CON4378 ADVANCED STRUCTURAL ANALYSIS

│CHAPTER 5│

Approximate Methods for analyzing Laterally Loaded Frames

 Learning Objectives
z Apply and understand the limitations of Portal Method and
Cantilever Method for laterally loaded frames.
z Appreciate the assumptions of Portal Method and
Cantilever Method.
z Acquire the knowledge and skills for performing
approximate analysis.

Chapter 5 1
HD in Civil Engineering
 1. Approximate Analysis of Statically Indeterminate Structures

It is often possible to use an approximate analysis with relatively few simple

computations to estimate the forces at various points in a structure.

In an approximate analysis, we make simplifying assumptions about the

structural actions or about the distribution of forces – so that the forces in the
structure can be evaluated by using only equations of statics. The two types of
assumptions commonly used in approximate analysis are:

1.1 Assumptions about the Location of Points of Inflection

By making a reasonable sketch of the deflected shape of the structure, the
location of the points of inflection may be estimated. Since the bending
moments must be zero at the points of inflection, each point of inflection
provides ONE equation of condition. The number of inflection points
assumed should be equal to the degree of indeterminacy of the structure. The
resulting structure may then be analyzed by statics to obtain approximate values
of the reactions and internal forces.

Consider a portal frame subjected to a lateral load P as shown in Figure 1. The

frame has four reaction components. Since there are only three equilibrium
equations, it is statically indeterminate to the first degree. By examining the
deflected shape of the frame, we observe that an inflection point exists near the
middle of the member CD. The exact position of the inflection point depends
on the stiffness properties of all the members. But for the purpose of
approximate analysis, we will assume that the inflection point is located at the
midpoint of member CD. Since the bending moment at an inflection point
must be zero, the assumption is equivalent to inserting an internal hinge at the
midpoint E of member CD to produce a simplified determinate frame.

Chapter 5 2
HD in Civil Engineering
 P
C D
Point of
Inflection

A B

HA VA VB HB
L

(a) Indeterminate Frame

E
P
C Internal D
Hinge

A B

HA VA =Ph/L Ph/L=VB HB = P/2

L
P/2
(b) Simplified Determinate Frame

Figure 1

Chapter 5 3
HD in Civil Engineering
 1.2 Assumptions about Distribution of Forces among Members and/or
Reactions
Consider again the portal frame with a lateral load. An assumption may be
made about the support reactions: that the horizontal reaction HA and HB are
equal. This assumption will allow the other support reactions and internal
forces of the structure to be estimated. (This assumption happens to give the
same results as assuming an inflection point at the mid-point of member CD.)

The number of such assumptions required for the analysis of a structure is also
equal to the degree of indeterminacy of the structure.

While the results of an approximate solution may deviate from an exact solution
by as much as 10 to 20 percent, they are useful for the following purposed:

z For checking the accuracy of a computer analysis.

z For use in preliminary design in selecting member sizes.

For a complex structure where radical assumptions are required to idealize it to a

simplified model, the results of an “exact” computer analysis are often not much
better than those of an approximate analysis. In such a situation, the designer
can base his design on a reasonable approximate analysis using an appropriate
factor of safety.

1.3 Points of Inflection versus Degree of Indeterminacy

Continuous Beams
The number of inflection points in a continuous beam is always greater than or
equal to the degree of static indeterminacy of the structure.

No. of inflection pts = No. of inflection pts more than the

Degree of indeterminacy degree of indeterminacy

Figure 2 – Point of Inflection vs Degree of Indeterminacy of Beam

Chapter 5 4
HD in Civil Engineering
 If the number of inflection points used for an approximate analysis exceeds the
degree of static indeterminacy of the structure, the results may no longer satisfy
equilibrium. In such case, only the minimum required number of inflection
points should be considered.

Frames
For a frame, the number of points of inflection could be less than, equal to or
greater than the degree of indeterminacy.

