CE403

Structural Analysis - III

Approximate Methods

Dr. Rajesh K. N.
Department of Civil Engineering
Govt. College of Engineering, Kannur

Dept. of CE, GCE Kannur Dr.RajeshKN

 Module I

Approximate Methods of Analysis of Multi-

storey Frames

• Analysis for vertical loads-substitute frames-loading condition

for maximum hogging and sagging moments in beams and
maximum bending moment in columns-

• Wind load analysis of multistoried frames – portal method and

cantilever method for lateral load analysis.

2
Dept. of CE, GCE Kannur Dr.RajeshKN
 Why approximate analysis?
• Rapid check on computer aided analysis

• Preliminary dimensioning before exact analysis

• Faster,
Advantage? eassier

Disadvantage? • Results are approximate

Dept. of CE, GCE Kannur Dr.RajeshKN

• “Exact analysis”?

• Exact (?) mathematical analysis of a simplified model

• Generally, for a statically indeterminate structure to be analysed,

its cross-section properties and material properties are to be
known

• To get approximate results, consider it statically determinate

4
Dept. of CE, GCE Kannur Dr.RajeshKN
 Approximate analysis for Horizontal Loads

1. Portal method
2. Cantilever method
3. Factor method

5
Dept. of CE, GCE Kannur Dr.RajeshKN
 PORTAL METHOD

Assumptions

1. The points of contraflexure in all the members lie at their

midpoints.
2. Horizontal shear taken by each interior column is double that
taken by each exterior column.

3. Horizontal forces are assumed to act only at the joints.

• Suitable for low elevation and uniform framing

Dept. of CE, GCE Kannur Dr.RajeshKN

 A B C D
P1

P 2P 2P P

P 2P 2P P

E F G
P2 H

Q 2Q 2Q Q

Q 2Q 2Q Q

I J K L

Dept. of CE, GCE Kannur Dr.RajeshKN

 P1
P1  P  2P  2P  P P
6

Dept. of CE, GCE Kannur Dr.RajeshKN

 P1  P2
P1  P2  Q  2Q  2Q  Q Q 
6

Dept. of CE, GCE Kannur Dr.RajeshKN

Problem 3: Analyse the frame using portal method.

