Moment Distribution
Continuous Beams
Problem-1
Determine the support moments, hence draw the bending moment and shear force diagrams.
40 kN 20 kN
24 kN/m
B C D
A
EI EI EI
4.0m 4.0m 4.0m 4.0m 4.0m
A member with a flexural rigidity EI
Stiffness of a member
Stiffness of a member (k) = 4EI/L
Stiffness of AB = kAB =
Stiffness of BC = kBC =
Stiffness of CD = kCD =
Stiffness of AB = kAB = 4(EI)AB/LAB= 4EI/8 = EI/2
Stiffness of BC = kBC = 4(EI)BC/LBC = 4EI/4 = EI
Stiffness of CD = kCD = 4(EI)CD/LCD = 4EI/8 = EI/2
Distribution factor (DF)
At a joint in a structure, moments are distributed into each member in
proportion to the stiffness of the members meeting at that point
Distribution factor (DF) of a member =
Stiffness of a member / Σ stiffness of each member at the joint
DFBA =
DFBC =
DFCB =
DFCD =
1
Distribution factors (DF)
DFBA = kAB / (kAB + kBC) = (EI/2) / (EI/2+EI) = 0.33
DFBC = kBC / (kAB + kBC) = (EI) / (EI/2+EI) = 0.67
DFCB = kBC / (kBC + kCD) = (EI) / (EI+EI/2) = 0.67
DFCD = kCD / (kBC + kCD) = (EI/2) / (EI+EI/2) = 0.33
Note that DF at each joint (internal) should add to 1
2
Fixed-end moments (FEM) - refer to the supplied table below:
For the purpose of moment distribution:
Sign convention:
Clockwise is positive, +
Anticlockwise is negative, -
3
Fixed-end moments (FEM)
Member AB
MAB =
MBA =
Member BC
MBC =
MBC =
Member CD
MCD =
MDC =
Member AB
MAB = -WLAB/8 = -40x8/8 = -40 kNm
MBA = +WLAB/8 = +40x8/8 = +40 kNm
Member BC
MBC = -wLBC2/12 = -24x42/12 = -32 kNm
MCB = +wLBC2/12 = +24x42/12 = +32 kNm
Member CD
MCD = -WLCD/8 = -20x8/8 = -20 kNm
MDC = +WLCD/8 = +20x8/8 = +20 kNm
4
24 kN/m 20 kN
40 kN
B C D
A
EI EI EI
4.0m 4.0m 4.0m 4.0m 4.0m
Joint A B C D
Member AB BA BC CB CD DC
Distribution factor 0 0.33 0.67 0.67 0.33 0
(DF)
Fixed-end moments -40.00 +40.00 -32.00 +32.00 -20.00 +20.00
(FEM)
Balancing moment (-8.00) (-12.00)
Distributed moment -2.67 -5.33 -8.00 -4.00
Carry-over moment -1.33 -4.00 -2.67 -2.00
Balancing moment (+4.00) (+2.67)
Distributed moment +1.33 +2.67 +1.78 +0.89
Carry-over moment +0.67 +0.89 +1.34 +0.45
Balancing moment (-0.89) (-1.34)
Distributed moment -0.29 -0.60 -0.89 -0.45
Carry-over moment -0.15 -0.45 -0.30 -0.23
Balancing moment (+0.45) (+0.30)
Distributed moment +0.15 +0.30 +0.20 +0.10
Final moments -40.81 +38.52 -38.52 +23.46 -23.46 +18.22
5
24 kN/m 20 kN
40 kN
B C D
A
EI EI EI
4.0m 4.0m 4.0m 4.0m 4.0m
6
Support moments
40.81
38.52
23.46 18.22
A B C D
Simply supported moments
48 40
80
Bending moment diagram
40.81 38.52
23.46
18.22
17.1
(mid span) 19.16
40.33
7
Shear Force Diagram
Support moments
40.81
38.52
23.46 18.22
A B C D
40.81 kNm 40 kN 38.52 kNm 24 kN/m 23.46 kNm 20 kN 18.22 kNm
D
A B C
EI EI EI
4.0m 4.0
m 4.0m 4.0m 4.0m
8
Shear Force Diagram
24 kN/m 20 kN
40 kN
B C D
A
EI EI EI
4.0m 4.0m 4.0m 4.0m 4.0m
40.81 kNm 40 kN 38.52 kNm 24 kN/m 23.46 kNm 20 kN 18.22 kNm
D
A B C
EI EI EI
20.26 kN 19.74 kN 51.77 kN
10.65 kN 9.35 kN
4.0m 4.0m 44.23 kN
4.0m 4.0m 4.0m
24 kN/m 20 kN
40 kN
B C D
A
EI EI EI
20.26 kN 71.51 kN 54.88 kN
9.35 kN
4.0m 4.0m 4.0m 4.0m 4.0m
51.77 kN
20.26 kN
10.65 kN
9.35 kN
19.74 kN
44.23 kN
9
x/(x-4)=51.77/44.23
x=2.157
Maximum sagging moment in span BC = -40.81+20.26x8 – 19.74x4+
(51.77x2.157)/2 = 17.12 kNm
