THEORY OF STRUCTURES

MOMENT DISTRIBUTION METHOD

The analysis of statically indeterminate beams and frames by distributing fixed – end moment was originated by
Prof. Hardy Cross in 1932. It is a method of successive corrections which can be carried to any degree of accuracy
depending upon the number of corrections.

Four Concept used in Moment Distribution Method

a. Rotational stiffness

b. Fixed – end moments

c. Distribution factors

d. Carry – over factors

EXAMPLES

1. Find the moment at the supports of the continuous beam shown. Make at least three distributions.

Solutions:
I
a. Relative Stiffness, k=
L

I
kab =kba = (35)=7I;k=7
5

I
kbc =kcb = (35)=5I;k=5
7

b. Fixed – End Moment

2
Pab 50(2)(3)2
FEMab =- 2 =- =-36.0 kN.m
L 52

Pa2 b 50(2)2 (3)

FEMba = = =24.0 kN.m
L2 52

2 2
Pab Pab 35(2)(5)2 70(4)(3)2
FEMbc =- 2 - 2 =- - =-87.14 kN.m
L L 72 72

Pa2 b Pa2 b 35(2)2 (5) 70(4)2 (3)

FEMcb = + = + =82.86 kN.m
L2 L2 72 72

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 THEORY OF STRUCTURES

c. MDM table

Joint a b c

Member ab ba bc cb cd

k 7 7 5 5 -

DF 1 7/12 5/12 1 -

FEM -36.00 24.00 -87.14 82.86 -80

Balance 1 36.00 36.83 26.31 -2.86 0

COM 18.42 18.00 -1.43 13.16 0

Balance 2 -18.42 -9.67 -6.90 -13.16 0

COM -4.84 -9.21 -6.58 -3.45 0

Balance 3 4.84 9.21 6.58 3.45 0

COM 4.60 2.42 1.72 3.29 0

Balance 4 -4.60 -2.42 -1.72 -3.29 0

Total 0 69.16 -69.16 80 -80

Mab =0

Mba =69.16 kN.m

Mbc =-69.16 kN.m

Mcb =80.0 kN.m

Mcd =-80.0 kN.m

2. Determine the moment at the supports of the continuous beam shown. Make at least five balances.

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 THEORY OF STRUCTURES

Solutions:
I
a. Relative Stiffness, k=
L

2I I
kab =kba = = (6)=2I;k=2
6 3

4I I
kbc =kcb = = (6)=3I;k=3
8 2

3I I
kcd =kdc = = (6)=3I;k=3
6 2

b. Fixed – End Moment

PL 60(6)
FEMab =- =- =-45.0 kN.m
8 8

PL 60(6)
FEMba = = =45.0 kN.m
8 8

WL2 12(8)2
FEMbc =- =- =-64.0 kN.m
12 12

WL2 12(8)2
FEMcb = = =64.0 kN.m
12 12

2
Pab WL2 48(2)(4)2 9(6)2
FEMbc =- 2 - =- - =-69.67 kN.m
L 12 62 12

Pa2 b WL2 48(2)2 (4) 9(6)2

FEMcb = 2 + = 2 + =48.33 kN.m
L 12 6 12

c. MDM table

Joint a b c d

Member ab ba bc cb cd dc

k 2 2 3 3 3 3

DF 0 2/5 3/5 ½ ½ 1

FEM -45.00 45.00 -64.00 64.00 -69.67 48.33

Balance 1 0.00 7.60 11.40 2.84 2.84 -48.33

COM 3.80 0.00 1.42 5.70 -24.17 1.42

Balance 2 0.00 -0.57 -0.85 9.23 9.23 -1.42

COM -0.28 0.00 4.62 -0.43 -0.71 4.62

Balance 3 0.00 -1.85 -2.77 0.57 0.57 -4.62

COM -0.92 0.00 0.28 -1.39 -2.31 0.28

Balance 4 0 -0.11 -0.17 1.85 1.85 -0.28

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 THEORY OF STRUCTURES

COM -0.057 0.00 0.92 -0.09 -0.14 0.92

Balance 5 0 -0.37 -0.55 0.11 0.11 -0.92

Total -42.47 49.70 -49.70 82.40 -82.40 0

Mab =-42.47 kN.m

Mba =49.70 kN.m

Mbc =-49.70 kN.m

Mcb =82.40 kN.m

Mcd =-82.40 kN.m

Mdc =0 kN.m

3. From the frame shown, find the moment at each joint. Make at least four distributions.

Solutions:

a. Fixed – End Moments

WL2 10(6)2
FEMab =- =- =-30.0 kN.m
12 12

WL2 10(6)2
FEMba = = =30.0 kN.m
12 12

PL 48(4)
FEMbd =- =- =-24.0 kN.m
8 8

PL 48(4)
FEMdb = = =24.0 kN.m
8 8

WL2 8(4)2
FEMdf =- =- =-10.67 kN.m
12 12

WL2 8(4)2
FEMfd = = =10.67 kN.m
12 12

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 THEORY OF STRUCTURES

b. MDM table

Joint a b c d e f

Mem ab ba bd bc cb db df de ed fd

k 4 4 3 5 5 3 4 2 2 4

DF 0 1/3 1/4 5/12 0 1/3 4/9 2/9 1 0

FEM -30.0 30.0 -24.0 0 0 24.0 -10.67 0 0 -10.67

Bal 1 0 -2.0 -1.5 -2.5 0 -4.44 -5.92 -2.96 0 0

COM -1.0 0 -2.22 0 -1.25 -0.75 0 0 -1.48 -2.96

Bal 2 0 0.74 0.55 0.92 0 0.25 0.33 0.17 1.48 0

COM 0.37 0 0.12 0 0.46 0.27 0 0.74 0.08 0.16

Bal 3 0 -0.04 -0.03 -0.05 0 -0.34 -0.45 -0.22 -0.08 0

COM -0.02 0 -0.17 0 -0.025 -0.015 0 -0.04 -0.11 -0.22

Bal 4 0 0.057 0.042 0.071 0 0.018 0.024 0.012 0.11 0

COM 0.03 0 0.009 0 0.035 0.021 0 0.055 0.006 0.012

Bal 5 0 -0.003 -0.002 -0.004 0 -0.025 -0.034 -0.017 -0.006 0

Total -30.62 28.42 -27.20 -1.56 -0.78 18.98 -16.72 -2.26 0 7.66

Mab =-30.62 kN.m

Mba =28.42 kN.m

Mbd =-27.20 kN.m

Mbc =-1.56kN.m

Mcb =-0.78 kN.m

Mdb =18.98 kN.m

Mdb =-16.72 kN.m

Mdb =-2.26 kN.m

Mdb =0 kN.m

Mdb =7.66 kN.m