SLOPE-DEFLECTION METHOD

ANALYSIS OF FRAMES

1
 Introduction
•The slope-deflection method can also be used for the
analysis of frames.

•Since the axial deformations of the members of frames

composed of common engineering materials are generally
much smaller than the bending deformations, the axial
deformations of members are neglected in the analysis, and
the members are assumed to be inextensible (i.e. they
cannot undergo any axial elongation or shortening).

2
 Introduction
Consider the frame shown.
A qualitative deflected shape of the frame for an arbitrary
load P is also shown

3
 Introduction
•From the figure, we can see that the fixed joints A and B can
neither rotate nor translate, whereas joint C, which is located
at the hinged support, can rotate, but it cannot translate. As
for joint D, while it is free to rotate, its translation in any
direction is prevented by members AD and CD, which are
assumed to be inextensible. Similarly, joint E is free to rotate,
but since members BE and DE cannot deform axially and
since joints B and D do not translate, joint E also cannot
translate. Thus none of the joints of the frame can translate.

•Now suppose that we remove member CD from the frame of

Fig. 5.12 (a) to obtain the frame shown in Fig. 5.12 (b). Since
the axial deformations of columns AD and BE are neglected,
joints D and E cannot translate in the vertical direction

4
 Introduction
•However, there are no restraints to prevent these joints from
rotating, and displacing in the horizontal direction, as shown
in Fig. 5.12 (b). Note that since the girder DE is assumed to be
inextensible, the horizontal displacements of joints D and E
must be the same.
• The lateral displacements of building frames, like that of the
frame of Fig. 5.12 (b), are commonly referred to as sidesways
and the frames whose joints undergo translations are termed
frames with sidesway, whereas the frames without joint
translations are called frames without sidesway. In applying
the slope-deflection method, it is usually convenient to
distinguish between the frames without sidesway and those
with sidesway. For an arbitrary plane frame subjected to a
general coplanar loading, the number of independent joint
translations—which are commonly referred to as the sidesway
degrees of freedom, ss—can be expressed as 5
 Frame with no sideway
Introduction

• j = number of joints;
• f = number of fixed supports;
•h = number of hinged supports;
• r =number of roller supports; and
•m = number of (inextensible) members.

•The foregoing expression is based on the reasoning that two

translations (e.g., in the horizontal and vertical directions) are
needed to specify the deformed position of each free joint of a
plane frame; and that each fixed and hinged support prevents
both translations, each roller support prevents translation in
one direction (of the joint attached to it), and each
inextensible member connecting two joints prevents one joint
translation in its axial direction. 6
Introduction

7
 Introduction
The number of independent joint translations, ss, is then
obtained by subtracting from the total number of possible
translations of j free joints the number of translations
restrained by the supports and members of the frame. We can
verify our conclusions about the frames of Figs. 5.12(a) and (b)
by applying Eq. (5.20). Since the frame of Fig. 5.12 (a) consists
of five joints (j = 5), four members (m = 4), two fixed supports
(f = 2), and one hinged support (h = 1), the application of Eq.
(5.20) yields s-s = 2(5)-[2(2+1) +4] = 0, which indicates that
this frame can be considered as without sidesway.

8
 Introduction
•As for the frame of Fig. 5.12(b), since it has j = 4, m =3,
and f = 2, the number of its sidesway degrees of freedom is
given by s-s = 2(4)-[2(2) + 3] =1, which indicates that the
frame can undergo one independent joint translation. Note
that this independent joint translation is identified as the
horizontal displacement Δ of joints D and E in Fig.5.12 (b)

•It is important to realize that a frame may contain joints

that are free to translate, but it may still be considered for
analytical purposes as one without sidesway under a
particular loading condition if no joint translations occur
when the frame is subjected to that loading condition.

9
 Introduction
•An example of such a frame is shown in Fig. 5.12 (c).
Although joints D and E of the symmetric frame are free to
translate horizontally, they will not translate when the frame
is subjected to a loading that is symmetric with respect to the
structure’s axis of symmetry. Thus this frame, when
subjected to a symmetric loading, can be analyzed as a frame
without sidesway. In the following, we discuss the application
of the slope-deflection method to the analysis of frames
without sidesway.

10
Example 3

11
Example 3 cont’d

12
Example 3 cont’d

13
Example 3 cont’d

14
Example 3 Concluded

15
 Analysis of frames with sidesway
A frame, in general, will undergo sidesway if its joints are not
restrained against translation, unless it is a symmetric frame
subjected to symmetric loading.

To develop the analysis of frames with sidesway, consider the

rectangular frame shown in Fig.5.15(a).

A qualitative deflected shape of the frame for an arbitrary

loading is also shown in the figure using an exaggerated scale.