No. of inflection points more

than the degree of indeterminacy

No. of inflection points less

than the degree of indeterminacy

Figure 3 –Point of Inflection vs Degree of Indeterminacy of Frames

Chapter 5 5
HD in Civil Engineering
 For a structure where the number of points of inflection is less than the degree
of indeterminacy, additional simplifying assumptions would be required for an
approximate analysis. This is usually done by making additional assumptions
on the distribution of forces of the structure.

2. Approximate Analysis of Rectangular Building Frames under

Lateral Loads

Multistory buildings commonly consist of rectangular rigid frames subjected to

vertical and horizontal loads. Such rigid building frames are generally
statically indeterminate to a high degree. Approximate methods are often used
for the preliminary design of such frames.

In an approximate analysis of a rigid building frame, it is often convenient to

consider separately the vertical loads and horizontal loads, since the assumptions
necessary to deal with the two cases are different. However only the
approximate methods for building frames subjected to horizontal loads are given
here.

For rigid building frames subjected to horizontal loads, it is important to

differentiate low-rise buildings from high-rise buildings, since the deflected
shapes of the two types of buildings are quite different. For low-rise
buildings, where the height is smaller than the least horizontal dimension, the
deflected shape is characterized by shear deflection. For high-rise buildings,
for which the height is several times greater than the least horizontal dimension,
the deflected shape is dominated by overall bending, even though the frame also
undergoes shear deflection, which produces points of inflection in column and
girders. Since the division of buildings into these two extremes is arbitrary, the
deflected shape of a frame can generally be expected to be a combination of
both.

Chapter 5 6
HD in Civil Engineering
 Figure 4 – Deflected Shape of Low-Rise and High-Rise Buildings

2.1 Rectangular Frames Under Lateral Loads

Two methods are commonly used for approximate analysis of rectangular
frames subjected to lateral loads. These are
(1) the portal method, and
(2) the cantilever method.

Both methods assume inflection points at the mid-lengths of all the beams
and columns. Additional conditions are needed for finding the internal
forces.

P1

P2

P3

Figure 5 – Inflection Points at the Mid-lengths of Members

Chapter 5 7
HD in Civil Engineering
 2.1.1 Portal Method
The portal method was developed by A. Smith in 1915. Under lateral load, the
floors of multistory frames deflect horizontally, with the beams and columns
bending in double curvature. Points of inflection are located at or near the
midpoints of all the members.

P1

P2

L L L

point of inflection
Figure 6 – Beams and Columns bend in Double Curvature

Basic assumptions of the portal method:

1. A point of inflection is located at the middle of each member of the frame.
2. The total horizontal shear on each story of the frame is divided among the
columns so that each interior column carries twice the shear of an exterior
one.

The second assumption is the result of considering each level of the frame to be
composed of individual portals. By this assumption, an interior column is in
effect resisting the shear of two columns of the individual portals.

Chapter 5 8
HD in Civil Engineering
 P1

h/2

h/2
P2

h/2

h/2

L/2 L/2 L/2 L/2 L/2 L/2

Simplified Frame
Figure 7 – Simplified Frame for Analysis

P1

P2

H/2 H/2 H/2 H/2 H/2 H/2

Equivalent series of portal frames

Figure 8 – Distribution of Horizontal Shear Force

Chapter 5 9
HD in Civil Engineering
 The portal method is most suitable for buildings having low elevation and
uniform framing.

P1

P2

H/2 H H H/2

Figure 9 – Distribution of Horizontal Shear Force

The shear in interior columns (H) is twice that of exterior columns (H/2)

Total horizontal shear = P1 + P2 = ΣPi = (H/2 + H + H + H/2) = 3H

2.1.1 Portal Method - Procedure for Analysis

1. Draw a sketch of the simplified frame obtained by inserting an internal

hinge at the midpoint of each member of the given frame.

