MOMENT-DISTRIBUTION METHOD

- It is a deflection method
- does not require the solution of simultaneous equations,
instead answers are obtained by a procedure of successive
approximation iteration separation.
BASIC CONCEPTS
- Uses the fixed end moments, distribution factors and
carry-over moments.
- Sign conventions as in slope-deflection method
FIXED-END MOMENTS
-are the moments that develop at the ends of a member as a
result of the loads acting along the member if both ends of
the member are fixed.
DISTRIBUTION FACTORS
In carrying out the moment-distribution method, joints are
alternatively locked and unlocked.
When the joints are unlocked and permitted to rotate, the
rotation is resisted by the members that frame into the
joints. The term distribution factor signifies the resistance to
the rotation of a joint is distributed among the members
framing into the joint. Specifically, the distribution factor for
any one member is a measure of the proportion of the total
resistance to rotation supplied by that member.
ANALYTICAL EXPRESSION FOR THE DISTRIBUTION FACTOR
OF A MEMBER

A A MA D MAD M MAB

ƟA

MAC

A moment is applied at joint A, the joint will rotate through an angle Ɵ and resisting moments will
develop, because of the presence of the three members AB, AC and AD.

As from slope-deflection method moments are given by:

MAB = 4EIABƟA/LAB, MAC= 4EIƟA/LAC, and MAD = 4EIƟA/LAD

Customarily EI/L of a member is referred to as its stiffness and is denoted by k.

So the member moments can be re-written as:

MAB = 4EIƟAkAB, MAC = 4EIƟAkAC and MAD = 4EIƟAkAD equation 1

From equation of equilibrium of joint A, M = MAB+ MAC+MAD

Substitution of equation 1 into the above equation of equilibrium of joint A gives,

M = 4EIƟA∑kA equation 2

Where ∑kA sum of stiffnesses into joint A.

Equation 1 is now re-written in the form 4EIƟA/∑kA and this expression substituted back into
equation 1 we get, MAB = MkAB/∑kA, MAC = MkAC/∑kA and MAD = MkAD/∑kA equation 3

The quantity k/∑k, is referred to as the distribution factor of that member. It gives the fraction of the
total moment applied to a joint that is resisted by that member.

CARRY-OVER MOMENTS

Considering the members framing into joint A, it is evident that the rotation of joint A that takes
place when the joint is unlocked produces member moments not only at joint A but also at fixed
ends A, B and D. For example, the moment MDA induced at the fixed end of member Ad by the
rotation at A is referred to as the carry-over moment, and the ratio of its value to MAD is called the
carry-over factor.
For member AD, application of a moment M at the end that is free to rotate produces a moment at
the fixed end having the same sign as moment M and half the magnitude of moment M. Thus
MDA=1/2MAD.

The carry-over factor, which is defined as the ratio of the moment induced at the fixed end to the
moment applied at the end that is able to rotate, is thus equal to ½.

APPLICATION OF THE MOMENT DISTRIBUTION METHOD TO STRUCTURES WITHOUT JOINT

TRANSLATIONS

EXAMPLE 1

Determine the member moments and plot the bending moment diagram for the beam shown
below.

20kN

1.5kN/m

A EI B 2EI C

5m 5m 20m

Analysis

1. Determination of distribution factors

Calculation of stiffnesses: kAB=EI/10, kBC=2EI/20
∑kB= EI/10+ 2EI/20= 3EI/20
Therefore, distribution factor for member AB, denoted by DFAB=kAB/∑kB=EI/10×20/EI = 2/3
Distribution factor for member BC, denoted by DFBC=kBC/∑kB=EI/20×20/3EI=1/3
These factors are recorded in a table below the structure.
2. Determination of fixed end moments from tables given under slope-deflection
MFAB=-PL/8 = -20(10)/8 = -25 kNm
MFBA=+PL/8= +20(10)/8= +25 kNm
MFBC=-WL2/12= -1.5(20)2= -50 kNm
MFCB= +WL2/12= +1.5(20)2= +50kNm
Also the quantities are written in the table

HOW MOMENTS ARE DISTRIBUTED

- Joint B was locked in the previous proceedings, now it is unlocked.

- In the locked position an artificial moment of 25 kNm was needed to keep the member two
member moments acting on joint B in equilibrium
- The moment of +25 kNm needed to produce equilibrium is distributed among members AB
and BC according to distribution factors.
- Thus member AB develops a moment of +25×2/3=+16.67 kNm and member BC develops a
moment of +25×1/3=+8.33 kNm. These moments are again recorded in the table.
- Then moments one-half as large as those produced at end B of members AB and BC by the
rotation of joint B are induced at ends A and C of theses members. At A the moment is
 1/2×16.67=8.33 kNm at C is 1/2×8.33=4.17 kNm. These moments are again recorded in the
table.
- At this stage in the analysis joint A and C are fixed and joint B is externally unrestrained. This
corresponds to the support conditions in the actual structure, the moment distribution is
complete.

