THE THREE MOMENT EQUATIONS ( NON PRISMATIC BEAMS )

M1L1 L1 L 2 M 3L 2 6A1a 1 6A 2 b 2 H1 H 2
+ 2M 2 ( + )+ + + = 6E( + )
I1 I1 I2 I2 L1I1 L2I2 L1 L2

3
1
H3
H1 2

L1 L2

WHERE:
M1, M2, M3 = internal moment at the left, center and right supports
I1, L1; I2, L2 = left and right end moment of inertia and span length
H1 ,H3 = left and right end height measured from the center.
 FACTORS OF THE THREE MOMENT EQUATIONS
Case No. Load Type 6Aa/L 6Ab/L
P
a b Pa 2 Pb 2
1 (L − a 2 ) (L − b 2 )
L L L
w wL3 wL3
2 4 4
L
w 8 7
wL3 wL3
3 60 60
L
w
4 7 8
wL3 wL3
L 60 60
w
5 5
5 wL3 wL3
32 32
L
a M b −
M
(3a 2 − L2 ) +
M
(3b 2 − L2 )
6
L L
L
PROBLEM 1.
For the given beam shown,
a. Calculate the moment at point B.
b. Compute the reaction at the supports.

10KN
5 KN/m

B
A C
0.5I I
8m 4m 2m

Answer. (-31.52 KN-m, 16.06 KN, 1.41 KN, 32.52 KN)

THE THREE MOMENT EQUATIONS (PRISMATIC BEAMS)

6A1a 1 6A 2 b 2 H1 H 2
M1L1 + 2M 2 (L1 + L 2 ) + M 3 L 2 + = 6EI( + )
L1 L2 L1 L2

R
L
HR
HL C

L1 L2

WHERE:
M1, M2, M3 = internal moment at the left, center and right supports
L1; L2 = left and right end span length
I = moment of inertia
H1 ,H2 = left and right end height measured from the center.
THE THREE MOMENT EQUATIONS (PRISMATIC BEAMS)

6A1a 1 6A 2 b 2
M1L1 + 2M 2 (L1 + L 2 ) + M 3 L 2 + = 0
L1 L2

L C R

LL LR

WHERE:
M1, M2, M3 = internal moment at the left, center and right supports
L1; L2 = left and right end span length
I = moment of inertia
H1 ,H2 = left and right end height measured from the center.
PROBLEM 2.
For the prismatic beam shown, Use three moment equation to determine
the value of the deflection in terms of EI at 3 m from the left support

6m 6m

60 kN/m

A C
B EI

3m 9m
PROBLEM 3:
Solve for the reactions of the continuous beam shown then draw the
shear and moment diagrams . Label each diagram completely.

40 KN
50 KN/m
30 KN/m

A B C
3m 1m 3m 1m

2m
PROBLEM 4.
A continuous beam ABCD has spans of AB = 6m, BC = 5m and CD = 4m.
Span AB is carrying a triangular load that varies uniformly from 0 to 15 KN/m and
is applied starting from a point 2m from A and terminates at point B. Span BC is
carrying a 15 KN/m uniformly distributed load applied from B to C. Span CD is
carrying also a 15 KN/m uniformly distributed load from point C to a point 2m
from D.
a. Determine the moment at B and C.
b. Determine the reaction at A, B,C and D.
c. Draw the shear and moment diagram

Answer. (-27,80 KN-m, -25.82 KN-m )

PROBLEM 5.
A beam 6m in length has one of its supports at the left end and the other placed
2m from the right end. Exactly at the free end, the beam is carrying a 50 KN load.
Using three moment equation, determine the defection at the free end. E = 200
GPA and I = 480 x 10 6 mm4