MOMENT DISTRIBUTION

1
MOMENT DISTRIBUTION

It has been seen in the previous section that the procedure for finding the bending
moments acting on a member in a structure using the Slope-Deflection method of analysis
is as follows:-

1. The member is treated as fully-fixed at both ends and the Fixed-End-Moments, i.e.
the moments produced at each end of the beam caused by the loading are
calculated using appropriate equations i.e. those derived in the moment area
method.

2. Each end of the beam is now allowed to deflect and rotate and the moments acting
at each end can be expressed in terms of the unknown slopes and deflections using
the Slope-Deflection equations.

3. By considering the equilibrium of the forces and moments and the compatibility of
the slopes and deflections at each end of each member in the structure, the
unknown slopes and deflections can be eliminated from the above expressions for
the moments at each end of the member, resulting in a set of simultaneous
equations which can be solved to find these moments.

4. These results can be substituted back into the Slope-Deflection equations to find
the values of slopes and deflections at each end of the beam if required.

As can be imagined the mathematics involved in the above are extremely tedious for all
but the simplest of structures and the procedure is not considered suitable for hand
calculation, but requires the use of a computer.

However, for occasions where a computer is not available or justified a suitable method
of hand calculation is required, and these equations can be solved step-by-step using the
method known as Moment Distribution.

This method is based on the Relaxation Method for solving simultaneous equations
devised by the British mathematician Southwell and adapted specifically for structural
analysis by Professor Hardy-Cross of the United States.

The method makes use of five basic theorems which have already been proved in the
section on Moment Area, but which will be repeated here:-

Theorem I If support A of a member AB, whose support B is fully-fixed is rotated

through an angle , then the moment M required to produce this rotation is
4EI
given by the expression M = .

2
i.e.


A
B

EI constant

Theorem II If a moment M is applied to end A of the beam in Theorem I, then the

moment generated at end B will be in the same direction as M and equal
to half its value.

This phenomenon is known as “Carry-over”.

i.e.

B
A

Theorem III If the support A of a member AB, whose support B is pinned is rotated
through an angle , then the moment M required to produce this rotation is
3EI
given by the expression M= .


B

ℓ
A

EI constant

3
 It will be noted that the moment here is three-quarters of the value required
to produce the same rotation if end B was fixed, i.e. a beam whose remote
end is pinned has three-quarters of the relative stiffness of a beam whose
remote end is fixed.

It will also be noted that in this case there can be no question of a carry-
over of a moment to end B as there can be no moment generated at a pin.

Theorem IV If support B of a fixed-end beam AB deflects downwards by an amount 

relative to A, then the moments generated at each support will be as
follows:-

6EI 6El
MA = − 2
MB = 2

A

B

EI constant

Theorem V If support A of a member AB is fully fixed and support B is pinned and

support B deflects downwards by  relative to A then the moment generated
− 3EI
at A will be given by the expression MA = 2
.

While the moment at the pinned end B will of course be zero.

A

B

EI constant

4
Now consider a joint A with any number of members, in this case say three, meeting at
the joint and rigidly attached to it. The remote end of
(a) each of the three members is considered to be fixed.
B
(a)
D A

Joint A is now given a clockwise rotation  by an externally-applied clockwise moment M.

End A of each member will experience a clockwise
(b) rotation  and therefore by Theorem I:-

B EI
M M AB =4 A − B

EI
D  A M AC =4 A − C

EI
M AD =4 A − D
C

But for equilibrium of joint A:-

(c) M =M AB + M AC + M AD
MAD MAB
 EI   EI   EI 
M
or M = 4   + 4   + 4  
  A− B   A−C   A− D

MAC  EI   EI   EI  
or M = 4   +  +  
  A− B   A−C   A− D 

If all members are composed of the same material (which will be the any condition dealt
with in this course) then E will be the same for all members and the equation becomes:-

 I  I I  I
M = 4 E   +  +    = 4 E 
  A − B   A −C   A − D 

Where 𝐼 = the second moment of area of the member and 𝑙 is its length.

5
The expression 𝐼/𝑙 is called the relative stiffness of the member and is given the symbol
k. k= 𝐼/𝑙

If it is now required to find out what proportion of the applied moment M is resisted say
by member AB, then:-

I
M A− B = 4 E    = 4 E k A− D
  A− D

I
M = 4 E  = 4 E  k

M AB 4 E k A− B k
Then = = A− B
M 4 E k k

k A− D
The term is called the Distribution Factor for member AB (generally abbreviated to
k
DFA - B).

The Distribution Factor for any member gives the proportion of the moment applied to the
joint which is resisted by that particular member, and as the total moment applied to the
joint must equal the sum of the moments resisted by all members, then it can be seen
that the sum of the distribution factors of all the members meeting at a joint must be one.

Example Find the Distribution Factors for all the members meeting at joint A as
shown. The lengths and l’s of all members are as shown and the end of
each member remote from A is fixed.

Solution
B
3I I 4 I
E
k AB = = =
6 (3I) 6 2 8
6
(1,5I) A 2
C
(2I) 2I 8I
4
k AC = =I=
2 8

D I /2 I I
k AD = = =
4 8 8

1,5 I I 2 I
k AC = = =
6 4 8

6
 4 I + 8I + I + 2 I 15I
k = =
8 8

kab 4 I 8 4
 DFab = = =
k 15 I 8 15

Similarly DFac = 815 DFad = 1

15 and DFac = 2 15

It will be noted that the sum of the distribution factors for all the members meeting at the
joint is 4/15 + 8/15 + 1/15 + 2/15 = 15/15 = 1 and this must always be the case for any
number of members meeting at a joint.

In this case if an external moment of 150 kNm had been applied to joint A and rotated it,
then the moment produced at end A of member AB would be
150 x 140 kNm. Similarly MAC = 80, MAD = 10 & MAE = 20 kNm.

Also 40 + 80 + 10 + 20 =150 kNm meaning that the joint is in equilibrium.

Where there is only one member connected to a joint, as is the case with a single member
supported at a built-in support as shown, then it is obvious that any moment produced by
rotation of the support must be taken in its entirety by the
M single member as there is no other member available to
M=M
share this.

Thus the distribution factor for a single member at a fixed support must
be 1.

In the technique of Moment Distribution each end of every member or span in the
structure is initially assumed to be fully fixed by the application of the appropriate fixed-
end moment at both ends of each member.

This generally will result in the joints of the structure not being in equilibrium, and this is
corrected for each joint in turn by applying a moment, equal in value but in the opposite
direction to the out-of-balance moment acting on the joint. This applied moment will be
distributed among all the members meeting at that joint in the proportion of their
distribution factors as was done above. The application of these moments to the end of
each member meeting at this joint will in turn produce a moment at the remote end of
each member due to the effect of “carry-over” and it has been seen that these moments
will be half the value of the moment applied at the near end of the member and will be in
the same direction.

