Moment distribution is based on the method of successive approximation developed

by Hardy Cross (1885–1959) in his stay at the University of Illinois at Urbana-

Champaign (UIUC). This method is applicable to all types of rigid frame analysis.

Carry-Over Moment
Carry-over moment is defined as the moment induced at the fixed end of a beam by the
action of the moment applied at the other end.

Consider the propped beam shown above,

EItB/A=(AreaAB)⋅X¯B=0EItB/A=(AreaAB)⋅X¯B=0
12LMA(23L)+12LMB(13L)=012LMA(23L)+12LMB(13L)=0
MA=−12MBMA=−12MB

Thus, the moment applied at the roller end carries over to the fixed end a moment that
is half the amount and of opposite sign.

Beam Stiffness
Beam stiffness is the moment required to produce unit rotation at the simply supported
end of a beam, the other end being rigidly fixed.

From the beam above,

EIθAB=AreaABEIθAB=AreaAB
EIθ=12LMA+12LMBEIθ=12LMA+12LMB
EIθ=12L(−12MB)+12LMBEIθ=12L(−12MB)+12LMB
EIθ=−14LMB+12LMBEIθ=−14LMB+12LMB
EIθ=14LMBEIθ=14LMB
MB=4EIθLMB=4EIθL

If θ = 1 radian, MB = beam stiffness K, thus

Absolute K=4EILAbsolute K=4EIL

For constant E,
Relative K=ILRelative K=IL

Modified K
For hinge and roller ends, multiply K by 3/4 to eliminate further distribution of moment
on that support.

Fixed End Moments (FEM)

Assume that each span of continuous beam to be fully restrained against rotation then
fixed-end moments at the ends its members are computed.

Sign Convention
Counterclockwise moments acting on the beam are considered to be positive, and
clockwise moments acting on the beam are considered negative. This implies that
clockwise reaction at the joint is positive and counterclockwise reaction at the joint is
negative.

End Moments End Moments

Type of Load
(Actual Sign) (Used Sign)

FEMAB=−Pab2L2FEMAB=−Pab2L
MA=−Pab2L2MA=−Pab2L2 2
MB=−Pa2bL2MB=−Pa2bL2 FEMBA=+Pa2bL2FEMBA=+Pa2bL
2

MA=−PL8MA=−PL8 FEMAB=−PL8FEMAB=−PL8
MB=−PL8MB=−PL8 FEMBA=+PL8FEMBA=+PL8
 FEMAB=−woL212FEMAB=−woL2
MA=−woL212MA=−woL212 12
MB=−woL212MB=−woL212 FEMBA=+woL212FEMBA=+woL2
12

MA=−5woL2192MA=−5woL FEMAB=−5woL2192FEMAB=−5w
2192 oL2192
MB=−11woL2192MB=−11w FEMBA=+11woL2192FEMBA=+11
oL2192 woL2192

FEMAB=−woL230FEMAB=−woL2
MA=−woL230MA=−woL230 30
MB=−woL220MB=−woL220 FEMBA=+woL220FEMBA=+woL2
20

MA=−5woL296MA=−5woL2 FEMAB=−5woL296FEMAB=−5wo
96 L296
MB=−5woL296MB=−5woL2 FEMBA=+5woL296FEMBA=+5wo
96 L296

MA=MbL(3aL−1)MA=MbL( FEMAB=+MbL(3aL−1)FEMAB=+
3aL−1) MbL(3aL−1)
MB=−MaL(3bL−1)MB=−M FEMBA=+MaL(3bL−1)FEMBA=+
aL(3bL−1) MaL(3bL−1)

FEMAB=−6EIΔL2FEMAB=−6EIΔ
MA=−6EIΔL2MA=−6EIΔL2 L2
MB=6EIΔL2MB=6EIΔL2 FEMBA=−6EIΔL2FEMBA=−6EIΔ
L2

Distribution Factor, DF
At a joint, the distribution factor of a member is the ratio of the bending stiffness of the
member to the sum of bending stiffness of all the members connected to the joint.

DF=KΣKDF=KΣK
In general, the end moments of any two adjacent spans are not equal creating an
unbalanced moment at the joint. This unbalanced moment is then distributed in
percentage equal to the distribution factor.
Note:
DF = 0 for fixed end.
DF = 1 for hinged or roller end.