ECS556

STRUCTURAL ANALYSIS

MOMENT DISTRIBUTION METHOD

Learning Outcomes:
At the end of this lecture, students should be able to :

1) Formulate the member stiffness, distribution factor,

carry-over factor and stiffness modification factor. (CO2)
2) Apply the fix end moments due to external loadings and
support settlement.(CO2)
 TOPICS
• General principles and definition
• Moment distribution for beams
• Moment distribution for frames: No side-sway
• Moment distribution for frames: Side-sway
GENERAL PRINCIPLES
AND DEFINITION
INTRODUCTION
• Was develop by Hardy Cross in 1930

• Moment distribution is a method of successive

approximations that may be carries out to any desire
degree of accuracy.

• The method begins by assuming each joint of a

structure is FIXED.

• Then, by unlocking and locking each joint is

succession, the internal moments at joint distribute
and balanced until the joint have rotated to their final
or nearly final positions.
GENERAL PRINCIPLES
• Essentially, the method begins by assuming each joint of a
structure is fixed.

• Then, by unlocking and locking each joint in succession, the

internal moments at the joints are “distributed” and balanced
until the joints have rotated to their final or nearly final
positions.

• It will be found that this process of calculation is both

repetitive and easy to apply.

• Before explaining the techniques of moment distribution,

however, certain definitions and concepts must be presented.
SIGN CONVENTION
• Clockwise moments that act on the member are considered
positive.

• Whereas counter clockwise moments are negative.

 FIXED-END MOMENTS (FEMS)
• The moments at the “walls” or fixed joints of a loaded
member are called fixed-end moments.

• These moments can be determined from the table given

• For example, noting the action of these moments on the

beam and applying our sign convention it can be seen that
Fixed End Moment (FEM)
 MEMBER STIFFNESS FACTOR
• Consider the beam, which is pinned at one end and fixed at
the other.

• Application of the moment M causes the end A to rotate

through an angle θA.

Eq. (1)

• K is referred to as the stiffness factor at A and can be defined

as the amount of moment M required to rotate the end A of
the beam θA = 1 rad.
 Member Pin Supported at Far End
• Many indeterminate beams have their far end span supported
by an end pin (or roller) as in the case of joint B.

• The stiffness factor for this beam is

Eq. (2)
 Joint Stiffness Factor
• If several members are fixed connected to a joint and each of their far
ends is fixed, the total stiffness factor at the joint is the sum of the
member stiffness factors at the joint, that is

KT = ∑K

Example:
• The numerical value of each member stiffness factor is determined from Eq.
(1) and listed in the figure.
• Using these values, the total stiffness factor of joint A is
Distribution Factor (DF)
• If a moment M is applied to a fixed connected joint, the
connecting members will each supply a portion of the
resisting moment necessary to satisfy moment equilibrium
at the joint.

• That fraction of the total resisting moment supplied by the

member is called the distribution factor (DF).

Eq. (3)
 Distribution Factor (DF) ~ Example
• Example
• The distribution factors for members AB, AC, and AD at joint A are

• As a result, if M = 2000 kNm acts at joint A (Fig. b), the equilibrium moments
exerted by the members on the joint (Fig. c), are
MEMBER RELATIVE-STIFFNESS FACTOR
• Quite often a continuous beam or a frame will be made from the same
material so its modulus of elasticity E will be the same for all the
members.

• If this is the case, the common factor 4E in Eq. (1) will cancel from the
numerator and denominator of Eq. (3) when the distribution factor for a
joint is determined.

• Hence, it is easier just to determine the member’s relative-stiffness factor

and use this for the computations of the DF.

Carry-over Factor (CO)

•• Consider again the beam, it was shown that

 

• Solving for θA and equating these equations we get

• The moment M at the pin induces a moment of M’ = M at the wall.

• The carry-over factor represents the fraction of M that is “carried over” from the pin
to the wall.
• Hence, in the case of a beam with the far end fixed, the carry-over factor is
MOMENT DISTRIBUTION
FOR BEAMS
 Procedure For Analysis
•1.  Distribution Factors and Fixed-End Moments
 The joints on the beam should be identified and the stiffness factors
for each span at the joints should be calculated (Eq. 2).
 DF = 0 for a fixed end
 DF = 1 for end pin or roller support
 The FEM for each loaded span are determined using the table given
on the inside back cover.