120 kN A B C D
7m 3.5 m 5m
3.5 m

180 kN E F G
H
3.5 m

I J K L

10
Dept. of CE, GCE Kannur Dr.RajeshKN
Horizontal shears:
120kN

120
For the top storey, 120  P  2P  2P  P  P   20kN
6

120kN

180kN

For the bottom storey, Q  120 180  50kN

6
Dept. of CE, GCE Kannur Dr.RajeshKN
 35kNm
120kN A
Moments: 3.5 m

1.75 m
35kNm 10kN

20kN

35kNm 35kNm
3.5 m B

70kNm
10kN 1.75 m 10kN
40kN

12
Dept. of CE, GCE Kannur Dr.RajeshKN
 35 10kN 35 35 20 35 35 14 35

35kNm 70
70 35
20kN 40 40 20

35 122.5 70 70 35
35 70 49

87.5 122.5 122.5 122.5

175 122.5 122.5
175 87.5
3.5 m

50kN 100 100 50

87.5 175 175 87.5

7m 3.5 m 5m

Dept. of CE, GCE Kannur Dr.RajeshKN

Beam moments:
35 35 35 C
A B D
35 35 35

122.5 E 122.5 F 122.5 G

H
122.5 122.5 122.5

I J K L

14
Dept. of CE, GCE Kannur Dr.RajeshKN
Column moments:
A 35 kNm B 70 C D 35 kNm
70

E F G
H
35 87.5 70 175 70 175 35 87.5

I J K L
87.5 175 175 87.5

15
Dept. of CE, GCE Kannur Dr.RajeshKN
 Beam and Column moments:

35 35 35 35
B D
35 70 35 70 35
35

122.5 122.5 122.5

70 70 35
175 175 122.5 87.5
35 87.5 122.5 122.5

87.5 175 175 87.5

16
Dept. of CE, GCE Kannur Dr.RajeshKN
Problem 4: Analyse the frame using portal method.

40 kN A B C
5m 7.5 m

3.5 m

80 kN D E F
5m

G H I

17
Dept. of CE, GCE Kannur Dr.RajeshKN
 17.5 7kN 17.5 17.5 4.67 17.5
40 kN
5m
17.5kNm 7.5 m
35 17.5
3.5 m
10kN 20
10

17.5 92.5 37
35 92.5 24.67 17.5
80 kN
75 92.5
150 92.5
75
30kN 60
30
5m

75 150 75

18
Dept. of CE, GCE Kannur Dr.RajeshKN
 Beam and Column moments:

17.5 17.5
B
17.5 35 17.5
17.5 17.5

92.5 92.5
35 17.5 75
17.5 75 150 92.5
92.5

75 150
75

19
Dept. of CE, GCE Kannur Dr.RajeshKN
 CANTILEVER METHOD

• Frame considered as a vertical cantilever

Dept. of CE, GCE Kannur Dr.RajeshKN

 Assumptions

1. The points of contraflexure in all the members lie at their

midpoints.
2. The direct stresses (axial stresses) in the columns are directly
proportional to their distance from the centroidal vertical
axis of the frame.

21
Dept. of CE, GCE Kannur Dr.RajeshKN
 P1
y4
y2 y3
y1

P2

A1 A2 A3 A4

Area of cross
section
Centroidal vertical axis
of the frame

22
Dept. of CE, GCE Kannur Dr.RajeshKN
 d1
d2
d3
d4

y
A1 A2 A3 A4

datum
Centroidal axis of the
frame

To locate centroidal vertical

1 1  A2d2  A3d3  A4d4
Ad
axis of the frame, y
A1  A2  A3  A4
23
Dept. of CE, GCE Kannur Dr.RajeshKN
 V1 V2 V3 V4

My
x 
I
M is constant at a given height (of the ‘vertical cantilever’).
I

1  2 3 4 V1 A1 V2 A2 V3 A3 V4 A4
       1
y1 y2 y3 y4 y1 y2 y3 y4

Dept. of CE, GCE Kannur Dr.RajeshKN

 P1 m3
m2
h m1
2 B
H1 H2 H3 H4

V1 V2 V3 V4

h
 M B  P1 2
 V1m1  V2 m2  V3 m3  2

From 1 and  2 , V1,V2 ,V3,V4 can be found.

Dept. of CE, GCE Kannur Dr.RajeshKN

 P1

H1 H2 H3 H4

P1  H1  H2  H3  H4

Dept. of CE, GCE Kannur Dr.RajeshKN

Problem 4: Analyse the frame using cantilever method, if all the
columns have the same area of cross section.

120 kN A B C D
7m 3.5 m 5m
3.5 m

180 kN E F G
H
3.5 m

I J K L

27
Dept. of CE, GCE Kannur Dr.RajeshKN
To locate centroidal vertical axis of the frame,
A1  0  A1  7  A1  10.5  A1  15.5 33
y   8.25 m
A1  A1  A1  A1 4

120
7.25
1.25 2.25
8.25

180

V1 A1 V2 A2 V3 A3 V4 A4 V1 V V V
Also,      2  3  4
8.25 1.25 2.25 7.25 8.25 1.25 2.25 7.25
28
Dept. of CE, GCE Kannur Dr.RajeshKN
 1.25V1 2.25V1 7.25V1
V2  , V3  , V4 
8.25 8.25 8.25

P1
m2
h m1
2 O
H1 H2 H3 H4

V1 V2 V3 V4

h
For the top storey,  MO  P1 2  V1m1 V2m2 V3m3
3.5
120   V1 15.5  V2  8.5 V3  5
2
29
Dept. of CE, GCE Kannur Dr.RajeshKN
 3.5  1.25V1   2.25V1 
120   V1 15.5     8.5    5
2  8.25   8.25 

 V1  13.615 kN

1.25 13.615
V2   2.063kN ,
8.25
2.25 13.615
V3   3.713kN ,
8.25
7.25 13.615
V4   11.965 kN
8.25

Check : 13.615  2.063  3.713  11.965  0

Dept. of CE, GCE Kannur Dr.RajeshKN

 H1 H2 H3 H4
O

V1 V2 V3 V4

For the bottom storey,

 3.5  3.5
 O
M 120   3.5  
 2 
 180 
2
 V1 15.5  V2  8.5 V3  5

Dept. of CE, GCE Kannur Dr.RajeshKN

 3.5
 V1 15.5  
1.25V1   2.25V1   5
120   3.5    180 
3.5
  8.5   
 2  2  8.25   8.25 

 V1  61.267 kN

1.25  61.267
V2   9.283kN ,
8.25
2.25  61.267
V3   16.709 kN ,
8.25
7.25  61.267
V4   53.841kN
8.25

