MODULE 3

Unit 2
CLASSICAL METHODS OF STRUCTURAL
ANALYSIS FOR TRANSITIONS
(DEFLECTIONS) AND ROTATIONS OF
STATICALLY DETERMINATE STRUCTURES

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Module 3: MOMENT-AREA METHOD

The moment-area method is one of the most effective methods in determining the
slopes and deflections of beam structures. It was initially developed by Otto Mohr and
later stated formally by Charles E. Green in 1873. This is method rely greatly on the
shape of bending moment diagram. The area of the bending moment diagram is utilized
for computing the slope and deflection at particular points along the axis of the beam.
Therefore, it is better suited to cases where the areas and centroids of the regions in the
bending moment diagram are easy to determine as well as for beams with loading
discontinuities and variable EI.
Moment-area method is based on two theorems, known as moment-area theorem of
Mohr’s theorem. These theorems provide a semi-graphical technique in determining the
slope of the elastic curve and its deflection due to bending. The first theorem correlates
the slope change between any two points of the beam, while the second one is related
with the deflection at a point of the beam. Figure 3.1 illustrates a simple beam, deflected
by some random loading, and the corresponding bending moment diagram.

A B

Area AB
M/EI Diagram

XA XB

Elastic Curve

t A/B 0B/A t B/A

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Figure 3.1
Theorem 1. The change in slope between any two points on the elastic curve equal the
area of the M/EI diagram Between these two points.

1
𝜃𝐵/𝐴 = (𝐴𝑟𝑒𝑎 𝐴𝐵) 𝐸𝑞. 3.1
𝐸𝐼

Equation 3.1 represents the mathematical expression of moment-area theorem 1 where

θBA denotes the angle between the tangents to the elastic curve at A and B.

Theorem 2. The vertical deviation of the tangents at a point (A) on the elastic curve with
respect to the tangent extended from another point (B) equals the moment of the area
under M/EI diagram between the two points (A and B). This moment is computed about
point A (the point on the elastic curve) where the deviation tA/B is to be determined.

1
𝑡𝐴/𝐵 = (𝐴𝑟𝑒𝑎 𝐴𝐵)(𝑥𝐴 ) 𝐸𝑞. 3.2
𝐸𝐼

1
𝑡𝐵/𝐴 = (𝐴𝑟𝑒𝑎 𝐴𝐵)(𝑥𝐵 ) 𝐸𝑞. 3.3
𝐸𝐼

Equation 3.2 and 3.3 represents the mathematical expression of moment-area theorem
2 where tBA denotes the tangential deviation of B from the tangent at A, which is the
deflection of point B in the direction perpendicular to the undeformed axis of the beam
from the tangent at point A. Take note of the order of the subscripts used for t in
equation 3.2 and 3.3. The first subscript is the point where the deviation is determined
and about which the moments are evaluated, while the second subscript denotes the
point where the tangent to the elastic curve is drawn.

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Sign Convention
In applying the moment-area theorem, the following rule should be used for the
interpretation of signs of the change in slope and tangential deviation.
1. Positive θB/A has a counterclockwise direction, whereas negative θB/A has a
clockwise direction.

Positive change of slope; Negative change of slope;

counterclockwise from left clockwise from left tangent
tangent

2. The tangential deviation tB/A is positive if B lies above the tangent line drawn to
the elastic curve at A, and negative if B lies above the tangent line.

Positive deviation; B located Negative deviation; B located

above reference tangent below reference tangent

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Example 3.1
Determine the slope and deflection at points B and C of the cantilever beam shown in
the figure using moment-area method. E = 29,000 ksi, I = 3,000 in4

Solution:

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1 1
𝜃𝐵/𝐴 = [(125)(10) + (125)(10)]
𝐸𝐼 2
1875 𝑘. 𝑓𝑡 2
𝜃𝐵/𝐴 =
𝐸𝐼
1875(12)2
𝜃𝐵 = 𝜃𝐵/𝐴 =
29000(3000)
𝜽𝑩 = 𝟎. 𝟎𝟎𝟑𝟏 𝒓𝒂𝒅 (𝒄𝒍𝒐𝒄𝒌𝒘𝒊𝒔𝒆)

1 1 10
𝑡𝐵/𝐴 = [(125)(10)(5) + (125)(10)( )]
𝐸𝐼 2 3
8333.33 𝑘. 𝑓𝑡 3
𝑡𝐵/𝐴 =
𝐸𝐼
8333.33(12)3
∆𝐵 = 𝑡𝐵/𝐴 =
29000(3000)