2. Moment Distribution Process

i. Determine the moment that is needed to put each joint in equilibrium.
ii. Release or “unlock” the joints and distribute the counterbalancing
moments into the connecting span at each joint.
iii. Carry these moments in each span over to its other end by
multiplying each moment by the carry-over factor
Example 1 (EXAMPLE 12.1 – R.C. HIBBELER)
• Determine the internal moments at each support of the
beam shown. EI is constant.
 Example 1
Solution
1. Distribution Factor
• The stiffness factors for the members are

Eq. (1)
Example 1
• Therefore,

Eq. (3)
Example 1
2. The fixed-end moments
Example 1
3. Moment distribution table
Example 1
4. Bending moment diagram
Example 2
Determine the internal moment at each support of the beam.
The moment of inertia, I, of each span is indicated.
Example 2
Solution
1. Distribution Factor
• 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

Eq. (3)

4 E (300)(106 ) DFBC  1  ( DF ) BA  1  0  1
K BC   300(106 ) E
4
4 E ( 240)(106 ) 300 E
K CD   320(106 ) E DFCB   0.484
300 E  320 E
3

DFCD  0.516; DFDC  0

Example 2
2. Fixed – end moment

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

wL2
( FEM ) BC   2000 Nm
12

wL2
( FEM ) CB   2000 Nm
12
Example 2
• 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.
Example 2 3. Moment distribution table
Example 2
4. Bending moment diagram
Try this out!!
Determine the end moments for the continuous
beam shown in Figure 1 below. EI is constant. Use
the moment distribution method.
Solution
Moment distribution table
Exercise
Analyze and sketch the bending moment diagram for the beam
below. The values of the second moment area of each span
are indicated along the members. Modulus of elasticity is
constant.
Solution
Exercise
Analyze the continuous beam by the moment distribution.
The supports B and C settle by 8 mm and 4 mm respectively.
EI = 30000 kNm2. Sketch the SFD and BMD.
Shear force Diagram
Example 3
• 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.
Example 3
Solution

1. Distribution Factor
• The beam is roller supported at its far end C.
• The stiffness factors for the members are

Eq. (1) Eq. (2)

4 EI 4 E (120)(106 )
K AB    160(106 ) E
L 3
3EI 3E (240)(106 )
K BC    180(106 ) E
L 4
Example 3

Eq. (3)

160E
DF AB  0
  160E
160E
DFBA   0.4706
160E  180E
180E
DFBC   0.5294
160E  180E
180E
DFCB  1
180E
Example 3

2. Fixed – end moment

( FEM ) AB  0

( FEM ) BA  0
wL2  6000(4) 2
( FEM ) BC     12000Nm
8 8
Example 3

3. Moment distribution table

Example 3

4. Bending moment diagram

NEXT CLASS
Moment Distribution Method for
NON-SWAY and SWAY FRAMES
MOMENT DISTRIBUTION METHOD
FOR FRAMES:
NO SIDE-SWAY
 ANALYSIS PROCEDURE
Application of the moment-distribution method for
frames having no side-sway follows the same
procedure as that given for beam.
Example 1

• 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
1. Distribution factor
• By inspection, the pin at E will prevent the frame from side-sway.
• The stiffness factors for CD and CE can be computed using K = 3EI/L
since their far ends are pinned.

