Example 1

Analyse the beam shown in the figure below:

Assume constant EI

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1. Split the 2 spans beam into 2 separate beams:

Where the beam is cut (support B), put a ‘fixed’ support

B B
C
A

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2. Calculate Stiffnesses of each member at each end of the member:

Member AB (pinned/fixed):
B
KAB = 0 (pin)
A
KBA =3EI/L (remote end pinned) = 3EI/6 =0.5EI

Member BC (fixed/fixed):

KBC = 4EI/L = 4EI/7 = 0.57EI

KCB = 4EI/L = 3EI/7 = 0.57EI B

C

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3. Calculate Distribution Factors at each joint:

Total Stiffness at Joint A:Pin – zero stiffness

Stiffness AB =kAB =0

Total Stiffness at Joint B: 0.5EI +0.57EI =1.07EI

Distribution factor BA=kBA =0.5EI/1.07EI =0.467
Distribution factor BC=kBC =057EI/1.07EI =0.533
Note that the sum is equal to 1

Total Stiffness at Joint C: 0.57EI

Distribution factor CB=kCB =057EI/0.57EI =1

Create a table

A B B C
Stiffness’s 0 0.5EI 0.57EI 0.57EI
DF’s 0 0.467 0.533 1
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4. Calculate all fixed end moments: B

MFAB =-Pab 2/L2 =-PL/8 where a=b=L/2 A

MFAB =-130 x 6/8 = - 97.5 kNm

MFBA =+Pba 2/L2 =+PL/8 where a=b=L/2

MFBA =+130 x 6/8 = +97.5 kNm

B
MFBC =-WL2/12 =-37.5 x 72/12 = -153.1 kNm
C
MFCB =+WL2/12 =+37.5 x 72/12 = +153.1 kNm

Add FEM’s to table

A B B C
Stiffness’s 0 0.5EI 0.57EI 0.57EI
DF’s 0 0.467 0.533 1
FEM’s -97.5 +97.5 -153.1 +153.1
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5. Balance each joint in turn:

Balance Joint A

Joint A is a pin so the moment MUST be zero

To achieve this we must apply a moment of +97.5 kNm

A B B C
Stiffness’s 0 0.5EI 0.57EI 0.57EI
DF’s 0 0.467 0.533 1
FEM’s -97.5 +97.5 -153.1 +153.1
Balance +97.5

Joint A is now balanced

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 6. Balance Joint B:

The TOTAL moment at joint B is +97.5 – 153.1 =-55.6 kNm

To achieve a balance, we must apply a moment of +55.6 kNm
This moment is apportioned according to the distribution factors at B:

MBA = +55.6 x 0.467 = -26.0

MBC = +55.6 x 0.533 = +29.6

A B B C
Stiffness’s 0 0.5EI 0.57EI 0.57EI
DF’s 0 0.467 0.533 1
FEM’s -97.5 +97.5 -153.1 +153.1
Balance +97.5 +26.0 +29.6

Joint B is now balanced (Adding up all the moments at B gives zero)

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7. Balance Joint C :

Joint C is a fixed support with only one member.

As such any moment cannot be redistributed, so for a fixed end
there is NO BALANCING required

A B B C
Stiffness’s 0 0.5EI 0.57EI 0.57EI
DF’s 0 0.467 0.533 1
FEM’s -97.5 +97.5 -153.1 +153.1
Balance +97.5 +26.0 +29.6

All joints have now been balanced.

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8. We must now consider the effect of the balancing.

This effect is to ‘carry over’ 50% of the balancing moment to the

remote end UNLESS THE REMOTE END ISPINNED in which case there is
no carry over.

A B B C
Stiffness’s 0 0.5EI 0.57EI 0.57EI
DF’s 0 0.467 0.533 1
FEM’s -97.5 +97.5 -153.1 +153.1
Balance +97.5 +26.0 +29.6 0
Carry over 0 (Pin) +48.75 0 +14.8

This carry over affects the equilibrium of the joints, which must be
rebalanced.

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10. Repeat the balancing and carry over:

A B B C
Stiffness’s 0 0.5EI 0.57EI 0.57EI
DF’s 0 0.467 0.533 1
FEM’s -97.5 +97.5 -153.1 +153.1
Balance +97.5 +26.0 +29.6 0
Carry over 0 (Pin) +48.7 0 +14.8
Balance 0 -22.7 -26.0 0
Carry over 0 (Pin) 0 0 -13.0

In this case 2 iterations is sufficient to achieve equilibrium.