 While the fixed joints A and B of the frame are completely

restrained against rotation as well as translation, the joints C
and D are free to rotate and translate.
16
Analysis of frames with sidesway

17
 Analysis of frames with sidesway
However, since the columns AC and BD are assumed to be
inextensible and the deformations of the frame are assumed
to be small, the joints C and D can translate only in the
horizontal direction;

that is, in the direction perpendicular to the columns AC

and BD, respectively,

since the girder CD is also assumed to be inextensible, the

horizontal displacements of joints C and D must be the
same;

18
 Analysis of frames with sidesway
•Thus the frame has three unknown joint displacements
or degrees of freedom, the rotations θC and θD of joints C
and Δ , respectively, and the horizontal displacement Δ of both
joints C and D.

•The displacement Δ of the joints C and D causes the chords of

the columns AC and BD to rotate, and these chord rotations
can be expressed in terms of the unknown displacement Δ as

•The negative sign indicates that the chord rotations are

clockwise.
 Analysis of frames with sidesway
•Since joints C and D cannot displace vertically, the chord
rotation of the girder CD is zero; that is, ψCD =0.

To relate the member end moments to the unknown joint

displacements, θC, θD, and Δ, we write the slope-deflection
equations for the three members of the frame.
 Analysis of frames with sidesway
•Two of the three equilibrium equations necessary for the
solution of the unknown joint displacements are obtained by
considering the moment equilibrium of joints C and D

•By applying the equilibrium equation ∑Fx = 0, we write

•SAC and SBD are the shears at the lower ends of the columns
AC and BD, respectively
 Analysis of frames with sidesway
•To express the third equilibrium equation (Eq.(5.23c)) in terms
of column end moments, we consider the equilibrium of the free
bodies of the columns AC and BD shown in Fig. 5.15(d).

•By summing moments about the top of each column, we obtain

the following:
 Analysis of frames with sidesway
By substituting Equations (5.24a) and (5.24b) into Eq.
(5.23c), we obtain the third equilibrium equation in terms
of member end moments:

•With the three equilibrium equations (Equations (5.23a),

(5.23b), and (5.25)) now established, we can proceed with the
rest of the analysis in the usual manner
23
Example 4
Example 4 cont’d
Example 4 cont’d
Example 4 cont’d
Example 4 concluded
 Frames with Inclined Legs
The analysis of frames with inclined legs is similar to that
of the rectangular frames considered previously, except that
when frames with inclined legs are subjected to sidesway,
their horizontal members also undergo chord rotations,
which must be included in the analysis

 For figure 5.16; in order to move joint C horizontally by a

distance Δ, we must displace it in a direction perpendicular
to member AC by a distance CC′ (Fig. 5.16(b)), so that the
horizontal component of CC′ equals Δ. Note that although
joint C is free to rotate, its rotation is ignored at this stage of
the analysis, and the elastic curve AC′ of member AC is
drawn with the tangent at C′ parallel to the undeformed
direction of the member.
Frames with Inclined Legs
Frames with Inclined Legs
Frames with Inclined Legs
 Frames with Inclined Legs
The member CD remains horizontal and translates as a
rigid body into the position C′D1 with the displacement DD1
equal to CC′, as shown in the figure;
Since the horizontal member CD is assumed to be
inextensible and the translation of joint D is assumed to be
small, the end D of this member can be moved from its
deformed position D1 only in the vertical direction

 Similarly, since member BD is also assumed to be inextensible, its end

D can be moved only in the direction perpendicular to the member.
Therefore, to obtain the deformed position of joint D, we move the end D
of member CD from its deformed position D1 in the vertical direction and
the end D of member BD in the direction perpendicular to BD, until the
two ends meet at point D′, where they are reconnected to obtain the
displaced position D′ of joint D. By assuming that joint D does not rotate,
we draw the elastic curves C′D′ and BD′, respectively, of members CD
and BD, to complete the deflected shape of the entire frame
 Frames with Inclined Legs
The chord rotation of a member can be obtained by dividing
the relative displacement between the two ends of the
member in the direction perpendicular to the member, by
the member’s length. Thus we can see from Fig. 5.16(b) that
the chord rotations of the three members of the frame are
given by

•which the chord rotations of members AC and BD are

considered to be negative because they are clockwise (Fig.
5.16(c)).
 Frames with Inclined Legs
The three chord rotations can be expressed in terms of the
joint displacement Δ by considering the displacement
diagrams of joints C and D, shown in Fig.5.16 (b). Since CC′
is perpendicular to AC, which is inclined at an angle β1 with
the vertical, CC′ must make the same angle β1 with the
horizontal.