These carry-over moments may or may not further unbalance the joints at the remote end
of each member, which will in turn be put into equilibrium, resulting in further carry-overs

7
back to the original joint, this process being repeated for each joint until the eventual out-
of-balance moments at each joint are small enough to be ignored.

This is best illustrated by the following example:-

200 kN
90 kN 45 kN El is constant for the beam shown.
B 9 kN/m C Draw the bending moment and shear
A D force diagrams.
2 2 8 2 2 2

Step 1: Calculate the distribution factors for each joint.

i) Joint A DFAB = 1
A B
k = 2I / 8 + I / 8 = 3I / 8

k BA 2 I / 8
DFBA = = = 2/3
k 3I / 8
ii) Joint B
I /8
DFBC = = 1/ 3
3I / 8
A B
Check 2 / 3 + 1/ 3 = 1
C

k = 3I / 24 + 4I / 24 = 7 I / 24

3I / 24
iii) Joint C DFCB = = 3/ 7
7 I / 24

I / 24
DF CD = = 4/7
B C D
7 I / 24

Check 3 / 7 + 4 / 7 = 1

iv) Joint D DF DC = 1
C
D

8
Step 2: Calculate the fixed-end moments for each span.

(i) Span
A – 200 kN
B

A B - 100 100
i.e. W1/8
2 2 A B
= 200 x 4/8
= 100 kNm

9 kN/m
B C - 48 48
8 i.e. B C
(ii) Span
B – C
W12/12 = 9 x 64/12 = 48 kNm

90 kN/m

C D - 80 40
(ii) 2 4
i.e. C D Span
C– D

(a) due to 90 kN load Wab2/𝑙 2 = 90 x 2 x 16/36 = 80 kNm

Wa2b/𝑙 2 = 90 x 4 x 4/36 = 40 kNm

45 kN/m

C D - 20 40
4 2
i.e. C D

(b) due to 45 kN load Wab2/𝑙 2 = 45 x 4 x 4/36 = 20 kNm

Wa2b/𝑙 2 = 45 x 16 x 2/36 = 40 kNm

9
 - 100 + 100 - 48 + 48 - 100 +80

A B C D

Therefore total fixed end moments on C - D are:-

+ 100 - 48

Apply -52 i.e. 52

Thus if each span of the beam is considered to be an independent fully-fixed end beam
the moments at the end of each span would be as follows:-
Now consider, to begin with, Joint B:-

It can be seen that this joint is out of equilibrium by an amount of + 100 - 48 = + 52 kNm.

That is there is an unbalanced moment of + 52 kNm acting on this joint and to restore it
to equilibrium it will be necessary to apply an equal and opposite moment, that is -52 kNm.

B
DF

100 - 48 FEM
- 35 - 17
+65 - 65 Joint Balanced

If a moment of - 52 kNm is applied to joint B then it will divide itself as has been seen
previously, between members BA and BC in the ratio of the distribution factors for the two
members which have already been calculated as 2/3 end 1/3.

BA will therefore experience a moment of 2/3 of -52,

say -35 kNm, and BC a moment of 1/3 of -52, say -17 - 100 80

kNm. These figures have been rounded off but it will C D

be noted that -35 and -17 total -52, i.e. the exact value
of the moment applied to the joint.

10
Joint B is now in equilibrium with ± 65 kNm on either side of the joint or a total of zero on
the joint.

A B C D
1
2
/3 1
/3 3 4
/7 DF’s
/7 1

- 100 100 - 48 48 - 100 80 FEM;s

- 35 - 17
Balance B

- 18 -9
Carry-Over

However it has also been seen that applying a moment to one end of a member, the other
end of which is fixed, will produce a moment at the fixed end in the same direction and
half the value of the applied moment due to the phenomenon of “carry-over’. Thus
applying -35 kNm to end B of member BA will produce a moment of half -35 or say -18,
at end A; while applying -17 to end B of member BC will produce say -9 at end C.

This is shown as follows-:

Now consider joint C:-

The unbalanced moment acting on this joint equals -100 + 48 - 9 = -61 kNm.

This can be balanced by adding a moment of +61 to the joint which will be divided in the
proportions of 3/7 or say 26 to CB and 4/7 or say 35 to CD. Again it will be noted that 26 +
35 = 61, the exact value of the applied moment.

The table will now appear as follows:-

11
 A B C D
1
2
/3 1
/3 3 4
/7 DF’s
/7 1

- 100 100 - 48 48 - 100 80 FEM;s

- 35 - 17
Balance B

- 18 -9 Carry-Over
26 35
Balance C
13 18
Carry-Over
-9 -4
Balance C

A further carry-over operation must now be carried out, placing one-half of 26, i.e. 13 at
B and one-half of 35, say 18, at D, giving the following:-

A B C D
1
2
/3 1
/3 3 4
/7 DF’s
/7 This means that joint B 1

- 100 100 - 48 is once again out of

48 - 100 80 FEM;s
- 35 - 17 Balance B balance by +13 and
must be put into
- 18 -9 Carry-over
equilibrium by applying -
26 35 Balance C
13 to the joint which will
be divided between the
two members in the proportions of their distribution factors i.e. -9 to BA and -4 to BC as
follows:-

A B C D
1
2
/3 1
/3 3 4
/7 DF’s
/7 1

- 100 100 - 48 48 - 100 80 FEM;s

- 35 - 17
Balance B

- 18 -9 Carry-Over
26 35
Balance C
13 18
Carry-Over

12
The pattern should by now be becoming clear. Each joint is in turn balanced with the
resulting carry-over unbalancing a joint which was previously in equilibrium, which must
then be balanced producing yet a further carry-over effect.

In theory this operation can be carried on ad-infinitum. However it will be noted that the
carry-over moments get smaller with each iteration of the process and will eventually
reach values sufficiently small where they may be ignored as being negligible, this value
depending on the degree of accuracy desired. Once carry-over moments become less
than this value the distribution may be regarded as terminated.

In the particular example being dealt with here it will be taken that an accuracy of 1% is
considered sufficient and therefore once the carry-over moments become less than
1 kNm they will be disregarded and the distribution finished.

