Portal Frame Calculations

Lateral Loads

Consider the following multi-story frame:

24’ 32’

10 k

12’

20 k

12’

40 k

20’

40 k

20’

The portal method makes several assumptions about the internal forces of the columns
and beams in a rigid frame:

1) Inflection points for beams and columns are in the centers of the spans/lengths.
2) Internal columns take exactly twice the shear of external columns.

1
Note inflection points for the frame:

24’ 32’

10 k

12’

20 k

12’

40 k

20’

40 k

20’

Calculate shears first, from the top of the structure down. Cut at the inflection points first.
Note the unknown shears at each column (V for exterior columns, 2·V for interior columns).

2
 Calculate shears noting the unknown shears at each column (V for exterior columns, 2·V for
interior columns).

24’ 32’

10 k
6’

V 2V V
Due to statics, ∑F = 0, so 10k = V + 2V + V = 4V. Thus V = 2.5k

24’ 32’

10 k
6’

2.5 k 5k 2.5 k

Break this partial frame into three assemblies, along the beam inflection points. Solve for
the compression in the beam by resolving the unknown forces at the inflection points.

For the left assembly, solve for P1. For the right assembly, solve for P2.
∑F = 0 = 10 k - 2.5 k - P1. ∑F = 0 = P1 - 2.5 k
P1 = 7.5 k P2 = 2.5 k
For the middle assembly, P1
12’ and P2 must be equal to the 16’
P1 = 7.5 k values calculated from the
10 k P2 = 2.5 k
equilibrium of the left and
right assemblies.
6’
12’ 16’
2.5 k 2.5 k
P1 = 7.5 k P2 = 2.5 k

5k

Use the middle assembly to check. The ∑F = 0 should hold given the shear in the column.
You can also work left to right (left, middle, then right). The point is that the equilibrium of
one assembly affects the equilibrium of the next.

3
 Calculate [internal bending] moments and vertical shears for the columns and beams. Moments
come from the column shears and the half column height (6’). Vertical shears are calculated by
balancing the moment across the corner, dividing by the vertical shear’s moment arm (12’ on
the left). All moments are measured from the given joint.

CALCULATE MOMENTS... ...CALCULATE RESULTING SHEARS

Moment arrows are drawn as the internal bending moment AND AXIAL FORCES
that opposes the corresponding shear in the column.

12’ 12’
10 k 7.5 k 10 k 7.5 k
V
6’ 6’
M = 2.5 k · 6 ft = 15 k·ft ∑M = 10k · 6’ - 7.5k · 6’ - V·12’ = 0
Note that this is the internal bending V = 1.25 k
Moment arm
2.5 k moment at the end of the column, not 2.5 k
the moment caused by all the forces
Force causing around the assembly. This is used for the 1.25 k
the moment moment diagram.
Axial column force balances V above.

12’ 16’ 1.25 k 12’ 16’

7.5 k 2.5 k 2.5 k
7.5 k V
6’ M = 5 k · 6 ft = 30 k·ft 0.9375 k
5k
5k
Moment arm 0.3125 k
Force causing
the moment
Set up the equilibrium to calculate V:
∑M = (7.5 k)(6’) - (2.5 k)(6’) - (1.25 k)(12’) - 16V
= 15 k·ft - 16V = 0
V = 0.9375 k
After we have V, we can calculate the axial
load in the column.

16’ 16’
2.5 k 0.9375 k

M = 2.5 k · 6 ft = 15 k·ft 6’ 6’

Moment arm 2.5 k

2.5 k
Force causing
the moment 0.9375 k

4
These moments are transferred down each column. Since the inflection points are assumed to
be at the midheights of the columns, the moment at the base of each column (that is, where it
meets the next beam) is equal to the moment at the top (opposite direction of course).

24’ 32’

10 k 15 k·ft 30 k·ft 15 k·ft

12’

15 k·ft 30 k·ft 15 k·ft

Given these moments, we can also calculate moments in the beams. The values of the
moment on all sides of a given rigid connection must add to 0.

24’ 32’

10 k 15 k·ft

12’

15 k·ft 30 k·ft 15 k·ft

Before proceeding to the next floor, make a note of the shears again calculated at the start.
The have the same values even though we are cutting at the bottom of the columns instead of
at the midheights:

24’ 32’

10 k 15 k·ft

12’

2.5 k 5k 2.5 k

5
 For the next floor, we go through the same procedure as the top floor. The only difference is
the presence of the bottom half of the top floor columns. This tends to add more shear and
moment to the equations, so the resulting magnitudes are a result of the lateral load shown
and the moments and shears in the floor above. First, divide the next set of beams and
columns along the inflection points. Note the shears from above, opposite in direction.

2.5 k 5k 2.5 k

20 k

V 2V V
∑F = 0, so 20 k + 2.5 k + 5 k + 2.5 k - V - 2V - V = 0
30 k - 4V = 0
V = 7.5 k

This results in the following equilibrium:

2.5 k 5k 2.5 k

20 k

7.5 k 15 k 7.5 k

Divide this into three assemblies as before in preparation to calculate moments and axial forces.

