THEORY OF STRUCTURE MOMENT DISTRIBUTION METHOD

THEORY OF STRUCTURE II
CHAPTER 1

1. ANALYSIS OF INDETERMINATE STRUCTURES

1.1. DISPLACEMENT METHOD
MOMENT DISTRIBUTION METHOD

In the previous lesson we discussed the slope-deflection method. In slope deflection analysis,
the unknown displacements (rotations and translations) are related to the applied loading on
the structure. The slope-deflection method results in a set of simultaneous equations of
unknown displacements. The number of simultaneous equations will be equal to the number
of unknowns to be evaluated. Thus one needs to solve these simultaneous equations to obtain
displacements and beam end moments. Today, simultaneous equations could be solved very
easily using a computer. Before the advent of electronic computing, this really posed a
problem as the number of equations in the case of multistory building is quite large. The
moment-distribution method proposed by Hardy Cross in 1932, actually solves these
equations by the method of successive approximations. In this method, the results may be
obtained to any desired degree of accuracy. Until recently, the moment-distribution method
was very popular among engineers. It is very simple and is being used even today for
preliminary analysis of small structures. It is still being taught in the classroom for the
simplicity and physical insight it gives to the analyst even though stiffness method is being
used more and more. Had the computers not emerged on the scene, the moment-distribution
method could have turned out to be a very popular method. In this lesson, first moment-
distribution method is developed for continuous beams with unyielding supports.

18.2 Basic Concepts

In moment-distribution method, counterclockwise beam end moments are taken as positive.
The counterclockwise beam end moments produce clockwise moments on the joint Consider
a continuous beam ABCD as shown in Fig.18.1a. In this beam, ends A and D are fixed and
hence,θA =θD = 0 .Thus, the deformation of this beam is completely defined by rotations θB

and θC at joints B and C respectively. The required equation to evaluate θB and θC is obtained
by considering equilibrium of joints B and C. Hence,

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 THEORY OF STRUCTURE MOMENT DISTRIBUTION METHOD

In Fig.18.1b, the counterclockwise beam-end moments MBA and MBC produce a clockwise
moment MB on the joint as shown in Fig.18.1b. To start with, in moment-distribution method,
it is assumed that joints are locked i.e. joints are prevented from rotating. In such a case (vide
Fig.18.1b), θB =θC = 0 , and hence

MBA =MBAF

MBC =MBCF

MCB =MCBF

MCD =MCDF (18.3)

Since joints B and C are artificially held locked, the resultant moment at joints B and C will
not be equal to zero. This moment is denoted by MB and is known as the unbalanced moment.

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 THEORY OF STRUCTURE MOMENT DISTRIBUTION METHOD

Thus,

M MB = BAF +MBCF

In reality joints are not locked. Joints B and C do rotate under external loads. When the joint B
is unlocked, it will rotate under the action of unbalanced moment MB . Let the joint B rotate
by an angleθB1 , under the action of MB . This will deform the structure as shown in Fig.18.1d
and introduces distributed moment M MBAd , BCd in the span BA and BC respectively as shown
in the figure. The unknown distributed moments are assumed to be positive and hence act in
counterclockwise direction. The unbalanced moment is the algebraic sum of the fixed end
moments and act on the joint in the clockwise direction. The unbalanced moment restores the
equilibrium of the joint B. Thus,

∑M B= 0, MBAd +MBCd +MB = 0 (18.4)

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 THEORY OF STRUCTURE MOMENT DISTRIBUTION METHOD

The distributed moments are related to the rotation θB1 by the slope-deflection equation.

The distribution moments developed in a member meeting at B, when the joint B is unlocked
and allowed to rotate under the action of unbalanced moment MB is equal to a distribution
factor times the unbalanced moment with its sign reversed.

As the joint B rotates under the action of the unbalanced moment, beam end moments are
developed at ends of members meeting at that joint and are known as distributed moments. As

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 THEORY OF STRUCTURE MOMENT DISTRIBUTION METHOD

the joint B rotates, it bends the beam and beam end moments at the far ends (i.e. at A and C)
are developed. They are known as carry over moments. Now consider the beam BC of
continuous beam ABCD.

When the joint B is unlocked, joint C is locked. Joint B rotates by θB1 under the action of
unbalanced moment MB (vide Fig. 18.1e). Now from slope deflection equations

The carry over moment is one half of the distributed moment and has the same sign. With the
above discussion, we are in a position to apply moment distribution method to statically
indeterminate beam. Few problems are solved here to illustrate the procedure. Carefully go
through the first problem, wherein the moment-distribution method is explained in detail.

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 THEORY OF STRUCTURE MOMENT DISTRIBUTION METHOD

Example 18.1
A continuous prismatic beam ABC (see Fig.18.2a) of constant moment of inertia is carrying a
uniformly distributed load of 2 kN/m in addition to a concentrated load of 10 kN. Draw
bending moment diagram. Assume that supports are unyielding.

Solution
Assuming that supports B and C are locked, calculate fixed end moments developed in the
beam due to externally applied load. Note that counterclockwise moments are taken as
positive.

Before we start analyzing the beam by moment-distribution method, it is required to calculate

stiffness and distribution factors.

