DISPLACEMENT METHOD

OF ANALYSIS:
MOMENT DISTRIBUTION

CE132P – LECTURE 15
LEARNING OBJECTIVES
• To relate the method of Moment Distribution for Beams in determining the
distribution factors and fixed end moments of a given beam.

• To derive the stiffness factor for a far end pinned or roller support beam,
symmetrically loaded beam and symmetric beam with anti-symmetric
loading

• To determine the internal moments at the supports of a beam using the

derived stiffness factor.

• To calculate the internal moments in frames using the moment distribution

method on frames without sideway.

• To calculate the internal moments in frames using the moment distribution

method on frames with sideway.
INTRODUCTION
 The MOMENT-DISTRIBUTION METHOD is a
displacement method of analysis that is easy to
apply once certain elastic constants have been
determined.
 The method of analyzing beams and frames using
moment distribution was developed by Hardy
Cross, in 1930.
SIGN CONVENTION

Positive Clockwise
FIXED END MOMENTS (FEM)

The moments at the “walls” or fixed joints of a loaded

member are called fixed-end moments.

Don’t forget to apply the positive sign convention of rotation.

MEMBER STIFFNESS
FACTOR (K)
MEMBER STIFFNESS
FACTOR (K)

4𝐸𝐼
𝐾= For far-end fixed support
𝐿
2𝐸𝐼
𝐾= For far-end pin/roller support
𝐿
JOINT STIFFNESS FACTOR (K)

𝐾𝑇 = 𝐾

𝐾𝐴 = 1000 + 4000 + 5000 = 𝟏𝟎, 𝟎𝟎𝟎

DISTRIBUTION FACTOR (DF)
DISTRIBUTION FACTOR (DF)
𝑀𝑖 = 𝐾𝑖 𝜃
𝑀 = 𝑀1 + 𝑀𝑛 = 𝐾1 𝜃 + 𝐾𝑛 𝜃

𝑀=𝜃 𝐾𝑖
𝑀𝑖 𝐾𝑖 𝜃 𝐾
𝐷𝐹𝑖 = = 𝐷𝐹𝑖 =
𝑀 𝜃 𝐾𝑖 𝐾
DISTRIBUTION FACTOR (DF)
EXAMPLE
4000
𝐷𝐹𝐴𝐵 = = 0.4
10000

5000
𝐷𝐹𝐴𝐶 = = 0.5
10000
1000
𝐷𝐹𝐴𝐷 = = 0.1
10000
DISTRIBUTION FACTOR (DF)
EXAMPLE

𝑀𝐴𝐵 = 0.4 × 2000 = 800 N ∙ 𝑚

𝑀𝐴𝑐 = 0.5 × 2000 = 1000 N ∙ 𝑚

𝑀𝐴𝐷 = 0.1 × 2000 = 200 N ∙ 𝑚

MEMBER RELATIVE
STIFFNESS FACTOR (K R)
If a continuous beam or structure consists of the same
material.

Thus, E for each member is the same.

𝐼 For Far-End Fixed

𝐾𝑅 =
𝐿
Then, use this for the computation of DF.
CARRY OVER FACTOR

4𝐸𝐼
𝑀𝐴𝐵 = 𝜃 2𝐸𝐼
𝐿 𝐴 𝑀𝐵𝐴 = 𝜃𝐴
𝐿
CARRY OVER FACTOR

4𝐸𝐼 2𝐸𝐼
𝑀𝐴𝐵 = 𝜃𝐴 𝑀𝐵𝐴 = 𝜃𝐴
𝐿 𝐿
1
𝑀′ = 𝑀
2
MOMENT DISTRIBUTION:

BEAMS
MOMENT DISTRIBUTION: BEAMS
6000 N/m
4𝐸𝐼
𝐾=
IAB=120(106) mm4 IBC=240(106) mm4 𝐿
For far-end fixed
3m 4m
support

4𝐸(120)(106 )
𝐾𝐵𝐴 = = 𝟒𝑬 𝟒𝟎 𝟏𝟎𝟔 𝒎𝒎𝟒 /𝒎
3
4𝐸(240)(106 )
𝐾𝐵𝐶 = = 𝟒𝑬 𝟔𝟎 𝟏𝟎𝟔 𝒎𝒎𝟒 /𝒎
3
MOMENT DISTRIBUTION: BEAMS
𝐾
𝐷𝐹𝑖 =
𝐾
4𝐸 40 106
𝐷𝐹𝐵𝐴 = 6 6
= 𝟎. 𝟒
4𝐸 40 10 + 4𝐸 60 10

4𝐸 60 106
𝐷𝐹𝐶𝐵 = 6 6
= 𝟎. 𝟔
4𝐸 40 10 + 4𝐸 60 10
MOMENT DISTRIBUTION: BEAMS
Since in theory it would take an “infinite” size moment to
rotate the wall one radian, the wall stiffness factor is
“infinite”.
4𝐸 40 106
𝐷𝐹𝐴𝐵 = 6
=𝟎
∞ + 4𝐸 60 10
4𝐸 60 106
𝐷𝐹𝐶𝐵 = 6
=𝟎
4𝐸 60 10 + ∞

𝐼
𝐾𝑅 = For Far-End Fixed Can be used for
𝐿 calculations
MOMENT DISTRIBUTION: BEAMS

𝑤𝐿2 6000 4 2
𝐹𝐸𝑀𝐵𝐶 =− =− = −𝟖𝟎𝟎𝟎 𝑵 ∙ 𝒎
12 12
𝑤𝐿2 6000 4 2
𝐹𝐸𝑀𝐶𝐵 = = = 𝟖𝟎𝟎𝟎 𝑵 ∙ 𝒎
12 12
MOMENT DISTRIBUTION: BEAMS

1. Determine the unbalanced moment acting at the

initially “locked” joint.

