Moment Distribution Method

CIVE-1143 Lecture 8

Dr. Srikanth Venkatesan

School of Civil Engineering, RMIT

Lecture Outline

General Principles and Definitions

Moment Distribution for Beams

Stiffness-Factor Modifications

Moment Distribution for Frames: No Sidesway

General Principles and Definitions

É Moment distribution is a method of successive approximations that may be

carried out to any desired degree of accuracy
É The method begins by assuming each joint of a structure is fixed
É By “unlocking” and “locking” each joint in succession, the internal moments at
the joints are “distributed” and balanced until the joints have rotated to their
final or nearly final positions
General Principles and Definitions

Member stiffness factor

4E
K=
L KAD = 1000 A KAB = 4000

D B
Joint stiffness factor
X KAC = 5000
KT = K

C
É The total stiffness of joint A in the figure is:
X
KT = K
= 4000 + 5000 + 1000 = 10000
General Principles and Definitions

Distribution Factor
É The fraction of the total resisting moment supplied by the member is called the
distribution factor (DF):

M K θ
DF = = P
M θ K
K
DF = P
K
General Principles and Definitions

Member relative stiffness factor

É Quite often a continuous beam or a frame will be made from the same material
É E will therefore be constant

KR =
L
General Principles and Definitions

Carry-over factor

4E 2E
   
MAB = θA MBA = θA
L L

É Solving for θA , we get:

MBA = 0.5MAB
É The moment M at the pin induces a moment of M0 = 0.5M at the wall
É In the case of a beam with the far end fixed, the CO factor is +0.5
É The plus sign indicates both moments act in the same direction
M
A B
M0
θA
Moment Distribution for Beams

Carry-over factor
É Consider the beam with constant E:
6000 N/m

A B

AB = 120 · 106 mm4 BC = 240 · 106 mm4 C

3m 4m

4E(120 · 106 )
KBA = = 4E(40 · 106 ) mm4 / m
3
4E(240 · 106 )
KBC = = 4E(60 · 106 ) mm4 / m
4
4E(40)
DFBA = = 0.4
4E(40) + 4E(60)
4E(60)
DFBC = = 0.6
4E(40) + 4E(60)
Moment Distribution for Beams

4E(40)
DFAB = =0
∞ + 4E(40)
4E(60)
DFCB = =0
∞ + 4E(60)

É Note that the above results could also have been obtained if the relative
stiffness factor is used

L2 6000 N/m

FEMBC = − = −8000 N m
12 A B C
L2
FEMCB = = −8000 N m 8000 N m 8000 N m
12
Moment Distribution for Beams

É We begin by assuming joint B is fixed or locked

É The fixed end moment at B then holds span BC in this fixed or locked position
É To correct this, we will apply an equal but opposite moment of 8000 N m to the
joint and allow the joint to rotate freely

6000 N/m 8000 N m

A B C A C
B
8000 N m 8000 N m 8000 N m

Joint B held fixed Correction moment applied to joint B

Moment Distribution for Beams

É As a result, portions of this moment are distributed in spans BC and BA in

accordance with the DFs of these spans at the joint
É Moment in BA is 0.4(8000) = 3200 N m
É Moment in BC is 0.6(8000) = 4800 N m
É These moments must be carried over since moments are developed at the far
ends of the span
É The steps are usually presented in tabular form
É CO indicates a line where moments are distributed then carried over
É In this particular case only one cycle of moment distribution is necessary
É The wall supports at A and C “absorb” the moments and no further joints have
to be balanced to satisfy joint equilibrium
Moment Distribution for Beams

8000 N m

1600 N m ← 3200 N m 4800 N m → 2400 N m

Moment at B distributed

É The steps are usually presented in tabular form

É Dist, CO indicates a line where moments are distributed then carried over
É In this particular case only one cycle of moment distribution is necessary
É The wall supports at A and C “absorb” the moments and no further joints have
to be balanced to satisfy joint equilibrium
Moment Distribution for Beams

Joint A B C
Member AB BA BC CB
DF 0 0.4 0.6 0
FEM −8000 8000
CO 1600 ← 3200 4800 → 2400
P
M 1600 3200 −3200 10 400

6000 N/m
VBL = 1600 N VBR = 10 200 N VC = 13 800 N
1600 N m

VA = 1600 N 3m 3200 N m 3200 N m 4m 10 400 N m

Moment Distribution for Beams

Example
Determine the internal moment at each support of the beam. The moment of inertia
of each span is indicated.
2000 N 1500 N/m