Check : 61.267  9.283  16.709  53.841 0

Dept. of CE, GCE Kannur Dr.RajeshKN

 47.652kNm
Moments: 120kN A
3.5 m

1.75 m
47.652kNm 13.615kN

27.3kN

13.615kN

33
Dept. of CE, GCE Kannur Dr.RajeshKN
 47.65kNm 47.65 27.44 27.44 29.9 29.9

13.615 15.678 11.97

47.65 75 57.35 29.9
27.2 42.86 32.78
17.09

13.615kN 2.063 3.713

11.965
32.78
42.86 17.09
27.2
47.7 75 57.37 29.9
166.78 96 104.7
166.78 47.65 96 54.87 104.7 41.874
119.1 187.8 143.3 74.78
68.06 107.31
81.9 42.73
61.267 9.283 16.709 53.841
68.06 107.31
81.9 42.73
119.1 187.8 143.3 74.78

Dept. of CE, GCE Kannur Dr.RajeshKN

 Beam and Column moments (Cantilever Method):

47.7 27.4 29.9 29.9

B D
47.6 75 27.4 57.3 29.9
47.6

166.8 96 104.7
75 57.3 29.9
187.8 143.2 104.7 74.8
47.7 119.2 166.8 96

119.2 187.8 143.2 74.8

35
Dept. of CE, GCE Kannur Dr.RajeshKN
 Beam and Column moments (Portal Method):

35 35 35 35
B D
35 70 35 70 35
35

122.5 122.5 122.5

70 70 35
175 175 122.5 87.5
35 87.5 122.5 122.5

87.5 175 175 87.5

36
Dept. of CE, GCE Kannur Dr.RajeshKN
Problem 4: Analyse the frame using cantilever method, if all the
columns have the same area of cross section.
25 kN A B
6m

3.5 m
50 kN C D

3.5 m
55 kN E F
4.5 m

G H
37
Dept. of CE, GCE Kannur Dr.RajeshKN
Centroidal vertical axis of the frame, y  3 m ( middle )
A1  A2
V1 A1 V2 A2
  V1  V2
3 3

For the top storey,

3.5
MO 25 2
 V1  6
V1
o
V2
V1  7.292 V2

38
Dept. of CE, GCE Kannur Dr.RajeshKN
For the middle storey,
 3.5  3.5
 O
M  25  

3.5 
2 
  50 
2
 V1  6

V1  36.46 V2

o
V1 V2

For the bottom storey,

 4.5   4.5  4.5

 O
M  25  

3.5  3.5 
2 
  50  

3.5 
2 
  55 
2
 V1  6

V1  107.08 V2

39
Dept. of CE, GCE Kannur Dr.RajeshKN
 21.88kNm
21.88
21.88 7.292
21.88
12.5 12.5

7.292 7.292
12.5
12.5
87.51 21.88
21.88
87.51 29.17
65.63 65.63
37.5
37.5

36.46 36.46

37.5 37.5
211.87 65.63
65.63 107.08 107.08
211.87 70.62
146.24 146.24 65
65
65 65
146.24
146.24
107.08 107.08
Dept. of CE, GCE Kannur Dr.RajeshKN
Problem 5: Analyse the frame using cantilever method.

40 kN G H I
5m 7.5 m

3.5 m

80 kN D E F
5m

A B C

Dept. of CE, GCE Kannur Dr.RajeshKN

Home work
120 kN A B C
6m 6m

60 kN 4m
D E F
6m

G H I

42
Dept. of CE, GCE Kannur Dr.RajeshKN
 Approximate analysis for Vertical Loads

Substitute Frame Method

• Analyse only a part of the frame – substitute frame

• Carry out a two-cycle moment distribution

Dept. of CE, GCE Kannur Dr.RajeshKN

 Substitute frame

Actual frame

Dept. of CE, GCE Kannur Dr.RajeshKN

• Analysis done for:

