MOMENT DISTRIBUTION IN BEAMS

Continuous Beams

MOMENT DISTRIBUTION METHOD

Moment distribution (also known as the 'Hardy Cross method) is an analysis method
used to determine the bending moment values at the supports in continuous beams
and at the joints and supports of indeterminate frames. Developed by Prof. Hardy
Cross, this method of analysis has been used ever since by many academic
institutions to solve indeterminate structures.

As the term, ‘Moment Distribution” suggests, the method starts off with fixed end
moments and uses iterations of balanced moments that are ‘distributed’ and
‘carried over’ repetitively until the procedure tends to zero.

Overview of Moment Distribution Analysis Method:

Step 1:

Calculate the E.I value for each span of the continuous beam.

Step 2:

Calculate the stiffness factor (abbreviated as the K value) for each span of the
continuous beam. The stiffness value determines the stiffness of each segment of
the beam between two supports.

Stiffness factor rules (to calculate the K values):-

1. If the continuous beam has a cantilever at either the left hand end or right
hand end, 𝑲𝒄𝒂𝒏𝒕𝒊𝒍𝒆𝒗𝒆𝒓 𝒔𝒆𝒈𝒎𝒆𝒏𝒕 = 𝟎

2. If the continuous beam has a pin/roller support at either the left hand end or
𝟑𝑬𝑰
right hand end, 𝑲𝒔𝒑𝒂𝒏 𝒄𝒐𝒏𝒏𝒆𝒄𝒕𝒆𝒅 𝒕𝒐 𝒑𝒊𝒏/𝒓𝒐𝒍𝒍𝒆𝒓 =
𝒍

3. If the continuous beam has a cantilever at either the left hand end or right
hand end, and the cantilever is connected to a pin/roller support,

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𝑲𝒄𝒂𝒏𝒕𝒊𝒍𝒆𝒗𝒆𝒓 𝒔𝒆𝒈𝒎𝒆𝒏𝒕 = 𝟎
𝟑𝑬𝑰
𝑲𝒂𝒅𝒋𝒂𝒄𝒆𝒏𝒕 𝒔𝒑𝒂𝒏 𝒄𝒐𝒏𝒏𝒆𝒄𝒕𝒆𝒅 𝒕𝒐 𝒑𝒊𝒏/𝒓𝒐𝒍𝒍𝒆𝒓 =
𝒍

4. All other segments that do not satisfy the above conditions has a stiffness
𝟒𝑬𝑰
factor, 𝑲𝒔𝒆𝒈𝒎𝒆𝒏𝒕 =
𝒍

Step 3:

Calculate the distribution factor (abbreviated as the D) on either side of a

support/joint.

Distribution factor rules (to calculate the D factor):-

1. If the continuous beam is fixed at the end, the distribution factor at that end
= 0. (“A fixed end takes moment but does not give”).

2. If the continuous beam has a pin/roller support at the left or right end, the
distribution factor at that end = 1. (“A pin does not take moment but gives”).

3. If the continuous beam has a cantilever at the end and the cantilever is
connected to a pin/roller support, the distribution factor on the cantilever
side of the pin/roller = 0 and on the pin/roller end adjacent to the
cantilever = 1.

𝑲𝒔𝒑𝒂𝒏
4. For all other cases, 𝑫𝒆𝒏𝒅 = ∑ 𝑲 𝒔𝒑𝒂𝒏𝒔 𝒄𝒐𝒏𝒏𝒆𝒄𝒕𝒆𝒅 𝒂𝒕 𝒔𝒖𝒑𝒑𝒐𝒓𝒕/𝒋𝒐𝒊𝒏𝒕

Step 4:

Calculate the fixed end moments (abbreviated as the FEM) for each span.

▪ Fix every support/joint on the indeterminate structure.

▪ Separate the indeterminate beam into single span beams. This means that
each span becomes a fixed-ended beam with moment reactions (moments of
resistance) at their ends. These moments are called FIXED END MOMENTS
(FEM).

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▪ Calculate the FEMs using the formulae for the standard load cases given in
the following table.

FIXED END BEAM LOADING FIXED END MOMENT

P.
MA = -
8
P.
MB = +
8

ω. 2
MA = -
12
ω. 2
MB = +
12

P.a.b2
MA = -
2
P.a 2 .b
MB = +
2

M  b  (2a - b)
MA = +
2

M  a  (2b - a)
MB = +
2

11.ω. 2
MA = -
192
5.ω. 2
MB =+
192

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MA = -
ω.a 2
(
6. - 8.a. + 3.a
2 2
)
12. 2
ω.a 3
MB = + (4. − 3.a )
12. 2

MA = -
ω.c
12. 2
(
12.a.b + a.c − 2.b.c
2 2 2
)
MB = +
ω.c
12. 2
(
12.a .b + b.c − 2.a.c
2 2 2
)

Step 5:

Set up a moment distribution table.