A B C D

AB = 200 · 106 mm4 BC = 300 · 106 mm4 CD = 240 · 106 mm4
2m 4m 3m
Moment Distribution for Beams

Solution
É The moment does not get distributed in the overhanging span AB, so the
distribution factor DFBA = 0
É Span BC is based on 4E/L since the pin rocker is not at the far end of the
beam

4E(300 · 106 )
KBC = = (300 · 106 )E
4
4E(240 · 106 )
KCD = = (320 · 106 )E
3
Moment Distribution for Beams

Solution (continued)
É The overhanging span requires the internal moment to the left of B to be
4000 N m
É Balancing at joint B requires an internal moment of −4000 N m to the right of B.
É −2000 N m is added to BC in order to satisfy this condition.
É The distribution and carry-over operations proceed in the usual manner.
É Since the internal moments are known, the moment diagram for the beam can
be constructed.
Moment Distribution for Beams

Solution (continued)
É The table below has been split across the next two slides

Joint B C D
Member BC CB CD DC
DF 0 1 0.484 0.516 0
FEM 4000 −2000 2000
Dist. −2000 −968 −1032
CO −484 −1000 −516
Dist. 484 484 516
CO 242 242 258
Dist. −242 −117.1 −124.9
CO −58.6 −121 −62.4
Dist. 58.6 58.6 62.4
CO 29.3 29.3 31.2
Dist. −29.3 −14.2 −15.1
Moment Distribution for Beams

Solution (continued)

Joint B C D
Member BC CB CD DC
DF 0 1 0.484 0.516 0
Dist. −29.3 −14.2 −15.1
CO −7.1 −14.6 −7.6
Dist. 7.1 7.1 7.6
CO 3.5 3.5 3.8
Dist. −3.5 −1.7 −1.8
CO −0.8 −1.8 −0.9
Dist. 0.8 0.9 −0.9
CO 0.4 0.4 −0.4
Dist. −0.4 −0.2 −0.2
CO −0.1 −0.2 −0.1
Dist. 0.1 0.1 −0.1
P
M 4000 −4000 587.1 −587.1 −293.6
Moment Distribution for Beams

Solution (continued)

2000 N 1500 N/m

2000 N 3853.2 N 2146.8 N 293.6 N 293.6 N

4000 N m 587.1 N m 293.6 N m

M (N m)
949.1
293.5
2 6
 (m)
4.57
-587.1

-4000
Stiffness-Factor Modifications

É In the previous example of moment distribution, we considered each beam

span to be constrained by a fixed support at its far end when distributing and
carrying over the moments
É In some cases, it is possible to modify the stiffness factor of a particular beam
span and thereby simplify the process of moment distribution
Stiffness-Factor Modifications
Member pin supported at far end

É As shown, the applied moment M rotates end A by an amount θ

É To determine θ, the shear in the conjugate beam at A0 must be determined

1 M 2
X    
M B0 = 0 VA0 (L) − L L =0
2 E 3

ML 3E
VA0 = θ = =⇒ M= θ
3E L
M € Š
E 1 M
2 E
(L)
MAB
L
A B A0 B0
θ
unlocked end 1 2
3
L 3
L
joint pin
VA0 VB0
real beam conjugate beam
Stiffness-Factor Modifications
Member pin supported at far end

É The stiffness factor in the beam is:

3E
K=
L
É The carry-over factor is zero, since the pin at B does not support a moment
É By comparison, if the far end was fixed supported, the stiffness factor would
have to be modified by 3/4 to model the case of having the far end pin
supported
Stiffness-Factor Modifications
Symmetric beam and loading

É The bending-moment diagram for the beam will also be symmetric

É To develop the appropriate stiffness-factor modification consider the beam
É Due to symmetry, the internal moments at B and C are equal
É Assuming this value to be M, the conjugate beam for span BC is shown
P P

A B C D
θ θ

L0 L L0

L L
2 2
VB0 VC0

B0 C0
M
E

M
E
L
Stiffness-Factor Modifications
Symmetric beam and loading

M L
X    
M =0
C0 − V (L) +
B0 L =0
E 2
ML 2E
V B0 = θ = =⇒ M= θ
2E L
2E
K= θ
L

É Moments for only half the beam can be distributed provided the stiffness
factor for the center span is computed as above
Stiffness-Factor Modifications
Symmetric beam with asymmetric loading

É Consider the beam in the figure below

É The conjugate beam for its center span BC is shown
É Due to its asymmetric loading, the internal moment at B is equal but opposite
to that at C
P