2. Determine column shears. For each story of the frame:

a. Pass a horizontal section through all the columns of the story, cutting
the frame into two portions.

b. Assuming that the shears in interior columns are twice as much as in

exterior columns, determine the column shears by applying the
equation of horizontal equilibrium (ΣFx = 0) to the free body of the
upper portion of the frame.

3. Draw free-body diagrams of all the members and joints of the frame,
showing the external loads and the column end shears computed in the
previous step.

Chapter 5 10
HD in Civil Engineering
 4. Determine column moments. Determine moments at the ends of each
column by applying the equations of condition that the bending moment is
zero at the column mid-height, where an inflection point (internal hinge)
has been assumed.

5. Determine girder axial forces, moments, and shears. Proceeding from

the top story of the frame to the bottom, compute axial forces, moments,
and shears at the ends of the girders of each successive story by starting at
the far left joint of the story and working across to the right.

6. Determine column axial forces. Starting at the top story, apply the
equilibrium equation ΣFy = 0 successively to the free body of each joint to
determine the axial forces in the columns of the story. Repeat the
procedure for each successive story, working from top to bottom, until the
axial forces in all the columns of the frame have been determined.

7. Realizing that the forces and moments at the lower ends of the
bottom-story columns represent the support reactions, use the three
equilibrium equations of the entire frame to check the calculations.

Chapter 5 11
HD in Civil Engineering
 2.2 Cantilever Method
The cantilever method (developed by A.C. Wilson in 1908) is based on the
assumption that under lateral loads, the building frames behave like cantilever
beams. In the cantilever method, the axial stresses in the columns are
assumed to be proportional to their respective distances from the centroid of
column areas, tensile on one side and compressive on the other side. This is
similar to the stress distribution in a cantilever beam under lateral forces.

The building behaves

like a cantilever beam

Beam building frame

Figure 10 – Distribution of Axial Stress of Columns in Cantilever Method

c.g. of columns

The axial stress in a column is

proportional to its distance from
the centroid of column areas

Figure 11 –Distribution of Axial Stress of Columns in Cantilever Method

Chapter 5 12
HD in Civil Engineering
 For the building frame illustrated, the cross-section of the imaginary beam (cut
by section A-A) consists of the four areas A1, A2, A3 and A4. On any horizontal
section through the frame, we assume that the longitudinal stresses in the
columns — like those in a beam — vary linearly from the centroid of the
cross-section. The forces in the columns created by these stresses make up the
internal couple that balances the overturning moment produced by the lateral
loads.

P1 P1

P2 P2

P3 P3
A A
P4
F1
F2 F3 F4
P5
A1 A2 A3 A4
col
section
σ1 c.g.
Laterally Loaded Frame
σ2
σ3
stress σ4

Free body of frame cut by section A-A

axial stresses in columns ( σ 1 through
σ 4) assumed to vary linearly from
centroid of column areas.
Figure 12 – Axial Stress Distribution

Basic assumptions of the cantilever method:

1. A point of inflection is located at the middle of each member of the frame.
2. The axial stress in a column is proportional to its distance from the
centroid of the cross-sectional areas of the columns at a given floor. Since
stress equals force per unit area, in the special case of columns having
equal cross-sectional areas, the axial force in a column is also
proportional to its distance from the centroid of the column areas.

The cantilever method is appropriate if the frame is tall and slender, or has
columns with different cross-sectional areas.

Chapter 5 13
HD in Civil Engineering
 2.2.1 Cantilever Method - Procedure for Analysis

1. Draw a sketch of the simplified frame obtained by inserting an internal

hinge at the midpoint of each member of the given frame.

2. Determine column axial forces. For each story of the frame:

a. Pass a horizontal section through the internal hinges at the column
mid-heights, cutting the frame into two portions.
b. Draw a free-body diagram of the portion of the frame above the section.
Because the section passes through the columns at the internal hinges,
only internal shears and axial forces (but no internal moments) act on
the free body at the points where the columns have been cut.
c. Determine the location of the centroid of all the columns on the story
under consideration.
d. Assuming that the axial stresses in the columns are proportional to their
distances from the centroid, determine the column axial forces (Stress *
Area) by applying the moment equilibrium equation, ΣM = 0, to the free
body of the frame above the section.