▪ Row 1:- Use the alphabetical letter given in the question to table the
support/joint.
▪ Row 2:- Table the ends connected to either end of a support/joint.
▪ Row 3:- Table the distribution factors.
▪ Row 4:- Table the fixed end moments.
▪ Row 5:- Table the sinking moments (in the case of continuous beams only)

All subsequent rows in the table will deal with the moment distribution analysis. This
entails the following iterations:-

▪ Balancing moments at a support/joint. (Add all the moments at a support/joint.

Multiply the answer by -1)
▪ Distributing balanced moments to each end connected to a support/joint.
(Balanced moment multiplied by the distribution factor)
▪ Carrying over moments from one end of a span to the other end of the same
span using the following carry over rules:-

Carry over rules:

1. COF = ½ when carrying over to a fixed end of an indeterminate beam OR

when carrying over to a joint (which may be an intermediate pin).

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2. COF = 0 when carrying over to a pin/roller end of an indeterminate beam OR

when carrying over to pin/roller end adjacent to a cantilever.

[Note:- Iteration is the repetition of a process (balance, distribute, carry over) until the process
approaches zero on a distribution line or before).

▪ At the end of the iteration process, when all the values on the last distribution
line have approached zero, add up the fixed end moment, distributed
moments and carry over moments in each column. These answers are the
actual design moments at the supports.

Step 6:

Use the total column moments (from the moment distribution table) to calculate the
reactions of each single span beam.

Step 7:

Draw the shear force diagram and the bending moment diagram.

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 MOMENT DISTRIBUTION IN BEAMS

Moment distribution Example 1

Esteel = 200 x 106 kPa

Use 457x191x98 (I section):– Ixx= 458.0 x 106 mm4
Use kN and m units throughout the calculation.

Solution

E.I values

AB = BC = 91600

K values

3 × 91600
K AB = = 57250
4,8
3 × 91600
K BC = = 45800
6

Distribution factors:-

A:- DAB = 1 (𝐒𝐭𝐚𝐧𝐝𝐚𝐫𝐝 𝐜𝐚𝐬𝐞)

57250
B:- DBA = 103050 = 0,556
45800
DBC = 103050 = 0,444 Note: − ∑(DBA + DBC ) = 1

C:- DCD = 1 (𝐒𝐭𝐚𝐧𝐝𝐚𝐫𝐝 𝐜𝐚𝐬𝐞)

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FEM:-

• Fix all the supports on the continuous beam.

• Represent span A-B as a fixed ended beam. Calculate the fixed end
moments at each end using the formula given in the table on page 3 (for a
point load at mid-span).

• Represent span B-C as a fixed ended beam. Calculate the fixed end
moments at each end using the formula given in the table on page 3 (for a
UDL over the full span).

𝐅𝐄𝐌 (kNm)

−18 × 4,8
AB = = −10,8 kNm
8
BA = +10,8 kNm
−9 × 62
BC = = −27 kNm
12
CB = +27 kNm

• Set up a Moment Distribution table (as shown on the following page) and
tabulate the following information:-
➢ Member (i.e. end connected to each support)
➢ Distribution Factor
➢ Fixed End Moment
▪ Perform the Balance/Distribute/Carry-Over set of iterations until the last line
ends with all zeros (this should occur on a Distribution line).

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• Calculate the left hand reaction for each span. Apply the laws of statics taught
in the Applied Mechanics course.

Span A-B

∑ MB = 0

4,8VA − 18(2,4) + 29,7 = 0

∴ VA = 2,813 kN (round of to 3 decimals)

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Span B-C

∑ MC = 0

62
6VB − 9 ( ) − 29,7 = 0
2
∴ VB = 31,95 kN (round of to 3 decimals)

Draw the shear force and bending moment diagram.

This you can do on your own.

Example 2:

Cross sectional dimensions: 220 x 450 (mm)

Econcrete = 25 x 106 kPa

Solution

E.I values

BC = CD = __________

K values

• For span A-B and B-C, use the following stiffness rule:- If the continuous beam
has a cantilever at either the left hand end (in this example) or right hand
end, and the cantilever is connected to a pin/roller support,

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𝐊 𝐜𝐚𝐧𝐭𝐢𝐥𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐫 𝐬𝐞𝐠𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 = 𝟎 [∴ K AB = 0]
𝟑𝐄𝐈 3×41765,625
𝐊 𝐚𝐝𝐣𝐚𝐜𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐬𝐩𝐚𝐧 𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐧𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐞𝐝 𝐭𝐨 𝐩𝐢𝐧/𝐫𝐨𝐥𝐥𝐞𝐫 = [∴ K BC =
4,8
= 26103,51563]
𝒍
3 × 41765,625
K CD = = 19276,44231
6,5

Distribution factors:-

At joint B, the following distribution rule applies:-

• If the continuous beam has a cantilever at the end (the left end in our example)
and the cantilever is connected to a pin/roller support (B in our example), the
distribution factor on the cantilever side of the pin/roller = 0 and on the
pin/roller end adjacent to the cantilever = 1.

