TOPIC 3 : MOMENT DISTRIBUTION METHOD FOR STATICALLY INDETERMINATE BEAMS

MOMENT DISTRIBUTION METHOD FOR STATICALLY

INDETERMINATE BEAMS

Lesson Objectives :

Understand the application of moment distribution method for solving indeterminate beams

 Explain the basic concept of moment.

 Define the stiffness factor and carry over factor.
 Explain the distribution factor
 Calculate the fixed and moment
 Determine the internal moment at supports for the continuous beams subjected to point
loads and distributed loads and settlement
 Calculate shear force for the beam
 Draw shear force & bending moment diagram
 TOPIC 3 : MOMENT DISTRIBUTION METHOD FOR STATICALLY INDETERMINATE BEAMS

GENERAL PRINCIPLES AND DEFINITIONS

The moment distribution method is a structural analysis method for statically indeterminate beams and
frames developed by Hardy Cross. It was published in 1930 in an ASCE journal. The method only
accounts for flexural effects and ignores axial and shear effects. From the 1930s until computers began
to be widely used in the design and analysis of structures, the moment distribution method was the
most widely practiced method.

As will be explained in detail later, moment distribution is a method of successive approximations that
may be carried out to any desired degree of accuracy. Essentially, the method begins by assuming each
joint of a structure is fixed. Then, by unlocking and locking each joint in succession, the internal
moments at the joints are “distributed” and balanced until the joints have rotated to their final or nearly
final positions. It will be found that this process of calculation is both repetitive and easy to apply.

Sign convention :

Clockwise moment considered positive ( + )

Counterclockwise moment considered negative ( - )

Analysis Method

i. Calculate the Fixed End Moment (FEMs)

ii. Calculate stiffness factors for each member (K)

4EI
K= for opposite end fixed
L

3EI
K= for opposite end pinned/roller or
L
cantilever

iii. Calculate Distribution Factors at both ends of each member (DF)

DF = 0.0 for fixed end

DF = 1.0 for pinned/roller or cantilever ends

K
DF = ∑K for the middle pinned/roller support
 TOPIC 3 : MOMENT DISTRIBUTION METHOD FOR STATICALLY INDETERMINATE BEAMS

iv, Determine carryover factors at both ends of each member (COF)

COF = 0.5 for pinned/roller support

COF = 0.0 for fixed support

v. Assume all joints are fixed and calculate fixed-end moments for each member.

vi. Balance pinned (to zero) and cantilevered ends and distribute half the moment to the
opposite end.

vii. Distribute the unbalanced moments at all other joints to each adjacent member based
on the distribution factor.

viii. Carryover the distributed moments to the opposite ends of the each member using the
carryover factors.

ix. Iterate steps vii and viii until moment imbalance at each joint approaches zero.

Example 1

Determine the internal moments at each support of the beam shown in figure 1. EI is constant.

120kN
50kN/m

A B C

4m

10m 10m

figure 1
 TOPIC 3 : MOMENT DISTRIBUTION METHOD FOR STATICALLY INDETERMINATE BEAMS

Step 1 Calculate the Fixed End Moment (FEMs)

FEMAB = -Pab2/l2 = -120(4)(6) 2 / 102

= -172.8 kN.m

FEMBA = -Pa2b/l2 = -120(4) 2 (6) / 102

= +115.2 kN.m

FEMBC = -wl2 /12 = -50(10) 2 / 12

= -416.7 kN.m

FEMBC = +wl2 /12 = +50(10) 2 / 12

= +416.7 kN.m

Step 2 Calculate stiffness factors for each member (K)

K AB = KBA = 4EI/L = 4EI/10 Use K as 4EI/L for opposite end fixed

K BC = KCB = 3EI/L = 3EI/10 Use K as 3EI/L for opposite end pinned/roller

 TOPIC 3 : MOMENT DISTRIBUTION METHOD FOR STATICALLY INDETERMINATE BEAMS

Step 3 Calculate Distribution Factors at both ends of each member (DF)

