Structural Analysis 7 Edition in SI Units

Chapter 12:
Displacement Method of Analysis: Moment Distribution
Structural Analysis 7th Edition in SI Units

Russell C. Hibbeler
General Principles & Definition
• Moment distribution is a method of successive

approximations that may be carried out to any
desired degree of accuracy
• The method begins by assuming each joint of a
structure is fixed
• By unlocking and locking each joint in succession,
the internal moments at the joints are “distributed”
& balanced until the joints have rotated to their
final or nearly final positions
Chapter 12: Displacement Method of Analysis: Moment Distribution
Structural Analysis 7 th Edition
© 2009 Pearson Education South Asia Pte Ltd
• Member stiffness factor

4 EI
K
L
• Joint stiffness factor
• The total stiffness factor of joint A is
K T   K  4000  5000  1000  10000

• Distribution Factor (DF)

• That fraction of the total resisting moment supplied
by the member is called the distribution factor (DF)
Mi K i
DFi  
M   Ki
K
DF 
K

• Member relative stiffness factor

• Quite often a continuous beam or a frame will be
made from the same material
• E will therefore be constant
I
KR 
L

• Carry-over (CO) factor

 4 EI   2 EI 
M AB    A ; M BA    A
 L   L 
• Solving for  and equating these eqn,
M BA  0.5M AB
• The moment M at the pin induces a moment of M’
= 0.5M at the wall
• In the case of a beam with the far end fixed, the
CO factor is +0.5
• Carry-over (CO) factor

• The plus sign indicates both moments act in the
same direction
• Consider the beam K BA 
4 E (120)(106 )
 4 E (40)(106 )mm 4 / m
3
4 E ( 240)(106 )
K BC   4 E (60)(106 )mm 4 / m
4
4 E (40)
DFBA   0.4
4 E (40)  4 E (60)
4 E (60)
DFBC   0.6
4 E (40)  4 E (60)
4 E (40)
DFAB  0
  4 E (40)
4 E (60)
DFCB  0
  4 E (60)
• Note that the above results could also have been

obtained if the relative stiffness factor is used
wL2
( FEM ) BC   8000kNm
12
wL2
( FEM ) CB   8000kNm
12
• We begin by assuming joint B is fixed or locked

• The fixed end moment at B then holds span BC in
this fixed or locked position
• To correct this, we will apply an equal but opposite
moment of 8000Nm to the joint and allow the joint
to rotate freely

• As a result, portions of this moment are distributed

in spans BC and BA in accordance with the DFs of
these spans at the joint
• Moment in BA is 0.4(8000) = 3200Nm
• Moment in BC is 0.6(8000) = 4800Nm
• These moment must be carried over since
moments are developed at the far ends of the
span

• Using the carry-over factor of +0.5, the results are

shown
• The steps are usually presented in tabular form
• CO indicates a line where moments are distributed
then carried over
• In this particular case only one cycle of moment
distribution is necessary
• The wall supports at A and C “absorb” the
moments and no further joints have to be
balanced to satisfy joint equilibrium

Example 12.2
Determine the internal moment at each support of the beam. The

moment of inertia of each span is indicated.

Solution
A moment does not get distributed in the overhanging span AB

So the distribution factor (DF)BA =0
Span BC is based on 4EI/L since the pin rocker is not at the far
end of the beam
4 E (300)(10 6 )
K BC   300(10 6 ) E
4
4 E (240)(10 6 )
K CD   320(10 6 ) E
3

Solution
DFBC  1  ( DF ) BA  1  0  1
300 E
DFCB   0.484
300 E  320 E
DFCD  0.516; DFDC  0
Due to overhang, ( FEM ) BA  2000 N (2m)  4000 Nm
wL2
( FEM ) BC   2000 Nm
12
wL2
( FEM ) CB   2000 Nm
12
Solution
•The overhanging span requires the internal moment to the left of

B to be +4000Nm.
•Balancing at joint B requires an internal moment of –4000Nm to
the right of B.
•-2000Nm is added to BC in order to satisfy this condition.
•The distribution & CO operations proceed in the usual manner.
Since the internal moments are known, the moment diagram for
the beam can be constructed.

Solution

Stiffness-Factor Modifications
• The previous e.g. of moment distribution, we have

considered each beam span to be constrained by a
fixed support at its far end when distributing &
carrying over the moments
• In some cases, it is possible to modify the stiffness
factor of a particular beam span & thereby simplify
the process of moment distribution

• Member pin supported at far end

• As shown the applied moment M rotates end A by
an amt 
• To determine , the shear in the conjugate beam at
A’ must be determined
1 M  2 
 M B'  0 V ' A ( L )    L L   0
2  EI   3 
3L 3EI
V 'A    M  
EI L

• Member pin supported at far end (cont’d)

• The stiffness factor in the beam is
3EI
K
L
• The CO factor is zero, since the pin at B does not
support a moment
• By comparison, if the far end was fixed supported,
the stiffness factor would have to be modified by ¾
to model the case of having the far end pin
supported
• Symmetric beam & loading