B:- DBA = 0 (cantilever side)

DBC = 1 (pin or roller end adjacent to the cantilever)

26103,51563
C:- DCB = 45379,95793 = 0,575

19276,44231
DCD = 45379,95793 = 0,425 Note: − ∑(DCB + DCD ) = 1

D:- DDC = 1 (Standard case)

FEM:-

• Fix all the supports on the continuous beam and represent each span as
a single span fixed ended beam.

➢ Span A-B (Note:- A is not a support, therefore do not fix A).

Span A-B is treated as a cantilever beam.

➢ Represent span B-C as a fixed ended beam. Calculate the fixed end
moments at each end using the formulae given in the table on page 3 (for
a UDL over the full span and an off-centre point load).

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➢ Represent span C-D as a fixed ended beam. Calculate the fixed end
moments at each end using the formulae given in the table on page 3 (for
a point load at mid-span and a half-span UDL).

𝐅𝐄𝐌 (kNm)

4,2(1,82 )
BA = + = 6,804 kNm
2
4,2(4,82 ) 14,4(1,4)(3, 42 )
BC = − − = −18,179 kNm
12 4,82
4,2(4,82 ) 14,4(1,42 )(3,4)
CB = + + = 12,229 kNm
12 4,82
12(6,5) 11(4,8)(6,52 )
CD = − − = −21,36875 kNm
8 192
12(6,5) 5(4,8)(6,52 )
DC = + + = 15,03125 kNm
8 192

• Set up a Moment Distribution table (as shown on the following page) and tabulate
the information (as set out in the 1st example):-

▪ Perform the Balance/Distribute/Carry-Over set of iterations until the last line

ends with all zeros (remembering that this should occur on a Distribution line).

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• Calculate the left hand reaction for each span.

➢ Note:- There is no need to calculate any reaction for span A-B. You can
draw the shear force and bending moment diagram directly using the
values in the question.

Span B-C

∑ MC = 0

4,82
4,8VB − 14,4(3,4) − 4,2 ( ) − 6,804 + 24,226 = 0
2
∴ VB = 16,650 kN (round of to 3 decimals)

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Span C-D

∑ MD = 0

6,5VC − 12(3,25) − 4,8(3,25)(4,875) − 24,227 = 0

∴ VC = 21,427 kN (round of to 3 decimals)

Draw the shear force and bending moment diagram.

This you can do on your own.

Example 3:
Cross sectional dimensions: AC: 203x133x30 I-section (IXX = 28,9 X 106 mm4)
CE: 203x133x25 I-section (IXX = 23,4 X 106 mm4)
Econcrete = 200 x 106 kPa

Comments on Solution Exercise 3

K values

• Span B-C is pinned supported, but is positioned between 2 other spans,

therefore the “all other segments”, stiffness rule applies:-
𝟒𝑬𝑰
𝑲𝒂𝒍𝒍 𝒐𝒕𝒉𝒆𝒓 𝒔𝒆𝒈𝒎𝒆𝒏𝒕𝒔 =
𝒍
4 × 5780
∴ K BC =∴ = 5780
4

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𝐅𝐄𝐌 (kNm)

• FEM for span A-B can be calculated in one of 2 ways:-

6(52 ) 11(3,6)(52 )
Option 1:- AB = − 12
− 192
= −17,65625 kNm

11(9,6)(52 ) 5(6)(52 )
Option 2:- AB = − 192
− 192
= −17,65625 kNm

• FEM for span C-D:- The following extract applies.

Note that the 1st formula will apply at D and the 2nd formula will apply at C.
−4,8(1,83 )
𝐌𝐂 = (4 × 4,8 − 3 × 1,8) = 1,39725 kNm
12(4,82 )

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• Set up a Moment Distribution table (as follows:-)

Complete the Balance, Distribution and Carry over iterations ending on a

distribution line. Add up the column moment totals after the 7th distribution.

• Calculate the left hand reaction for each span.

➢ Note:- There is no need to calculate any reaction for span D-E. You can
draw the shear force and bending moment diagram directly using the
values in the question.

• Draw the shear force and bending moment diagram.

