Department of Civil Engineering Theory of Structures (CEng3203)

METHOD OF ANALYSIS FOR INDETERMINATE STRUCTURES

DISPLACEMENT METHOD

MOMENT DISTRIBUTION METHOD

Example-1 (Two-span continuous beam)

Using Moment Distribution Method, determine all the reactions at supports, and construct
quantitative shear force and moment diagrams for the beam shown below. Take 𝑬𝑰 =constant

Solution

Step-1: Calculate the relative bending stiffness (𝐾) for all members meeting at a joint.

At joint B:

𝐼 𝐼
For member BA: 𝐾𝐵𝐴 = 𝐿𝐵𝐴 = 10 = 0.1𝐼
𝐵𝐴

3 𝐼 3 𝐼
For member BC: 𝐾𝐵𝐶 = 4 (𝐿𝐵𝐶 ) = 4 (10) = 0.075𝐼
𝐵𝐶

∑ 𝐾𝐵 = 𝐾𝐵𝐴 + 𝐾𝐵𝐶 = 0.1𝐼 + 0.075𝐼 = 0.175𝐼

Step-2: Calculate the Distribution Factor (DF) at the joints where two or more members are
meeting using the relative bending stiffness values.

At joint B:

𝐾 0.1𝐼
For member BA: 𝐷𝐹𝐵𝐴 = ∑ 𝐵𝐴 = 0.175𝐼 = 0.57
𝐾 𝐵

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Department of Civil Engineering Theory of Structures (CEng3203)

𝐾 0.075𝐼
For member BC: 𝐷𝐹𝐵𝐶 = ∑ 𝐵𝐶 = = 0.43
𝐾 𝐵 0.175𝐼

∑ 𝐷𝐹𝐵 = 𝐷𝐹𝐵𝐴 + 𝐷𝐹𝐵𝐶 = 0.57 + 0.43 = 1.00 …Ok!

Step-3: Assume that the all joints of the given structure are fixed, compute the fixed-end moments
(FEM) due to applied external loading for each loaded span.

𝑭𝑬𝑴𝑨𝑩
𝑭𝑬𝑴𝑩𝑨

𝑃𝑎𝑏 2 120∗4∗62
𝐹𝐸𝑀𝐴𝐵 = + =+ = +172.80𝑘𝑁𝑚
𝐿2 102

𝑃𝑎2 𝑏 120∗42 ∗6
𝐹𝐸𝑀𝐵𝐴 = − =− = −115.20𝑘𝑁𝑚
𝐿2 102

𝑭𝑬𝑴𝑩𝑪 𝑭𝑬𝑴𝑪𝑩

𝑤𝐿2 50∗102
𝐹𝐸𝑀𝐵𝐶 = + =+ = +416.70𝑘𝑁𝑚
12 12

𝑤𝐿2 50∗102
𝐹𝐸𝑀𝐶𝐵 = − =− = −416.70𝑘𝑁𝑚
12 12

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Department of Civil Engineering Theory of Structures (CEng3203)

