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STRUCTURAL ANALYSIS
5 MOMENT DISTRIBUTION METHOD
1. INTRODUCTION
It is a displacement method for analysis of statically indeterminate beams and frames
developed by Hardy Cross. The method only accounts for flexural effects and ignores axial and
shear effects. In this method it is assumed in the beginning that all joints of the structure are
fixed. Then by locking and unlocking each joint in succession, the internal moments are
distributed such that each joint attains its final position.
2. IMPORTANT DEFINITIONS
2.1. Stiffness Factor
Stiffness factor can be defined as the moment required to produce unit rotation in the
beam. Stiffness factor for various cases is defined as follows.
Case 1: Far end is fixed
4EI
Stiffness factor = s =
l
Case 2: Far end is hinged
3𝐸𝐼
𝑆𝑡𝑖𝑓𝑓𝑛𝑒𝑠𝑠 𝑓𝑎𝑐𝑡𝑜𝑟 = 𝑠 =
𝑙
2.2. Relative stiffness (k)
Relative stiffness is the relative value of the stiffness factor. It is value for various cases
can be expressed as follows.
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Case 1: Far end is fixed
I
k=
L
Case 2: Far end is hinged
3I
k=
4L
Case 3: Far end is free
K=0
2.3. Distribution Factor
It is the ratio in which the applied moment is distributed to various members meeting at
a rigid point. Sum of distribution factor of all members meeting at a rigid joint is one. If
far end is free, its D, k and distribution factor is zero.
𝐾
𝐷𝐹 =
Σ𝐾
Where,
K = Relative stiffness of the member
∑K = Summation of relative stiffness of all members meeting at a joint
2.4. Carry over moment
It is the moment developed at one end due to applied moment at the other end. It is
developed to make the slope zero. It is exerted by the fixed support on the beam. It is
developed to make slope zero not to keep the structure in equilibrium. Various case for
carry over moment are as follows.
Case 1: Far end is fixed
M
COM =
2
Case 2: Far end is hinged
COM = 0
2.5. Carry Over Factor
Carry over factor can be defined as the ratio of carry over moment and applied moment.
Carry over factor for various cases can be given as follows.
Case 1: Far end is fixed
M 1
COF = =
2 2
M
Case 2: Far end is hinged
0
𝐶𝑂𝐹 = =0
𝑀
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3. FIXED END MOMENTS FOR SOME STANDARD CASES
Beam Fixed End Moments
Pl
MA = MB =
8
Pb2a Pa2b
MA = MB =
L L
wL2 wL2
MA = MB =
12 12
wL2 wL2
MA = MB =
20 30
6EI 6EI
MA = 2
MB =
L L2
5wL2 5wL2
MA = MB =
96 96
3𝐸𝐼Δ
𝑀𝐴 = , MB = 0
𝐿2
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4. ANALYSIS OF BEAMS USING MOMENT DISTRIBUTION METHOD
4.1. Sign convention
(i) Clockwise end moments and clockwise rotations are taken as positive. Anti-clockwise
end moments and anti-clockwise rotations are taken as negative.
(ii) Bending moment which is sagging in nature are taken as positive and hogging bending
moment is taken as negative.
4.2. Procedure
Step 1: Find out Distribution factors and fixed end moments.
Step 2: Assume all joints to be initially locked. Then Determine the moment needed to
bring each joint in equilibrium. Release the joints and distribute the counterbalancing
moment into the connecting span at each joint. Carry these moments in each span over
to its other end.
Repeat the same cycle until the moment equilibrium at the joint achieved.
Example: Analyse the continuous beam shown in fig. Using MDM.
Solution:
Step 1: FEM
wl2
MA = − = −16 kN/m
12
𝑤𝑙 2
𝑀𝐵 = = 16 𝑘𝑁/𝑚
12
wl
MA = − = −4 kNm
8
wl
MB = = 4 kNm
8
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Step 2: distribution factor (DF)
k
Joints Member k Σk DF =
k
3 I
BA 0.5
44
3I
B 3 I
BC 24 0.5
44
Step 3: End moment distribution
The free body diagram of the beam is as shown in the figure.
Step 4: Support Reaction
A B B C
Reaction due to loading 24 kN 24 kN 4 kN 4 kN
15
Reaction due to final end moment = −3.75 3.75 3.75 -3.75
4
Final reaction 20.25 kN 35.5 kN 0.25 kN
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Note: If the supports sinks by an amount Δ then
(i) If far end is fixed
Here,
12𝐸𝐼𝛿 6𝐸𝐼𝛿
𝑉𝐵 (↑) = 𝑀𝐵 = 2
𝑙3 𝑙
12𝐸𝐼𝛿 6𝛿𝐸𝐼
𝑉𝐶 (↓) = 3
𝑀𝐶 = 2
𝑙 𝑙
(ii) If Far end is hinged
3𝐸𝐼𝛿
MA = 0, 𝑀𝐵 =
𝑙2
3EI 3EI
HA = 3
, HB = 3
l l
4.3. Portal Frame Analysis (No Sway Conditions)
In case of no sway, the analysis is same as beams.
Example: Analyse the frame shown in the figure below
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Sol.