3. Draw free-body diagrams of all the members and joints of the frame
showing the external loads and the column axial forces computed in the
previous step.

4. Determine girder shears and moments. For each story of the frame, the
shears and moments at the ends of girders are computed by starting at the
far left joint and working across to the right (or vice versa).

5. Determine column moments and shears. Starting at the top story, apply
the equilibrium equation ΣM = 0 to the free body of each joint of the story
to determine the moment at the upper end of the column below the joint.
Next, for each column of the story, calculate the shear at the upper end of
the column by dividing the column moment by half the column height.

6. Determine the shear and moment at the lower end of the column by
applying the equilibrium equations ΣFx = 0 and ΣM = 0, respectively, to the
free body of the column. Repeat the procedure for each successive story,
working from top to bottom, until the moments and shears in all the
columns of the frame have been determined.

7. Determine girder axial forces. For each story of the frame, determine the
girder axial forces by starting at the far left joint and applying the
equilibrium equation ΣFx = 0 successively to the free body of each joint of
the story.

Chapter 5 14
HD in Civil Engineering
 8. Realizing that the forces and moments at the lower ends of the bottom-story
columns represent the support reactions, use the three equilibrium equations
of the entire frame to check the calculations.

2.3 CHOICE OF METHOD AND INACCURACIES OF METHODS

Either the Cantilever or the Portal Method is adequate for preliminary design of
multistory frames up to about 25 stories. The Portal Method is preferred for
wide multi-bay frames while the Cantilever Method is preferred for tall narrow
frames. For taller buildings, the stiffness of the members has a significant
effect and these approximate methods should not be relied upon.

Since it is relatively inexpensive to use computer analysis, there is little interest

in making further refinements to the basic Cantilever or Portal methods. If a
more detailed computation is required, a computer analysis can be resorted to.

2.4 APPLICATIONS OF APPROXIMATE ANALYSIS

The ultimate objective of structural analysis is to determine the necessary

information concerning the critical forces and moments in various members for
the design of a structure. When properly carried out, an approximate analysis
can provide such information in the design of relatively simple structures. An
approximate analysis can also serve as an order-of-magnitude check on the
results of a computer analysis.

Chapter 5 15
HD in Civil Engineering
 Example 1

Determine (approximately) the forces of all members of the frame shown. Use
the portal method for the analysis.

20 kN R S
G H I

O P Q 5m

30 kN M N
D E F
6m
J K L

A B C

8m 8m

Chapter 5 16
HD in Civil Engineering
 Solution

20 kN

V1 2V1 V1
O P Q

Cut a FBD across O, P & Q and determine the horizontal shear V1.
The interior columns take twice the horizontal shear in the Portal Method. Thus
20 = V1 + 2V1 + V1, ⇒ V1 = 5 kN

20 kN

30 kN

V2 2V2 V2
J K L

Cut a FBD across J, K & L and determine the horizontal shear V2.
Thus 20 + 30 = V2 + 2V2 + V2, ⇒ V2 = 12.5 kN

Having determined the horizontal shear forces of V1 and V2, we can cut FBDs at
the inflection points (i.e. internal hinges) to determine the internal forces.