Example 4:

Cross sectional dimensions: AC: 250 x 300 (mm)

CE: 250 x 250 (mm)
Econcrete = 25 x 106 kPa

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Comments on Solution Exercise 4

• K values

➢ Span A-B is fixed at A and pinned at B, therefore the “all other segments”
stiffness rule applies:-
𝟒𝐄𝐈
, 𝐊 𝐀𝐁 =
𝒍

• Distribution factors:-

➢ Support A is fixed. If the continuous beam is fixed at the end, the

distribution factor at that end = 0.
(∴ DAB = 0)

• 𝐅𝐄𝐌 (kNm)

➢ FEM for span C-D: - The following applies.

➢ Note:- The exception to this load case is that the direction of the FEM’s
on both ends of the beam are in the same direction as the applied
moment.

12,5(1,2)(3,62 ) 18(1,6)(2×3,2−1,6)
CD = − 4,82
+ 4,82
= −2,4375 kNm

12,5(1,22 )(3,6) 18(3,2)(2×1,6−3,2)

DC = + 4,82
+ 4,82
= +2,8125 kNm

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• Set up a Moment Distribution table as follows:-

Complete the Balance, Distribution and Carry over iterations ending on a

distribution line. Add up the column moment totals after the 7th distribution.

• Calculate the left hand reaction for each span.

➢ Note:- There is no need to calculate any reaction for span D-E. You can
draw the shear force and bending moment diagram directly using the
values in the question.

• Draw the shear force and bending moment diagram.

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 MOMENT DISTRIBUTION IN BEAMS

SINKING SUPPORTS:

When one of the supports settles (sinks), a moment develops at the sinking support
and at each of the supports on the left hand and right hand side of that support in a
6EI Δ
continuous beam. The magnitude of the moment = where Δ = settlement .
2

Derivation of sinking moment using Moment Area Method:

M
∆A − ∆B = Moment of area under the
diagrams between A & B measured to A
E. I
1 𝑙 M 1 𝑙 1 𝑙 −M 𝑙 2 𝑙
∆A − 0 = [ × × × ( × )] + [ × × × ( + × )]
2 2 EI 3 2 2 2 EI 2 3 2
M𝑙2 M𝑙 3𝑙 2𝑙
∆A = [ ] + [− × ( + )]
24EI 4EI 6 6
𝑀𝑙2 −M𝑙 5𝑙
= + ( )
24EI 4EI 6
𝑀𝑙2 −5M𝑙2 −4𝑀𝑙2 −𝑀𝑙2
∆A = + = =
24EI 24EI 24EI 6EI
−≫ 6𝐸𝐼 × ∆A = −𝑀𝑙 2
−𝟔𝐄𝐈∆𝐀
∴𝑴=
𝒍𝟐

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Example 5:

Esteel = 200 GPa

AD = 305x102x33 I-section IXX = 65.00 x 106 mm4
DF = 305x102x25 I-section IXX = 44.50 x 106 mm4
Support D sinks by 3mm

Note: 8 kN load at midspan of segment DE

Comments on Exercise 5

Procedure for the calculation of the EI, K-values, D-factors and FEM’s remain the
same. Note that for span D-E the following load case applies (superimposed with the
calculation for a mid-span point load case):-

−18 × 3 8×6
𝑴𝑫 = [ 2
(12 × 2,9 × 3.12 + 2,9 × 32 − 2 × 3,1 × 32 )] − = −44,091 𝑘𝑁𝑚
12 × 6 8

➢ Complete an additional calculation for Msinking as follows:-

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−𝟔(𝟏𝟑𝟎𝟎𝟎)(𝟑 × 𝟏𝟎−𝟑 )
𝐂𝐃 = 𝐃𝐂 = = −𝟏𝟏, 𝟓𝟓𝟓….. kNm
𝟒, 𝟓𝟐

+𝟔(𝟖𝟗𝟎𝟎)(𝟑 × 𝟏𝟎−𝟑 )
𝐃𝐄 = 𝐄𝐃 = = +𝟒, 𝟒𝟓 kNm
𝟔𝟐

• Set up a Moment Distribution table as follows:-

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The Moment distribution table will have an additional row for the tabling of the
Msinking moments:-

Complete the Balance, Distribution and Carry over iterations ending on a

distribution line. Add up the column moment totals after the 7th distribution.

• Calculate the reactions and complete the shear force and bending moment
diagram.

Example 6: (Self exercise)

Econcrete = 25 GPa
AC = 250 mm x 300 mm RC
CE = 250 mm x 250 mm RC
Support C sinks by 2,5 mm

Example 7: (Self Exercise)

Econcrete = 25 GPa
AC = 250 mm x 300 mm RC
CE = 300 mm x 300 mm RC
Support C sinks by 2,4 mm

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