10
24 kN/m 20 kN
40 kN
B C D
A
EI EI EI
4.0m 4.0m 4.0m 4.0m 4.0m
40 kN 40 kN 40 kN
40 kN 40 kN 40 kN
11
Problem-2
40 kN
B C
A
EI EI
4.0m 4.0m 4.0m
Joint A B C
Member AB BA BC CB
Distribution factor 0 0.33 0.67 0
Fixed-end moments -40.00 +40.00 0 0
Balancing moment (-40.00)
Distributed moment -13.33 -26.67
Carry-over moment -6.67 -13.33
Final moments -46.67 +26.67 -26.67 -13.33
12
40 kN
A B C
EI EI
4.0m 4.0m 4.0m
46.67
26.67
A C
B
13.33
Simply supported moments
80
46.67
26.67
36.67
13.33
43.33
13
Shear Forces
40 kN
A B C
EI EI
27.5 kN 10 kN
22.5 kN
4.0m 4.0m 4.0m
Shear Force Diagram
22.5 kN 10 kN
17.5 kN
14
Problem-3
40 kN
A
B C
EI EI
4.0m 4.0m 4.0m
For a member with a pinned end the stiffness is 3EI/L
Stiffness of AB = kAB = 3(EI)AB/LAB= 3EI/8
Stiffness of BC = kBC = 4(EI)BC/LBC = 4EI/4 = EI
Joint A B D
Member AB BA BC CB
Distribution factor 0.27 0.73 0
Fixed-end moments -40.00 +40.00 0 0
Release at A +40.00 +20.00
Balancing moment (-60.00)
Distributed moment -16.20 -43.80
Carry-over moment -21.90
Final moments 0 +43.80 -43.80 -21.90
15
40 kN
A B C
EI EI
4.0m 4.0m 4.0m
43.8
A C
B
21.9
Simply supported moments
80 43.8
21.9
21.9
58.1
16
Shear Force
40 kN
A B C
EI EI
41.9 kN 16.425 kN
14.525 kN
4.0m 4.0m 4.0m
Shear Force Diagram
14.525 kN 16.425 kN
25.475 kN
17
Problem-3a
40 kN
A C
B
EI EI
4.0m 4.0m
4.0m
For a member with a pinned end stiffness is 3EI/L
Stiffness of AB = kAB = 3(EI)AB/LAB= 3EI/8
Stiffness of BC = kBC = 4(EI)BC/LBC = 4EI/4 = EI
Joint A B D
Member AB BA BC CB
Distribution factor 0.27 0.73 0
Fixed-end moments -40.00 +40.00 0 0
Release at A +40.00 +20.00
Balancing moment (-60.00)
Distributed moment -16.20 -43.80
Carry-over moment -21.90
Final moments 0 +43.80 -43.80 -21.90
18
Problem-3b
Different stiffnesses
Determine the bending moment and shear force diagrams for the continuous beam shown below.
40 kN
A
B C
2EI EI
4.0m 4.0m 4.0m
For member AB (with a pinned end) the stiffness is 3(EI)AB/LAB
Stiffness of AB = kAB = 3(EI)AB/LAB= 3x2EI/8 = 6EI/8=0.75EI
Stiffness of BC = kBC = 4(EI)BC/LBC = 4EI/4 = EI
Distribution factors at joint B
DBA = 0.75EI/(0.75EI+EI) = 0.43
DBC = EI/(0.75EI+EI) = 0.57
Joint A B C
Member AB BA BC CB
Distribution factor 0.43 0.57 0
Fixed-end moments -40.00 +40.00 0 0
Release at A +40.00 +20.00
Balancing moment (-60.00)
Distributed moment -25.8 -34.2
Carry-over moment -17.10
Final moments 0 +34.20 -34.20 -17.10
19
Problem-4
5 kN 40 kN
A
B C
EI EI
1.0m 4.0m 4.0m 4.0m
For a member with a pinned end stiffness is 3EI/L
Stiffness of AB = kAB = 3(EI)AB/LAB= 3EI/8
Stiffness of BC = kBC = 4(EI)BC/LBC = 4EI/4 = EI
Joint A B D
Member AB BA BC CB
Distribution factor 0.27 0.73 0
Fixed-end moments -40.00 +40.00 0 0
Release at A +35.00 +17.50
Balancing moment (-57.50)
Distributed moment -15.52 -41.98
Carry-over moment -20.98
Final moments -5.00 +41.98 -41.98 -20.98
20
21
5 kN 40 kN
A
B C
EI EI
20.38 kN 15.72 kN
40.35 kN
1.0m 4.0m 4.0m 4.0m
Shear Force Diagram
15.37 kN 15.72 kN
5 kN
24.63 kN
22
Moment Distribution of Frames
Sway and Non-Sway Frame
Sway Frame
To prevent the sway
23
To represent
bracing
Non-Sway Frame
24
Example of Non-Sway Frame
Determine the bending moment and shear force diagram for the frame below.