• The bending-moment diagram for the beam will
also be symmetric
• To develop the appropriate stiffness-factor
modification consider the beam
• Due to symmetry, the internal
moment at B & C are equal
• Assuming this value to
be M, the conjugate
beam for span BC is shown
• Symmetric beam & loading (cont’d)

 M  L
 M C '  0 - V ' B ( L )    L   0
 EI   2 
ML 2 EI
V 'B    M  
2 EI L
2 EI
K 
L
• Moments for only half the beam can be distributed

provided the stiffness factor for the center span is
computed
• Symmetric beam with asymmetric loading

• Consider the beam as shown
• The conjugate beam for its center span BC is shown
• Due to its asymmetric loading, the internal moment
at B is equal but opposite to that at C

• Symmetric beam with asymmetric loading

• Assuming this value to be M, the slope  at each
end is determined as follows:
 M C'  0
 1  M  L  5L  1  M  L  L 
- V ' B ( L)             0
 2  EI  2  6  2  EI  2  6 
ML 6 EI
V 'B    M  
6 EI L
6 EI
K
L

Example 12.4
Determine the internal moments at the supports of the beam

shown below. The moment of inertia of the two spans is shown in
the figure.

Solution
•The beam is roller supported at its far end C.

•The stiffness of span BC will be computed on the basis of K =
3EI/L
•We have:
4 EI 4 E (120)(10 6 )
K AB    160(10 6 ) E
L 3
3EI 3E (240)(10 6 )
K BC    180(10 6 ) E
L 4

Solution
160 E
DFAB  0
  160 E
160 E
DFBA   0.4706
160 E  180 E
180 E
DFBC   0.5294
160 E  180 E
180 E
DFCB  1
180 E
wL2  6000(4) 2
( FEM ) BC     12000 Nm
8 8
Solution
The forgoing data are entered into table as shown.

The moment distribution is carried out.
By comparison, the method considerably simplifies the
distribution.
The beam’s end shears & moment diagrams are shown.

Moment distribution for frames:
No sidesway
• Application of the moment-distribution method for
frames having no sidesway follows the same
procedure as that given for beam

Example 12.5
Determine the internal moments at the joints of the frame as

shown. There is a pin at E and D and a fixed support at A. EI is
constant.

Solution
By inspection, the pin at E will prevent the frame will sidesway.

The stiffness factors of CD and CE can be computed using K =
3EI/L since far ends are pinned.
The 60kN load does not contribute a FEM since it is applied at
joint B.
4 EI 4 EI 3EI 3EI
K AB  ; K BC  ; K CD  ; K CE 
5 6 5 4
DFAB  0
4 EI / 5
DFBA   0.545
4 EI / 5  4 EI / 6
DFBC  1  0.545  0.455

Solution
4 EI / 6
DFCB   0.330
4 EI / 6  3EI / 5  3EI / 4
3EI / 5
DFCD   0.298
4 EI / 6  3EI / 5  3EI / 4
DFCE  1  0.330  0.298  0.372
DFDC  1; DFEC  1
 wL2
( FEM ) BC   135kNm
12
wL2
( FEM ) CB   135kNm
12
Solution
•The data are shown in table.

•The distribution of moments successively goes to joints B & C.
•The final moment are shown on the last line.
•Using these data, the moment diagram for the frame is
constructed as shown.

Moment distribution for frames: Sidesway
• To determine sidesway and the internal moments

at the joints using moment distribution, we will use
the principle of superposition
• The frame shown is first held from sidesway by
applying an artificial joint support at C
• Moment distribution is applied & by statics, the
restraining force R is determined

• The equal but opposite restraining force is then

applied to the frame The moments in the frame
are calculated

• Multistory frames
• Multistory frameworks may have several
independent joints disp
• Consequently, the moment distribution analysis
using the above techniques will involve more
computation

• The structure shown can have 2 independent joint
disp since the sidesway of the first story is
independent of any disp of the second story

• These disp are not known initially
• The analysis must proceed on the basis of
superposition
• 2 restraining forces R1 and R2 are applied
• The fixed end moments are determined &
distributed
• Using the eqn of eqm, the numerical values of R1
and R2 are then determined
• The restraint at the floor of the first story is
removed & the floor is given a disp
• This disp causes fixed end moment (FEMs) in the
frame which can be assigned specific numerical
values
• By distributing these moments & using the eqn of
eqm, the associated numerical values of R1’ and R2’
can be determined

• In a similar manner, the floor of the second story is
then given a disp
• With reference to the restraining forces we require
equal but opposite application of R1 and R2 to the
frame such that:
R2  C ' R' 2 C ' R"2
R1  C ' R'1 C ' R"1

• Simultaneous solution of these eqn yields the values
of C’ and C”
• These correction factors are then multiplied by the
internal joint moments found from moment
distribution
• The resultant moments are found by adding these
corrected moments to those obtained for the frame

Example 12.6
Determine the moments at each joint of the frame shown. EI is

constant.