A B θ C D
θ

P
L0 L L0
€ Š€ Š
1 M L
2 E 2 M
VB0 E

B0 C0
M 5
L VC0
E 6
€ Š€ Š
1 M L
2 E 2
Stiffness-Factor Modifications
Symmetric beam with asymmetric loading

É Assuming this value to be M, the slope θ at each end is determined as follows:

X
M C0 = 0
1 M L 5L 1 M L L
        
0 = −VB0 (L) + −
2 E 2 6 2 E 2 6
ML 6E
V B0 = θ = =⇒ M= θ
6E L
6E
K=
L
Stiffness-Factor Modifications

Example
É Determine the internal moments at the supports of the beam shown below.
É The moment of inertia of the two spans is shown in the figure.
6000 N/m

A B C

AB = 120 · 106 mm4 BC = 240 · 106 mm4

3m 4m
Stiffness-Factor Modifications

Solution
É The beam is roller supported at its far end C.
É The stiffness of span BC will be computed on the basis of K = 3E/L
É We have:

4E 4E(120 · 106 )

KAB = = = (160 · 106 )E
L 3
3E 3E(240 · 106 )
KBC = = = (180 · 106 )E
L 4
Stiffness-Factor Modifications

Solution (continued)

160E
DFAB = =0
∞ + 160E
160E
DFBA = = 0.4706
160E + 180E
180E
DFBC = = 0.5294
160E + 180E
180E
DFCB = =1
180E
L2 −6000(4)2
FEMBC =− = = −12 000 N m
8 8
Stiffness-Factor Modifications

Solution (continued)
É The data is entered into table as shown below
É The moments are distributed across the beam
É This method considerably simplifies the distribution of moments.
É The shear and moment reactions are illustrated in the figure on the next slide.

Joint A B C
Member AB BA BC CB
DF 0 0.4706 0.5294 1
FEM −12 000
Dist. 5647.2 6352.8
CO 2823.6
P
M 2823.6 5647.2 −5647.2 0
Stiffness-Factor Modifications

Solution (continued)
6000 N/m

2823 N 2823 N 13 412 N 10 588 N

2824 N m 5647.2 N m 5647.2 N m

16 235 N

M (N m)
9343

3
 (m)
5.235

-5647.2
Moment Distribution for Frames: No Sidesway

É Application of the moment-distribution method for frames that do not

sidesway follows the same procedure as that given for beams.
Moment Distribution for Frames: No Sidesway

Example
Determine the internal moments at the joints of the frame as shown. There is a pin
at E and D and a fixed support at A. E is constant.
45 kN/m

B C E
60 kN
6m 4m
5m

A D
Moment Distribution for Frames: No Sidesway

Solution
É By inspection, the pin at E will prevent the frame from sidesway.
É The stiffness factors of CD and CE can be computed using K = 3E/L since
far ends are pinned.
É The 60 kN load does not contribute a fixed-end moment since it is applied at
joint B.
4E 4E 3E 3E
KAB = ; KBC = ; KCD = ; KCE =
5 6 5 4

DFAB = 0
4E
5
DFBA = 4E 4E
= 0.545
5
+ 6
DFBC = 1 − 0.545 = 0.455
Moment Distribution for Frames: No Sidesway

Solution (continued)

4E
6
DFCB = 4E 3E 3E
= 0.330
6
+ 5
+ 4
3E
5
DFCD = 4E 3E 3E
= 0.298
6
+ 5
+ 4

DFCD = 1 ; DFEC = 1

L2
FEMBC = − = −135 kN m
12
L2
FEMCB = = 135 kN m
12
Moment Distribution for Frames: No Sidesway

Solution (continued)
É The distribution of moments successively goes to joints B and C

Joint A B C D E
Member AB BA BC CB CD CE DC EC
DF 0 0.545 0.455 0.330 0.298 0.372 1 1
FEM −135 135
Dist. 73.6 61.4 −44.6 −40.2 −50.2
CO 36.8 −22.3 30.7
Dist. 12.2 10.1 −10.1 −9.1 −11.5
CO 6.1 −5.1 5.1
Dist. 2.8 2.3 −1.7 −1.5 −1.9
CO 1.4 −0.8 1.2
Dist. 0.4 0.4 −0.4 −0.4 −0.4
CO 0.2 −0.2 0.2
Dist. 0.1 0.1 −0.1 0.0 −0.1
P
M 44.5 89.1 −89.1 115 −51.2 −64.1