This will give a final table as follows:-

A B C D

100

2/ 1/ 3/ 4/
1 4 3 7 7 1 Distribution Factors
- 100 100 - 42 48 - 100 80 Fixed-end Moments
- 35 - 17 Balance B
- 18 -9 Carry-over
26 35 Balance C
13 18 Carry-over
-9 -4 Balance B
-5 -2 Carry-over
1 1 Balance C

 - 123 56 - 56 64 - 64 98

100 kNm 50 kNm

13
The previously-used sign convention for bending moments, i.e. sagging moments positive
and hogging negative has been discarded as unsuitable for writing equilibrium equations
and as it cannot be applied to vertical members, and that of positive moments acting
clockwise on the member and anticlockwise on the joint adopted in its place. However
this convention is not suitable for drawing bending moment diagrams and in future the
convention will be adopted that the bending moment diagram will be drawn on the side of
the member on which it produces tension.

Thus a bean with the moments shown would have a bending moment as follows:-

Equally well a vertical member with end moments as shown would also have a bending
moment as shown:-
100 kNm
100

BMD
Therefore for the beam just dealt with: 50

50 kNm

- 123 56 64
+ - + -
98

All moments
shown produce tension on the upper side of the beam.
123 98

64
56

Reactant bending moment diagram

14
 Free bending moment diagram
72
120
150
200

Giving a combined bending moment diagram as follows:-

123 98
56 64

12 34
75
110

To calculate reactions:-

200 90 45
9 kN/m Simply-
supported
reactions
100 100 36 36 60 30
15 30

123 56 64
98

17 -17 -1 1 -6 6

Shear transfer
reactions

117 118 106 66

Combined total
reactions
117

35 69

-21 Shear Force Diagram

-83 -37
-66

15
Dealing with pinned supports

In the beam just dealt with, support D was fully-fixed. It is now going to be assumed that
support D is simply-supported, which of course implies that there can be no bending
moment there. It is required to see how this will affect the calculation of bending moments.

The first difference is that the distribution factors will change for point C. It has already
bean seen in the section on Moment Area that if a rotation D is applied to the near end of
a member, the remote end of which is pinned, that the moment generated at the near end
is 3𝐸𝐼𝜃
𝑙

If the remote end of the member had been

fixed, the moment necessary to rotate the
near end through the same angle D would
have been 4𝐸𝐼𝜃 M=0

𝑙

This means the moment required to

produce the same rotation in a
pinned-end beam is ¾ of that for a 
fixed-end beam, i.e. the relative
stiffness of a beam, the remote end of
which is pinned is three-quarters of
that of a beam the remote end of which is fixed i.e. 𝑘= 3𝐸𝐼
4𝑙

Also with the pinned-ended beam there can of course be no carry-over of moments as
the moment at the pin must be zero.

200 90 45
9 kN/m

A B C D

2 2 8 2 2 2

16
Recalculating the distribution factors for joint C and allowing for the different stiffness of
member CD gives the following:-
I I
k = + I =
8 8 4
C I
B D DFCB = 8
=1
1 2
4
I
DFCD = 8
=1
1 2
4

Check 1 + 1 = 1
2 2

The fixed-end moments will be the same as previously. However, the final moment at D
must be zero for a simple support. Thus the first operation in the distribution will be to
make the moment at C zero by applying minus the fixed-end moment, and making the
necessary carry-over to joint C. The moment at D will now be zero and as there will be
no carry-over to a pinned end it will remain at this correct value right throughout the rest
of the distribution.

The moment distribution will therefore look as follows:-

A B C D Joint
AB BA BD DB BB DC Member
1 2/ 1/ 1/ ½ 1 DF
3 3 2
-100 100 -40 48 -100 80 FEM’s
-35 -17 -80 Balance B & D
-18 -9 -40 Carry-over
50 51 Balance C
25 Carry-over
-16 -9 Balance B
-8 -4 Carry-over
2 2 Balance C
1 Carry-over
-1 Balance B

-126 -48 48 87 -87 0 Totals

126 87
48

BMD
0

91
4.5 92
113

17
 REACTIONS

100 100 36 36 60 30 Simply Supported

15 30 (As Before)

19.5 -19.5 -5 5 14.5 -14.5 Shear Transfer

119.5 111.5 130.5 45.5 TOTAL

119.5
89.5
31

0 0 SFD
-0.5

-41
-45.5
-80.5

Example:-

Draw the bending moment diagram for the beam shown in Fig. 4(a) giving all important
values of bending moment.
100 kN 80 kN 40 kN
300 kN
A D
2I B 3I C 4I
1.25 m

1.25 m

2.5 m
2.5 m

5m 6m 5m 4

18
FEM’s:-

 100  5
 M AB = = 62  5 kNm
Span AB  8
 M BA = M AB = 62  5 kNm
 30  62
 M = = 90 kNm
Span BC  BC 12
M = M = 90 kNm
 CB BC

 80 1 25  3  752 40  3  75 1 252

 M = + = 65  6 kNm
 CD 52 52
Span CD 
 M = 80  3  75 1 25 + 40 1 25  3  75
2 2
= 46  9 kNm


DC
52 52

Distribution Factors:
Distribution
Span k k Factors k/k
 AB 2I / 5  9I 4 / 9
Joint B   
 BC 3I / 6 = I / 2  10 5 / 9

 BC 3I / 6 = I / 2  11I 5 /11
Joint C   
CD 4 I / 5 = 3 / 4 = 3I / 5  10 6 /11

NOTE: In previous examples joints were balanced one at a time. In this example joints B
and C will be balanced simultaneously, which will shorten the table considerably.

19
 93.97
75.65
55.95
-Ve

0
Fixed bending moment diagram

20
 -Ve
62.5
87.5

125 135

Fixed bending moment diagram

A continuous
beam ABCD is 93.97 simply supported
75.65
at A, B and C -Ve
and fixed in
55.95
position and -Ve
135
direction at D. It
125 87.5
is loaded as -Ve 62.5 shown in Fig. 7
(a). Assume all +Ve +Ve supports remain
level with each 50.19 18.2 39
other after
52.9
loading and the flexural rigidity EI
is constant. Calculate the
bending moments at B, C and D and the reactions at A, B, C and D. Sketch the bending
moment and shearing force diagrams for the beam showing all important values.

180 kN 120 kN
45 kN

A B D
C

3m 1.5 m 2m 2m

7
4.5 m 6m 4m a
Solution:-

21
Fixed end moments:

180  3 1  52
Span AB, M AB = = 60 kNm
4  52
180  32  1 5
M BA = = 120 kNm
4  52
45  62
Span BC, M BC = M CB = = 135 kNm
12
120  4
Span CD, M CD = M DC = = 60 kNm
8

Distribution Factors:

Span k k k/k
 AB I / 4 5 3 / 4 = I / 6  I 1/ 2 
Joint B   
 BC I /6 3 1/ 2 

 BC I / 6  5I 2 / 5
Joint C   
CD I / 4  12 3 / 5

For distribution see Fig. 7(b).