2.5 k 2.5 k

5k

15 k 5k
20 k

15 k 5k
7.5 k 7.5 k

15 k
6
 Divide this into three assemblies as before in preparation to calculate moments and axial forces.
CALCULATE MOMENTS... ...CALCULATE RESULTING SHEARS
AND AXIAL FORCES
Opposite to the axial
1.25 k 1.25 k force at the bottom of
the previous level.
2.5 k Internal moment in this column 2.5 k
was already calculated as 15 k·ft.
We calculate the moment at the left end of the
beam as the equal and opposite of the sum of
12’
6’ the moments caused by the columns.
V
20 k 20 k 15 k
6’ M = 7.5 k · 6 ft = 45 k·ft ∑M = 2.5 k·12’ + 20 k·6‘
With this new point of rotation,
calculate the unknown shear V... - 15 k · 6’ - V·12’ = 0
7.5 k V=5k
Moment arm 7.5 k
Force causing
the moment Axial column force the 6.25 k
opposes the one
above and the shear V.

0.3125 k 0.3125 k
12’ 5k 16’ 12’ 5k 16’

6’ 5k 6’

15 k 5k
6’ 6’ V
M = 15 k · 6 ft = 90 k·ft

15 k 15 k
1.5625 k
Note that this is the internal bending
moment at the end of the column, not Set up the equilibrium to calculate V:
the moment caused by all the forces
around the assembly. ∑M = (5 k)(12’) + (15 k)(6’) - (5 k)(6’) - (5 k)(12’) - V (16’)
= 60 k·ft + 90 k·ft - 30 k·ft - 60 k·ft - 16V = 0
V = 3.75 k
After we have V, we can calculate the axial load in the
column, 1.5625 k.
2.5 k 0.9375 k
16’
16’ 2.5 k

3.75 k 6’ 3.75 k
5k
6’ M = 7.5 k · 6 ft = 45 k·ft

7.5 k
7.5 k
4.6875 k
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Given the moments just calculated, we can now graph the moment diagrams on the columns:

24’ 32’

10 k 15 k·ft

12’

20 k

12’

45 k·ft 90 k·ft 45 k·ft

Moment diagrams for the beams come from the moment values at the columns. Add the
moments across the joint to get the moments required for the beams across the same joint.

24’ 32’

15 k·ft 30 k·ft 15 k·ft

10 k

12’
90 k·ft 60 k·ft (beam right)
45 k·ft 60 k·ft 45 k·ft
(column below)

20 k 30 k·ft (column above)

60 k·ft (beam left) 12’

45 k·ft 90 k·ft 45 k·ft

moment from beams = moment from columns

90 k·ft + 30 k·ft = 60 k·ft + 60k·ft

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 We can continue to work our way down the frame with this method...

24’ 32’

15 k·ft 15 k·ft
15 k·ft 30 k·ft 15 k·ft
10 k

12’
60 k·ft 60 k·ft
45 k·ft 90 k·ft 45 k·ft
20 k

12’
220 k·ft 220 k·ft
175 k·ft 350 k·ft 175 k·ft
40 k

20’
450 k·ft 450 k·ft
275 k·ft 550 k·ft 270 k·ft
40 k

20’

27.5 k 55 k 27.5 k

62.1 k 15.52 k 46.56 k

...until we get the base shear and axial reactions at the foundation supports.

Moments for the beams are determined by summing the moments of the columns at the
leftmost joint first. Then work from left to right.

The moment diagrams appear on the compression side of the given column or beam.

9
 6.25 k
Here are the rest of the frame calculations...
7.5 k
Start at the top left and work to the right then down.
Notice how forces are equal and opposite across joints.
6’
12’ 30 k
40 k
1.5625 k
10’ M = 175 k·ft 18.33 k
15 k

17.5 k
18.33 k
12’ 16’
10 k
30 k M = 350 k·ft 4.6875 k
24.58 k
13.75 k
7.5 k
24.58 k 35 k
17.5 k 13.75 k
16’
10 k
6.14 k
M = 175 k·ft
10’
12’ 30 k
40 k 6.14 k
M = 275 k·ft 17.5 k
10’ 37.5 k 35 k

27.5 k 18.4375 k
37.5 k
12’ 16’ 18.4375 k
62.1 k 10 k
30 k
M = 550 k·ft
28.125 k
17.5 k
62.1 k
55 k
27.5 k 28.125 k
15.52 k 16’
10 k
M = 275 k·ft
15.52 k
27.5 k
55 k 27.5 k

46.56 k

46.56 k
55 k
27.5 k

10 27.5 k
 Deflections and moment are closely related. By convention, we place the moment diagrams
on the compression sides of the beams and columns. Those sides naturally get shorter and
thus curve inwards toward the diagram.

10 k

20 k

40 k

40 k

The joints themselves will translate to the right, in the direction of the lateral forces. Rigid
joints attempt to maintain their 90-degree angles, and inflection points indicate a change in
curvature.

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