40 kN
B C
5 kN/m EI 1.0m
2EI 2EI 6.0m
A D
4.0m
25
40 kN
B C
EI 1.0m
5 kN/m
2EI 2EI 6.0m
A D
4.0m
Joint A B C D
Member AB BA BC CB CD DC
Distribution factor 0 0.5 0.5 0.5 0.5 0
(DF)
Fixed-end moments -15.00 +15.00 -7.5 +22.5 0.00 0.00
(FEM)
26
Joint A B C D
Member AB BA BC CB CD DC
Distribution factor 0.5 0.5 0.5 0.5
(DF)
Fixed-end moments -15.00 +15.00 -7.5 +22.5 0.00 0.00
(FEM)
Release A +15.00 +7.50
Balancing moment (-15.00) (-22.50)
Distributed moment -7.50 -7.50 -11.25 -11.25
Carry-over moment -5.63 -3.75
Balancing moment (+5.63) (+3.75)
Distributed moment +2.81 +2.81 +1.88 +1.88
Carry-over moment +0.94 +1.40
Balancing moment (-0.94) (-1.40)
Distributed moment -0.47 -0.47 -0.70 -0.70
Carry-over moment -0.35 -0.23
Balancing moment (+0.35) (+0.23)
Distributed moment +0.17 +0.17 +0.12 +0.12
Final moments 0 +17.51 -17.53 +9.97 -9.95 0
27
Joint Moments
-17.52 -9.96
B C
A D
Simply supported moments
B C
30
22.5
A D
Bending moment diagram
-17.52 -9.96
B C
+13.74 +18.15
(middle)
A D
28
17.52 9.96
40 kN
HB HC
B C
VB VC
3.0m 1.0m
VB VC
17.52 9.96
HB
C HC
B
5 kN/m
HA D HD
A
VA VD
HA= 12.08 kN
VA=11.89 kN
HD= 1.66 kN
VD=28.11 kN
HB = 30-12.08 = 17.92 kN
VB = -11.89 kN
HC= -HB = -17.92 kN
VC= 28.11 kN
29
40 kN
B C R
1.0m
5 kN/m
6.0m
A D HD
HA
4.0m
VA VD
R = 16.26 kN
Position of maximum bending moment of AB x = 2.42m
Maximum Moment = 14.59 kNm
-17.52 -9.62
B C
13.74 (middle) 18.15
14.59 (maximum)
X=2.42m
A D
30
17.52 9.96
40 kN
HB HC
B C
VB=11.89 kN
VC=28.11 kN
3.0m 1.0m
VB VC
17.52 9.96
HB
C HC
B
5 kN/m
HA=12.08 kN D HD=1.66 kN
A
VA VD
HA= 12.08 kN HD= 1.66 kN
VA=11.89 kN VD=28.11 kN
HB = 17.92 kN VB = 11.89 kN
HC= -HB = -17.92 kN VC= 28.11 kN
11.89
C
B
17.92
28.11
1.66
X=2.42m
Position of maximum
moment
12.08 A D
31
Sway Frame
32
Joint A B C D
Member AB BA BC CB CD DC
Distribution factor 0 0.5 0.5 0.5 0.5 0
(DF)
Fixed-end moments -12.00 -12.00 -12.00 -12.00
(FEM)
Release A +12.00 +6.00 +6.00 +12.00
Balancing moment (+6.00) (+6.00)
Distributed moment +3.00 +3.00 +3.00 +3.00
Carry-over moment +1.50 +1.50
Balancing moment (-1.50) (-1.50)
Distributed moment -0.75 -0.75 -0.75 -0.75
Carry-over moment -0.38 -0.38
Balancing moment (+0.38) (+0.38)
Distributed moment +0.19 +0.19 +0.19 +0.19
Carry-over moment +0.10 +0.10
Balancing moment (-0.10) (-0.10)
Distributed moment -0.05 -0.05 -0.05 -0.05
Final moments 0 -3.61 +3.61 +3.61 -3.61 0
33
VB VC
3.61 3.61
HB=0.60 HC=0.60
C
B
HA=3.61/6=0.60 D HD=0.60
A
VA VD
RC=1.20
B C
6.0m
A D
4.0m
Based on the first case without sway, Rc should be 16.26, so we should multiply the
values of moments in the sway case by 16.26/1.2=13.55
34
Joint A B C D
Final moments 0 -48.92 +48.92 +48.92 -48.92 0
35
Non-sway
-17.52 -9.62
B C
13.74 (middle) 18.15
14.59 (maximum)
X=2.42m
A D
Sway
-48.92
48.92
B C
A D
36
Non-Sway+Sway
-58.88
31.40 -6.31
B C
38.2 (middle)
A D
37
Example-xx
Determine the support moments for the beam shown below.