0 ½ ½ 2/
5
3/
5 1 DF’s
-60 +120 -135 +135 -60 +60 FEM’s
+60 +7.5 +7.5 -30 -45
+30 -15 +375 -22.5
-7.5 -7.5 -1.5 -2.25
-0.75 -3.75 -1.13
+0.37 +0.38 +1.5 +2.25
+0.75 +0.19 +1.13
-0.37 -0.38 -0.08 -0.11
+150 -150 +105.11 -105.11 +37.5

Free moments:

180  3 1 5
Span AB, moment under load = = 180 kNm
45
45  62
Span BC, maximum moment = = 202  5 kNm
8
120  4
Span CD, moment under load = = 120 kNm
4

The bending moment diagram and deflected shape of the beam are shown in Figs. 7 (c)
(kN m units) and 7 (d) respectively.

22
Shear force:

180 1 5 0 − 150

VAB = + = 60 − 33  3
45 45
= 26  7 kN VA = 26  7 kN

180  3 150 − 0 
VBA = + = 120 + 33  3 
45 45

= 153  3 kN 
VB = 295  78 kN
45  6 150 − 105 11
VBC = + = 135 + 7  48 
2 6 
= 142  48 kN 

45  6 105 11 − 150 

VCB = + = 135 − 7  48 
2 6

= 127  52 kN 
VC = 204  42 kN
120 105 11 − 37  5 
VCD = + = 60 + 16  9
2 4 
= 76  90 kN 

120 37  5 − 105 11
VDC = + = 60 − 16  9
2 4
= 43 1 kN VD = 43 1 kN

23
The shear force diagram is shown in Fig. 7 (e) (kN units).

Beams with Sinking Supports

From Theorem IV it has been seen that if one end of a fixed-end beam deflects by an
6EI
amount  then a moment is produced at each end of the beam equal to 2
as follows:-

If on the other hand one end of the beam is pinned and deflects by ∆ then the moment
3EIΔ
2
produced at the fixed end is, i.e.:-

These two theorems are made use of to deal with sinking supports as follows:-

Example:

24
A beam ABCD is 400 mm deep and is continuous over three equal spans of 4 m each.
The end supports A and D are fully fixed and all supports are initially at the same level.
The I of the section is 200 x 106 mm4 and Youngs Modulus 200 GPa. A load of 30 kN/m
uniformly-distributed acts an spans AB and BC.

(a) Determine the maximum bending stress in the continuous beam.

(b) If support B settles by 6 mm, determine the new value of maximum bending
stress in the beam.

A D
B C

4m 4m 4m

SOLUTION :

The beam is shown in Fig. 9 (a).

(a) I/L is constant, therefore distribution factors for joints B and C are-: ½ : ½.

Fixed end moments:

30  42
Span AB, M AB = M BA = = 40 kNm
12
Span BC, M BC = M CB = 40 kNm
Span CD, M CD = M DC =0

The distribution table is as follows:-

25
Free moments:

45

37.5
21.25
60 60

-Ve
+Ve
+Ve
10

30  42
Span AB and BC, M = = 60 kNm
8

Bending Moment Diagram:-

Maximum bending moment = 45 kNm

I = 200 106 mm4 Depth = 400 mm y = d ( z ) = 200 mm

Section Modulus Z = I ( y ) =
200 106
200
= 106 mm3

M max 45 10 6
 max = = = 45 MPa
Z 106

If support B now settles by 6 mm, then the fixed-end moments in spans AB and BC will
6EI
be 2
as follows:-

6 EI  6  200  106  200  10−6  6  103

2
= = 90 kNm
42

i.e.
-90 90
0 0

A -90 90
C D

26
27
The distribution table for these moments will be as follows:-

A B C D
AB BA BC CB CD DC
½ ½ ½ ½
-90 -90 +90 +90
-22.5 -45 -45
+11.25 +11.25
+5.63 +5.63 -22.5
-2.82 -2.82
-1.41 -1.41
+0.36 +0.71 +0.71
Sinking support moments -84 -78 +78 +47.8 -47.8 -23.9
Moments due to load -37.5 +45 -45 +21.3 -21.3 -10
FINAL MOMENTS -122 -33 +33 +69 -69 -34

The numerically largest moment is now -122 kNm at support A and the new maximum
bending stress in the beam therefore will be:-

122 106
= 122 MPa
106

It should be appreciated that if only the maximum stress in the final condition of the beam,
i.e. with support B having settled 6 mm was required, then the two sets of fixed-end
moments, those due to the loading and those due to the support settlement could have
been added together and a single distribution carried out to find the final moments, i.e.
two separate distributions are not required.

Beams with Cantilever Overhanging Sections

EI Const.
40 kN
Consider the following beam:- 10 kN/m
C
B
A
6 2 2

Support C is free to rotate therefore as has been seen previously the relative stiffness for
span BC is three-quarters of what it would be if support C was fixed. It was also seen that
the final bending moment at C must be zero and that the first operation carried out in the
distribution process is to bring the fixed-end moment at C to zero.

If a cantilever section CD is now added to the beam as shown:-

C D
A B 2

28
then in fact nothing is changed. There is no loading on CD, the bending moment at C
must still finally be zero, support C is still treated as a pinned support and the relative
stiffness of span BC is still three-quarters of that for a fully-fixed span.

However, if a 50 kN load is now placed at D then the situation changes.

EI Const.
40 kN 50 kN
10 kN/m
B C D

6 2 2
A

The final moment at C will now no longer be zero but must be -100 kNm for span CD and
for equilibrium +100 kNm for moment CB. The first operation in the distribution table
therefore will not be to reduce the fixed-end moment at C to zero, but to bring it to a value
of 100. C still remains a pinned support and there will be no further carry-over to it. The
moment at C therefore will remain at 100 which of course as CD is a statically-determinate
cantilever is the value that simple mechanics shows it must be.

The distribution therefore is as follows:-

1 8/ 9/ 0
17 17
DF’s A
B C D

- 30 20 -100
30 - 20

FEM’s

A B C D

A B C
AB BA BC CB CD
DF’s 1 8/
17
9/
17 1 0
FEM’s -30 30 -20 20 -100 Step 1: Bring MCB to +100
80
40
-23,5 -26,5 Reactions:-

-11,8

-41,8 6,5 -6,5 100 -100 30 30 20 20 50 S/S

5,9 -5,9 -23,4 23,4
35,9 20,7 93,4

29
Example on beam with cantilever section and sinking support

A uniform beam ABCDE shown in Fig. 10 (a) is continuous over three spans AB = BC =
6 m, CD = 4.5 m and DE = 1.5 m respectively. The beam carries a uniformly distributed
load of 30 kN/m run on span AB, 60 kN/m run on BC, a single concentrated load of 120 kN
midway between C and D, and a concentrated load of 60 kN at E. A is fixed in position
and direction, and all supports are initially at the same level, but under the given loading
support C sinks 12 mm. The second moment of area of the beam is 120 x 106 mm4 and
E can be taken as 200 kN/mm2. Determine the bending moments
at A, B, C and D.