DFAB = 0 DFAB = 0 because point AB fixed end

DFBA = K / ∑K DFBA = K / ∑K because BA is middle support

DFBA = KBA / (KBA + KBC)

= (4EI/10) / ((4EI/10) + (3EI/10))

= 4/7 @ 0.571

DFBC = KBC / (KBC + KBA)

= (3EI/10) / ((3EI/10) + (4EI/10))

= 3/7 @ 0.429

DFCB = 1

Step 4 Determine carryover factors at both ends of each member (COF)

COFAB = 0 COF =0 for fixed support

COFBA = 0.5 COF =0.5 for Pinned/roller support

COFBC = 0

COFCB = 0.5
 TOPIC 3 : MOMENT DISTRIBUTION METHOD FOR STATICALLY INDETERMINATE BEAMS

Joint A B C
Member AB BA BC CB

DF 0 0.571 0.429 1

COF 0 0.5 0 0.5

301.5

FEM -172.8 +115.2 -416.7 +416.7

Dist. 0 +172.2 129.3 -416.7

208.355
CO. 86.1 0 -208.35 0

Dist. 0 118.97 89.38 0

CO. 59.485 0 0 0

Dist. 0 0 0 0

Final Moments -27.215 406.37 -406.37 0

(kNm)

120kN
27.215kNm 406.37kNm
50kN/m

A B C

4m

10m 10m
 TOPIC 3 : MOMENT DISTRIBUTION METHOD FOR STATICALLY INDETERMINATE BEAMS

Example 2

Determine the internal moments at each support of the beam shown in figure 2. EI is given the figure

20kN 5kN

A B 3kN/m

C
2EI 3EI

2m 4m B 4m 8m

20kN

Fixed End Moment (FEMs)

Due to the overhang D A FEMAD
FEMAD = 20(2) = 40 kN.m
2m

FEMAB = [(-Pa2b/l2 )+ (- w l2/12)] = [(-5(4) (4) 2 / 82)+( - 3(8)2 / 12)]

= -5 + (-16)

= -21 kN.m

FEMBA = [(-Pa2b/l2 )+ (- w l2/12)] = [(5(4) (4) 2 / 82)+( 3(8)2 / 12)]

= 5 + (16)

= 21 kN.m

FEMBC = -wl2 /12 = -3 (8) 2 / 12

= -16 kN.m

FEMCB = +wl2 /12 = 3 (8) 2 / 12

= 16 kN.m
 TOPIC 3 : MOMENT DISTRIBUTION METHOD FOR STATICALLY INDETERMINATE BEAMS

Stiffness factors for each member (K)

KAD = 0 Use KAD= 0 , cantilever/hanging

K AB = KBA = 3(2EI)/L = 6EI/8

K BC = KCB = 4(3EI)/L = 12EI/8 Use K as 4EI/L for opposite end pinned/roller

Step 3 Calculate Distribution Factors at both ends of each member (DF)

DFAB = 1 DFAB = 0 because point AB pinned

support

DFBA = K / ∑K DFBA = K / ∑K because BA is middle support

DFBA = KBA / (KBA + KBC)

= (6EI/8) / ((6EI/8) + (12EI/8))

= 0.33

DFBC = KBC / (KBC + KBA)

= (12EI/8) / ((12EI/8) + (6EI/8))

= 0.67

DFCB = 0
 TOPIC 3 : MOMENT DISTRIBUTION METHOD FOR STATICALLY INDETERMINATE BEAMS

Step 4 Determine carryover factors at both ends of each member (COF)

COFAB = 0.5

COFBA = 0

COFBC = 0.5

COFCB = 0

Joint A B C
Member AD AB BA BC CB

DF 0 1.0 0.33 0.67 0

COF 0 0.5 0 0.5 0

FEM 40 -21 21 -16 16

-5

Dist. 0 -19 -1.65 -3.35 0

CO. 0 0 -9.85 0 -1.68

9.85

Dist. 0 0 3.14 6.37 0

CO. 0 0 0 0 3.19

Dist. 0 0 0 0 0

Final Moments 40 -40 13 -13 17.51

(kNm)