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 THEORY OF STRUCTURE MOMENT DISTRIBUTION METHOD

At C: ∑K = EI

DFCB =1.0

Note that distribution factor is dimensionless. The sum of distribution factor at a joint, except
when it is fixed is always equal to one. The distribution moments are developed only when
the joints rotate under the action of unbalanced moment. In the case of fixed joint, it does not
rotate and hence no distribution moments are developed and consequently distribution factor
is equal to zero.
In Fig.18.2b the fixed end moments and distribution factors are shown on a working diagram.
In this diagram B and C are assumed to be locked.

Now unlock the joint C. Note that joint C starts rotating under the unbalanced moment of 5
kN.m (counterclockwise) till a moment of -5 kN.m is developed (clockwise) at the joint. This

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 THEORY OF STRUCTURE MOMENT DISTRIBUTION METHOD

in turn develops a beam end moment of +5 kN.m (MCB). This is the distributed moment and
thus restores equilibrium. Now joint C is relocked and a line is drawn below +5 kN.m to
indicate equilibrium. When joint C rotates, a carry over moment of +2.5 kN.m is developed at
the B end of member BC.These are shown in Fig.18.2c.

When joint B is unlocked, it will rotate under an unbalanced moment equal to algebraic sum
of the fixed end moments(+5.0 and -1.5 kN.m) and a carry over moment of +2.5 kN.m till
distributed moments are developed to restore equilibrium. The unbalanced moment is 6 kN.m.
Now the distributed moments MBC and MBA are obtained by multiplying the unbalanced
moment with the corresponding distribution factors and reversing the sign. Thus, MBC =−2.574
kN.m and MBA =−3.426 kN.m. These distributed moments restore the equilibrium of joint B.
Lock the joint B. This is shown in Fig.18.2d along with the carry over moments.

Now, it is seen that joint B is balanced. However joint C is not balanced due to the carry over
moment -1.287 kN.m that is developed when the joint B is allowed to rotate. The whole
procedure of locking and unlocking the joints C and B successively has to be continued till
both joints B and C are balanced simultaneously. The complete procedure is shown in
Fig.18.2e.

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 THEORY OF STRUCTURE MOMENT DISTRIBUTION METHOD

The iteration procedure is terminated when the change in beam end moments is less than say
1%. In the above problem the convergence may be improved if we leave the hinged end C
unlocked after the first cycle. This will be discussed in the next section. In such a case the
stiffness of beam BC gets modified. The above calculations can also be done conveniently in
a tabular form as shown in Table 18.1. However; the above working method is preferred in
this course.

Table 18.1 Moment-distribution for continuous beam ABC

Joint A B C
Member AB BA BC CB
Stiffness 1.333EI 1.333EI EI EI
Distribution 0.571 0.429 1.0
factor
FEM in +1.5 -1.5 +5.0 -5.0
kN.m
Balance +2.5 +5.0
joints C ,B -1.713 -3.426 -2.579 0
and C.O.
-4.926 +4.926 -1.287
Balance C +0.644 1.287
and C.O.

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Balance B -0.368 -0.276 -0.138

and C.O.
Balance C -0.184 -5.294 +5.294 0.138
C.O. +0.069 0
Balance B -0.02 -0.039 -0.030 -0.015
and C.O.
Balance C +0.015
Balanced -0.417 -5.333 +5.333 0
moments in
kN.m

Modified stiffness factor when the far end is hinged

As mentioned in the previous example, alternate unlocking and locking at the hinged joint
slows down the convergence of moment-distribution method. At the hinged end the moment
is zero and hence we could allow the hinged joint C in the previous example to rotate freely
after unlocking it first time. This necessitates certain changes in the stiffness parameters. Now
consider beam ABC as shown in Fig.18.2a. Now if joint C is left unlocked then the stiffness of
member BC changes. When joint B is unlocked, it will rotate by θB1 under the action of
unbalanced moment MB.The support C will also rotate by θC1as it is free to rotate. However,
momentMCB =0. Thus

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Example 18.2
Solve the previous example by making the necessary modification for hinged end C.

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Example 18.3
Draw the bending moment diagram for the continuous beam ABCD loaded as shown in
Fig.18.4a.The relative moment of inertia of each span of the beam is also shown in the figure.

Solution
Note that joint C is hinged and hence stiffness factor BC gets modified. Assuming that the
supports are locked, calculate fixed end moments. They are

MABF =16 kN.m

MBAF =−16 kN.m

MBCF = 7.5 kN.m

MCBF =−7.5 kN.m , and

MCDF =15 kN.m

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 THEORY OF STRUCTURE MOMENT DISTRIBUTION METHOD

In the next step calculate stiffness and distribution factors

Now all the calculations are shown in Fig.18.4b

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This problem has also been solved by slope-deflection method (see example 14.2).The
bending moment diagram is shown in Fig.18.4c.

Summary
An introduction to the moment-distribution method is given here. The momentdistribution
method actually solves these equations by the method of successive approximations. Various
terms such as stiffness factor, distribution factor, unbalanced moment, distributing moment
and carry-over-moment are defined in this lesson. Few problems are solved to illustrate the
moment-distribution method as applied to continuous beams with unyielding supports.

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