Chapter 5 17
HD in Civil Engineering
 VR
1
VS
20 kN R PR R S PS S
G H I
VR P VS Q 5 kN
O 5 kN 10 kN

PO PP PQ

PQ
5 kN PO
10 kN
PP 2
5 kN
O VM P VN Q
30 kN M PM M N PN N
D E F
VM VN
J 12.5 kN K 25 kN L 12.5 kN

PJ PK
PL

PJ PL
12.5 kN 25 kN PK 12.5 kN 3
J K L

A B C
VB VC
VA PB
PA PC
MA MB
MC

FBD 1
Consider FBD OGR and take moment about R,
5 * 2.5 – PO*4 = 0, ⇒ PO = 3.125 kN

∑X = 0, 20 –5 – PR = 0, ⇒ PR = 15 kN

∑Y = 0, PO – VR = 0, ⇒ VR = 3.125 kN

Consider FBD SIQ and take moment about S,

5 * 2.5 – PQ*4 = 0, ⇒ PQ = 3.125 kN

∑X = 0, 5 – PS = 0, ⇒ PS = 5 kN

Chapter 5 18
HD in Civil Engineering
 ∑Y = 0, PQ – VS = 0, ⇒ VS = 3.125 kN

Consider FBD RPS,

∑Y = 0, VR + PP – VS = 0,
3.125 + PP – 3.125 = 0, ⇒ PP = 0 kN

FBD 2
Consider FBD OJM and take moment about M,
5 * 2.5 + 12.5*3 + PO*4 – PJ*4 = 0, ⇒ PJ = 15.625 kN

∑X = 0, 30 +5 – 12.5 – PM = 0, ⇒ PM = 22.5 kN

∑Y = 0, PO + VM – PJ = 0,
3.125 + VM – 15.625 =0, ⇒ VM = 12.5 kN

Consider FBD QNL and take moment about N,

5 * 2.5 + 12.5*3 + PQ*4 – PL*4 = 0, ⇒ PL = 15.625 kN

∑X = 0, 5 + PN – 12.5 = 0, ⇒ PN = 7.5 kN

∑Y = 0, PQ + VN – PL = 0,
3.125 + VN – 15.625 =0, ⇒ VN = 12.5 kN
Consider FBD MNPK,
∑Y = 0, VM + PK – PP – VN = 0,
12.5 + PK –0 – 12.5 = 0, ⇒ PK = 0 kN

FBD 3
Consider FBD JA and take moment about A,
12.5*3 – MA = 0, ⇒ MA = 37.5 kNm

∑X = 0, 12.5 – VA = 0, ⇒ VA = 12.5 kN

∑Y = 0, PJ – PA = 0, ⇒ PA = 15.625 kN

Consider FBD KB and take moment about B,

25*3 – MB = 0, ⇒ MB = 75 kNm

∑X = 0, 25 – VB = 0, ⇒ VB = 25 kN

∑Y = 0, PK – PB = 0, ⇒ PB = 0 kN

Chapter 5 19
HD in Civil Engineering
 Consider FBD LC and take moment about C,
12.5*3 – MC = 0, ⇒ MC = 37.5 kNm

∑X = 0, 12.5 – VC = 0, ⇒ VC = 12.5 kN

∑Y = 0, PL – PC = 0, ⇒ PC = 15.625 kN

Bending Moments:
By using the shear forces at the inflection points and taking moment at joints D, E,
F, G, H & I, one can determine the bending moments at the joints. Hence sketch
the bending moment diagram as shown below.

12.5
12.5 H 25 12.5
G I
12.5
50 50

12.5
D 37.5 E F 37.5
25 75 12.5

50 50

A B C
37.5 75 37.5

Bending Moment (kNm)

Chapter 5 20
HD in Civil Engineering
 Example 2

The approximate bending moment, shear and axial force in each member of the
frame are to be determined by the cantilever method. The cross-sectional area
of the interior column is assumed to be twice that of the exterior columns.

25 kN J K
A B C

N O 5m
P

50 kN L M
D E F

Q R 5m
S

G H I
d

5m 3m

A 2A A

Chapter 5 21
HD in Civil Engineering
 Solution

The location of the centroid of the column areas is determined first. Denoting the
area of the exterior columns by A and taking the summation of moments of the
column areas about the left column.

5*(2A) + 8*A = d*(4A) ⇒ d = 4.5m

Inflection points are assumed at mid-height on each column and at mid-span on

each beam as shown in the figure. Cut FBDs across NOP and QRS to determine
the axial forces.

