THEORY2

Structural Theory 2

Chapter 5

Moment Distribution Method;

General;
- the moment distribution method of analyzing continuous beams and frames
involves little more labor than the approximate methods but yields accuracy
equivalent to that obtained from the infinitely more laborious exact methods.
The inlays of statically indeterminate structures previously discussed
frequently involved the solution of inconvenient simultaneous equations.
Simultaneous equations are not necessary in solutions by moment distribution,
except in a few rare situations for complicated frames. The Cross method,
introduced by the late Prof. Hardy Cross in 1924, involves successive cycles of
computation, each cycle drawing closer to the exact answer. The calculations
may be stopped after two or three cycles, giving a very good approximate
analysis or they may be carried on to whatever degree of accuracy is desired.
When these advantages are considered in the light of the fact that the accuracy
obtained by the lengthy classical method is often questionable, the true worth
of this quick and practical method is understood.
Introduction;
- the beauty of moment distribution lies in its simplicity of theory and
application. The following discussion pertains to structures having members of
constant cross section throughout their respective length (that is, prismatic
members). It is assumed that there is no joint translation where two or more
members frame together, but there can be some joint rotation (that is, the
members may rotate as a group but may not move with respect to each other).
Finally, axial deformation of members is neglected.
A

B
Figure 1a

C
B
Figure 1b

Figure 1c

Considering the structure on Figure 1a, joints A and C are seen to be

fixed. Joint B, however, is not fixed, and the loads on the structure will cause
it to rotate slightly, as represented by the elastic curve on Figure 1b. If an
imaginary clamp is placed at B, fixing it so that it cannot be displaced, the
structure will, under load, take the shape of Figure 1c. For this situation,
with all ends fixed, the fixed-end moments can be calculated with very little
difficulty by the usual expressions.
If the clamp at B is removed, the joint will rotate slightly, twisting the
ends of the members meeting there and causing a redistribution of the moments in
the member ends. The changes in the moments or twists at B ends of members AB
and BC cause some effect at their other ends. When a moment is applied to one
end of a member, the other end being fixed, there is some effect or carryover
to the fixed end.
After the fixed-end moments are computed, the problem to be handled may be
briefly stated as consisting of the calculation of;
-

the moments caused in the B ends of the members by the rotation of B

the magnitude of the moments carried over to the other ends of the members

the addition or subtraction of these latter moments to the original fixed-end

moments.

Engr. I.R. Bonzon

THEORY2

Structural Theory 2

Chapter 5

These steps can be simply written as being the fixed-end moments plus the
moments due to the rotation of joint B as;
M
=
M fixed + M B
Basic Relations;
- there are two questions that must be answered in order to apply the momentdistribution method to actual structures. They are;
-

what is the moment developed or carried over to a fixed end of a member when
the other end is subjected to a certain moment?

when a joint is unclamped and rotates, what is the distribution of the

unbalanced moment to the members meeting at the joint, or how much resisting
moment is supplied by each member?

Carryover Moments;
- to determine the carryover moment, the unloaded beam of constant cross section
in Figure 2a is considered. If a moment M 1 is applied to the left end of the

M 2 will be developed at the right end. The left end is at a

joint that has been released and the moment M1 causes it to rotate an amount
1 . There will, however, be no deflection or translation of the left end with
beam, a moment

respect to the right end.

M1

M1
EI

M2
EI

M1
EI
M1
2EI

L
a

Figure 2
The second moment-area theorem may be used to determine the magnitude of

M 2 . The deflection of the tangent to the elastic curve of the beam at the left
end with respect to the tangent at the right end (which remains horizontal) is
equal to the moment of the area of the M/EI diagram taken about the left end and
is equal to zero. By drawing the M/EI diagram in Figure 2b and dividing it into
triangles to facilitate the area computations, the following expression may be
written and solved for M 2 ;

M2

(0.5 x M1 x L)(0.33L) (0.5 x M 2 x L)(0.67l)

