MODULE

3
ANALYSIS OF
STATICALLY
INDETERMINATE
STRUCTURES BY THE
DISPLACEMENT
METHOD
Version 2 CE IIT, Kharagpur
 LESSON
19
THE MOMENT-
DISTRIBUTION
METHOD: STATICALLY
INDETERMINATE
BEAMS WITH SUPPORT
SETTLEMENTS
Version 2 CE IIT, Kharagpur
Instructional Objectives
After reading this chapter the student will be able to
1. Solve continuous beam with support settlements by the moment-
distribution method.
2. Compute reactions at the supports.
3. Draw bending moment and shear force diagrams.
4. Draw the deflected shape of the continuous beam.

19.1 Introduction
In the previous lesson, moment-distribution method was discussed in the context
of statically indeterminate beams with unyielding supports. It is very well known
that support may settle by unequal amount during the lifetime of the structure.
Such support settlements induce fixed end moments in the beams so as to hold
the end slopes of the members as zero (see Fig. 19.1).

In lesson 15, an expression (equation 15.5) for beam end moments were derived
by superposing the end moments developed due to

1. Externally applied loads on beams

2. Due to displacements θ A ,θ B and Δ (settlements).

The required equations are,

2 EI AB ⎡ 3Δ ⎤
M AB = M AB + ⎢2θ A + θ B −
F
⎥ (19.1a)
L AB ⎣ L AB ⎦

Version 2 CE IIT, Kharagpur

 2 EI AB ⎡ 3Δ ⎤
M BA = M BA + ⎢2θ B + θ A −
F
⎥ (19.1b)
L AB ⎣ L AB ⎦

This may be written as,

M AB = M AB
F
+ 2 K AB [2θ A + θ B ] + M AB
S
(19.2a)

M BA = M BA
F
+ 2 K AB [ 2θ B + θ A ] + M BA
S
(19.2b)

EI AB
where K AB = is the stiffness factor for the beam AB. The coefficient 4 has
L AB
been dropped since only relative values are required in calculating distribution
factors.

6 EI AB Δ
S
Note that M AB = M BA
S
=− (19.3)
L2AB

S
M AB is the beam end moments due to support settlement and is negative
(clockwise) for positive support settlements (upwards). In the moment-distribution
S S
method, the support moments M AB and M BA due to uneven support settlements
are distributed in a similar manner as the fixed end moments, which were
described in details in lesson 18.

It is important to follow consistent sign convention. Here counterclockwise beam

⎛Δ⎞
end moments are taken as positive and counterclockwise chord rotation ⎜ ⎟ is
⎝L⎠
taken as positive. The moment-distribution method as applied to statically
indeterminate beams undergoing uneven support settlements is illustrated with a
few examples.

Version 2 CE IIT, Kharagpur

Example 19.1

Calculate the support moments of the continuous beam ABC (Fig. 19.2a) having
constant flexural rigidity EI throughout, due to vertical settlement of support B
by 5mm. Assume E = 200 GPa ; and I = 4 × 10−4 m 4 .

Solution

There is no load on the beam and hence fixed end moments are zero. However,
fixed end moments are developed due to support settlement of B by 5mm. In the
span AB , the chord rotates by ψ AB in clockwise direction. Thus,

5 × 10 −3
ψ AB = −
5
6 EI AB 6 × 200 × 10 9 × 4 × 10 −4 ⎛ 5 × 10 −3 ⎞
M S
AB =M S
BA =− ψ AB = − ⎜⎜ − ⎟⎟
L AB 5 ⎝ 5 ⎠

= 96000 Nm = 96 kNm. (1)

In the span BC , the chord rotates by ψ BC in the counterclockwise direction and

hence taken as positive.

5 × 10 −3
ψ BC =
5

Version 2 CE IIT, Kharagpur

 6 EI BC 6 × 200 × 10 9 × 4 × 10 −4 ⎛ 5 × 10 −3 ⎞
S
M BC = M CB
S
=− ψ BC = − ⎜⎜ ⎟⎟
LBC 5 ⎝ 5 ⎠

= −96000 Nm = −96 kNm. (2)

Now calculate stiffness and distribution factors.

EI AB 3 EI BC
K BA = = 0.2 EI and K BC = = 0.15EI (3)
L AB 4 LBC

Note that, while calculating stiffness factor, the coefficient 4 has been dropped
since only relative values are required in calculating the distribution factors. For
span BC , reduced stiffness factor has been taken as support C is hinged.
At B :

∑ K = 0.35EI
0.2 EI
DFBA = = 0.571
0.35 EI
0.15 EI
DFBC = = 0.429 (4)
0.35 EI

At support C :

∑ K = 0.15EI ; DFCB = 1.0 .