Solution
First, we consider the frame held from sidesway

16(4) 2 (1)
( FEM ) BC   2
 10.24kNm
(5)
16(1) 2 (4)
( FEM ) CB  2
 2.56kNm
(5)
The stiffness factor of each span is computed on the basis of

4EI/L or using relative stiffness factor I/L

Solution
The DFs and the moment distribution are shown in the table.
The eqn of eqm are applied to the free body diagrams of the
columns in order to determine Ax and Dx
From the free body diagram of the entire frame, the joint restraint
R has a magnitude of
 Fx  0; R  1.73kN  0.81kN  0.92kN

Solution
•An equal but opposite value of R = 0.92kN must be applied to

the frame at C and the internal moments computed.
•We assume a force R’ is applied at C causing the frame to deflect
as shown.
•The joints at B and C are temporarily restrained from rotating.
•As a result, the FEM at the ends of the columns are determined.

Solution
•Since both B and C happen to be displaced the same amount

and AB and DC have the same E, I and L, the FEM in AB will be
the same as that in DC.
•As shown we will arbitrarily assumed this FEM to be
( FEM ) AB  ( FEM ) BA  ( FEM ) CD  ( FEM ) DC  100kNm
The moment distribution of the FEM is shown below.

Solution
•From the eqm, the horizontal reactions at A and D are

calculated.
•For the entire frame, we require:
 Fx  0; R '  28  28  56kN
•R’=56kN creates the moments tabulated below

•Corresponding moments caused by R = 0.92kN can be
determined byproportion
M  2.88
0.92
  80  1.57kNm
AB
56.0
M BA  4.79kNm; M BC  4.79kNm; M CB  3.71kNm
M CD  3.71kNm; M DC  2.63kNm

Structural Analysis 7 Edition in SI Units

Uploaded by

Document Information

Original Title

Copyright

Available Formats

Share this document

Share or Embed Document

Sharing Options

Did you find this document useful?

Is this content inappropriate?

Copyright:

Available Formats

Structural Analysis 7 Edition in SI Units

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

Chapter 12:

Displacement Method of Analysis: Moment Distribution

Structural Analysis 7th Edition in SI Units

• Moment distribution is a method of successive

• Member stiffness factor

K T   K  4000  5000  1000  10000

Chapter 12: Displacement Method of Analysis: Moment Distribution

• Distribution Factor (DF)

Chapter 12: Displacement Method of Analysis: Moment Distribution

• Member relative stiffness factor

Chapter 12: Displacement Method of Analysis: Moment Distribution

• Carry-over (CO) factor

• Carry-over (CO) factor

• Note that the above results could also have been

• We begin by assuming joint B is fixed or locked

Chapter 12: Displacement Method of Analysis: Moment Distribution

• As a result, portions of this moment are distributed

Chapter 12: Displacement Method of Analysis: Moment Distribution

• Using the carry-over factor of +0.5, the results are

Chapter 12: Displacement Method of Analysis: Moment Distribution

Determine the internal moment at each support of the beam. The

Chapter 12: Displacement Method of Analysis: Moment Distribution

A moment does not get distributed in the overhanging span AB

Chapter 12: Displacement Method of Analysis: Moment Distribution

Due to overhang, ( FEM ) BA  2000 N (2m)  4000 Nm

•The overhanging span requires the internal moment to the left of

Chapter 12: Displacement Method of Analysis: Moment Distribution

Chapter 12: Displacement Method of Analysis: Moment Distribution

• The previous e.g. of moment distribution, we have

Chapter 12: Displacement Method of Analysis: Moment Distribution

• Member pin supported at far end

Chapter 12: Displacement Method of Analysis: Moment Distribution

• Member pin supported at far end (cont’d)

• Symmetric beam & loading

• Symmetric beam & loading (cont’d)

• Moments for only half the beam can be distributed

• Symmetric beam with asymmetric loading

Chapter 12: Displacement Method of Analysis: Moment Distribution

• Symmetric beam with asymmetric loading

Chapter 12: Displacement Method of Analysis: Moment Distribution

Determine the internal moments at the supports of the beam

Chapter 12: Displacement Method of Analysis: Moment Distribution

•The beam is roller supported at its far end C.

Chapter 12: Displacement Method of Analysis: Moment Distribution

The forgoing data are entered into table as shown.

Chapter 12: Displacement Method of Analysis: Moment Distribution

Chapter 12: Displacement Method of Analysis: Moment Distribution

Determine the internal moments at the joints of the frame as

Chapter 12: Displacement Method of Analysis: Moment Distribution

By inspection, the pin at E will prevent the frame will sidesway.

Chapter 12: Displacement Method of Analysis: Moment Distribution

•The data are shown in table.

Chapter 12: Displacement Method of Analysis: Moment Distribution

• To determine sidesway and the internal moments

Chapter 12: Displacement Method of Analysis: Moment Distribution

• The equal but opposite restraining force is then

Chapter 12: Displacement Method of Analysis: Moment Distribution

Chapter 12: Displacement Method of Analysis: Moment Distribution

Chapter 12: Displacement Method of Analysis: Moment Distribution

Chapter 12: Displacement Method of Analysis: Moment Distribution

R2  C ' R' 2 C ' R"2

R1  C ' R'1 C ' R"1

Chapter 12: Displacement Method of Analysis: Moment Distribution