EiABC Structural Design Chair COTM 2102 Theory of Structures

Three Moment Equation

The three-moment equation is an expression that relates the moments and displacements
at three points (preferably at supports) in a continuous member such as continuous
beams. The relation can be derived by considering part of a continuous beam subjected to
arbitrary loading as shown below:

w
l c r
EIl EIr
Ll Lr

a = Δc - Δl c = Δr – Δc
Deflected Shape
b = Δc - Δl + tlc trc d = Δr – Δc – trc
(Elastic Curve) d
θc c
a θc
b Δc Δr
tlc Δl
Ll Lr

w w
Ml Mc
Mr
Ll Lr

Bending Moment
Diagram due to + Ar
Al +
Aplied Load
xr
xl

Bending Moment Mc 2Lr /3

2Ll /3
Diagram due to
Support Moments + +
Ml + Mr
+
Ll /3 Lr /3

Lecture Note /1/7

EiABC Structural Design Chair COTM 2102 Theory of Structures

For a continuous member, the condition of compatibility must be satisfied at each point. For
example the slope at point c (middle support) is the same whether it is computed by using the left
or right segment of the beam.

 c   l  t lc  r   c  t rc
Thus: 
Ll Lr

Rearranging the equations:

t lc t l  c   c
 rc   r
Ll Lr Ll Lr
From the second theorem of moment – area method:

1  M L  L  M L  2L 
t lc   Al xl  l l  l   c l  l 
EI l  2  3 2  3 

1  M L  L  M L  L 
t rc   Ar x r  r r  r   c r  2 r 
EI r  2  3  2  3 

Inserting these equations and rearranging:

L   L Lr   Ax   Ax     c   c 
  Mr  
L
M l    2Mc  l    6   6   6  l  r 
 EI  l  EI l EIr   EI  r  EIL  l  EIL  r  Ll Lr 

If EIl = EIr and there is no support settlements, the above equation reduces to:
 Ax 
M l Ll  2M c Ll  Lr   M r Lr    6 
 L 

Lecture Note /2/7

EiABC Structural Design Chair COTM 2102 Theory of Structures

The expression (6Ax) /L in the case of concentrated and uniform load are found to be:

P
a b

Pab
L
6 Ax Pa( L2  a 2 )

+ L L

x = (2a+b)/3

wL2
8
6 Ax wL3

+ L 4

x = L/2

In the special case where the continuous beam has a fixed support at one /both ends, an outer
imaginary equivalent beam of finite span with infinite stiffness is considered to change the
system to an equivalent continuous beam. The fixed end moments for the case of ether both ends
fixed or one end fixed and the other end hinged can be determined with this approach. The fixed
end moments due to the effect of concentrated and uniformly distributed load for the case of
both ends fixed is presented in the following examples to demonstrate how the three moment
equation is very much suitable and powerful means to determine fixed end moments for different
case of loading.

Lecture Note /3/7

 EiABC Structural Design Chair COTM 2102 Theory of Structures

Example 1
Determine the end moment for the beam under the effect of concentrated load P
as shown below

a P b

A EI B
L
a P b
Equivalent Ao EI = A B EI = Bo
Continuous EI
Beam LAo L LBo

The three moment equation applied to spa AoA and AB is written as:
L L   L  Pb( L2  b 2 ) Pb( L2  b 2 )
0  2M A  Ao    MB      2M A  MB  
  EI   EI  L EI L2
Similarly the three moment equation for span AB and BBo is written as:
 L   L LBo  Pa( L2  a 2 ) Pa( L2  a 2 )
M A    2M B    0    MA  2M B  
 EI   EI   L EI L2
Solving the two equations simultaneously:
Pab2 Pa 2 b
MA   ; MB  
L2 L2
Example 2
Determine the end moment for the beam under the effect of uniformly distributed
load w as shown below

A EI B
L
w
Equivalent Ao EI = A B EI = Bo 6 Ax wL3
Continuous 
EI L 4
Beam LAo L LBo

Lecture Note /4/7

 EiABC Structural Design Chair COTM 2102 Theory of Structures

The three moment equation applied to spans AoA and AB is written as:
L L   L  wL3 wL2
0  2M A  Ao    MB      2M A  MB  
  EI   EI  4 EI 4
Similarly the three moment equation for spans AB and BBo is written as:
 L   L LBo  wL3 wL2
M A    2M B    0    MA  2M B  
 EI   EI   4 EI 4
Solving the two equations simultaneously:
wL2 wL2
MA   ; MB  
12 12

Example 3
Determine the reaction and draw the sheer force and bending moment diagrams
for the following beam.

40KN
10KN/M
A B
EI EI
2.0m 2.0m 6.0m
RA RB RC

For beams with constant flexural stiffens, the three moment equation is written as
 Ax
M A LAB  2M B LAB  LBC   M C LBC    6 
 L 
 40 * 2(4 2  2 2 ) 10 * 6 3 
0  2M B 4  6  0        780  M B   39KNM
 4 4 
Taking section at B and analyzing the left and right part
40 39
VBl 39 10KN/M
Section at B:
A B

RA 2.0 2.0 VBr 6.0

RC

RA = 10.25 RC = 23.50

Lecture Note /5/7

EiABC Structural Design Chair COTM 2102 Theory of Structures

The Remaining reaction at the support B can be determined considering equilibrium condition of
the entire beam and found to be RB = 66.25KN
Shear force and bending moment diagrams

40KN
10KN/M
A B
EI EI
2.0m 2.0m 6.0m

RA 10.25 RB = 66.25 RC = 23.50

36.50
10.25
SFD
(KN)

-29.75
3.65m 2.35m 23.50

20.50 27.61
BMD
(KNM)

-39.00

Lecture Note /6/7

 EiABC Structural Design Chair COTM 2102 Theory of Structures

Exercise
Using three moment equation, determine the support moments and draw the
sheer force and bending moment diagrams for the following beams.

15KN 25KN
10KN
10KNM
(a) C
A B D
EI EI EI
3.0m 2.0m 2.0m 3.0m 2.0m 2.0m

4KN/M 5KN
(b)

EI EI EI D
A B C

6.0m 4.0m 2.0m

Lecture Note /7/7