Step-4: Moment distribution process

Joints A B C

Members AB BA BC CB

DF 0.00 0.57 0.43 1.00

FEM +172.80 −115.20 +416.70 −416.70

DEM at joint B and C −171.86 −129.64 +416.70

COM −85.93 208.35

DEM at joint B −118.76 −89.59

COM −59.38

MEM +𝟐𝟕. 𝟒𝟗 −𝟒𝟎𝟓. 𝟖𝟐 +𝟒𝟎𝟓. 𝟖𝟐 𝟎

Step-5: Obtain the final end moments by adding the FEMs, distributed moments, and carry-over
moments.
𝑀𝐸𝑀𝐴𝐵 = 𝐹𝐸𝑀𝐴𝐵 + 𝐷𝐸𝑀𝐴𝐵 + 𝐶𝑂𝑀𝐴𝐵 = 172.8 + 0 − 85.93 + 0 − 59.38 = +𝟐𝟕. 𝟒𝟗𝒌𝑵𝒎
𝑀𝐸𝑀𝐵𝐴 = 𝐹𝐸𝑀𝐵𝐴 + 𝐷𝐸𝑀𝐵𝐴 + 𝐶𝑂𝑀𝐵𝐴
= −115.20 − 171.86 + 0 − 118.76 = −𝟒𝟎𝟓. 𝟖𝟐𝒌𝑵𝒎
𝑀𝐸𝑀𝐵𝐶 = 𝐹𝐸𝑀𝐵𝐶 + 𝐷𝐸𝑀𝐵𝐶 + 𝐶𝑂𝑀𝐵𝐶
= 416.70 − 129.64 + 208.35 − 89.59 = +𝟒𝟎𝟓. 𝟖𝟐𝒌𝑵𝒎
𝑀𝐸𝑀𝐶𝐵 = 𝐹𝐸𝑀𝐶𝐵 + 𝐷𝐸𝑀𝐶𝐵 + 𝐶𝑂𝑀𝐶𝐵 = −416.70 + 416.70 = 𝟎
Step-6: Check moment equilibrium of joints.
By considering the moment equilibrium of the joint B
∑ 𝑴𝑩 = 𝟎 ⇒ −𝟒𝟎𝟓. 𝟖𝟐 + 𝟒𝟎𝟓. 𝟖𝟐 = 𝟎 … … 𝑶𝒌!

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 Department of Civil Engineering Theory of Structures (CEng3203)

Step-7: Use member and joint equilibrium, determine support reactions.

𝟒𝟎𝟓. 𝟖𝟐𝒌𝑵𝒎
𝟐𝟕. 𝟒𝟗𝒌𝑵𝒎
𝑹𝑨𝑯

𝑹𝑨𝑽 𝑹𝑩𝑽 𝑹𝑪

𝟐𝟕. 𝟒𝟗𝒌𝑵𝒎 𝟒𝟎𝟓. 𝟖𝟐𝒌𝑵𝒎

𝑹𝑨𝑯

𝑹𝑩𝑳
𝑹𝑨𝑽
↑ + ∑ 𝐹𝑦 = 0; ⇒ 𝑅𝐴 + 𝑅𝐵𝐿 − 120 = 0 ⇒ 𝑅𝐴 + 𝑅𝐵𝐿 = 120

↺ + ∑ 𝑀𝐴 = 0 ⇒ 𝑅𝐵𝐿 ∗ 10 − 120 ∗ 4 + 27.49 − 405.82 = 0

𝑅𝐵𝐿 = 85.833𝑘𝑁(↑) and 𝑅𝐴 = 34.167𝑘𝑁(↑)

𝟒𝟎𝟓. 𝟖𝟐𝒌𝑵𝒎

𝑹𝑩𝑹
𝑹𝑪

↑ + ∑ 𝐹𝑦 = 0; ⇒ 𝑅𝐵𝑅 + 𝑅𝐶 − 50 ∗ 10 = 0 ⇒ 𝑅𝐵𝑅 + 𝑅𝐶 = 500

↺ + ∑ 𝑀𝐵 = 0 ⇒ 𝑅𝐶 ∗ 10 − 50 ∗ 10 ∗ 5 + 405.82 = 0
𝑅𝐶 = 209.418𝑘𝑁(↑) and 𝑅𝐵𝑅 = 290.582𝑘𝑁(↑)
By considering the equilibrium of joint B in the vertical direction, we obtain
𝑅𝐵 = 𝑅𝐵𝐿 + 𝑅𝐵𝑅 = 85.833 + 290.582 = 𝟑𝟕𝟔. 𝟒𝟏𝟓𝒌𝑵(↑)

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Department of Civil Engineering Theory of Structures (CEng3203)

Step-8: Construct the quantitative shear force and bending moment diagrams, deflection curve,
etc.

Example-2 (Beam with overhanging portion and couple)

From the beam shown use the moment distribution method to:
a) Determine all the reactions at supports, and
b) Draw its quantitative shear and bending moment diagrams, and qualitative deflected shape

Solution

The end span CD of this is overhanging span and is determinate. Thus like the slope-deflection,
this overhanging span will not be included in the moment distribution directly but its equivalent
action on the connecting joint C is considered for the moment distribution.