Now joint moments are balanced as discussed previously by unlocking and

locking each joint in succession and distributing the unbalanced moments till the
joints have rotated to their final positions. The complete procedure is shown in
Fig. 19.2b and also in Table 19.1.

Version 2 CE IIT, Kharagpur

Table 19.1 Moment-distribution for continuous beam ABC

Joint A B C
Member BA BC CB
Stiffness factor 0.2EI 0.15EI 0.15EI
Distribution Factor 0.571 0.429 1.000
Fixd End Moments
(kN.m) 96.000 96.000 -96.000 -96.000
Balance joint C and
C.O. to B 48.00 96.000
Balance joint B and
C.O. to A -13,704 -27.408 -20.592

Final Moments
(kN.m) 82.296 68.592 -68.592 0.000

Note that there is no carry over to joint C as it was left unlocked.

Example 19.2

A continuous beam ABCD is carrying uniformly distributed load 5 kN / m as

shown in Fig. 19.3a. Compute reactions and draw shear force and bending
moment diagram due to following support settlements.

Support B , 0.005m vertically downwards.

Version 2 CE IIT, Kharagpur

Support C , .0100m vertically downwards.

Assume E = 200GPa ; I = 1.35 × 10 −3 m 4 .

Solution:

Assume that supports A, B, C and D are locked and calculate fixed end moments
due to externally applied load and support settlements. The fixed end beam
moments due to externally applied loads are,
5 × 100
F
M AB = = 41.67 kN.m; M BA
F
= −41.67 kN.m
12
F
M BC = +41.67 kN.m; F
M BC = −41.67 kN.m
F
M CD = +41.67 kN.m; F
M DC = −41.67 kN.m (1)

In the span AB , the chord joining joints A and B rotates in the clockwise direction
as B moves vertical downwards with respect to A (see Fig. 19.3b).

Version 2 CE IIT, Kharagpur

ψ AB = −0.0005 radians (negative as chord AB ' rotates in the clockwise direction
from its original position)

ψ BC = −0.0005 radians

ψ CD = 0.001 radians (positive as chord C' D rotates in the counterclockwise

direction).

Now the fixed end beam moments due to support settlements are,

6 EI AB 6 × 200 ×109 ×1.35 × 10−3

S
M AB =− ψ AB = − (−0.0005)
LAB 10
= 81000 N.m = 81.00 kN.m
M S
BA = 81.00 kN.m
S
M BC = M CB
S
= 81.00 kN.m
S
M CD = M DC
S
= −162.00 kN.m (3)

In the next step, calculate stiffness and distribution factors. For span AB and CD
modified stiffness factors are used as supports A and D are hinged. Stiffness
factors are,

Version 2 CE IIT, Kharagpur

 3 EI EI
K BA = = 0.075 EI ; K BC = = 0.10 EI
4 10 10
(4)
EI 3 EI
K CB = = 0.10 EI ; K CD = = 0.075 EI
10 4 10

At joint A : ∑ K = 0.075EI ; DFAB = 1.0

At joint B : ∑ K = 0.175EI ; DFBA = 0.429 ; DFBC = 0.571

At joint C : ∑ K = 0.175EI ; DFCB = 0.571 ; DFCD = 0.429

At joint D : ∑ K = 0.075EI ; DFDC = 1.0

The complete procedure of successively unlocking the joints, balancing them and
locking them is shown in a working diagram in Fig.19.3c. In the first row, the
distribution factors are entered. Then fixed end moments due to applied loads
and support settlements are entered. In the first step, release joints A and D . The
unbalanced moments at A and D are 122.67 kN.m, -203.67 kN.m respectively.
Hence balancing moments at A and D are -122.67 kN.m, 203.67 kN.m
respectively. (Note that we are dealing with beam end moments and not joint
moments). The joint moments are negative of the beam end moments. Further
leave A and D unlocked as they are hinged joints. Now carry over moments
-61.34 kN.m and 101.84 kN.m to joint B and C respectively. In the next cycle,
balance joints B and C . The unbalanced moment at joint B is 100.66 kN.m .
Hence balancing moment for beam BA is −43.19 ( −100.66 × 0.429) and for BC is
−57.48 kN.m (-100.66 x 0.571) . The balancing moment on BC gives a carry over
moment of −26.74 kN.m to joint C . The whole procedure is shown in Fig. 19.3c
and in Table 19.2. It must be noted that there is no carryover to joints A and D
as they were left unlocked.