• Beam span moments

• Beam support moments
• Column moments

• Liveload positioning for the worst condition

• For the same frame, liveload positions for maximum span

moments, support moments and column moments may
be different

Dept. of CE, GCE Kannur Dr.RajeshKN

 LL positions for maximum positive span moment at B

B
Influence
line for MB

Dead loads Live loads

Dept. of CE, GCE Kannur Dr.RajeshKN

 LL positions for maximum negative support moment at A

A
Influence
line for MA

Live loads

Dead loads

Dept. of CE, GCE Kannur Dr.RajeshKN

LL positions for maximum column moment M1 at C

M1

Live loads

Dead loads

Dept. of CE, GCE Kannur Dr.RajeshKN

LL positions for maximum column moment M2 at D

M2

Live loads

Dead loads

Dept. of CE, GCE Kannur Dr.RajeshKN

Problem 1: Total dead load is 12 kN/m and total live load is
20 kN/m on ABCD. Analyse the frame for midspan positive
moment on BC.

6m 6m 6m
4m

A B C D
4m

50
Dept. of CE, GCE Kannur Dr.RajeshKN
LL positions for maximum positive span moment on BC

12+20 kN/m
12 kN/m 12 kN/m

6m B 6m C 6m D
A

Fixed end moments

wl 2 12  62
FEM AB    36 kNm FEM BA  36 kNm
12 12
32  62 FEMCB  96 kNm
FEM BC   96 kNm
12
FEMCD  FEM DC  36 kNm

Dept. of CE, GCE Kannur Dr.RajeshKN

 Distribution factors

K1 4 EI 6
DFAB    0.25  DFDC
K1  K2  K3 4 EI 6  4 EI 4  4 EI 4

K1 4 EI 6
DFBA    0.2
K1  K2  K3  K4 4 EI 4  4 EI 6  4 EI 4  4 EI 6

DFBC  DFCD  DFCB  DFBA  0.2

Dept. of CE, GCE Kannur Dr.RajeshKN

 A B C D
0.25 0.2 0.2 0.2 0.2 0.25 DFs
* * * * * * FEM
* * * * * * Dist
* * * * CO
* * Dist
* * Final Moments

Dept. of CE, GCE Kannur Dr.RajeshKN

 A B C D
0.25 0.2 0.2 0.2 0.2 0.25 DFs
-36 36 -96 96 -36 36 FEM
9 12 12 -12 -12 -9 Dist
6 4.5 -6 6 -4.5 -6 CO
2.25 0.3 0.3 -0.3 -0.3 -2.25 Dist
-18.75 52.8 -89.7 89.7 52.8 18.75 Final Moments

Dept. of CE, GCE Kannur Dr.RajeshKN

 89.7kNm 89.7kNm
B 32kN m C

32  6 32  6
2 2
Midspan positive moment on BC,

32  6 32
M E  89.7   3  32   54.3 kNm
2 2

Dept. of CE, GCE Kannur Dr.RajeshKN

Problem 2: Analyse the frame for beam negative moment at B.
Moment of inertia of beams is 1.5 times that of columns. Total dead
load is 14 kN/m and total live load is 9 kN/m.

3.5 m
3.5 m 6m 4m 4m

A
B C D
3.5 m
3.5 m

56
Dept. of CE, GCE Kannur Dr.RajeshKN
LL positions for maximum negative support moment at B

14+9 kN/m 14+9 kN/m

I
14 kN/m

6m B 4m C 4m D
A 1.5I 1.5I 1.5I
I

Fixed end moments

wl 2 23  62
FEM AB    69 kNm FEM BA  69 kNm
12 12
23  42
FEM BC  FEMCB   30.67 kNm
12
14  42
FEMCD  FEM DC   18.67 kNm
12
Dept. of CE, GCE Kannur Dr.RajeshKN
 Distribution factors

K1 4 E 1.5I  6
DFAB    0.304
K1  K2  K3 4 E 1.5I  6  4 EI 3.5  4 EI 3.5

K1 1.5I 6
DFBA    0.209
K1  K2  K3  K4 1.5I 6  I 3.5  I 3.5  1.5I 4

K1 1.5I 4
DFBC    0.313
K1  K2  K3  K4 1.5I 6  I 3.5  I 3.5  1.5I 4

DFCB  0.284, DFCD  0.284, DFDC  0.396

Dept. of CE, GCE Kannur Dr.RajeshKN

 A B C D
0.304 0.209 0.313 0.284 0.284 0.396 DFs
* * * * * FEM
* * * * Dist
* * CO
* * Dist
* * Final Moments

Dept. of CE, GCE Kannur Dr.RajeshKN

 A B C D
0.304 0.209 0.313 0.284 0.284 0.396 DFs
-69 69 -30.67 30.67 -18.67 FEM
20.98 -8.01 -12 -3.41 Dist
10.49 -1.71 CO
-1.84 -2.75 Dist
69.64 -47.13 Final Moments

47.13kNm B 69.64kNm

Max. beam negative moment at B  69.64 kNm

Dept. of CE, GCE Kannur Dr.RajeshKN

Problem 3: Find maximum column moments. DL on BC is 15.5 kN/m,
and DL on AB and CD is 14.5 kN/m. LL is 17.5 kN/m.

