Moment Distribution Method

Sheikh Shagufta Meheli

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 BASIC STAGES IN THE MOMENT DISTRIBUTION METHOD
The moment distribution method can be illustrated with the following example.
It is desired to draw the bending moment diagram by computing the bending
moments at salient points of the given beam as shown below.
100 kN 50 kN/m
2.5 m
A I'  2I 3I C'
A B 6m C
5m

FIG. 2.8 A two span continuous beam

Step 1
Determine the distribution factor at each joint A,B and C respectively. The distribution factor
of a member is the ratio of the stiffness of the member divided by the total stiffness of all the
members meeting at that joint.
The distribution factor for the fixed support A is determined by assuming an imaginary
span A’A (Fig. 2.8). The flexural rigidity of A’A is infinity. Hence, the stiffness is infinite. The
stiffness of AB is 2I/5 = 0.4I. Hence, the total stiffness is infinite. Thus, the distribution factor
for A’A is (infinity/infinity) = 1.0 and for AB the distribution factor kAB = (0.4I/infinity), i.e.
zero. In essence dAA’= 1.0 and dAB = 0.0

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Table: Distribution factor at joint B

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Step 2
Imagine all the three joints A, B and C are rigidly fixed with horizontal tangents. Write down the
fixed end moments for the beam AB as if it were built in at A and B and also for the beam BC as if it
were built in B and C.

100 kN 50 kN/m
2.5 m
62.5 62.5 150
l/m
A B 6m C
5m

FIG. 2.9 Fixed end moments

100 * 5
MFAB = - 8 = - 62.5 kNm

100 *5
MFBA = + 8 = + 62.5 kNm

50 * 62 = - 150.0 kNm
-
MFBC = 12
50 * 62 = + 150.0 kNm
MFCB = +
12

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 Step 3
Each joint is released in turn and if B is released it will be out of balance. This unbalanced
moment (– 150.0 + 62.5 = 87.5) is shown in Fig. 2.10.
62.5 kNm 87.5 kNm

150 kNm
A B

Step 4 Out of balance moments

A moment is applied at B to balance this joint B and it will distribute itself according to the
distribution factors. This is shown in the following figure.

10 0.52 10

A B C

Balancing moments

62.5 0 45.50 42.00 –150.00 0 kNm

Distributed moments

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Step 5
Balance the joint C as its moment is zero (end support C is simple support). By balancing
the moment – 150, half of it is carried over to B. By balancing the joint B, half of the
moment is carried over to joint A, i.e. half of 45.50 kNm.
Step 6
Again the joints become out of balance, and the above procedure is repeated until the
moments to be distributed become negligible and can be ignored. This is illustrated in
Table .
Table Moment distribution table

Joint A B C
Members AB BA BC CB
DF 0 0.52 0.48 1
FEMS – 62.50 +62.50 – 150.00 +150.00
Bal +45.50 +42.00 – 150.00
Co Bal +22.75 – 75.00
+39.00 +36.00
Co +19.50
Total – 20.25 +147.00 – 147.00 0.00
Nature O

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 In the above moment distribution table a single vertical line is drawn between the members.
Double lines are drawn at the end of each joint. The pure moment diagram can be drawn using the
end moments in the moment distribution table. The pure moments are the values just to the left of
double line. Thus, MA = – 20.25 kNm, MB = – 147.00 kNm, MC = 0.
147.00KN

20.25 ve

A B C
Pure moment diagram

The simple beam moment diagram is drawn by considering each span separately. The simple
beam moment diagram is always positive. While the pure moment diagram is negative. The
maximum positive bending moment for span AB is (wl/4) = 100 × 5/4 = 125 kNm. The maximum
bending moment for a simple beam of BC is wl2/8 = (50 × 62/8) = 225 kNm.

125kNm
 225
+ kNm
+
A C

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 The net bending moment diagram is drawn by superimposing the pure moment diagram on the
simple beam moment diagram. Thus, the net moment at D and E are

The final net bending moment diagram is as follows.

A  D B E C

20.25

147 kNm
Bending moment diagram

The net bending moment diagrams are preferable in design offices. The elastic curve is drawn using the
net bending moment diagram.

A B C

Elastic curve

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Example: Analyse the continuous beam shown in Fig. 2.17 by the moment distribution method.
Draw the bending moment diagram and shear force diagram. The beam is of uniform section.

Solution
Step 1
The distribution factors at joint B are evaluated as follows.

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Step 3 Moment Distribution Table
As the joint C is a hinged end, the moment is zero. Hence, it is balanced first. Then half of this
moment is carried over. Then joint B is balanced. From the joint B, the moment is carried over
to A.
Table: Moment distribution table

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 Bending moment diagram

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