120 kN 60 kN
60 kN/m
30 kN/m
E
A B C D

2.25 m 2.25 m

6m 6m 4.5 m 1.5 m 10
a

Solution:-

In this problem DE is a cantilever and therefore the final fixing moment at C is known, i.e.
60 x 1.5 = 90 kN. End D can then be taken as a free end provided the moment at D is
finally 90 kN m.

30
Fixed end moments due to loading:

30  62
Span AB, M AB = M BA = = 90 kNm
12
60  62
Span BC, M BC = M CB = = 180 kNm
12
120 × 4.5
𝑆𝑎𝑝𝑎 𝐶𝐷, 𝑀𝐶𝐷 = 𝑀𝐷𝐶 = 67.5
8
Span DE, M DE = 90 kNm

Moments due to support C sinking 12 mm:

6  200  120  106  12

Span BC, = 48 kNm
62 106 103
6  200 120 106 12
Span CD, = 85  3 kNm
4  5 106 103

Distribution factors:

Distribution
Span k Factors

 AB I /6 1/ 2
Joint B   
 BC I /6 1/ 2
 BC I /6  1/ 2 
Joint C   
CD I / 4  5  3 / 4 = I / 6  1/ 2 

In this case the moments due to loading and moments due to sinking supports are added
together before distribution. The distribution is shown in Fig. 10(b).

31
 Fig. 10b

A B C D
½ ½ ½ ½
Leading mts -90 +90 -180 +180 -67.5 +67.5 -90
Sinking sup -48 -48 +85.3 +85.2
mts +69 +69 -74.9 -74.9 -62.8 0 (to bring balance to
+34.5 -37.45 +34.5 -31.4 +90 at joint)
+18.73 +18.73 -1.6 -1.6
+9.37 -0.8 +9.37
+0.4 +0.4 -4.69 -4.69
+0.2 -2.40 +0.2
+1.2 +1.2 -0.1 -0.1
Final mts -45.93 +179.33 -179.32 +94.8 -94.9 +90 -90

(MA = 45.9 knM; MB = 179.3 knM; MC = 94.8 knM; MD = 90 knM)

Reactions:-

A B C D

90 90 180 180 60 60 60 S/S

-22 22 14 -14 1 -1 S/T
68 306 227 119

32
Example:

A uniform continuous beam ABCD is built in at A, simply supported at B and C, and hinged
at D. All supports are at the same level. AB, 9 m long, is loaded with 30 kN/m, BC, 6 m
long, is loaded with 60 kN/m and CD, 9 m long is loaded with 120 kN at each of the third
points of the span CD. Determine the bending moments at the supports and sketch to
scale the bending moment diagram for the beam.

33
The Application of Moment Distribution to Framed Structures

A framed structure is defined as one in which one or more of the joints is rigid, i.e. a
bending moment can be transmitted through the connection from one member to another,
unlike a pin-jointed structure where each member can rotate freely at the joint.

Moment Distribution can be used to analyse such a structure in very much the same way
that it is applied to a continuous beam, the main difference being that there may now be
three or more members meeting at any joint and that one may have to deal with vertical
or sloping members. This will generally require more careful calculation of the distribution
factors for the members meeting at a joint.

Consider the framed structure shown below: The members meeting at joints B and C are
rigidly connected together and the second moments of area of the various members are
quoted in terms of a basic I.

It is required to draw bending moment, shear force and axial force diagrams and to
calculate the support reactions.

It should be borne in mind that where two members meet at a right angle the shear force
in one member will be the axial force in the other and vice versa:-

1,5 1,5 1,5 6 1,5 1,5

60 kN/m 60 kN/m
30 kN/m
80 kN D
A (2I) B (3I) C (I)

(2I)
3 4
(I)

1) The calculation of distribution factors:-

A B
Joint A DFAB = 1

34
 29 I
Joint B k =
B B 18
A C
C
DFBA = 8 29
DFBC = 9 29
DFBE = 12 29
E

C 4I
Joint C B
k =
D 4
DFCD = 1 2
DFCD = 1 4
F
DFCF = 1 4
B
C
C
D

Joint D Joint E E
Joint F
F

2) Fixed-end
AB 𝑤𝑎𝑏 2 /𝑙 2 60 2
𝑤𝑎 𝑏/𝑙 2 Moments:-
1.5 3

60

3 1.5

60 1  5  32 60 1  52  3
= =
4  52 4  52
= 40 kNm = 20 kNm

60  3  1  52 60  32  1  52
4  52 4  52
= 20 kNm = 40 kNm

35
 80
-30 30
CD = =
C D
3
w 2 30  62
= = 90 kNm
12 12

- 60 60 - 90 90 - 30 30
FEM’s

A B C D
0 0

0 0
E F

w 80  3
= = 30 kNm
8 8

Members BE & CF no loading  no FEM’s.

i.e.

-60 60
TOTAL
A B

-90 90
BC
B C
6

36
A B C D E F Joint
AB BA BC BC CB CF CD DC EB FC Member
1 8/29 12/29 9/29 ½ ¼ ¼ 0 1 1 DF
-60 60 0 -90 90 0 -30 30 0 0 FEM’s bring DC to
-30 zero
-15
8 13 9 -23 -11 -11
4
-12 5 7 -6
3 5 4 -3 -1 -1
2 -2 2
1 1 -2
-1
1
-54 71 19 -90 69 -12 -57 0 10 -6 Final Moments

37
38
Bending Moment Diagram (drawn on the tension side of members and with the members
separated for clarity)

90

71 69

57

54

0
19
12
36 36
32

56

10
3.133m

The calculation of member reactions:-

39
 71 − 54
Member AB Shear Trf = 4
45
60 60
-54 71

60 60 s/s
−4 4 ST
56 64

 SFD for AB 56

-4

-64

-90 69
30
Member BC
−90 + 69
Shear Trf = 4
6
90 90 s/s
4 −4 ST
94 86

 SFD for BC
94
-86

40
 -57
80 0 −57 + 0
Member CD Shear Trf =  19
3

40 40 s/s
19 −19
59 21

59

 SFD for BC
-21

19 + 10 −12 − 6
Member BE S /T = = 10 Member CF S /T = = −4  5
3 4

SFD -12 SFD

19

10 4.5 4.5
10

4.5
10
10 -6

Shear Force Diagram for Complete Structure:-

94
56 59

B C D
A
-4
-21
-86
-64
10
4.5

41
 In order to calculate the axial forces in the members and the support reactions it is
necessary to consider the equilibrium at each joint:-

B From which axial force in BE

64 94 = 64 + 94 = 158 kN

therefore vertical reaction at E

15
= 158 kN

C
59
Axial force in CF = 86 + 59 = 145 kN
86
therefore vertical reaction at F = 14 kN

Vertical reaction at A = 56 kN and at D = 21 kN.