EI
M1L2
6EI
-

M 2L2
3EI

M1
2

A moment applied at one end of a prismatic member, the other end being
fixed, will cause a moment half as large and of opposite sign at the fixed end
Engr. I.R. Bonzon

THEORY2

Structural Theory 2

Chapter 5

with the carryover factor equal to . The minus sign refers to strength-ofmaterials sign convention: A distributed moment on one end causing tension in
bottom fibers must be carried over so that it will cause tension in the top
fibers of the other end. A study of Figure 2 shows that carrying over with a +
value with the moment-distribution sign convention automatically takes care of
the situation, and it is unnecessary to change the signs with each carryover.
Distribution Factors;
- usually a group of members framed together at a joint have different stiffness.
When a joint is unclamped and begins to rotate under the unbalanced moment, the
resistance to rotation varies from member to member. The problem is to determine
how much of the unbalanced moment will be taken up by each of the members. It
seems reasonable to assume the unbalance will be resisted in direct relation to
the respective resistance to end rotation of each member.
The beam and M/EI diagram of Figure 2b are redrawn in Figure 2c, with the
proper relationship between M 1 and M 2 , and an expression is written for the
amount of rotation caused by moment M 1 .
Using the first moment-area theorem, the angle may be represented by the
area of the M/EI diagram between A and B, the tangent at B remaining horizontal.

(0.5 M 1)(0.67L) (0.5)(0.5 M 1)(0.33L)

EI

M1L
4EI

Assuming that all members consist of the same material, having the same
modulus of elasticity values, the only variables in the foregoing equation
affecting the amount of end rotation are the L and I values. The amount of
rotation occurring at the right end of a member obviously varies directly as the
L/I value for the member. The larger the rotation of the member, the less moment
it will carry. The moment resisted varies inversely as the amount of rotation or
directly as the L/I value. This latter value is referred to as the stiffness
factor, K.
K

I
L

To determine the unbalanced moment taken by each of the members at a

joint, the stiffness factors at the joint are totaled and each member is assumed
to carry a proportion of the unbalanced moment equal to its K value divided by
the sum of all the K values at the joint. These proportions of the total
unbalanced moment carried by each of the members are the distribution factors.

DF1 =

K1
K

DF2 =

K2
K

Fixed-End Moments;
- when all of the joints of a structure are clamped to prevent any joint
rotation, the external loads produce certain moments at the ends of the members
to which they are applied. These moments are referred to as fixed-end moments.
Unbalanced Moments;
- initially the joints in a structure are considered to be clamped. When a joint
is released, it rotates if the sum of the fixed-end moments at the joints is not
zero. The difference between zero and the actual sum of the end moments is the
unbalanced moment.
Engr. I.R. Bonzon

THEORY2

Structural Theory 2

Chapter 5

Carryover Moments;
- the distributed moments in the ends of the members cause moments in the other
ends, which are assumed fixed, and these are the carryover moments.
Distributed Moments;
- after the clamp at a joint is released, the unbalanced moment causes the joint
to rotate. The rotation twists the ends of the members at the joint and changes
their moments. In other words, rotation of the joint is resisted by the members
and resisting moments are built up in the members as they are twisted. Rotation
continues until equilibrium is reached at which time the sum of the moments at
the joint is equal to zero. The moments developed in the members resisting
rotation are the distributed moments.
Sign Convention;
- the moments at the end of a member are assumed to be negative when they tend to
rotate the member end clockwise about the joint (the resisting moment of the
joint would be counterclockwise). The continuous beam, with all joints assumed
to be clamped, has clockwise (or -) moments on the left end of each span and
counterclockwise (or +) moments on the right end of each span.
EX. Analyze the continuous beam shown below.
100 kN