Support C settles by 5mm (vertically downwards). EI = 104 kNm2
20 kN/m 10 kN/m
A B C D
EI 1.5EI 2EI
3.0m 3.0m 6.0m
20 kN/m 10 kN/m
A B C D
EI 1.5EI 2EI
3.0m 3.0m 6.0m
5mm
Member AB
MAB = -w(LAB)2 /12 = -20x32/12 = -15 kNm
MBA = +w(LAB)2 /12 = +20x32/12 = +15 kNm
Member BC
Due to settlement
MBC = -6ᵟ(EI)BC/(LBC)2 = (-6x1.5x104/32)x5= -50 kNm
MCB = -6ᵟ(EI)BC/(LBC)2 = (-6x1.5x104/32)x5= -50 kNm
Member CD
Load
MCD = -w(LCD)2 /12 = -10x62/12 = -30 kNm
MDC = +w(LCD)2 /12 = +10x62/12 = +30 kNm
Settlement
MCD = +6ᵟ(EI)CD/(LCD)2 = (+6x2x104/62)x5= +16.67 kNm
MDC = +6ᵟ (EI)CD/(LCD)2 = (+6x2x104/62)x5= +16.67 kNm
Total
MCD = -30+16.67 = -13.33 kNm
MDC = +30+16.67 = +46.67 kNm
38
Joint A B C D
Member AB BA BC CB CD DC
Distribution factor (DF) 0 0.40 0.60 0.67 0.33 0
Fixed-end moments -15.00 +15.00 -50.00 -50.00 -13.33 +46.67
(FEM)
Release at D -23.34 -46.67
Balancing moment (+35.0) (+86.67)
Distributed moment +14.00 21.00 58.07 28.60
Carry-over moment +7.00 29.04 +10.50
Balancing moment (-29.04) (-10.50)
Distributed moment -11.62 -17.42 -7.04 -3.47
Carry-over moment -5.81 -3.52 -8.71
Balancing moment (+3.52) (+8.71)
Distributed moment +1.41 +2.11 5.84 2.87
Carry-over moment +0.71 2.92 +1.05
Balancing moment (-2.92) (-1.05)
Distributed moment -1.17 -1.75 -0.70 -0.35
Carry-over moment -0.58 -0.35 -0.87
Balancing moment (+0.34) (-0.14)
Distributed moment +0.14 +0.24 -0.09 -0.05
Carry-over moment +0.07 -0.05 +0.12
Balancing moment (+0.05) (-0.12)
Distributed moment +0.02 +0.03 -0.08 -0.04
*after 4 iterations -13.7 +17.62 -17.97 +8.14 -9.01 +0.00
Final moments
Final moments -13.7 +17.79 -17.79 +8.58 -8.58 +0.00
*After 5 iterations -13.87 +17.65 -17.65 +8.75 -8.75 +0.00
39
20 kN/m 10 kN/m
A B C D
EI 1.5EI 2EI
3.0m 3.0m 6.0m
20 kN/m 10 kN/m
A B C D
EI 1.5EI 2EI
3.0m 3.0m 6.0m
5mm
40
Degree of indeterminacy
For beams and rigid jointed frame
ID=[(3m+r)-3n]
If the horizontal reactions are ignored in a beam then
ID=[(2m+r)-2n]
41
42
24 kN/m 20 kN
40 kN
B C D
A
EI EI EI
4.0m 4.0m 4.0m 4.0m 4.0m
Joint A B C D
Member AB BA BC CB CD DC
Distribution factor
(DF)
Fixed-end moments
(FEM)
Balancing moment
Distributed moment
Carry-over moment
Balancing moment
Distributed moment
Carry-over moment
Balancing moment
Distributed moment
Carry-over moment
Balancing moment
Distributed moment
Final moments
43