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Department of Civil Engineering Theory of Structures (CEng3203)

The calculated equivalent action at joint C (𝟏𝟐𝟎𝒌𝑵𝒎 clockwise couple and 𝟒𝟎𝒌𝑵 downward
load). 𝟒𝟎𝒌𝑵

𝟏𝟐𝟎𝒌𝑵𝒎

𝟏𝟐𝟎𝒌𝑵𝒎

𝟒𝟎𝒌𝑵
Solution
Step-1: Calculate the relative bending stiffness (𝐾) for all members meeting at a joint.
At joint B:
𝐼 2𝐼
For member BA: 𝐾𝐵𝐴 = 𝐿𝐵𝐴 = = 0.33𝐼
𝐵𝐴 6

3 𝐼 3 𝐼
For member BC: 𝐾𝐵𝐶 = 4 (𝐿𝐵𝐶 ) = 4 (9) = 0.083𝐼
𝐵𝐶

∑ 𝐾𝐵 = 𝐾𝐵𝐴 + 𝐾𝐵𝐶 = 0.1𝐼 + 0.075𝐼 = 0.4167𝐼

Step-2: Calculate the Distribution Factor (DF) at the joints where two or more members are
meeting using the relative bending stiffness values.

At joint B:
𝐾 0.33𝐼
For member BA: 𝐷𝐹𝐵𝐴 = ∑ 𝐵𝐴 = 0.4167𝐼 = 0.8
𝐾 𝐵

𝐾 0.083𝐼
For member BC: 𝐷𝐹𝐵𝐶 = ∑ 𝐵𝐶 = 0.4167𝐼 = 0.2
𝐾 𝐵

∑ 𝐷𝐹𝐵 = 𝐷𝐹𝐵𝐴 + 𝐷𝐹𝐵𝐶 = 0.8 + 0.2 = 1.00 … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … …Ok!

Step-3: Assume that the all joints of the given structure are fixed, compute the fixed-end moments
(FEM) due to applied external loading for each loaded span.

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Department of Civil Engineering Theory of Structures (CEng3203)

𝑃𝐿 40∗6 𝑃𝐿 40∗6
𝐹𝐸𝑀𝐴𝐵 = + =+ = +30𝑘𝑁𝑚 𝐹𝐸𝑀𝐵𝐴 = − =− = −30𝑘𝑁𝑚
8 8 8 8

𝑭𝑬𝑴𝑩𝑪 𝑭𝑬𝑴𝑪𝑩

𝑤𝐿2 10∗92 𝑤𝐿2 10∗92

𝐹𝐸𝑀𝐵𝐶 = + =+ = +67.50𝑘𝑁𝑚 𝐹𝐸𝑀𝐶𝐵 = − =− = −67.50𝑘𝑁𝑚
12 12 12 12

Step-4: Moment distribution process.

This problem needs two moment distribution due to joint couples (COC) at B and C and due to
fixed end moment (FEM). Joint couples must be distributed and carried over to the member ends
first. Then, the carried over couples (COC) should be balanced, distributed and carried over along
with the FEM. COC and FEM are added to obtain total end moments (TEM).

Joints A B C

Members AB BA BC CB

DF 0.00 0.80 0.20 1.00

Joint couple 50 −120

Distribute member end couple 40 10 −120

Carried over couple (COC) 20 −60

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Department of Civil Engineering Theory of Structures (CEng3203)

FEM 30 −30 67.50 −67.50

𝑇𝐸𝑀 = 𝐶𝑂𝐶 + 𝐹𝐸𝑀 𝟓𝟎 −𝟑𝟎 𝟕. 𝟓𝟎 −𝟔𝟕. 𝟓𝟎

Joints A B C

Members AB BA BC CB

DF 0.00 0.80 0.20 1.00

Distribute member end couple 40 10 −120

𝑇𝐸𝑀 = 𝐶𝑂𝐶 + 𝐹𝐸𝑀 𝟓𝟎 −𝟑𝟎 𝟕. 𝟓𝟎 −𝟔𝟕. 𝟓𝟎

Distribute end moment (DEM) at 18

4.50 67.50
joint B and C

COM (Carried Over Moment) 9 33.75

Distribute end moment (DEM) at

−27 −6.75
joint B

COM (Carried Over Moment) −13.50

MEM (Member End Moment) 𝟒𝟓. 𝟓𝟎 𝟏 𝟒𝟗 −𝟏𝟐𝟎

Step-5: Obtain the final end moments by adding the DECs, TEMs, distributed moments, and carry-
over moments.

