LESSON 3.

MODULE 3:
Classical Methods of Structural
Analysis for Translations
(deflections) and Rotations of
Statically Determinate Structures
Structural Theory

Engr. MARCELO T. ABRERA, Jr.

Instructor
 LESSON 3.3

MOMENT-AREA
METHOD
Structural Theory

Engr. MARCELO T. ABRERA, Jr.

Instructor
 MOMENT-AREA METHOD

METHODS OF DETERMINING DEFLECTIONS

1. Double Integration Method

2. Area-Moment Method
3. Conjugate Beam Method Geometric Methods
4. Three-Moment Equation

5. Castigliano’s Theorem
(Strain-Energy Method) Work-Energy Methods
6. Virtual Work Method
 MOMENT-AREA METHOD

MOMENT-AREA METHOD
▪ a useful and simple method of determining slopes and deflections in beams
which involves the area of the moment diagram and also the moment of
that area.

▪ The method is based on two theorems, called the moment-area theorems,

relating the geometry of the elastic curve of a beam to its M/EI diagram.

▪ Moment-Area Method is best applied to:

CANTILEVER BEAMS
SYMMETRICALLY-LOADED BEAMS
 MOMENT-AREA METHOD

MOMENT-AREA THEOREMS
Theorem 1: Change in Slope

Theorem 2: Vertical Deviation

▪ In applying these moment-area theorems, it is important to realize that

these theorems in general do not directly provide the slope and
deflection at a point in the beam. Instead, they provide the slope and
deflection of a point relative to the tangent to the elastic curve at another
point.
 MOMENT-AREA METHOD

Theorem 1: CHANGE IN SLOPE

1
The change in slope between any two points on the elastic curve equals the product of
𝐸𝐼
multiplied by the area of the moment diagram between these two points.

A B

A B

𝜽𝑩/𝑨 angle of tangent B with

respect to the tangent A

tan B tan A

𝟏
𝜽𝑩/𝑨 = 𝑨𝒓𝒆𝒂 𝒐𝒇 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝑴𝒐𝒎𝒆𝒏𝒕 𝑫𝒊𝒂𝒈𝒓𝒂𝒎 𝑩𝑨
𝑬𝑰
 MOMENT-AREA METHOD

Theorem 1: CHANGE IN SLOPE

RULE OF SIGN:
B POSITIVE CHANGE IN SLOPE
A
𝜃𝐵/𝐴 is COUNTERCLOCKWISE from left tangent
𝜽𝑩/𝑨

tan B tan A

tan B
tan A
𝜽𝑩/𝑨 NEGATIVE CHANGE IN SLOPE
𝜃𝐵/𝐴 is CLOCKWISE from left tangent
A B
 MOMENT-AREA METHOD

Theorem 2: VERTICAL DEVIATION

The vertical deviation of the tangent at point (A) on the elastic curve with respect to the
1
tangent extended from another point (B) equals the product of multiplied by the
𝐸𝐼
moment of area about (A) of that part of the moment diagram between points A and B.

A B

A B
vertical deviation of A 𝒕𝑨/𝑩 𝒕𝑩/𝑨 vertical deviation of B
with respect to the with respect to the
tangent B tangent A
tan B tan A
𝟏
𝒕𝑨/𝑩 = 𝑨𝒓𝒆𝒂 𝒐𝒇 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝑴𝒐𝒎𝒆𝒏𝒕 𝑫𝒊𝒂𝒈𝒓𝒂𝒎 𝑨𝑩 ∙ 𝒙𝑨
𝑬𝑰
𝟏
𝒕𝑩/𝑨 = 𝑨𝒓𝒆𝒂 𝒐𝒇 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝑴𝒐𝒎𝒆𝒏𝒕 𝑫𝒊𝒂𝒈𝒓𝒂𝒎 𝑩𝑨 ∙ 𝒙𝑩
𝑬𝑰
 MOMENT-AREA METHOD

Theorem 2: VERTICAL DEVIATION

RULE OF SIGN:
B POSITIVE DEVIATION
A
B is located ABOVE THE REFERENCE TANGENT
𝒕𝑩/𝑨
tan A

tan A

𝒕𝑩/𝑨 NEGATIVE DEVIATION

B is located BELOW THE REFERENCE TANGENT

A B
 MOMENT-AREA METHOD

EXAMPLE PROBLEM 1
For the beam shown in the figure, use E = 200 GPa, and I = 6 x 106 mm4.
a. Determine the slope at C, in radians.
b. Determine the deflection at C, in mm.
 MOMENT-AREA METHOD

EXAMPLE PROBLEM 2
For the cantilever beam shown, the moments of inertia of each segment are
indicated in the figure. Take E = 200 GPa.
a. Compute the slope at point B, in radians.
b. Compute the deflection at point B, in mm.
c. Compute the deflection at point C, in mm.
 MOMENT-AREA METHOD

EXAMPLE PROBLEM 3
A beam 15 m long is simply supported at its ends. The beam is loaded with a
downward vertical load of 120 kN at a point 10 m from the left support.
a. The maximum deflection is located at what distance, in m, from the left support?
b. Calculate the maximum deflection, in mm.
c. Calculate the rotation of the beam at the right support, in radians.
 MOMENT-AREA METHOD

COURSEWORK 8
Using the moment-area method in the beam shown, compute the following:
a. Determine the slope at A, in radians.
b. Determine the slope at C, in radians
c. Determine the deflection at C, in inches.
d. Determine the slope at B, in radians.
e. Determine the deflection at B, in inches.
f. Determine the slope at D, in radians.
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