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11. Total moments calculation:

A B B C
Stiffness’s 0 0.5EI 0.57EI 0.57EI
DF’s 0 0.467 0.533 1
FEM’s -97.5 +97.5 -153.1 +153.1
Balance +97.5 +26.0 +29.6 0
Carry over 0 (Pin) +48.7 0 +14.8
Balance 0 -22.7 -26.0 0
Carry over 0 (Pin) 0 0 -13.0
TOTALS 0 +149.5 -149.5 +154.9

We have achieved equilibrium at joint A (Pin) and joint B.

Joint C is a fixed support so cannot be balanced.

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12. We can now use these support moments to analyse each section of
the beam completely.

130 kN

Consider Beam AB MA = 0 MB = +149.5 kNm

M AB=0; A B

M BA=+149.5 kNm
3.0m 3.0m

Start by calculating the reactions.

The Beam AB can be considered loaded by 3 loads:
The applied central point load = 130kN
An end moment at A (which in this case is zero)
An end moment at B (+149.5 kNm)
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 130 kN
Taking the loads in turn:
From the point load (positive downwards) A B
MA = 0
A B

RA =130/2 =65kN RA RB RB
RB =65kN 3.0m 3.0m 3.0m 3.0m
RA

From M A :Since M A is zero there are no effect

From M B:
Taking moments about B:
+149.5 +RA x 6 =0 MB = +149.5 kNm
RA =-149.5/6 =-24.9 kN A B
Negative sign means the reaction is in the opposite sense to
that drawn, i.e. downwards RA
3.0m 3.0m
For equilibrium (Σ V =0 ) RB =+24.9 kN RB

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These reactions can be
tabulated:

A B
Simply Supported Reactions +65 +65
From Left Hand Moment 0 0
From Right Hand Moment -24.9 +24.
9
Totals 40.1 89.9

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We can now take moments about any part of AB to calc ulate the
moment at that position.

The position of maximum moment (no shear) is under the point load.

Taking moments about this point:

Mx =40.1 x 3 =120.3 kNm

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We can now consider Beam BC

MB = -149.5 kNm 37.5kN/m MC = +154.9 kNm

M BC =-149.5 kNm;
M CB = +154.9 kNm B
C

7.0m RC
RB

Start by calculating the reactions.

The Beam BC can be c onsidered loaded by 3 loads:
The applied UDL. (37.5kN/m)
An end moment at B (-149.5 kNm)
An end moment at C (+154.9 kNm)

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Taking the loads in turn:
37.5 kN/m

From the UDL :

C
Take moments about B: B
Rc x 7 – 37.5 x 7 x 7/2 =0
Rc =37.5 x 7/2 =131.25 kN 7.0m RC
For equilibrium RB =131.25 kN RB

From M B:
MB = -149.5 kNm
Taking moments about B:
-149.5 - RC x 7 =0
C
RC =-149.5/7 =-21.4 kN B

Negative sign means the reaction is in the opposite sense to that 7.0m RC
RB
drawn, i.e. downwards.

For equilibrium (Σ V =0 ) RB =+21.4 kN

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 MC = +154.9 kNm
From M C :
Taking moments about C : C
B

+154.9 +RB x 7 =0 RB
7.0m RC

RB =-154.9/7 =-22.1 kN
Negative sign means the reaction is in the opposite sense to that
drawn, i.e. downwards.

For equilibrium (Σ V =0 ) RC =+22.1 kN

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These reactions can be
tabulated:

B C
Simply Supported Reactions +131.2 +131.
2
From Left Hand Moment +21.4 -21.4
From Right Hand Moment -22.1 +22.1
Totals 130.5 131.9

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We can now take moments about any part of BC to calc ulate the moment at that
position.

We need to find position of maximum moment (no shear).

Considering the shear force at x, looking towards C :

X
VX =+131.9 – 37.5X =0

X =131.9/37.5 =3.52m (from C) MB = -149.5 kNm 37.5kN/m MC = +154.9 kNm

C
B

130.5 kN 131.9 kN
X

(Note:this looks correct since BC is almost symmetrical)

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Taking moments about X looking towards C:

Mx =+154.9 +37.5 x 3.522/2 – 131.9 x 3.52 =-77.1 kNm

(Note: Looking towards B the moment is +77.6 kNm – the same

amount (within tolerances) but opposite sense)

This c ompletes the analysis.

The results can be summarized on the following diagrams:

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 131.9 kN
Shear Force Diagram
89.9 kN

40.1 kN

130.5 kN

149.5 kNm 154.9 kNm

Bending Moment Diagram

77.1 kNm at
120.3 kNm 3.52m from C
under point load

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