FINAL MOMENTS

Add the moments developed during each of the proceedings steps.

Draw the table under the actual structure.

20kN 1.5kN/m

A B C

STIFFNESSES k A kAB=EI/10 B kBC=2EI/20 C

DISTRIBUTION FACTORS 2/3 1/3

FIXED-END MOMENTS -25 +25 -50 +50

BALANCING OF JOINT B +16.67 +8.33

CARRY-OVER MOMENTS +8.33 +4.17

FINAL MOMENTS -1667 +41.67 -41.67 +54.17

DETERMINATION OF REACTIONS

Taking element AB

20 kN

16.67kNm A B 41.67kNm

VA 5m 5m VB
∑MA=0 + -VA×10-20×5-16.67+41.67=0

VA=7.5 kN

∑MB=0 + VB1×10+20×5-16.67+41.67=0

VB1=12.5 kN

Check for equilibrium of vertical forces: VA+VB-20=0, 7.5+12.5-20=0 Correct

Taking element BC

41.67 kNm 1.5 kN/m 54.kNm

B C

VB2 20m VC

∑MC=0 + VB2×20-41.67-1.5×20×20×0.5=0

VB2=14.375 kN

∑MB=0 + -VC×20-41.67+1.5×20×20×0.5=0

VC=15.625 kN

Check: VB2+VC-1.5×20=0

14.375+15.625-30=0 Correct

REACTIONS at A, B and C:

VA=7.5 kN, VB=VB1+VB2=12.5+14.375=26.875 and VC=15.625 kN

DETERMINATION OF BENDING MOMENTS FOR THE WHOLE STRUCTURE

16.67kNm 20 kN 1.5kN/m 54.17kNm

A B C

7.5kN 5m 5m 26.875kN 20m 15.625kN

B.M at point A= -16.67.kNm

B.M at point load 20 kN= -16.67+7.5×5=20.83 kNm

B.M at point B= -16.67+7.5×10-20×5=-41.67 kNm

Maximum B.M at mid-span BC=-16.67+7.5×20-20×15+26.875×10-1.5×10×10×0.5=27.08 kNm

B.M at point C=-16.67+7.5×30-20×25-1.5×20×20×0.5+26.875×20=-54.17 kNm

BENDING MOMENT DIAGRAM IS AS FOLLOWS

27.08kNm

20.83kNm +

A + B C B.M.D

16.67 kNm - -

41.67kNm

54.17 kNm

EXAMPLE 2

Determine the member moments and construct a bending moment diagram for the structure shown
below. Members AB and CD has EI and member BC has 2EI

30 kN

4 kN/m

A B C D

EI 2EI EI

8m 4m 8m 10m

1. DISTRIBUTION FACTORS
STIFFNESSES kAB=EI/8, kCB=2EI/12, kCD=EI/10
∑kB=EI/8+2EI/12, ∑kC=EI/10+2EI/12=4EI/15
DFAB=kAB/∑kB=3/7, DFBC=kBC/∑kB=4/7
DFCB=kCB/∑kC=5/8, DFCD=kCD/∑kC=3/8
2. FIXED-END MOMENTS
MFBC= -Pb2a/L2=-30×82×4/122= -53.33kNm, MFCB=+Pa2b/L2=+30×42×8/122=+26.67kNm
MFCD=-WL2/12=-4×102/12=-33.33kNm, MFDC=+WL2/12=+4×102/12=+33.33kNm
Enter the above information in the table and distribute the moments
 30kN 4kNm

