Module 2#

2.0 DISPLACEMENT METHODS OF STRUCTURAL ANALYSIS

[Slope Deflection & Moment Distribution Methods]
2.1 Module Outlook Topical Areas;
a] Definitions & Derivation of Basic displacement equations
b] Application to of SDM/MDM to statically indeterminate beams
c] Application to statically indeterminate frames with & without sway
d] Application of Displacement equations in cases with Settlement

Introduction;
While introducing our first module, we emphasized two prime approaches
for analysis of statically indeterminate structures;
∼ Force method of analysis [also known as flexibility method of analysis, method
of consistent deformation, flexibility method]
∼ Displacement method of analysis [also known as stiffness method].

Key difference to note in these two methods;

∼ For the force method, the primary unknowns are Forces; in which case,
compatibility equations are written for displacement & rotations [which
are calculated by force displacement equations]. Upon solving these
equations, redundant forces are calculated.
Once the redundant forces are calculated, the remaining reactions are
evaluated by equations of equilibrium.

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While;
∼ In Displacement Method, the primary unknowns are Displacements.
Here, force-displacements relations are formulated and consequently,
equations satisfying equilibrium conditions of the structure are written
for determining the unknown displacements. The other forces are then
calculated using compatibility conditions and force-displacement
relations. This method is applied in computer programming, hence it’s
been widely used in the modern day structural analysis.
Further emphasis;
In this method, the indeterminate structure is first made kinematically
determinate by introducing constraints at the nodes. The constraints is
equal to the degrees of freedom at the nodes that is; the kinematic
indeterminacy.
Summary of the two methods
Unknowns Equations for Coefficients of
solution the unknowns
Force method Forces Compatibility and Flexibility
Force-displacement coefficients
Displacement Displacements Equilibrium and Stiffness
method Force-displacement coefficients

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 Key Definitions
No Term Definition & illustration
1 Degree This refers to the nodal displacements of a structure upon loading.
of Freedom To determine the number of degree of freedom, we can imagine the
structure consisting of series of members connected to nodes which
are located at the jonts, supports, at the ends of a member or where
members have a sudden change in crosssection.
The degree of freedom relates to the restrictions of these points to
displacements either in linear or rotational form.
2 Near End A point on a beam or column where moment is being applied
(rotation is allowed). Near end from this figure is joint A

Figure 1
3 Far End This is a point on a beam or column where the effect of an applied
moment is transferred or carried over. The far end from Figure 1 is
Joint B
4 Fixed End This is the moment that develops at the ends of an element [beam
Moment or column] due to external loads it is subjected to.
[MFAB]

5 Applied This is the moment a rigid joint on a beam or frame is subjected to

Moment [M] whose effect is shared (distributed) into the respective members at
that joint and partly transferred to the far ends to these joints. For
the case of Figure 1, the applied moment is M

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 6 Carry Over This is the moment induced at the far fixed end of a beam or
Moment [M'] column caused by rotation of a rigid joint (due to an applied
moment). For the case of Figure 1, the applied moment is M'
7 Carry Over This is the ratio of Carry Over Moment (M') to the Applied Moment
Factor [COF] (M); this relation is vital establishing how much moment will be
carried over to a far end. We shall appreciate this further in
Moment Distribution Method of analysis.That is;
‫ۻ‬′
۱‫۽‬۴ =
‫ۻ‬
8 Distribution This is the ratio of Distributed Moment say (moa) to the Applied
Factor [DF] Moment (M) at a rigid joint, say O.
Note; When a moment for example M is applied at a rigid joint say
‘O’, this moment is shared amongst the members of this rigid joint
in accordance to their respective stiffness. For Figure. 2,

࢓࢕ࢇ + ࢓࢕࢈ + ࢓࢕ࢉ + ࢓࢕ࢊ = ࡹ

Figure 2
The respective distribution factors are;
݉௢௔ ݉௢௕ ݉௢௖ ݉௢ௗ
ࡰࡲ࢕ࢇ = ࡰࡲ࢕࢈ = ࡰࡲ࢕ࢉ = ࡰࡲ࢕ࢊ =
M M M M

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 9 Stiffness [k] This is the moment applied at the near end which causes a rotation
of 1 radian while keeping the far end fixed

In due course, we shall see that its value for a typical beam element
is given as;
4‫ܫܧ‬
࢑=
݈
Some Major Assumptions
No Assumption Assumption Description & illustration
1 Rigidity of All the joints are considered rigid, hence between joints does not
the Joints change after deformation. The angle between ‘aob’ remains the
same after deformation
Before deformation After deformation

2 Negligible Distortions due to axial loads are considered negligible, hence

distortions member dimensions remain the same even after deformations
due to axial
loads

3 Shear Deformations induced by shear forces are negligible (in relation to

deformations deformations due to moment effects)
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 Sign Conventions
No Item Convention & illustration
1 Moments Clockwise End Moments are positive (+) and Anti-clockwise End
Moments are negative (-).

In this case; the End Moment

MBA is positive (+) while MBC is
negative (-).

2 Rotations Clockise rotation of the tangent to the elastic curve is positive (+)
while anti-clockwise rotation of the tangent to the elastic curve are
negative (-). In the case below; θa & θc are positive while θb1 & θb2
are negative.

