results are then substituted into the slope-deflection equations to
determine the internal moments at the ends of each member.
 Example
Draw the shear and moment diagrams for the beam shown in Fig.1. EI is constant.

FEMBC = 3PL/16

Two spans must be considered in this problem. Equation 1 applies to span AB. We can use Eq.2
for span BC since the end C is on a roller.

Equation 1

Note that FEMAB and FEMBC and are negative since Equation 2
they act counterclockwise on the beam at A and B,
respectively Also, since the supports do not settle, ψAB = ψBC = 0
 Moments in the span are clockwise

Applying Eq. 2 with B as the near end and C as the far end, we have

Equation 3

Equilibrium Equations. The above three equations contain four unknowns. The
necessary fourth equation comes from the conditions of equilibrium at the
support B. The free-body diagram is shown in

Equation 4

Moments at the support are anticlockwise

Example
To solve, substitute Eqs. (2) and (3) into Eq. (4), which yields

Since θB is negative (counterclockwise) the elastic curve for the beam has been
correctly drawn

Substituting θB into Eqs. (1)–(3), we get

 Example 2
Determine the moment at A and B for the beam shown in the Figure. The support at B is
displaced (settles) 80 mm. Take I = 5x106 mm4 . E = 200 Gpa.

Slope-Deflection Equations. Only one span (AB) must be considered in this problem since the moment due to the overhang
can be calculated from statics.
Since there is no loading on span AB, the FEMs are zero.
As shown in b, the downward displacement (settlement) of B causes the cord for span AB to rotate clockwise. Thus,
Applying the slope-deflection equation, to span AB, with θA = 0 we have

Equilibrium Equations. The free-body diagram of the beam at

support B is shown in c. Moment equilibrium requires
 Slope Deflection Method
Determine the moments at A and B, then draw the moment diagram for the
beam. EI is constant.
Homework – Practice Example 11-13 Hibbler R.C. (2012). Structural Analysis. (8th. Ed.). Pearson Printice Hall