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5 - Moment Distribution Method PDF

The moment distribution method is a structural analysis technique used to analyze statically indeterminate beams and frames. It begins by assuming joints are fixed to determine initial fixed end moments, then joints are unlocked and moments are distributed between members according to their stiffness until equilibrium is reached. The method falls into the category of displacement methods of analysis. Key steps involve determining member stiffness factors, distribution factors, and carrying moments calculated at one joint to adjacent joints. The method can be applied to both simple beams and frames, with modifications made to account for sidesway in frames.

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Mohamad Duhoki
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399 views15 pages

5 - Moment Distribution Method PDF

The moment distribution method is a structural analysis technique used to analyze statically indeterminate beams and frames. It begins by assuming joints are fixed to determine initial fixed end moments, then joints are unlocked and moments are distributed between members according to their stiffness until equilibrium is reached. The method falls into the category of displacement methods of analysis. Key steps involve determining member stiffness factors, distribution factors, and carrying moments calculated at one joint to adjacent joints. The method can be applied to both simple beams and frames, with modifications made to account for sidesway in frames.

Uploaded by

Mohamad Duhoki
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Moment distribution method

The moment distribution method is a structural analysis method


for statically indeterminate beams and frames developed by
Hardy Cross in 1930.

Essentially, the method begins by assuming each joint of a


structure is fixed ( to develop the fixed-end moments). Then, by
unlocking and locking each joint in succession, the internal
moments (the fixed-end moments) at the joints are “distributed”
and balanced until the joints have rotated to their final or nearly
final positions.

The moment distribution method falls into the category


of displacement method of structural analysis.
Sign Convention : Clockwise moments that act on the member are considered
positive, whereas counterclockwise moments are negative
Fixed End Moments (FEMs) : Fixed end moments are the moments produced
at member ends by external loads when the joints are fixed.
Member Stiffness Factor: Stiffness Factor at A can be defined as the
amount of moment M required to rotate the end A of the beam A = 1 rad.

Joint Stiffness Factor : the total stiffness factor at the joint is the sum of
the member stiffness factors of members connected at the joint.
KT =  K
Distribution Factor (DF): Distribution factors can be defined as the
proportions of the unbalanced moments carried by each of the members.

Carry-Over Factor : The ratio of the carried-over moment at the other end
(MB) to the fixed-end moment of the initial end (MA)is the carryover factor.
KBA
DFBA= --------------
KBA + KBC
* We begin by assuming joint B is fixed or locked.

* This, of course, does not represent the actual equilibrium


situation at B, since the moments on each side of this joint
must be equal but opposite. To correct this, we will apply an
equal, but opposite moment of to the joint and allow the joint
to rotate freely.
* As a result, portions of this moment are distributed in
spans BC and BA in accordance with the DFs (or stiffness)
of these spans at the joint. Specifically, the moment in BA
is 0.4(8000) =3200 Ib.ft and the moment in BC is
0.6(8000) = 4800 Ib.ft. Finally, due to the released rotation
that takes place at B, these moments must be “carried over”
since moments are developed at the far ends of the span.
*In this particular case only one cycle of moment distribution
is necessary, since the wall supports at A and C“absorb” the
moments and no further joints have to be balanced or
unlocked to satisfy joint equilibrium. Once distributed in this
manner, the moments at each joint are summed, yielding the
final results shown on the bottom line of the table
Stiffness-Factor Modifications
In some cases it is possible to modify the stiffness factor of a particular beam
span and thereby simplify the process of moment distribution. Three cases
where this frequently occurs in practice will now be considered.

Also, note that the carry-over


factor is zero, since the pin at
B does not support a moment.

For center span

For center span


EXAMPLE
Determine the internal moments at the supports of the beam. The moment of
inertia of the two spans is given.

SOLUTION
Since the beam is roller supported at its far end
C, the stiffness of span BC will be computed as:

the stiffness of span BA will be :

for a uniformly loaded span having one side fixed,


the other pinned, we have
EXAMPLE
Determine the internal moments at the supports for the beam. EI is constant.

By inspection, the beam and loading


are symmetrical. Thus, we will
apply to compute the stiffness factor
of the center span BC and therefore
use only the left half of the beam for
the analysis.
Unbalanced moment at joint B = -133.3+60 = -73.3
Dist. Moment BA= -(-73.3*0.667) = +48.9
Dist. Moment BC= -(-73.3*0.333) = +24.4
Only joint B must be balanced and carry-overs to
joints A and C are not necessary.
Moment Distribution for Frames: No Sidesway

EXAMPLE

Determine the internal moments at the joints of the


frame . There is a pin at E and D and a fixed support
at A. EI is constant.
Using these data from table, the
moment diagram for the frame
is constructed as following
Moment Distribution for Frames: Sidesway
EXAMPLE: Determine the moments at each joint of the frame shown in Fig. a. EI is constant.

For No sidesway (Fig. b)


Table 1
From the
free-body diagram
of the entire frame
For sidesway (Fig. c)
- Assuming the FEM for AB is as shown in Fig.

A negative sign is necessary since the moment must act


counterclockwise on the column for deflection ’ to the right
- The corresponding FEM at C, causing the same ’, is
found by comparison, i.e.,

Table 2

For the entire frame


Result :
Hence, R’= 56 kN creates the moments tabulated in Table 2.
Corresponding moments caused by R= 0.92 kN can be determined by
proportion. Therefore, the resultant moment in the frame, is equal to the sum
of those calculated for the frame in Table 1 plus the proportionate amount
(R/R’) of those for the frame in Table 2. We have

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