10 kN/m

3.0 m

3.0 m

SPAN

6.0 m

4I

3I

AB
A

K
DF
FEM

-75.00

BAL
CO

CO

0.60

D
12

0.50

0.50

1.00

-53.33

+53.33

-15.00

+15.00

-13.00

-19.17

-19.17

-15.00

-9.59

-6.50

-7.50

-9.59

+5.75

+7.00

+7.00

+9.59

+3.50

+2.88

+4.80

+3.50

-2.10

-3.84

-3.84

-3.50

-1.92

-1.05

-1.75

-1.92

+1.15

+1.40

+1.40

+1.92

+0.70

+0.58

+0.96

+0.70

-0.42

-0.77

-0.77

-0.70

-1.40
-0.70
+0.77
+0.39

BAL

-8.67

+1.92

BAL

CD
C

+75.00

+3.84

BAL
CO

B
12

0.40

-4.34

BAL
CO

BC
B

8
0

8.0 m

2I

JOINT

5 kN/m

-0.28

FM

-77.73

+69.26

-69.26

+33.86

-33.87

0.00

VL

+50.00

+50.00

+40.00

+40.00

+15.00

+15.00

VM

+1.41

-4.43

+5.65

-5.65

VT

+51.41

+35.57

+20.65

+9.35

+51.41

Engr. I.R. Bonzon

-1.41
+48.59

+4.43
+44.43

+93.02

+56.22

+9.35
4

THEORY2

Structural Theory 2

Chapter 5

relative stiffness factors,

K AB = K BA

2
6

K BC = K CB

4
8

K CD = K DC

3
6

8
24
12
24
12
24

K AB = K BA

K BC = K CB

12

K CD = K DC

12

distribution factor,

DFAB
DFBA

=
=

DFBC

8
8 12

=
12
8 12

0.40

DFCB

12
12 12

0.50

DFCD

12
12 12

0.50

DFDC

0.60

1.0

fixed-end moments,

FEM AB

PL
8

(100)(6)
8

-75.0 kN-m

FEM BA

PL
8

(100)(6)
8

+75.0 kN-m

FEM BC

L2
12

(10)(8)2
12

-53.33

kN-

FEM CB

L2
12

(10)(8)2
12

+53.33

kN-

FEM CD

L2
12

(5)(6)2
12

-15.0 kN-m

Engr. I.R. Bonzon

THEORY2

Structural Theory 2

FEMDC

L2
12

Chapter 5

(5)(6)2
12

+15.0 kN-m

EX. Analyze the structure shown by moment distribution method.

50 kN
A

20 kN

40 kN

B
3 m

3 m

C
2 m

4 m

SPAN
JOINT

2 m 2 m

AB

BC
B

-37.50

BAL

+37.50

CD

1.00

FEM

2I

K
DF

20 kN

0.40
+37.50

-----

0.60

1.00

-37.50

+52.50

-----40.00

-12.50

CO

+18.75

-6.25

BAL

-5.00

-7.50

CO

-2.50

-3.75

BAL

+2.50

+3.75

CO

+1.25

+1.88

BAL

-1.25

-1.88

FM

0.00

+51.25

-51.25

+40.00

-40.00

VL

+25.00

+25.00

+25.00

+35.00

+20.00

VM

-8.54

+8.54

+1.41

VT

+16.46

+33.54

+26.41

+16.46

-1.41
+33.59

+59.95

0.00
+20.00

+53.59

relative stiffness factors,

K AB = K BA

1
6

K BC = K CB

2
8

4
24
6
24

K AB = K BA

K BC = K CB

distribution factor,

DFAB
DFBA

Engr. I.R. Bonzon

=
=

4
46

1.00

0.40

THEORY2

Structural Theory 2

DFBC

Chapter 5

6
46

DFCB

0.60

1.00

fixed-end moments,

FEM AB

PL
8

FEM BA

PL
8

FEM BC

FEM CB

(8)2

+37.5 kN-m

-37.5 kN-m

L2

(40)(6)2(2)

-37.5 kN-m

P2a22b2

L2

L2

(8)2

P1a12b1

(20)(2)2(6)

(50)(6)
8

(40)(6)(2)2

(8)2

P2a2b22

L2

(20)(2)(6)2

P1a1 b12

(50)(6)

(8)2

+52.5 kN-m

EX. Determine all moments for the beam shown, which is assumed to have
following support settlements: B = 20 mm and C = 40 mm.
Given:
E
=
200 GPa
I
=
4.0 x 108 mm 4
50 kN