60 60 80 Checking vertical equilibrium of the whole frame:-

30

21 Fv = -60-60-180-80+56+158+145+21 = 0
56
145

158

145

Considering the horizontal equilibrium of the whole structure:-

5 Horizontal reaction at
A = 10 – 4,5 = 5,5 to the left

therefore axial force in AB = 5,5 kN tension.

10

4.5

5.5 B Axial force in BC = 10 – 5,5 = 4,5 compression.

C

10

42
 Axial force in CD = 4,5 – 4,5 = 0 which is consistent with
4.5 C
the roller support at D.

4.5

Axial force diagram and reactions in kN.

5.5 4.5
5.5
21

56 158
145

10 4.5
158

145

Example on framed structure with cantilever overhand and sinking support:-

The dimensions, loading and relative values of second moments of area for the members
of a rigid frame are shown in Fig. 12 (a). If the foundation at F sinks 6 mm vertically,
sketch the bending moment diagram showing all important values and indicate the
deflected form of the frame.

160 kN 80 kN 46 kN
B 12 kN/m C
= = D
A E
2I 3I 11/3I
3m

3m

11/3I
2/5I
6m 9m 2.5 m 2.5 m 1.5 m

G
F I = 120 x 106 mm4
E = 200 kN/mm2

Solution:-

Fixed end moments due to loading:

160  6
Span AB, M AB = M BA = = 120 kNm
8

43
 12  92
Span BC, M BC = M CB = = 81 kNm
12
80  5
Span CD, M CD = M DC = = 50 kNm
8
Cantilever DE, M DE = 46 1 5 = 69 kNm

Fixed end moments due to support F sinking 6 mm (i.e. support B):

6  200  2 120 106  6

Span AB, = 48 kNm
62 109
6  200  3 120 106  6
Span BC, = 32 kNm
92 109

Distribution Factors:

Span k k k/k
  I / 3
 AB = I /3 
I / 3
2I / 6
 
Joint B  BC 3I / 9 = I /3 I 
 4 / 3I 3  
 BF  = I /3  I / 3
 3 4 

 
 BC 3I / 9 = I / 3  I /2 
  3 /10 
 4 / 3I 3  2I
Joint C CD  = I /5  
 5 4  3 
 2 / 5I  I / 5 
CG = 2 I /15 
3

The distribution is shown in Fig. 12 (b) in tabular form.

Joint A B C D F G

Member AB BA BF BC CB CG CD DC DE FB GC

Distribution factor 1 1/3 1/3 1/3 1/2 1/5 3/10 0 0 0 1

F.E.M. -120 +120 0 -81 +81 0 -50 +50 -69 0 0

BM due to sinking
of support F -48 -48 0 +32 +32 0 0 0 0 0 0

+19

9.5

-31.50 -12.60 -18.90

44
 -7.66 -7.66 -7.66 -7.66
-18.13 -3.83
C.O. balance -3.83 +6.04 +6.04 +6.04 +1.93 +0.76 +1.15

+0.97 +3.02 -0.91

C.O. balance +3.02 -0.32 -0.32 -0.32 -1.51 -0.60
C.O. balance -0.16 +025 -0.76 -0.16 +0.03 +0.08
+0.25 +0.25 +0.08
Totals -
168.97 +70.31 -1.69 -68.61 +76.28 14.39 -61.96 +69 -69

Free moments:-

160  6
Span AB, = 240 kNm
4
12  92
Span BC, = 121 5 kNm
8
80  5
Span CD, = 100 kNm
4

The bending moment diagram is shown in Fig. 12 (c) and the deflected frame in Fig.
12 (d).
160 kN/m
A B
(2I)
160 kN
3m

(I)

C
(2I) D
(I) 4,5 m
6m

3m 6m
1. A rigid frame ABCDE supports the
loading shown in Fig. 17. The end A is
hinged and E D is fixed in position and
Fig. 17
direction.
Owing to subsidence the base of the
column, while remaining direction fixed, sinks 12 mm vertically relative to A and D.
Calculate the bending moments at B, C, D and E. Sketch the bending
moment diagram for the structure, showing all important values.
(E = 200 kN/mm2; I = 94 x 106 mm4. Note: IAB = 2I; ICD = 2I; IBC = ICE = I)

45
 120 kN 120 kN
30 kN/m
A B C
1m 1m

2. A rectangular box
3m

frame is 3 m wide by 2 m deep.

3m 4m
The second moments of
area of the horizontal
members D E are twice those of the
vertical members. The frame
carries an Fig. 14 inward uniformly
distributed load of 60
kN/m run along both the top and bottom horizontal members only. Calculate the
bending moments at the corners of the frame.

3. The continuous frame shown in Fig. 14 has rigidly fixed ends at C and D, is pinned
at E and has rigid joints at A and B. The members arc of uniform section and
material throughout. Sketch the bending moment diagram for the frame, showing
all important values. State the values of the horizontal and vertical reactions at D
and E.

4. The rigid frame shown in Fig. 15 is hinged at A, F, G, and H and supported by a

roller at E. A uniformly distributed load of 30 kN/m is carried between B and C and
a point load of 120 kN is applied at the midpoint of BC.

46
 Draw the bending moment diagram for the frame.

5. A continuous beam ABCD subjected to the loading shown in Fig. 16 is fixed at A

120 kN/m
6m 6m 6m 12 m 6m

30 kN/m
A E
I B 3I C 3I D I
6m

I I I

F G H

Fig. 15

and freely supported at B and C. Owing to subsidence support C sinks 20 mm, A

and B remaining level. Calculate the reactions at A, B and C and draw the bending
moment and shearing force diagrams for the beam showing all important values.
(IAB = 170 x 106 mm4; IBC = ICD = 340 x 106 mm4; E = 200 kN/mm2.)