Version 2 CE IIT, Kharagpur

Version 2 CE IIT, Kharagpur
Table 19.2 Moment-distribution for continuous beam ABCD

Joint A B C D

Members AB BA BC CB CD DC
Stiffness factors 0.075 EI 0.075 EI 0.1 EI 0.1 EI 0.075 EI 0.075 EI
Distribution 1.000 0.429 0.571 0.571 0.429 1.000
Factors

FEM due to 41.670 -41.670 41.670 -41.670 41.670 -41.670

externally
applied loads

FEM due to 81.000 81.000 81.000 81.000 - -

support 162.000 162.000
settlements

Total 122.670 39.330 122.670 39.330 - -

120.330 203.670

Balance A and D - 203.670

released 122.670
Carry over -61.335 101.835

Balance B and C -43.185 -57.480 -11.897 -8.94

Carry over -5.95 -26.740

Balance B and C 2.552 3.40 16.410 12.33

Carry over to B 8.21 1.70
and C

Balance B and C -3.52 -4.69 -0.97 -0.73

C.O. to B and C -0.49 -2.33

Balance B and C 0.21 0.28 1.34 1.01

Carry over 0.67 0.14

Balance B and C -0.29 -0.38 -0.08 -0.06

Final Moments 0.000 -66.67 66.67 14.88 -14.88 0.000

Version 2 CE IIT, Kharagpur

Example 19.3

Analyse the continuous beam ABC shown in Fig. 19.4a by moment-distribution

method. The support B settles by 5mm below A and C . Assume EI to be
constant for all members E = 200GPa ; and I = 8 × 10 6 mm 4 .

Solution:

Calculate fixed end beam moments due to externally applied loads assuming that
support B and C are locked.

F
M AB = +2 kN .m ; F
M BA = −2 kN .m
(1)
F
M BC = +2.67 kN .m ; F
M CB = −2.67 kN .m

In the next step calculate fixed end moments due to support settlements. In the
span AB , the chord AB ' rotates in the clockwise direction and in span BC , the
chord B' C rotates in the counterclockwise direction (Fig. 19.4b).

Version 2 CE IIT, Kharagpur

 5 × 10 −3
ψ AB = − = −1.25 × 10 −3 radians
4

5 × 10 −3
ψ BC = = 1.25 × 10 −3 radians (2)
4

6 EI AB 6 × 200 × 10 9 × 8 × 10 −6 ⎛ 5 × 10 −3 ⎞
S
M AB = M BA
S
=− ψ AB = − ⎜⎜ − ⎟
L AB 4 ⎝ 4 ⎟⎠

= 3000 Nm = 3 kNm. (3)

S
M BC = M CB
S
= −3.0kN .m

In the next step, calculate stiffness and distribution factors.

K AB = K BA = 0.25EI
3 (4)
K BC = 0.25EI = 0.1875EI
4

At joint B : ∑ K = 0.4375EI ; DFBA = 0.571 ; DFBC = 0.429

At joint C : ∑ K = 0.1875EI ; DFCB = 1.0

At fixed joint, the joint does not rotate and hence no distribution moments are
developed and consequently distribution factor is equal to zero. The complete
moment-distribution procedure is shown in Fig. 19.4c and Table 19.3. The
diagram is self explanatory. In this particular case results are obtained in two
cycles. In the first cycle joint C is balanced and carry over moment is taken to
joint B . In the next cycle , joint B is balanced and carry over moment is taken to
joint A . The bending moment diagram is shown in fig. 19.4d.

Version 2 CE IIT, Kharagpur

Table 19.3 Moment-distribution for continuous beam ABC

Joints A B C

Member AB BA BC CB
Stiffness factor 0.25 EI 0.25 EI 0.1875 EI 0.1875 EI
Distribution Factor 0.571 0.429 1.000

Fixed End Moments 2.000 -2.000 2.667 -2.667

due to applied loads
(kN.m)
Fixed End Moments 3.000 3.000 -3.000 -3.000
due to support
settlements (kN.m)
Total 5.000 1.000 -0.333 -5.667

Balance joint C and 2.835 5.667

C.O.

Total 5.000 1.000 2.502 0.000

Balance joint B and -1.00 -2.000 -1.502

C.O. to A

Final Moments (kN.m) 4.000 -1.000 1.000 0.000

Version 2 CE IIT, Kharagpur

Summary

The moment-distribution method is applied to analyse continuous beam having

support settlements. Each step in the numerical example is explained in detail.
All calculations are shown at appropriate locations. The deflected shape of the
continuous beam is sketched. Also, wherever required, the bending moment
diagram is drawn. The numerical examples are explained with the help of free-
body diagrams.

Version 2 CE IIT, Kharagpur