50 kN

B
4 m

4 m

40 kN

C
4 m

4 m

the

D
3 m

5 m

relative stiffness factors,

K AB = K BA

K BC = K CB

K CD = K DC

Engr. I.R. Bonzon

1
8
1
8
1
8

K AB = K BA

K BC = K CB

K CD = K DC

THEORY2

Structural Theory 2
SPAN

Engr. I.R. Bonzon

AB

BC

Chapter 5
CD

THEORY2

Structural Theory 2
JOINT

K
DF

1
1.00

Chapter 5
C

1
0.50

0.50

1
0.50

0.50

1.00

FEM

+100.00

+200.00

+100.00

+200.00

-346.88

-271.88

BAL

-100.00

-150.00

-150.00

+73.44

+73.44

+271.88

+36.72

-75.00

+135.94

+36.72

+6.64

CO

-75.00

BAL

+75.00

-50.00

-30.47

-30.47

-36.72

CO

+3.32

+37.50

+6.64

-15.24

+3.32

-18.36

-15.24

BAL

-3.32

-11.13

-11.13

+7.52

+7.52

+15.24

CO

-5.57

-1.66

+3.76

-5.57

+7.62

+3.76

BAL

+5.57

-1.05

-1.05

-1.03

-1.03

-3.76

CO

-0.53

+2.79

-0.52

-0.53

-1.88

-0.52

BAL

+0.53

-1.14

-1.14

+1.21

+1.21

+0.52

CO

-0.57

+0.27

+0.61

-0.57

+0.26

+0.61

BAL

+0.57

-0.44

-0.44

+0.16

+0.16

-0.61

CO

-0.22

+0.29

+0.08

-0.22

-0.31

+0.08

BAL

+0.22

-0.19

-0.19

+0.27

+0.27

-0.08

CO

-0.10

+0.11

+0.14

-0.10

-0.04

+0.14

BAL

+0.10

-0.13

-0.13

+0.07

+0.07

-0.14

CO

-0.07

+0.05

+0.04

-0.07

-0.07

+0.04

BAL

+0.07

-0.05

-0.05

+0.07

+0.07

-0.04

FM

0.00

+31.86

-31.87

+172.50

-172.48

VL

+25.00

+25.00

+25.00

+25.00

+25.00

+15.00

VM

-3.98

+3.98

-17.58

+17.58

+21.56

-21.56

VT

+21.02

+7.42

+42.58

+46.56

-6.56

+21.02

+28.98

+36.40

0.00

+89.14

-6.56

distribution factor,

DFAB

DFBA

1
1 1

0.50

DFBC

1
1 1

0.50

DFCB

1
1 1

0.50

DFCD

1
1 1

0.50

DFDC

1.00

1.00

fixed-end moments,

Engr. I.R. Bonzon

THEORY2

Structural Theory 2

FEM AB

FEM BA

FEM BC

FEM CB

FEM CD

PL
8

(50)(8)
8

PL
8

(50)(8)
8

(8000)2(1 x 103)

(8000)2(1 x 103)

Pab2
2

(40)(3)(5)2
(8)2

+200.0 kN-m

+100.0 kN-m

+200.0 kN-m

L2
(6)(200)(4 x 108)(20)
(8000)2(1 x 103)

6EI

6EI

PL
8

+100.0 kN-m

L2
(6)(200)(4 x 108)(20)

6EI

PL
8

(50)(8)
8

L2
(6)(200)(4 x 108)(20)

(50)(8)
8

6EI

Chapter 5

L2
(6)(200)(4 x 108)(20)
(8000)2(1 x 103)

6EI
L2
(6)(200)(4 x 108)(40)
(8000)2(1 x 103)

-346.88

-271.88

kN-m

FEMDC

Pa2b
L2

(40)(3)2(5)
(8)2

6EI
L2
(6)(200)(4 x 108)(40)
(8000)2(1 x 103)

kN-m

Engr. I.R. Bonzon

10