47
 160 kN 90 kN 40 kN
30 kN/m
A
B C D
2m 3,5 m 2,5 m 1,5 m

4m 8m

I = 170 x 106 mm4 I = 340 x 106 mm4

Fig. 16

Frameworks subject to Sway

Consider the following frame, which it will be noted it symmetrical about its vertical centre
line with respect to geometry, section properties and loading:

This frame can be analysed in the usual way:-

100 kN 100 kN
2 3 2
Joint C is a
mirror image
A B (I) C D i.e.
(2I) 4

E F

C
o

DF’s:- B
o

FEM’s:- +200 B o o C -200

o o

o o

48
 A B E F C D
AB BA BE BC EB FC CB CF CD DC
DF’s 0 0 3/
5
2/
5 1 1 2/
5
3/
5 0 0
0 200 0 0 0 0 0 0 -200 0
-120 -80 80 120
40 -60 60 -40

-24 -16 16 24
8 -12 12 -8
-5 -3 3 5
2 -3 3 -2
-1 -1 -1 1
0 200 -150 -50 -75 75 50 150 200 0

200 200

BMD:-

A D
B 150 150 C

75 E F 75

−75 − 150
Horizontal reaction @ F = = − 56, 25 i.e. 56, 25 to the left.
4

75 + 150
Reaction @ F = = 56, 25 i.e. 56, 25 to the right.
4

Thus the two horizontal reactions are equal and opposite, which means as there is no
horizontal load on the frame that the structure is in equilibrium.

Now presuming that the frame is made unsymmetrical with respect to geometry, section
properties and loading as follows:-

49
 200 kN
2 3 3

B C
A
(I) D

(2I) 4
6 (3I)

C 0
DF’s:- 0 B

FEM’s:- 0 0 0 -600
0 0

0 0

A B E F C D
AB BA BE BC EB FC CB CF CD DC
DF’s 0 0 3/
5
2/
5 1 1 8/
17
9/
17 0 0
FEM’s -600
282 318

141
-85 -56
43 -28
13 15
7
-4 -3
-2 -2
1 1
0 0 -89 89 -45 0 266 334 -600 0

50
 -89 334

-45

which means that the frame is not now in horizontal equilibrium as there is an unbalanced
force of 83,5 - 22,3 = 61,2 kN to the right acting on it.

This is actually the case and under the action of this force the frame will sway to the right,
thus causing further bending, shear forces and horizontal reactions to the left. This sway
will continue until the horizontal reactions produced to the left balance the 61,2 acting to
the right. The frame will then be in equilibrium and no further sway will occur.

It is therefore necessary to calculate the extra bending moments produced by this sway
and add them to the moments calculated above to arrive at the final bending moments,
shears, reactions etc. in the frame.

The amount by which the frame will sway is not known at this stage and this will be
assumed to be  m to the right.

 

51
It will be recalled from Theorems IV and V that if one end of a member displaces by 
with respect to the other the bending moments produced are as follows:-

Thus the fixed-end moments produced in the frame by this sway will be:-



B

6 (3I) 4
(2I)

3EI
For convenience the smaller of these two FEM’s, i.e. is given an arbitrary value of
8
100 units, i.e.

3EI  800 EI  400

= 100, EI  = , =  133 units.
8 3 2 3

Thus the fixed end moments produced in the frame by this sway will be:-

0 0 B 0 0 C 0 0 D
A
-100
-133

0
F

E -133

52
Analysing the frame in the usual manner for these FEM’s gives the following:- (Distribution
factors will of course remain exactly the same as previously).

Table p 112
Skets

A B E F C D
AB BA BE BC EB FC CB CF CD DC
DF’s 0 0 3/
5
2/
5 1 1 8/
17
9/
17 0 0
FEM’s -600
282 318

141
-85 -56
43 -28
13 15
7
-4 -3
-2 -2
1 1
0 0 -89 89 -45 0 266 334 -600 0

However the out-of-balance reaction to the right has been seen to be 61,2 kN to the right
so the above sway reaction must be scaled-up by a factor, known as the Sway Factor, ,
so that

41, 75 = 61, 2

61, 2
or = = 1.47
41, 75

If the sway moments obtained from the sway analysis of the frame are now all multiplied
by the sway factor, the following results:-

Tabel p 113

53
 A B E F C D
AB BA BE BC EB FC CB CF CD DC
DF’s 0 0 3/
5
2/
5 1 1 8/
17
9/
17 0 0
FEM’s -600
282 318

141
-85 -56
43 -28
13 15
7
-4 -3
-2 -2
1 1
0 0 -89 89 -45 0 266 334 -600 0

Checking horizontal reactions:-

-182 248

B C

6 4

E F 0

-189

183 − 189 248

6 4
= −62 kN to left = 62 kN to right

54
 600

352

Bending Moment
A
B 183 D Diagram
C

183

E
189

and any further results required, e.g. shear forces, vertical reactions etc. required can be
calculated by the methods already encountered.

The procedure for dealing with a frame liable to sway therefore is as follows:-

1. It is initially assumed that the frame will not sway. The fixed-end moments for the
loading on the frame are calculated and a no-sway analysis is carried out.

2. From the no-sway moments the horizontal reactions acting on the frame are
calculated. If these are in equilibrium with any horizontal loads acting on the frame
there will be no sway. If they are not in equilibrium then sway will occur in the
direction of the unbalanced horizontal force acting on the frame.

3. An arbitrary sway, , is assumed for the frame and the fixed-end moments acting
on the members are calculated in terms of , making use of the lengths and
properties on the members affected by the sway.

4. The smallest fixed-end moment calculated is made equal to 100 units and all other
FEM’s are then calculated in the same arbitrary units.

5. A sway analysis is carried out on the frame and the sway moments calculated.

6. The horizontal sway reactions are calculated and a sway equation is written for the
horizontal equilibrium of the frame in terms of the factored sway reactions, the no-
sway reactions and any horizontal loads acting on the structure.

7. This equation is solved to find the Sway Factor . If an arbitrary direction of sway
has been assumed for the frame, a positive value for the sway factor will indicate
that this is the correct direction; a negative answer will indicate that sway is in the
opposite direction.

55
8. The sway moments obtained in 5 are multiplied by the sway factor and the factored
sway moments thus obtained are added to the original no-sway moments to obtain
the Final Moments in the frame. Any required bending moment diagram can now
be drawn and shear forces, axial forces, reactions etc. calculated.

Example

Draw the bending moment and shear force diagrams for the following frame and calculate
the values of the horizontal and vertical reactions.

B C

5 EI is constant & the

2 same for all
5 members
D

Step 1. No-sway analysis

DF’s
B

FEM’s -675 675

:-
0
0
0

339 -505
2.

2
5
0

171

56
 339 + 171
= −252.5
5
= 102 → 
out of balance =  150.5
frame sways to left.

3.