2. Unlock the joint and apply an equal but opposite

unbalanced moment to correct the equilibrium

3. Distribute the moment among the connecting spans

4. Carry the moment in each span over to its other end.

MOMENT DISTRIBUTION: BEAMS
JOINT A B C
Member AB BA BC CB
DF 0 0.4 0.6 0
FEM 0 0 -8000 8000
DIST 0 3200 4800 0
CO 1600 0 0 2400

𝑴 1600 3200 -3200 10400

MOMENT DISTRIBUTION: BEAMS
6000 N/m

For a far-end pin/roller support IAB=120(106) mm4 IBC=240(106) mm4

3m 4m

JOINT A B C
Member AB BA BC CB
DF 0 0.4 0.6 1
FEM 0 0 -8000 8000
DIST 0 3200 4800 -8000
CO 1600 0 -4000 2400

𝑴 1600 3200 -3200 10400

MOMENT DISTRIBUTION: BEAMS
JOINT A B C
Member AB BA BC CB
DF 0 0.4 0.6 1
FEM 0 0 -8000 8000
DIST 1 0 3200 4800 -8000
CO 1 1600 0 -4000 2400
DIST 2 0 1600 2400 -2400
CO 2 800 0 -1200 1200
DIST 3 0 480 720 -1200
CO 3 240 0 -600 360
DIST 4 0 240 360 -360
CO 4 120 0 -180 180
DIST 5 0 72 108 -180
MOMENT DISTRIBUTION: BEAMS
JOINT A B C
Member AB BA BC CB
DF 0 0.4 0.6 1
DIST 4 0 240 360 -360
CO 4 120 0 -180 180
DIST 5 0 72 108 -180
CO 5 36 0 -90 54
DIST 6 0 36 54 -54
CO 6 18 0 -27 27
DIST 7 0 10.8 16.2 -27
CO 7 5.4 0 -13.5 8.1
DIST 8 0 5.4 8.1 -8.1
CO 8 2.7 0 -4.05 4.05
MOMENT DISTRIBUTION: BEAMS
JOINT A B C
Member AB BA BC CB
DF 0 0.4 0.6 1
DIST 8 0 5.4 8.1 -8.1
CO 8 2.7 0 -4.05 4.05
DIST 9 0 1.62 2.43 -4.05
CO 9 0.81 0 -2.02 1.22
DIST 10 0 0.8 1.22 -1.22
CO 10 0.4 0 -0.61 0.61
DIST 11 0 0.24 0.37 -0.61

𝑴 2823 5647 -5647 0

SAMPLE PROBLEM 1
Determine the internal moments at each support.
EI is constant. Support A and D is fixed; and B and
C is roller.

MAB = 62.5 KN-m

MBA = 125.2 KN-m
MBC = -125.2 KN-m
MCB = 281.5 KN-m
MCD = -281.5 KN-m
MDC = -234.3 KN-m
STIFFNESS FACTORS:

DISTRIBUTION FACTORS:

FIXED-END MOMENTS:
TO BE CONTINUED…
DISPLACEMENT METHOD
OF ANALYSIS:
MOMENT DISTRIBUTION
STIFFNESS FACTOR MODIFICATION

CE132P
FAR-END FIXED
MEMBER PIN SUPPORTED
AT FAR-END
𝑀𝐿
𝑉𝐴′ =𝜃=
3𝐸𝐼

3𝐸𝐼
𝑀= 𝜃
𝐿

3𝐸𝐼
𝐾=
𝐿
SYMMETRIC BEAM LOADING

The stiffness factor for the center span is

𝑀𝐿 2𝐸𝐼 2𝐸𝐼
𝑉𝐵′ =𝜃= 𝑀= 𝜃 𝐾=
2𝐸𝐼 𝐿 𝐿
SYMMETRIC BEAM WITH
ANTI-SYMMETRIC LOADING

The stiffness factor for the center span is

𝑀𝐿 6𝐸𝐼 6𝐸𝐼
𝑉𝐵′ =𝜃= 𝑀= 𝜃 𝐾=
6𝐸𝐼 𝐿 𝐿
SAMPLE PROBLEM 2
Determine the internal moments at each support. EI is
constant
100 KN/m

3m 3m 3m
MOMENT DISTRIBUTION
FOR FRAMES:
NO SIDESWAY
SAMPLE PROBLEM
Determine the internal moments at each support. There is a
pin at D and E and a fixed support at A. EI is constant
SOLUTION
MOMENT DISTRIBUTION
FOR FRAMES:
SIDESWAY
SAMPLE PROBLEM
Determine the internal moments at each joints. EI is constant
MOMENT DISTRIBUTION METHOD

PS # 6
TO BE SUBMITTED ON 5/24/18
PROBLEM 1
Determine the internal moments at each support.
Support D is fixed; and B and C is roller.

2000 N 1500 N/m

IAB=200(106) mm4 IBC=300(106) mm4 ICD=240(106) mm4

2m 4m 3m
PROBLEM 2
Determine the internal
moments at each support.
Assume the support at B is
a pin and A and C are
rollers. The distributed load
rests on simply supported
floor boards that transmit
the load to the floor beams.
EI is constant.
PROBLEM 3
Determine the internal
moments at each support.
Assume the support at A
is a pin and C is fixed. EI
is constant.
THE END

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Analysis of non-prismatic beams
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