I J K L
2k 2k
2k 2k
4m 6m 4m
A
3k B 4k C 3k D
2k 2k 2k
2k

E F G H

61
Dept. of CE, GCE Kannur Dr.RajeshKN
Distribution factors

k1 3k
DFAB    0.429  DFDC
k1  k2  k3 3k  2k  2k

2k
DFAI  DFAE   0.286  DFDL  DFDH
3k  2k  2k

k1 3k  0.273  DFCD
DFBA  
k1  k2  k3  k4 3k  4k  2k  2k

4k 2k
DFBC  DFBJ  DFBF 
3k  4k  2k  2k 3k  4k  2k  2k

 0.364  DFCB  0.182  DFCK  DFCG

62
Dept. of CE, GCE Kannur Dr.RajeshKN
Live load distribution Case 1: LL on AB and CD only

Fixed end moments

wl 2  14.5  17.5  4

2

FEM AB    42.67 kNm

12 12
FEM BA  42.67 kNm

wl 2 15.5  62
FEM BC   FEM CB    46.5
12 12

FEM CD  FEM DC  42.67 kNm

63
Dept. of CE, GCE Kannur Dr.RajeshKN
 A B C D
AI AE AB BJ BA BF BC CK CB CG CD DL DC DH

.286 .286 .429 .182 .273 .182 .364 .182 .364 .182 .273 .286 .429 .286
DFs
-42.67 42.67 -46.5 46.5 -42.67 42.67 FEM

12.2 12.2 18.26 0.7 1.05 0.7 1.4 -0.7 -1.4 -0.7 -1.05 -12.2 -18.26 -12.2 Dist

0.525 9.13 -0.7 0.7 -9.13 -0.525 CO

-0.15 -0.15 * -1.53 * -1.53 * 1.53 * 1.53 * 0.15 * 0.15 Dist

Final
12.05 12.0 -0.83 -0.83 0.83 0.83 -12.05 -12.05
5 Momen
ts

Dept. of CE, GCE Kannur Dr.RajeshKN

Live load distribution Case 2: LL on BC only.

Fixed end moments

wl 2  14.5  4
2

FEM AB    19.33 kNm

12 12
FEM BA  19.33 kNm

wl 2  15.5  17.5  62

FEM BC   FEM CB    99kNm
12 12

FEM CD  FEM DC  19.33kNm

65
Dept. of CE, GCE Kannur Dr.RajeshKN
 A B C D
AI AE AB BJ BA BF BC CK CB CG CD DL DC DH

.286 .286 .429 .182 .273 .182 .364 .182 .364 .182 .273 .286 .429 .286
DFs
-19.33 19.33 -99 99 -19.33 19.33 FEM

5.53 5.53 8.29 14.5 21.75 14.5 29 -14.5 -29 -14.5 -21.75 -5.53 -8.29 -5.53 Dist

10.88 4.15 -14.5 14.5 -4.15 -10.88 CO

-3.11 -3.11 * 1.88 * 1.88 * -1.88 * -1.88 * 3.11 * 3.11 Dist

Final
2.42 2.42 16.3 16.38 - - -2.42 -2.42
8 16.38 16.3 Momen
8 ts

Hence, for columns meeting at A and D, the max. moment is 12.05 kNm
and for columns meeting at B and C, the max. moment is 16.08 kNm.

Dept. of CE, GCE Kannur Dr.RajeshKN

 Summary

Approximate Methods of Analysis of Multi-

storey Frames

• Analysis for vertical loads-substitute frames-loading condition

for maximum hogging and sagging moments in beams and
maximum bending moment in columns-

• Wind load analysis of multistoried frames – portal method and

cantilever method for lateral load analysis.

Dept. of CE, GCE Kannur Dr.RajeshKN