6 EI 
let = 100 6 EI  = 2500
25

3EI 
4. 3EI  = 1250 = 313
4

Sway FEM’s 100

313

100

57
6. Sway Reactions

89 152

89 + 94
94
→ = 76
5
= 36.6 76 + 36.6 = 112.6 →

7. Sway Equation

112.6 − 150.5 = 0
150.5
= = 1.34
112.6

58
 AB BA BC CB CD DC
DF’s 1 3/
8
5/
8
8/
17
9/
17 0
FEM’s 0 0 -675 675 0 0
(Loading) 253 422 -318 -357
127 -159 211
60 99 - 99 -112
30 - 50 50
19 31 - 24 - 26
10 - 12 16
5 7 - 8 - 8
3 - 4 4
2 2 - 2 - 2
1 - 1 1
1 - 1
No Sway 171 339 -339 505 -505 0
Moments
Sway FEM’s 100 100 0 0 313 0
- 38 -62 -147 -166
- 19 -74 - 31
28 46 15 16
14 8 23
- 3 - 5 - 11 - 12
- 2 - 6 - 3
2 4 1 2
1 2
- 1 - 1
8. Sway 94 89 -89 -152 152 0
Moments
Factored 126 119 -119 -203 203 0
Sway
Moments
No Sway 171 339 -339 505 -505 0
Moments
Final Sways 297 458 -458 302 -302 0

59
Question 1

All members of the rigid-joint frame shown in Fig. 1 have a constant value of Flexural
Rigidity, (EI), of 43 x 103 kNm2.

Using MOMENT DISTRIBUTION technique calculate by how much and in which direction
the frame will sway.

Draw the Bending Moment, Shear Force and Axial Force diagrams for the frame.

180 kN/m
55 kN/m
10 kN

4m
5m

3m 2m

Figure 1

180
Distribution Factors 55
E
B C
4

A
D
3 2

B
C 0

60
Final End Moments:- -135 135 -110
180 55

B C B E
3 3

60 27
10

Sway to right

6.75

31

12.2

3EI = 100
3EI = 1600
6EI = 3200
6 EI 
= 128
25

88 76

 18.2 − 6.75 − 10 − 58 = 0

58 = 1.45  = 25.0 10−3

19

107 58

37

61
 58 29
10

2.28

28

17.2

3EI  2.5 103 16 2.5 103 16

 = 2.5 = = = 0, 25 mm
16 3EI 3  54 103
= 1 mm to the right
4

AB BA BC CB CD DC
1 3/ 5/ 16/ 9/ 0
8 8 28 25

-135 135 -110

51 84 - 16 - 9
26 - 8 42
3 5 - 27 -15
2 - 14 3
5 9 - 2 - 1
3 - 1 5
5 1 - 3 - 2
3 - 2
1 1
31 60 -60 137 -27 -110 No Sway
-128 -128 -100
48 80 64 36
24 32 40
- 12 - 20 - 26 - 14
- 6 - 13 - 10
5 8 6 4
3 3 4
- 1 - 2 - 2 - 2
1 - 1 - 1
1 1
-107 -88 88 76 -76 0 Sway
-3 -2 2 2 -2 0 Factored Sway
31 60 -60 137 -27 -110 No Sway
28 58 -58 139 -29 -110 Final Moments

62
 52 189
0
270 270 110
17
- 27 27
243 297
7

407
Member Reaction:- 17
243

63
 1.35m

139
110

58
0
29

200

BMD
(kNm) 243
0
110 100

28

297

17 7

SID
(kN)

17 (c) 10 (c)

407 (c)
243 (c)

AFD
(kN)

64
QUESTION 2

2.1 Using Moment Area methods calculate the fixed-end moments for the beam shown
in Fig. 1(a).
(10)

2.2 If the Second Moments of Area in m4 for the three members of the frame shown in
Fig. 1(b) are as follows:-

AB: 30 x 10-6; BC: 50 x 10-6; CD: 40 x 10-6

Calculate by how much and in which direction points B and C of the frame will
deflect. Young’s Modulus for all three members of the frame is 200 GPa.
(10)

3.3 Draw the Bending Moment diagram for the frame. (5)
[25]

Figure 1(a)

EI Constant
100 kN/m

2 2 1

Figure 1(b)

100 kN/m
B C

2 2 1
6
6 D

8..SOLUTIONS

QUESTION 1

65
 100 kN/m
(a)

A B C D
AB BA BC CB CD DC
1 1/
3
2/
3
1/
2
1/
2 0 DF’s
0 0 -93 133 0 0 110 Sway FEM’s
31 62 - 67 -66 Horizontal Reactions (No Sway)
16 -34 31
47
12 22 - 16 -15 B C
6 -8 11
D
3 5 - 6 -5 46.67
2 -3 3 A
26 Out of balance Force
1 2 - 2 - 1
11.8 = 77.17
-1 - 1
1 - 1
24 47 -47 87 - 87 0 No sway moments
-100 -100 -267 Sway FEM’s
33 67 134 133
59
17 67 34 B C
- 23 -44 - 17 - 17 D
- 12 - 9 - 22 29
3 6 11 11 A
94 Out of balance Force
2 6 3
30.5 = 17.2
- 2 - 4 - 2 - 1
- 1 - 2
1 1 1
-94 -89 89 140 -140 0 Sway Moments
17.2 +  77.17

17.2
=−
77.17
= −0.22

i.e. sway is to left

6 EI
 for AB = 0.22 100 = 22.3
2

6  200  106  30  10−6 

i.e. = 22.3
36

66
 22.3  36
 m = 0.223 m
6  200  30

= 22.23 mm to the left

AB BC CB CB CB
No Sway Moments 24 47 -47 87 -87
Factored Sway Force 21 20 -20 -31 31
Final Moments 45 67 -67 56 -56

626 58.2

168 120
67 56

61.3
97.4

129.6
0

45 BHD drawn on tension side

QUESTION 2

Using Moment Distribution methods, draw the Shear Force and Bending Moment
Diagrams for the framework shown in Fig. 2. EI is the same for all members of the framed.

67
 50 kN
500 kN/m
C

2 2
2
4

Fig. 2

68
Use the moment distribution method to draw dimensioned bending moment and shear
force diagrams for the beam shown in Fig. 4 if under the action of the leads, support B
sinks 15 mm below its original level.

( E = 200 10 6
kN / m 2 , I = 330 106 mm 4 )

250 kN
40 kN/m
B
A
C

4,5 m 3m 3m
m

Fig. 4

Use the moment distribution method to draw a dimensioned bending moment / diagram
for the frame shown in Fig. 2. E is constant throughout.

1,5 m 4 kN
B C
(2I)
2m
3 kN
3m
(I)
(I)

3m

3m

Fig. 2

69