3 Settlements Settlement is positive if the right side support settles and negative
if the left handside support settles. In the case below; ∆b is positive
with respect to support A & negative with .respect to support C.

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 Derivation of Basic Displacement Equations
Description Convention & illustration
Let’s imagine and consider an
extract of a continuous beam
loaded as indicated;
Let’s also assume that one of
the supports settle by; ∆
After settlement of support B;

Three (3) distinct moments

potentially develop at the
supports contributing to the
The 3 moments developed can each be illustrated as;
Final End Moment, say; MAB
1. M1 & M2 ~ the moment that induces rotation
with respect to the span AB.
These are;
M1, M2, MFAB, MFBA and Ms.

2. Ms~ the moment developed by support settlement

3. MFAB & MFBA ~ Fixed End Moments developed

typicaly due to the external loads w.r.t the span

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 Ideally;
This is an illustration of the
superposition of the loaded
beam. In this case, the effects
measured are the final end
moments. =

The end moments of this Beam are MAB and MBA

M୅୆ = Mଵ + Mୗ + M୊୅୆

M୆୅ = Mଶ + Mୗ + M୊୆୅

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 Let’s now determine the end Case 1;
moments at each support of Fixed End Moments developed due the external loads;
these beams; one at a time;

As noted earlier, fixed end moments develop freely at

the supports due to the external loads on the element(s).
Hence, the fixed end moment vary from one loading
nature to another, we will explore this fact a little later.
For the above beam, the fixed end moments are MFAB
and MFBA; they tend to fix the element to the supports
and their effects are always opposite to the moments
induced by the loads.

Case 2;
End moment induced by support settlement;

This moment is given by;

6‫߂ܫܧ‬
‫ = ܛۻ‬−
݈ଶ
We shall consider it as negative (-), then apply the sign
convention as highlighted previously to determine it’s
actual contribution to the Final End Moment.
In this relation, l is the span and is the ∆ settlement
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 Case 3;
The moments that induce rotation of the elastic curve;

Here we shall obtain the values of the induced rotations

interms of the moments M1 & M2.
Note that each of these moments have effects on both
supports so we shall superposition to determine their
respective effects.

The joint rotations at A and B are;

θୟ = θୟୟ + θୟୠ − − − −(݅)

θୠ = θୠୟ + θୠୠ − − − −(݅݅)

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 Computation of the values of These values can be computed using any method for
θa and θb; finding displacement in beam, for example; unit/virtual
load method, double intergration method, method of
least work or conjugate beam method.
You can try out any of these methods to obtain these
values. Upon computation, you will realize that;
‫ܯ‬ଵ ݈ ‫ܯ‬ଵ ݈
θୟୟ = … … (ܽ) θୠୟ = − … … (ܾ)
3‫ܫܧ‬ 6‫ܫܧ‬

‫ܯ‬ଶ ݈ ‫ܯ‬ଶ ݈
θୟୠ = − … … (ܿ) θୠୠ = … … (݀)
6‫ܫܧ‬ 3‫ܫܧ‬
Recall the sign convention for rotation of the tangents to
the elastic curve;
We now substitute the respective values of the rotations;
‫ܯ‬1 ݈ ‫ܯ‬2 ݈
θୟ = +− − − − −(݅)
3‫ܫܧ‬ 6‫ܫܧ‬
Also;
‫ܯ‬1 ݈ ‫ܯ‬2 ݈
θୠ = − + − − − −(݅݅)
6‫ܫܧ‬ 3‫ܫܧ‬
We now solve the two simulataneous equations and
express the Moments M1 and M2 interms of the rotations
θa and θb;
2‫ܫܧ‬
Mଵ = (2θୟ + θୠ )
݈
and
2‫ܫܧ‬
Mଶ = (2θୠ + θୟ )
݈

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 The displacement equations; We can now substitute the values of the three moments
to find a relation for the final end moments.
That is; from,

M୅୆ = Mଵ + Mୗ + M୊୅୆ − − − (1)

M୆୅ = Mଶ + Mୗ + M୊୆୅ − − − (2)

2‫ܫܧ‬ 6‫߂ܫܧ‬
M୅୆ = (2θୟ + θୠ ) + − ଶ + M୊୅୆
݈ ݈
And;
2‫ܫܧ‬ 6‫߂ܫܧ‬
M୆୅ = ( )
2θୠ + θୟ + − ଶ + M୊୆୅
݈ ݈
We can summarize these further as;
2‫ܫܧ‬ 3߂
M୅୆ = ൬2θୟ + θୠ − ൰ + M୊୅୆
݈ ݈
Similarly;
2‫ܫܧ‬ 3߂
M୆୅ = ൬2θୠ + θୟ − ൰ + M୊୆୅
݈ ݈
These are the slope deflection equations we’ll always
use to obtain the end moments.
Take away points (TAPs) from these;
In the expression, say MAB;
The subscript notation AB implies A as the near end
joint while B is the far end.
From the equations; we can see that rotation at the near
end is twice; i.e 2θ; while at the far end is just once, i.e θ

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