∆𝑩 = 𝟎. 𝟏𝟔𝟓𝟓 𝒊𝒏 ↓

1 1 1
𝜃𝐶/𝐴 = [(125)(10) + (125)(10) + (250)(10)]
𝐸𝐼 2 2
3125 𝑘. 𝑓𝑡 2
𝜃𝐶/𝐴 =
𝐸𝐼
3125(12)2
𝜃𝐶 = 𝜃𝐶/𝐴 =
29000(3000)
𝜽𝑪 = 𝟎. 𝟎𝟎𝟓𝟐 𝒓𝒂𝒅 (𝒄𝒍𝒐𝒄𝒌𝒘𝒊𝒔𝒆)

1 1 10 1 2
𝑡𝐶/𝐴 = [(125)(10)(5 + 10) + (125)(10) ( + 10) + (250)(10)( 𝑥10)]
𝐸𝐼 2 3 2 3
35416.67 𝑘. 𝑓𝑡 3
𝑡𝐶/𝐴 =
𝐸𝐼
35416.67(12)3
∆𝐶 = 𝑡𝐶/𝐴 =
29000(3000)

∆𝑪 = 𝟎. 𝟏𝟕𝟎𝟑𝟒 𝒊𝒏 ↓

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Example 3.2
A beam is loaded as shown in the figure. Using moment-area theorems determine the
slope at A and displacement at B. E = 200 GPa, I = 190X10 6 mm4

Solution:

1 1 1
𝜃𝐴/𝐵 = [ (24)(2) + 24(2) + (8)(2)]
𝐸𝐼 2 2
80 𝑘𝑁. 𝑚2
𝜃𝐴/𝐵 =
𝐸𝐼
80
𝜃𝐴 = 𝜃𝐴/𝐵 =
1
200𝑥106 (190𝑥106 )( )
10004
𝜽𝑨 = 𝟎. 𝟎𝟎𝟐𝟏 𝒓𝒂𝒅 (𝒄𝒍𝒐𝒄𝒌𝒘𝒊𝒔𝒆)

1 1 2 1 2
𝑡𝐴/𝐵 = [ (24)(2)( 𝑥2) + 24(2)(2 + 1) + (8)(2)(2 + (2))]
𝐸𝐼 2 3 2 3
202.67 𝑘𝑁. 𝑚3
𝑡𝐴/𝐵 =
𝐸𝐼
202.67
∆𝐵 = 𝑡𝐴/𝐵 =
1
200𝑥106 (190𝑥106 )( )
10004
∆𝑩 = 𝟎. 𝟎𝟎𝟓𝟑𝟑 𝒎 = 𝟎. 𝟓. 𝟑𝟑 𝒎𝒎 ↓

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Self-Assessment Question 3
1. A simply supported beam is loaded as shown in the figure. Determine the slope
and deflection at the point of application of 5k load. Use moment-area method,
E = 29 x 103 ksi and I = 550in4

5k

1.4 k/ft

A B

4 ft 2 ft 5 ft

2. For the beam loaded as shown in the figure, determine displacement at B using
moment-area theorems. EI is constant

14 kN 14 kN

C
A D
B

3m 3m 3m

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Answer to Self-Assessment Question 3

3. A simply supported beam is loaded as shown in the figure. Determine the slope
and deflection at the point of application of 5k load. Use moment-area method,
E = 29 x 103 ksi and I = 550in4

5k

1.4 k/ft

A B

4 ft 2 ft 5 ft

Answer:
𝟐𝟖. 𝟕𝟒 𝒌. 𝒇𝒕𝟐
𝜽𝑩 = (𝒄𝒍𝒐𝒄𝒌𝒘𝒊𝒔𝒆)
𝑬𝑰
𝟐𝟏𝟔. 𝟕𝟎 𝒌. 𝒇𝒕𝟐
∆𝑩 = ↓
𝑬𝑰

4. For the beam loaded as shown in the figure, determine displacement at B using
moment-area theorems. EI is constant

14 kN 14 kN

C
A D
B

3m 3m 3m

Answer:
𝟑𝟏. 𝟓 𝒌𝑵. 𝒎𝟑
∆𝑩 = ↓
𝑬𝑰

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