MOMENT DISTRIBUTION

METHOD
The moment distribution
method can be used to
analyze all types of statically
indeterminate beams or rigid
frames.
MOMENT DISTRIBUTION
METHOD
If clockwise moment, M , is applied
A at the simple
support of a straight member of constant cross section
simply supported at one end (joint A) and fixed at the
other (joint B), find the rotation θA at the simple support
and the moment MB at the fixed end.

A B
MA θA MB

RB
RA
L
MA A B
MB
θA
RB
RA
L

MA
θA1 θB1
MA

θA2 θB2
MB

MB
 MOMENT DISTRIBUTION
METHOD A B
MA
θA1 θB1

MA/EI
Conjugate beam
R1 R2

Theorem 1
MOMENT DISTRIBUTION METHOD
θA2 θB2
MB
R3 R4
Conjugate beam
MB/EI

Theorem 1
MOMENT DISTRIBUTION
METHOD
At point B, the support is fixed, thus the rotation
at that point is zero.

Substitute Values of θB1 and θB2

MOMENT DISTRIBUTION METHOD

ALSO

Substitute values of
θA1 and θA2.

THEN AND
Stiffness factor at the near end when the far end is hinged

MA A B MB
θA
RA RB
L

MA MB = 0
θA θB
MA
 MOMENT DISTRIBUTION
METHOD A B
MA
θA θB

MA/EI
Conjugate beam

R1 R2

Theorem 1
MOMENT DISTRIBUTION
METHOD
 MOMENT DISTRIBUTION
METHOD
 Thus, for a span AB which is supported at A and
fixed at B, a clockwise rotation of θA can be effected
by applying a clockwise moment of MA= (4EI/L)θA
at A, which in turn induces a clockwise moment of
MB=MA/2 on the member at B.
 The expression 4EI/L is usually called the stiffness
factor.
 4EI/L is the moment required to be applied at A to
cause a rotation of 1 radian at A of a span AB
simply supported at A and fixed at B.
 The number ½ is the carry-over factor, which is the
ratio of the moment induced at B to the moment
applied at A.
 MOMENT DISTRIBUTION
METHOD
 The sign convention used in moment –
distribution method is the same as in the slope-
deflection method.
 Distribution Factor, DF
Fixed supports have no or zero distribution
factor.
The sum of all distribution factors (DFs) in a
joint is always equal to one (except in fixed
support)
If there is only one member connected to the
support (not fixed), the distribution factor is
ONE.
MOMENT DISTRIBUTION
METHOD
D 12 KN/m F
3I E 2I
I I 3m
4 m 2I

B C
A
5m 4m
 MOMENT DISTRIBUTION
METHOD
Distribution procedures:
Determine the relative stiffness (K) and the fixed
end moments (FEM) for each member.
Get the algebraic sum of the FEM or carry-over,
CO for a joint and multiply by the DF of each
member to get the balanced moment and change
sign.
Get one-half of the balanced moment of the other
end of a member to get the carry-over (CO).
MOMENT DISTRIBUTION
METHOD
Relative Stiffness, K = I/L FEMs
Moment Distribution Table

B C
A
Joints A B C D E F
Member AD BE CF DA DE ED EB EF FE FC
K = I/L 15 10 10 15 18 18 10 15 15 10
Cycle DF --- 1.0 1.0 15/33 18/33 18/43 10/43 15/43 3/5 2/5
FEM
1 0 0 0 0 25 -25 0 16 -16 0
Balance --- 0 0 -125/22 -75/11 162/43
-125/11 -150/11 81/43 45/43
90/43 135/86 24/5
135/43 48/5 16/5
32/5
CO
2
Balance
- - - - - - - - At least 7 cycles - - - - - - - - -
Total End Moments

Check :
Change Change = Total End Moment minus FEM (fixed end moment)
- ½ (change)
Sum
θrel = Sum/(-K)
MOMENT DISTRIBUTION METHOD

Joints A B C D E F

Member AD BE CF DA DE ED EB EF FE FC

K = I/L 15 10 10 15 18 18 10 15 15 10

Cycle DF ---- 1 1 15/33 18/33 18/43 10/43 15/43 15/25 10/25

FEM 0 0 0 0 25 - 25 0 16 - 16 0
1
Balanc -
---- 0 0 - 150/11 162/43 90/43 135/43 48/5 32/5
e 125/11

-
CO 125/22
45/43 16/5 ---- 81/43 - 75/11 0 24/5 153/86 0
2
Balanc - 45 / - 405 / - 486 / 1998/ 222 / 333/ - 459 / - 153 /
---- - 16 / 5
e 43 473 473 2365 473 473 430 215