Eas254 (3) - Moment Distribution Method: SEMESTER II 2016/2017

EAS254 (3) MOMENT DISTRIBUTION METHOD
SEMESTER II 2016/2017
Part 1 - Introduction
Fadzli Mohamed Nazri

ext : 6219
cefmn@usm.my
School of Civil Engineering, Universiti Sains Malaysia

INTRODUCTION
Moment distribution, developed by Hardy Cross in the

early 1930s.
Moment distribution is a procedure for establishing the

end moments in members of indeterminate beams and
frames with a series of simple computations
The method is based on the idea that the sum of the

moments applied by the members framing into a joint
must equal zero because the joint is in equilibrium.
MOMENT DISTRIBUTION METHOD
1. Member stiffness
Consider a beam AB in figure, which is hinged at end A

and fixed at end B. Apply a moment, M at A, the beam
rotates by an angle at the hinged end A and develops
a moment MBA at the fixed end B.
M = applied moment
MBA = carryover moment

B
A
L
MBA = carryover
M = applied moment
1. Member stiffness moment
B
A
L
The relationship between applied moment M and
rotation can be establish using the slope deflection
method.
2EI
M AB (2 A B 3 ) (FEM )AB . (1)
L
Subs MAB = M, A = and B = = (FEM)AB = 0 into (1)
4EI
M ( ) . (2)
L
The bending stiffness, of a member is defined as the moment

that must be applied at an end of the member to cause a unit
rotation of that end
4EI
By subs = 1 into eq (1) K . (3)
L
When the modulus elasticity for all the members of structure is
the same (i.e, E = constant), it is usually convenient to work with
the relative bending stiffnesses of members in the analysis.
The relative bending stiffness, K of a member is obtained by
dividing its bending stiffness by 4E.
Thus, relative bending stiffness of the beam, given

K I
K . (4)
4E L
Now, the far end B of the beam of figure is hinged. Therefore,

MAB = M, A= , and = FEM = 0 subs into modified slope
deflection equation,
3EI FEMBA M = applied
M AB ( A ) (FEM AB ) moment
L L 2
Give us, B
A
3EI
M .. (5)
L L
By setting = 1 rad, we obtain the expression for the bending

stiffness of the beam
3EI
K . (6)
L
A comparison of eqs. (3) and (6) indicates that the stiffness of

the beam is reduced by 25% when the fixed support at B is
replaced by a hinged support. So by dividing it 4E, the
relative bending stiffness of the beam
3 I
K
4 L
. (6)
Summary for Member Stiffness

4EI
M If far end of member is fixed
L
3EI
M If far end of member is hinged
L
Summary for Relative Bending Stiffness

I
K If far end of member is fixed
L
3I If far end of member is hinged
K
4L
1. Distribution factor
The moment applied at A is M M

If it rotates A by A L1
B
I1
Moment in beam is defined

As follow :
4EI1 4EI2 4EI3 4EI4

M AB ; M AC ; M AD ; M AE
L1 L2 L3 L4
M MAB MAC MAD MAE

By dividing
I1 M
M L1
M AB L1 A
I1
B
I
M
L
When a moment of M is applied at A, the moment
shared by stiffness factor of AB/sum of stiffness at A
Similarly M AC ......etc
M
Distribution factor (D.F)
I
of member M
DF of the member L
I A L1
sum of of member at the jo int B
L I1
For hinge member :
A hinged end member can be considered by replacing:

I 3I
with
L 4L
MBA = carryover
Carry-Over Factor : M = applied
moment
moment
B
A
Let us consider again the hinged-fixed beam.

4 EI
Due to rotation A at A, when moment of A was
L
2 EI
developed at A , moment at A
L
i.e Half of MAB. For a fixed end B when a moment of MAB

Is developed or applied at A; the moment developed at
The farther end B is of MAB
1
Carry over factor = ; this is true for uniform members.
2
Steps
1. Calculate the stiffness factor (SF)
2. Calculate distribution factor
3. Find fixed end moment for all the members
4. Start by fixing all the joints and releasing one joint at
the time. Make it in equilibrium by applying a moment
opposite to the unbalance moment and distribute at
the release joint. Carry over moments to the FAR ends
of the member, fix the joint again.
5. Continue this process till the moment distributed
is very small at this position. The joint is in equilibrium
6. Add the all moment at the each end to get the final
end moment.

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EAS254 (3) MOMENT DISTRIBUTION METHOD

Fadzli Mohamed Nazri

School of Civil Engineering, Universiti Sains Malaysia

Moment distribution, developed by Hardy Cross in the

Moment distribution is a procedure for establishing the

The method is based on the idea that the sum of the

Consider a beam AB in figure, which is hinged at end A

Subs MAB = M, A = and B = = (FEM)AB = 0 into (1)

The bending stiffness, of a member is defined as the moment

Thus, relative bending stiffness of the beam, given

Now, the far end B of the beam of figure is hinged. Therefore,

By setting = 1 rad, we obtain the expression for the bending

A comparison of eqs. (3) and (6) indicates that the stiffness of

Summary for Member Stiffness

Summary for Relative Bending Stiffness

The moment applied at A is M M

Moment in beam is defined

4EI1 4EI2 4EI3 4EI4

M MAB MAC MAD MAE

For hinge member :

A hinged end member can be considered by replacing:

Let us consider again the hinged-fixed beam.

i.e Half of MAB. For a fixed end B when a moment of MAB

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