Consider the FBD of ABCNOP below and recall that the magnitude of stress
(NOT force, and force = stress*area) of a column is proportional to the distance
from the centroid.

25 kN
A B C
d = 4.5m

2.5m
N O P

PN PO PP
5m 3m

Let the stress at N be σN and the force PN = σN*(A)

The stress at O, σO = (0.5/4.5)* σN,

hence PO = (0.5/4.5)*σN*(2A) = 0.222PN

The stress at P, σP = (3.5/4.5)* σN, hence PP = (3.5/4.5)*σN*(A) = 0.778PN

Therefore, PN : PO : PP = 1 : 0.222 : 0.778

Take moment about N,

25*2.5 – PO*5 – PP*8 = 0, ⇒ 62.5 – 0.222PN*5 – 0.778PN*8 = 0
⇒ PN = 8.52 kN(T), PO = 1.89 kN (C), PP = 6.63 kN (C)

Chapter 5 22
HD in Civil Engineering
 Consider the FBD ABCQRS as shown below,

PQ : PR : P S = 1 : 0.222 : 0.778

Take moment about Q,

25*7.5 + 50*2.5 – PR*5 – PS*8 = 0,
⇒ 312.5 – 0.222PQ*5 – 0.778PQ*8 = 0
⇒ PQ = 42.61 kN(T), PR = 9.46 kN (C), PP = 33.15 kN (C)

25 kN
A B C

5m
50 kN D E F

d = 4.5m
2.5m
Q R S

PQ PR PS
5m 3m

Having determined to axial forces in columns, we can cut FBDs at the inflection
points (i.e. internal hinges) to determine the internal forces.

Chapter 5 23
HD in Civil Engineering
 VJ
1
VK
25 kN J PJ J K PK K
A B C
VJ O VK P
N VN VO VP

8.52kN 1.89 kN 6.63 kN

8.52kN 6.63 kN
VN VO 1.89 kN 2
VP
N VL O VM P
50 kN L PL L M PM M
D E F
VL VM
Q VQ R VR S VS
42.61 kN 9.46 kN
33.15 kN

42.61 kN 9.46 kN 33.15 kN

VQ VR
3
Q R VS S

G H I
VH VI
VG PH
PG PI
MG MH
MI

FBD 1
Consider FBD NAJ and take moment about J,
8.52 * 2.5 – VN*2.5 = 0, ⇒ VN = 8.52 kN

∑X = 0, 25 –VN – PJ = 0, ⇒ PJ = 16.48 kN (C)

∑Y = 0, 8.52 – VJ = 0, ⇒ VJ = 8.52 kN

Consider FBD KCP and take moment about K,

6.63 * 1.5 – VP*2.5 = 0, ⇒ VP = 3.98 kN

∑X = 0, VP – PK = 0, ⇒ PK = 3.98 kN (C)

Chapter 5 24
HD in Civil Engineering
 ∑Y = 0, 6.63 – VK = 0, ⇒ VK = 6.63 kN

Consider FBD JKO,

∑X = 0, PJ – PK – VO = 0,
16.48 – 3.98 – VO = 0, ⇒ VO = 12.5 kN

FBD 2
Consider FBD NQL and take moment about L,
42.61*2.5 – 8.52*2.5 – VN*2.5 – VQ*2.5 = 0,
⇒ 85.23 – 8.52*2.5 - VQ*2.5 = 0, ⇒ VQ = 25.57 kN

∑X = 0, 50 + VN –VQ – PL = 0
⇒ 50 + 8.52 – 25.57 – PL = 0, ⇒ PL = 32.95 kN (C)