A B C D
EI 2EI EI

STIFFNESSES k AB=EI/8 kBC=2EI/12 kCD=EI/10

DISTRIBUTION FACTORS 3/7 4/7 5/8 3/8

FIXED-END MOMENTS -53.33 +26.67 -33.33 +33.33

BALANCING OF JOINT B +22.9 +30.5

CARRY OVER MOMENTS +11.45 +15.25

BALANCING OF JOINT C -5.4 -3.2

CARRY OVER MOMENTS -2.7 -1.6

BALANCING OF JOINT B +1.2 +1.5

CARRY OVER MOMENTS +0.6 +0.8

BALANCING OF JOINT C -0.5 -0.3

CARRY OVER MOMENTS -0.2 -0.1

BALANCING OF JOINT B +0.1 +0.1

FINAL MOMENTS +12.05 +24.2 -24.2 +36.8 -36.8 +31.6

DETERMINATION OF REACTIONS

Taking element AB

12 kNm 24.2kNm

A B

VA 8m VB1

∑MB=0 +

VA×8+12+24.2=0

VA=-4.5kN

∑MA=0 +

-VB1×8+12+24.2=0

VB1=+4.5kN
Taking element BC

24.2 kNm 30kN 36.8kNm

B C

4m 8m

∑MC=0 +

VB2×12-24.2+36.8-30×8=0

VB2=+18.95kN

∑MB=0 +

VC1×12-24.2+36.8+30×4=0

VC1=+11.05kN

Taking element CD

36.8kNm 4kN/m 31.6kNm

C D

VC2 10m VD

∑MD=0 +

VC2×10-36.8-4×10×10×0.5+316=0

VC2=+20.52kN

∑MC=0 +

-VD×10-36.8+4×10×10×0.5+31.6=0

VD=+19.48kN

Therefore the reactions are:

VA=-4.5kN

VB=VB1+VB2=4.+18.95=23.45kN

VC=VC1+VC2=11.05+20.52=31.57kN

VD=19.48kN

Check equilibrium of vertical forces for the whole structure

VA+VB+VC+VD-30-4×10=0

-4.5+23.45+31.57+19.48-30-40=0 Correct

Determining bending moments to draw the bending moment diagram

Taking the whole structure

12kNm 30kN 4kN/m 31.6kNm

A B C D

8m 4m 8m 10m

-4.5kN 23.45kN 31.57kN 19.48kN

B.M at A=+12kNm

B.M at B=+12-4.5×8=-24kNm

B.M at point load of 30Kn=12-4.5×12+23.45×4=51.8kNm

B.M at C=12-4.5×20+23.45×12-30×8=-36.6kNm

Maximum B.M mid element CD=12-4.5×25+23.45×17-30×13-4×5×5×0.5+31.57×5=16kNm

B.M at D=12-4.5×30+23.45×22-30×18+31.57×10-4×10×10×0.5=-31.4kNm

The bending moment diagram is as shown below

51.8kNm

16kNm

12kNm + +

B.M.D

- - -

24kNm

31.4kNm

36.6kNm

SIMPLY SUPPORTED ENDS

The following structure is hinged at its far end.

B A D

ƟA

MAB A MAD

MAC

Considering the three members meeting (framing) at joint A. The member moment at A resulting
from application of an external moment M to joint A are:

MAB=4EIkABƟA, MAC=4EIkACƟA, MAD=4EIkAD(ƟA+ƟD/2) equation 1

Since MAD=4EIkAD(ƟD+ƟA/2), then ƟD= -ƟA/2

Therefore, MAD= 4EIƟA(3/4kAD) equation 2

Equation of equilibrium of joint a is M=MAB+MAC+MAD

Therefore, M=4EIƟA(kAB+kAC+3/4kAD) or simply M=4EIƟA∑k’ equation 3

The term k’ is referred to as the effective stiffness of a member. k’=EI/L for a member fixed at its
end.

k’=3/4EI/L=0.75EI/L for a member hinged at its far end.

From equation 3, 4EIƟA=M/∑k’

Substitution of the above relation into equation 1

MAB=Mk’AB/∑k’, MAC=Mk’AC/∑k’ and MAD=Mk’AD/∑k’ equation 4

Note that moments equal to 0.5MAB and 0.5MAC are induced at B and C by application of moment M,
no moment is induced at D. Thus the carry over moment to a hinged end is zero.

EXAMPLE 3

Determine the member moments for the beam shown below, using effective stiffnesses.
 4kN

A B C

EI 2EI

20m 10m 10m

The effective stiffnesses for members AB and BC are: k’AB=EI/20=0.05EI

K’BC=3/4(2EI/20)=0.075EI

∑k’=0.05EI+0.075EI=0.125EI

Distribution factors are: DFAB=2/5, DFBC=3/5 then DFCB=1

Fixed end moments are determined using the table of fixed end moments.

MBC=-PL/8=-4×20/8=-10kNm, MCB+PL/8=+4×20/8=+10kNm

As usual draw the table and start distributing the moments.

4kN

A B C

EI 2EI

20m 10m 10m

EFFECTIVE STIFFNESSES k’AB=EI/20 k’BC=3/4(2EI/20)

DISTRIBUTION FACTORS 2/5 3/5 1

FIXED END MOMENTS -10 +10

BALANCING OF JOINT C -10

CARRY OVER MOMENTS -5

BALANCING OF JOINT B +6 +9

CARRY OVER MOMENTS +3

FINAL MOMENTS +3 +6 -6 0

Complete the question by determining the reactions, bending moments, drawing the bending
moment and the shear diagrams.