Thus, from the displacement diagram of joint C (triangle

CC′C2), we can see
 Frames with Inclined Legs
•Next, let us consider the displacement diagram of joint D
(triangle DD1D′). It has been shown previously that DD1 is
equal in magnitude and parallel to CC′. Therefore

•Since DD′ is perpendicular to member BD, it makes an angle

β2 with the horizontal. Thus, from the displacement diagram of
joint D
 Frames with Inclined Legs
By substituting Equations (5.27) through (5.29) into Eq.
(5.26), we obtain the chord rotations of the three members in
terms of Δ:

it is usually more convenient to establish the third

equilibrium equation by summing the moments of all the
forces and couples acting on the entire frame about a moment
center O, which is located at the intersection of the
longitudinal axes of the two inclined members, as shown in
Fig. 5.16(d). The location of the moment center O can be
determined by using the conditions (see Fig.5.16 (d))
Frames with Inclined Legs
Example 5
Example 5 cont’d
Example 5 cont’d
Example 5 cont’d
Example 5 cont’d
Example-5Concluded
 Multistory Frames
Example 6
Determine the member end moments and reactions for the
frame shown in Fig. 5.17(a) by the slope-deflection method.
 Example 6 cont’d
Solution
Degrees of Freedom: The degrees of freedom are θC, θD, and
Δ (see Fig. 5.17(b)).
 Example 6 cont’d
Fixed-End Moments: By using the fixed-end
moment expressions given in the appendix, we obtain

Chord Rotations: From Fig. 5.17(b), we can see that

 Example 6 cont’d
Slope-Deflection Equations
 Example 6 cont’d
Equilibrium Equations: By considering the moment
equilibrium of joints C and D, we obtain the equilibrium
equations

To establish the third equilibrium equation, we apply the

force equilibrium equation ∑Fx = 0 to the free body of the
entire frame (Fig. 5.17(c)), to obtain
 Example 6 cont’d
SAC and SBD represent the shears at the lower ends of columns
AC and BD, respectively, as shown in Fig.5.17(c). To express
the column end shears in terms of column end moments, we
draw the free-body diagrams of the two columns (Fig.5.17 (d))
and sum the moments about the top of each column:

By substituting these equations into the third equilibrium

equation, we obtain
 Example 6 cont’d
•Joint Displacements: To determine the unknown joint
displacements θC, θD, and Δ, we substitute the slope-deflection
equations (Equations (1) through (6)) into the equilibrium
equations (Equations. (7) through (9)) to obtain

Solving Equations (10) through (12) simultaneously yields

 Example 6 cont’d
•Member End Moments: By substituting the numerical
values of EIθC, EIθD, and EIΔ into the slope-deflection
equations (Equations (1) through (6)), we obtain

•Member End Shears& Member axial forces: The member end shears,
obtained by considering the equilibrium of each member, & member axial
forces can now be evaluated by considering the equilibrium of joints C and
D
Example 6 cont’d
 Example 6 cont’d
•To check that the solution of the simultaneous equations
(Equations (10) through (12)) has been carried out correctly,
we substitute the numerical values of member end moments
back into the equilibrium equations (Equations (7) through
(9)):
Example 6 concluded
Example 9. Determine the member end moments, the
support reactions, and the horizontal deflection of joint F of the
two-story frame shown by the slope-deflection method.
 Example 9 cont’d
Solution
Degrees of Freedom: From Fig. 5.19(a), we can see that the
joints C, D, E, and F of the frame are free to rotate, and
translate in the horizontal direction. As shown in Fig.5.19(b),
the horizontal displacement of the first-story joints C and D is
designated as Δ1, whereas the horizontal displacement of the
second-story joints E and F is expressed as Δ1 + Δ2, with Δ2
representing the displacement of the second-story joints
relative to the first-story joints. Thus, the frame has six
degrees of freedom; that is, θC, θD, θE, θF, Δ1, and Δ2.

Fixed-End Moments: The nonzero fixed-end moments are

 Example 9 cont’d
Chord Rotations See Fig. 5.19(b).

Slope-Deflection: Equations Using Icolumn= I and Igirder = 2I,

we write
Example 9 cont’d

60
 Example 9 cont’d
Equilibrium Equations: By considering the moment
equilibrium of joints C, D, E, and F, we obtain
 Example 9 cont’d
•To establish the remaining two equilibrium equations, we
successively pass a horizontal section just above the lower ends
of the columns of each story of the frame and apply the
equation of horizontal equilibrium (∑Fx = 0) to the free body of
the portion of the frame above the section.
•The free-body diagrams thus obtained are shown in Fig.
5.19(c) and (d).
•By applying the equilibrium equation ∑Fx=0 to the top story
of the frame (Fig.5.19(c)), we obtain

Similarly, by applying ∑Fx = 0 to the entire frame (Fig.5.19

(d)), we write
 Example 9 cont’d
•By expressing column end shears in terms of column end
moments as

•by substituting these expressions into the force equilibrium

equations, we obtain
 Example 9 cont’d
•Joint Displacements: Substitution of the slope-deflection
equations (Eqs. (1) through (12)) into the equilibrium equations
(Equations (13) through (18)) yields
 Example 9 cont’d
•By solving Equations (19) through (24) by the Gauss-Jordan
elimination method, we determine
 Example 9 cont’d
•Thus, the horizontal deflection of joint F of the frame is as
follows:
 Example 9 cont’d
•Member End Moments: By substituting the numerical values
of the joint displacements into the slope-deflection equations
(Equations (1) through (12)), we obtain
Example 9 cont’d

68
Example 9 cont’d

69
 Example 9 concluded
•Back substitution of the numerical values of member end
moments into the equilibrium equations yields