∑Y = 0, 42.61 – 8.52 – VL = 0, ⇒ VL = 34.09 kN

Consider FBD PMS and take moment about M,

33.15*1.5 – 6.63*1.5 – VP*2.5 – VS*2.5 = 0,
39.78 – 3.98*2.5 – VS*2.5 = 0, ⇒ VS = 11.93 kN

∑X = 0, PM + VP – VS = 0,
PM + 3.98 – 11.93 =0, ⇒ PM = 7.95 kN

∑Y = 0, 33.15 – 6.63 – VM = 0, ⇒ VM = 26.52 kN

Consider FBD OLMR,

∑X = 0, PL + VO – PM – VR = 0,
32.95 + 12.5 – 7.95 – VR = 0, ⇒ VR = 37.5 kN

FBD 3
Consider FBD QG and take moment about G,
VQ*2.5 – MG = 0, ⇒ MG = 63.92 kNm

∑X = 0, VQ – VG = 0, ⇒ VG = 25.57 kN

∑Y = 0, 42.61 – PG = 0, ⇒ PG = 42.61 kN

Chapter 5 25
HD in Civil Engineering
 Consider FBD RH and take moment about H,
VR*2.5 – MH = 0, ⇒ MH = 93.75 kNm

∑X = 0, VR – VH = 0, ⇒ VH = 37.5 kN

∑Y = 0, 9.46 – PH = 0, ⇒ PH = 9.46 kN

Consider FBD SI and take moment about I,

VS*2.5 – MI = 0, ⇒ MI = 29.83 kNm

∑X = 0, VS – VI = 0, ⇒ VI = 11.93 kN

∑Y = 0, 33.15 – PI = 0, ⇒ PI = 33.15 kN

Bending Moments:
By using the shear forces at the inflection points and taking moment at joints, one
can determine the bending moments at the joints. The internal forces are
summarized below.

A M = 21.3 B M = 9.95 C
V = 8.52 V = 6.63
P = -16.48 P = -3.98
M = 21.3 M = 9.95
M = 31.25 V = 3.98
V = 8.52 V = 12.5
P = 8.52 P = -6.63
P = -1.89

M = 85.22 M = 39.78
V = 34.09 V = 26.52
P = -32.95 P = -7.95
D E F

M = 63.92 M = 93.75 M = 29.83

V = 25.57 V = 37.5 V = 11.93
P = 42.61 P = -9.46 P = -33.15

G H I

Chapter 5 26
HD in Civil Engineering
 21.3
21.3 31.25 9.95
A 9.95 B C
21.3

85.22

39.78

21.3 63.92
D 31.25 9.95 F 29.83
E
39.78 93.75

85.22

63.92 G H 29.83 I
93.75
Bending Moment (kNm)

Chapter 5 27
HD in Civil Engineering
 Revision
Read reference 1 on P.250 - 261.
Read reference 2 on P.610 - 626.

Main Reference
1. Structural Analysis, SI Edition (2005), R.C. Hibbeler, Prentice Hall.
2. Fundamentals of Structural Analysis (2005), 2nd Edition, Kenneth M. Leet,
Chia-Ming Uang, McGraw Hill International Edition.

Chapter 5 28
HD in Civil Engineering
 │TUTORIAL 6│

Q1. For the frame shown, determine the approximate bending moment, shear and axial force in each member
by (a) the Portal Method and (b) the Cantilever Method. All columns have equal area.
30 kN A B C

5m
60 kN D E F

5m
G H I

4.5m 3m

Q2. For the frame shown, determine the approximate bending moment, shear and axial force in each member
by the Portal Method.
10 kN 15 kN
G H

3m

25 kN
D E F

4m

A B C

4m 4m

Chapter 5 29
HD in Civil Engineering
 │TUTORIAL 6│

Q3. For the frame shown, determine the approximate bending moment, shear and axial force in each member
by the Cantilever Method. The areas of the columns are shown in the figure.

20 kN 5 kN
G H I

(A) (3A) (A) 4m

30 kN
D E F

(A) (3A) (A)

5m

A B C

3.5m 2.5m

Chapter 5 30
HD in Civil Engineering