CEG 331: Structural Analysis 1

•MOMENT DISTRIBUTION METHOD

•By: Afolabi, O A
•Dept of Civil & Environmental Engineering

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MOMENT DISTRIBUTION METHOD
• MDM is a classical method of structural analysis, developed
by Hardy cross in 1924.
• used for analysis of beams and frames, without sidesway and
sway conditions.

• In MDM, moment equilibrium equations of Joints are solved

iteratively by considering the moment equilibrium at one
joint at a time, while the remaining joints are considered
restrained.
• Ie, ΣM = 0, ie, static equilibrium equation,
• → Mij + Mji = 0
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 General Principle; Release Redundant Actions
• The condition, where redundant reactive forces are removed from
the structure, to allow for minimum requirement for static
equilibrium, constituting the primary structure
• only 3 Nos reactive forces necessary for static equilibrium
condition of a structure
• The analysis is made by considering the action of applied load and,
also the released action is also assumed as load acting on the
primary structure
• using superposition principle and static equilibrium equations, the
unknown support reactive forces can be determined, and the
system becomes statically determinate
• The SFD, NFD, and BMD for the statically determinate structure 3
Terminology for Joints Iteration in MDM
• Member Stiffness k
• The relationship between the applied moment M and
the rotation θ, can be established using the slope-
deflection equation. M = 4EIθ/L
M/θ = 4EIθ/L = k
• Rotational Stiffness
• Carry Over Moment - The carry over factor is 0.5
• Fixed-end Moments
• Distribution Factors (DF)
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Distribution Factor
• Suppose that a moment M, is applied to the joint B causing it
to rotate by an angle θ, and by considering the moment
equilibrium of the free body of joint B, such that, ΣMB = 0
then, M = - (Mba + Mbc + MBD),
but, MBA/θ = kBA MBC/θ = kBC MBD/θ = kBD
M = -(kBA + kBC + kBD)θ, Or, -M/θ = Σk

• Therefore, θ = -M/Σk substituting for θ, the joint moments

becomes,
• MBA = -MkBA/Σk MBC = -MkBC/Σk MBD = MkBD/Σk
• And, DFBA = kBA/Σk DFBC = kBC/ Σk DFBD = kBD/ Σk

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FIXED END MOMENTS

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• Fixed-end Moments; The applied bending moments at the two
ends/supports of a beam that is clamped, encastre and fixed or both
ends.
• FEM depends on the type and magnitude of applied loading.
FEMij = fixed end moment at end i
FEMji = fixed end moment at end j

• Boundary Conditions (BC); In structural systems, that is being described

by a mathematical relations, such as the boundary value problem (eg,
differential equations etc).
• BC, are parameters available at ends of elastic deformation curve that
satisfies the solution of the resulting differential equations, hence, they
are known or assumed conditions
BEAM WITH INITIAL DISPLACEMENT OF SUPPORTS
• Transverse displacement is a situation, where the beam
support yields, and displaced laterally, thereby subjecting the
beam to twisting moment due to the displacement.

• FEM of the support is affected, and becomes the cumulative

addition of the FEM due to applied loading and FEM (or the
twisting moment) due to the support displacement.
• FEMij = FEMij (applied load) + FEMij (support displacement)
• FEMji = FEMji (applied load) + FEMji (support displacement)
MOMENT DISTRIBUTION TABLE
• Moment distribution uses iteration process, which is a
continuous analytical process that enhances accuracy of
expected solution.
• The Fixed End Moments (FEM) are the initial Bending
Moment for ends and joints of continuous beams and
frames.
• Static equilibrium condition, will ensure that there is no
relative displacement or twisting of members meeting at
joints, and for stability, the sum of moment must be
equal to zero.
• The procedure is iterative, by distributing excess moment
at the joints to adjacent span, using carry over moment,
and aso ensure that sum of moment at joints are zero
•
• The process is repeated severally, until convergence is
achieved, when the carry over moment becomes
negligibly small, and the process can be terminated at that
moment distribution.
• Having determine the supports redundant moments the
structure can then be analyzed as statically determinate
 EXAMPLE 1
CONTINUOUS BEAM

• Let P = 10kN and q = 1kN/m

• L = 10m , and a = 3m, b= 7m
FIXED END MOMENTS
MDM Table
MDM is iterative using numerical successive
approximation method
• Moment equilibrium equations of Joints,
• are solved iteratively by considering the moment
equilibrium at one joint at a time, while the remaining
joints are considered restrained.

• Ie, ΣM = 0, → Mij + Mji = 0

• For stability of Joint, Sum of moment acting must
equal zero
The beam is now statically determinate with known supports BM,
hence the SFD and BMD can be evaluated as follows
 Example 2
Portal Frame
•THANK YOU