Step 1: Calculation of fixed end Moments:
MAB = MBA = 0 (As no load acting on column AB)
MCD = MDC = 0 (As no load acting on column CD)
5×42 5×42
MBC = − = −6.67 𝑘𝑁𝑚 And, MCB = = 6.67 𝑘𝑁𝑚
12 12
Step 2: Distribution Factor (D.F.)
k
Joints Member k Σk DF =
k
𝐼
BA 5 0.44
9𝐼
B
BC 𝐼 20 0.56
4
𝐼
CB 4 0.56
9𝐼
C
CD 𝐼 20 0.44
5
Step 3: End Moment Distribution
The Free body diagram of the frame is as shown below
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Step 4: Reaction at the support
Since the frame is symmetric,
RA =RB = 10 kN
In column AB, Taking moment about B
1.994+4.051
HA = = 1.209 𝑘𝑁 (→)
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1.994+4.051
HD = = 1.209 𝑘𝑁 (←)
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5. SWAY ANALYSIS
A frame will not sway if it is symmetrical in all aspects i.e.
(i) Symmetrical in loading
(ii) Symmetrical in cross sectional area and material of column
(iii) Symmetrical height of column
(iv) Symmetry of load
The frame will also not sway if it is clamed from one side.
If the above conditions are not satisfied, the frame will side sways.
Procedure for Analysis:
The fixed end moments are assumed on the basis of support conditions. Let the frame shown
below having both ends fixed sways be an amount Δ.
6𝐸𝐼1 ∆
𝑀𝐹𝐴𝐵 = −
𝑙12
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6𝐸𝐼1 ∆
𝑀𝐹𝐵𝐴 = −
𝑙12
6𝐸𝐼2 ∆
𝑀𝐹𝐶𝐷 = −
𝑙22
6𝐸𝐼2 ∆
𝑀𝐹𝐷𝐶 = −
𝑙22
Thus,
𝑀𝐹𝐴𝐵 𝐼1 𝑙22
= ×
𝑀𝐹𝐶𝐷 𝑙12 𝐼2
Similarly,
3𝐸𝐼1 ∆
𝑀𝐹𝐴𝐵 𝑙12 𝐼1 𝑙22
= ×
𝑀𝐹𝐶𝐷 3𝐸𝐼2 ∆ 𝑙12 𝐼2
𝑙22
And,
6𝐸𝐼1 ∆
𝑀𝐹𝐴𝐵 𝑙12 2𝐼1 𝑙22
= = 2 ×
𝑀𝐹𝐶𝐷 3𝐸𝐼2 ∆ 𝑙1 𝐼2
𝑙22
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Example:
Non Sway Analysis:
Step 1: Calculation of fixed end moments
MAB = MBA = 0 (As no load acting on column AB)
MCD = MDC = 0 (As no load acting on column CD)
16×42 ×1 16×4×12
MBC = − = −10.24 𝑘𝑁𝑚 And, MCB = = 2.56 𝑘𝑁𝑚
52 52
Step 2: Calculation of distribution factors
k
Joints Member k Σk DF =
k
𝐼
BA 5 0.5
2𝐼
B
BC 𝐼 10 0.5
5
𝐼
CB 5 0.5
𝐼
C
CD 𝐼 10 0.5
5
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Step 3: Calculation of End moments
Step 4: Calculation of Sway Force
The free body diagram of the frame is
So,
2.88+5.78
𝐻𝐴 = = 1.73 𝑘𝑁
5
And,
2.72+1.32
𝐻𝐷 = = 0.81 𝑘𝑁
5
Hence Sway Force R= 1.73-0.81 = 0.92 kN (←)
So the frame will sway towards left.
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Sway Analysis:
Step 1: Fixed End Moments
As both ends are fixed and identical, fixed end moment will be equal in both columns.
Assume,
′ ′ ′ ′
𝑀𝐹𝐴𝐵 = 𝑀𝐹𝐵𝐴 = 𝑀𝐹𝐶𝐷 = 𝑀𝐹𝐷𝐶 = −100 𝑘𝑁𝑚
Step 2: Calculation of end moments due to sway
The free body diagram of the frame is as shown below:
So,
80+60
𝐻𝐴 ′ = = 28 𝑘𝑁
5
And,
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80+60
𝐻𝐷 ′ = = 28 𝑘𝑁
5
Hence Sway force for arbitrary chosen end moments S’=28+28= 56 kN (→)
Moment due
Moment due to 0.92 kN
Non sway
to 56 kN Sway sway force Total Moment
Moments
force 𝟎. 𝟗𝟐 (2+3)
( ) × (𝟏) (3)
(1) 𝟓𝟔
(2)
MAB -80 -1.317 2.89 1.573
MBA -60 -0.99 5.8 4.81
MBC 60 0.99 -5.8 -4.81
MCB 60 0.99 2.725 3.715
MCD -60 -0.99 -2.725 -3.715
MDC -80 -1.317 -1.36 -2.677
6. PROBLEMS
Problem 1: Analyse the beam shown in the figure given below. Assume EI is constant.
Ans. MAB = 62.5 kN-m, MBA = 125.2 kN-m, MBC = -125.2 kN-m, MCB = 281.5 kN-m,
MCD = -281.5 kN-m, MDC = 234.3 kN-m
Problem 2: Analyse the beam using Moment distribution method. Assume EI to be constant
throughout. Also draw BMD of the beam.
Ans. MA = -0.417 kN-m, MBA = -5.333 kN-m, MBC = 5.333 kN-m
Problem 3: Analyse the frame given below using Moment distribution method. Assume EI to
be constant throughout. Also draw BMD of the frame.
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Ans. MAB = 0, MBA = 10 kNm, MBC = -2.5 kNm, MCB = -1.25 kNm, MBD = -7.5 kNm, MDB = 3.75
kNm
Problem 4: Analyse the rigid frame using Moment distribution method. Neglect any axial
deformation.
Ans. MAB = 17.039 kNm, MBA = 0.629 kNm, MBC = -0.629 kNm, MCB = -4.853 kNm,
MCD = 4.853 kNm, MDC = 8.876 kNm
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