Eq. (1) Eq. (2)

Solution

4 EI 4 EI 3EI 3EI
K AB  ; K BC  ; K CD  ; K CE 
5 6 5 4

Eq. (3)

4 EI / 6
DFAB  0 DFCB   0.330
4 EI / 6  3EI / 5  3EI / 4
3EI / 5
4 EI / 5 DFCD   0.298
DFBA   0.545 4 EI / 6  3EI / 5  3EI / 4
4 EI / 5  4 EI / 6
DFCE  1  0.330  0.298  0.372
DFBC  1  0.545  0.455
DFDC  1; DFEC  1
Solution

2. Fixed – end moment

• The 60kN load does not contribute a FEM since it is applied at
joint B.
• (FEM)AB = (FEM)BA = (FEM)CD = (FEM)CE = 0

 wL2
( FEM ) BC   135kNm
12
wL2
( FEM ) CB   135kNm
12
Solution

3. Moment distribution table

Solution

4. Bending moment diagram

EXAMPLE 2
Analyze the frame by the moment distribution method.
Draw the bending moment diagram.
Solution Ex. 2
Solution Ex. 2
Let’s try this!
Analyze the frame by the moment distribution method.
Draw the bending moment diagram.
Solution
Solution
Think about this!
The culvert shown in figure below is of constant section
throughout and the top beam is subjected to a central
concentrated load of 25kN. Assume the base pressure is
uniform throughout and analyze the box culvert. Draw the
bending moment diagram.
Solution
The above frame is symmetrical and symmetrically loaded. This can be
analyzed using moment distribution in a straightforward and in a simpler
manner by taking advantage of symmetry. The distribution factors are worked
out by taking the central member BC as half of its value of stiffness. The
process of moment distribution is carried out by considering only half of the
frame.
Solution

Moment Distribution
Due to symmetry analyze half of the frame. The joints A, B, C and D are
rigid. This frame is recognized as a continuous frame. It implies that when
joint moments are balanced, it is being carried over to the neighboring
joints. This carry over moment is again balanced, the process is continued
and all the joints are balanced.
Solution
Solution
Exercise
Analyze the frame by the moment distribution method.
Draw the bending moment diagram.
 MOMENT DISTRIBUTION
METHOD
FOR FRAMES: SIDE-SWAY
ANALYSIS PROCEDURE
• To determine side-sway and the internal moments at the joints using
moment distribution, we will use the principle of superposition.
1. The frame shown is first held from side-sway by applying an artificial
joint support at C.
2. Moment distribution is applied & by statics, the restraining force R is
determined.
3. The equal but opposite restraining force is then applied to the frame.
The moments in the frame are calculated.
Example 1
• Determine the moments at each joint of the frame shown.
EI is constant.
Solution
First, we consider the frame held from side-sway.

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.

Solution
• The DFs and the moment distribution are shown in the table.
Solution
• The equation of equilibrium 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

Solution
• The moment distribution of the FEM is shown below.
Solution
• From the equilibrium, 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

0.92
M AB  2.88    80  1.57kNm
56.0
M BA  4.79kNm; M BC  4.79kNm; M CB  3.71kNm

M CD  3.71kNm; M DC  2.63kNm
Example 2
Obtain the bending moment diagram for the portal frame shown in
figure below. The flexural rigidity of the horizontal member BC is 2EI
while that of the vertical members AB and CD is EI.
Solution
First we shall determine the end moments in the members assuming that the
frame does not sway. The corresponding fixed-end moments are found using
the results in table below and are as follows:
Solution
Solution
The no-sway moments are determined in the table overleaf.

We now assume that the frame sways by an arbitrary amount, 6, as shown in

figure below. Since we are ignoring the effect of axial strains, the horizontal
movements of B and C are both . The fixed-end moments corresponding to
this sway are then as shown below.
Solution
Solution
Thus, substituting for the no sway and arbitrary-sway end moments

we have
2.36 + 4.75 - 3.25 - 1-63 + k(-82-9 - 66.8 - 66.8 - 82.9) + 2 x 10 = 0

which gives k = 0.074

Solution
Let’s try this!
Analyze the given frame by the moment distribution method. Draw
the bending moment diagram and shear force diagram.
Solution
Solution
Solution
Solution
Solution
Solution
Solution
Exercise 1
Analyze the frame shown in figure below by the moment distribution method. Draw
the bending moment diagram.
Exercise 2
Analyze the frame shown in figure below by the moment distribution method.
Draw the bending moment diagram.
Exercise 3
Analyze the frame shown in figure below by the moment distribution
method. Draw the bending moment diagram.
Solution
Solution
Solution
Solution
END