SLOPE DEFLECTION METHOD (SDM)

The slope-deflection method for the analysis of indeterminate beams

and frames was introduced by George A. Maney in 1915.

When a continuous beam or a frame is subjected to external loads, internal

moments generally develop at the ends of its individual members.

“The slope-deflection equations relate the moments at the ends of a member

to the rotations and displacements of its ends and the external loads applied
to the member.”
• MAB denotes the moment at end A of member AB,
whereas MBA represents the moment at end B of
member AB.

• θA and θB denote, respectively, the rotations

of ends A and B of the member with respect
to the undeformed (horizontal) position of the
member;

• Δ denotes the relative translation between

the two ends of the member in the direction
perpendicular to the undeformed axis of the
member;

• ψ denotes the rotation of the member’s chord

(i.e., the straight line connecting the
deformed positions of the member ends) due
to the relative translation D. Since the
deformations are assumed to be small, the
chord rotation can be expressed as
The sign convention used in this PRESENTATION is:

The member end moments, end rotations, and chord rotation are positive when
counterclockwise.

* For consistency of previous topics, we can maintain an opposite sign convention

as stated above.
For the section shown, the SDM
equations are:

Or in general:

in which the subscript n refers to the

near end of the member where the
moment Mnf acts and the subscript f
identifies the far (other) end of the
member.
FIXED-END MOMENTS (FEM)
The expressions for fixed-
end moments due to any
loading condition can be
derived by using the
method of consistent
deformations.
 Members with One End Hinged

The slope-deflection equations derived previously or are based on the condition that the member
is rigidly connected to joints at both ends, so that the member end rotations θA and θB are
equal to the rotations of the adjacent joints.

When one of the member’s ends is connected to the adjacent joint by a hinged connection, the
moment at the hinged end must be zero. The slope-deflection equations can be easily modified
to reflect this condition.

Where r = rigidly connected end of member

h = hinged end of the member
Equations of Equilibrium
Because the entire structure is in
equilibrium, each of its members and
joints must also be in equilibrium. By
applying the moment equilibrium
equations Σ MB = 0 and Σ Mc = 0,
respectively, to the free bodies of
joints B and C, we obtain the
equilibrium equations:
 Det. The end moments of
the beam shown:

End supports not

continuous,

MAB=0
MDC=0.

Apply equations
for one end
hinged.
Fixed End Moments:

FEMAB = -wL2/12 = 15(100)2/12

FEMAB = -125 KN.m (counterclockwise)
FEMBA = 125 KN.m (clockwise)

FEMBD = -wL2/12 + Pab2/L2

FEMBD = -15(10)2/12 – 60(5)(5)2/102
FEMBD = - 200 KN.m (counterclock wise)
FEMDB = 200 KN.m (clock wise)
SLOPE DEFLECTION EQUATIONS FOR MBA and MBD
Isolate sections B left and B right as shown:
Example: Draw the V and M diagram of the given beam.
Apply SDM
Hint: θA can be taken as zero for any fixed support.

I will be sending the

solution tomorrow to
give you ample time
to study. Stay safe!