𝑀𝐸𝑀𝐴𝐵 = 𝐷𝐸𝐶𝐴𝐵 + 𝑇𝐸𝑀𝐴𝐵 + 𝐷𝐸𝑀𝐴𝐵 + 𝐶𝑂𝑀𝐴𝐵

= 0 + 50 + 0 − 59.38 + 9 − 13.50 = +𝟒𝟓. 𝟓𝟎𝒌𝑵𝒎

𝑀𝐸𝑀𝐵𝐴 = 𝐷𝐸𝐶𝐵𝐴 + 𝑇𝐸𝑀𝐵𝐴 + 𝐷𝐸𝑀𝐵𝐴 + 𝐶𝑂𝑀𝐵𝐴 = 40 − 30 + 18 − 27 + 0 = +𝟏. 𝟎𝟎𝒌𝑵𝒎

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Department of Civil Engineering Theory of Structures (CEng3203)

𝑀𝐸𝑀𝐵𝐶 = 𝐷𝐸𝐶𝐵𝐶 + 𝑇𝐸𝑀𝐵𝐶 + 𝐷𝐸𝑀𝐵𝐶 + 𝐶𝑂𝑀𝐵𝐶

= 10 + 7.5 + 4.50 − 6.75 + 33.75 = +𝟒𝟗𝒌𝑵𝒎

𝑀𝐸𝑀𝐶𝐵 = 𝐷𝐸𝐶𝐴𝐵 + 𝑇𝐸𝑀𝐴𝐵 + 𝐷𝐸𝑀𝐴𝐵 + 𝐶𝑂𝑀𝐴𝐵 = −120 − 67.5 + 67.5 = −𝟏𝟐𝟎𝒌𝑵𝒎

Step-6: Check moment equilibrium of joints.

By considering the moment equilibrium of the joint B

∑ 𝑴𝑩 = 𝟓𝟎 ⇒ 𝟏 + 𝟒𝟗 = 𝟓𝟎𝒌𝑵𝒎 … … 𝑶𝒌!

Step-7: Use member and joint equilibrium, determine support reactions.

↑ + ∑ 𝐹𝑦 = 0; ⇒ 𝑅𝐴 + 𝑅𝐵𝐿 − 40 = 0 ⇒ 𝑅𝐴 + 𝑅𝐵𝐿 = 40

↺ + ∑ 𝑀𝐴 = 0 ⇒ 𝑅𝐵𝐿 ∗ 6 − 40 ∗ 3 + 45.5 + 1 = 0

𝑅𝐵𝐿 = 12.25𝑘𝑁(↑) and 𝑅𝐴 = 27.75𝑘𝑁(↑)

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Department of Civil Engineering Theory of Structures (CEng3203)

↑ + ∑ 𝐹𝑦 = 0; ⇒ 𝑅𝐵𝑅 + 𝑅𝐶𝐿 − 10 ∗ 9 = 0 ⇒ 𝑅𝐵𝑅 + 𝑅𝐶 = 900

↺ + ∑ 𝑀𝐵 = 0 ⇒ 𝑅𝐶𝐿 ∗ 9 − 10 ∗ 9 ∗ 4.5 + 49 − 120 = 0

𝑹𝑪𝑳 = 𝟓𝟐. 𝟖𝟗𝒌𝑵(↑) and 𝑹𝑩𝑹 = 𝟑𝟕. 𝟏𝟏𝒌𝑵(↑)

By considering the equilibrium of joint B and C in the vertical direction, we obtain

𝑅𝐵 = 𝑅𝐵𝐿 + 𝑅𝐵𝑅 = 12.25 + 37.11 = 𝟒𝟗. 𝟑𝟔𝒌𝑵(↑)

𝑅𝐶 = 𝑅𝐶𝐿 + 𝑅𝐶𝑅 = 52.89 + 40 = 𝟗𝟐. 𝟖𝟗𝒌𝑵(↑)

Step-8: Construct the quantitative shear force and bending moment diagrams, deflection curve,
etc.

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Department of Civil Engineering Theory of Structures (CEng3203)

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