Structures E3/S3

Moment Distribution
Revision Notes and Examples

Jinyan Wang

Moment distribution revision

EI=const

B
L

A
B

Moment distribution revision

EI=const

Moment distribution revision

Rotation without
translation:

Rotation stiffness

Rotation at A
M AB
A

M BA

EI

M AB

M BA

M BA 2

EI
A
L

M AB

EI
2 B
L

M AB

6 EI
6 EI
2 , M BA 2
L
L

Translation without
rotation
:
M AB
M BA
A

EI
A
L

Rotation at B
A

M AB 4

EI
4
L

B
B

EI
M BA 4 B
L

Moment distribution revision

B
M BA

M AB

4 EI
2 EI
6 EI
A
B 2
L
L
L

M BA

2 EI
4 EI
6 EI
A
B 2
L
L
L

Rotation as well as
translation:
M AB
B

V
M AB

Sign convention

M BA
V

4 EI
L
2 EI

L
6 EI
L2

2 EI
L
4 EI
L
6 EI
2
L

6 EI
2
L
6 EI
2
L
12 EI
L3

Moment distribution revision

Remote end: pinned

M AB
A

M BA

2 EI
4 EI
6 EI
A
B 2
L
L
L

M AB

3EI
3EI

A 2
L
L

M AB

3EI

A
L

M AB
A

4 EI
2 EI
6 EI
A
B 2
L
L
L

M BA 0

M AB
A

M AB

M AB

3EI

2
L

Moment distribution revision

Summary
M AB
A

EI

M AB

M AB

M AB 3

M BA

M AB

EI
4 A
L

EI
A
L

M AB M BA

M AB

M BA

EI
2 A
L

3EI
2
L

6 EI

2
L

Moment distribution revision

M
6
M
3

M DA

D
M DC

EI
EI
EI
M M DA M DB M DC 4
4
4 D
L
L
L

M DA

EI
4
EI
1
L
M M
4 D
EI
EI
EI
3
L
4
4
4
L
L
L

M DB

Moment distribution revision

0.2 M

0.4 M
0.3M

M DA

0.3M

D
M DC

M M DA M DB M DC

M DA

EI
EI
EI
4
3
3 D
L
L
L

EI
4
4
EI
L

M
4 D
EI
EI
EI
10
L
4
3 3
L
L
L

M DB

Moment distribution revision

M
6

EI
1
L

M M
EI
EI
EI
3
4
4
4
L
L
L
4

M DA

M DA

EI
4
4
L

M M
EI
EI
EI
10
4
3 3
L
L
L

Dij

K ij
Ki

M
3

M DA : M DB : M DC 1 : 1 : 1
0.2 M

0.4 M
0.3M

0.3M

M DA : M DB : M DC 4 : 3 : 3

stiffness of all member at joint

Distribution factor

member stiffness

Moment distribution revision

M
6
M
3

wL2
12

WL
8

FEM

Moment distribution revision

Procedure for analysis:
1) Calculate distribution factor
2) Calculate Fixed-End Moments (FEM)
3) Apply the out-of-balance moments to releases the joints
4) Distribute moments into the members
5) Repeat (if necessary) the process until the effect of relaxation at a
joint becomes negligible
6) Obtain final moments by adding FEM and distributed moments
M
together
M
M
6

wL2
12

WL
8

M
3

Example 1
UDL=30kN/m

EI
A

6m

Distribution factors
4

EI
LA

1
6

K 21

0.4
D21
K 2 4 EI 4 EI 4 1 4 1
LA
LB
6
4
1
4
K 23
4
D23

0.6
1
1
K2
4 4
6
4

D23 1 0.4 0.6

EI
B

4m

Example 1
UDL=30kN/m

EI
A

6m

Fixed end moments

M F 12

wL2 30 62
M F 21

90 kNm
12
12

M F 23 M F 32

wL2 30 42

40 kNm
12
12

EI
B

4m

Example 1
UDL=30kN/m

M F 12

wL2 30 62
M F 21

90kNm
12
12

M F 23 M F 32

6m

wL2 30 42

40 kNm
12
12

1
Distribution
factor
Fixed end
moments
First
distribution
Carry over
moments

Total Moment

-90

EI
A

4m

0.4 0.6
90
40
-20
-30

-10

-100

EI
B

40
-15

70

-70

25

Example 1
2

Draw the BMD

Total moment

-100

UDL=30kN/m

EI
A

EI

4m

6m

100

30 42
60 kNm
8

30 62
135kNm
8
70

25

(kNm)

70

-70

25

Example 2
24kN/m

40k
N
A

4m

4m

K 21
D21

K2

K 23
D23
K2

EI
LA

EI
EI
4
4
LA
LB

1
8

1
1
4 4
8
4

1
4
2
4

D32
1
1 3
4 4
8
4

1
D34
3

4m

4
C

Distribution factors
4

20kN

4m

4m

Example 2
24kN/m

40k
N
A

4m

Fixed end moments

WL 40 8

40kNm
8
8
wL2 24 4 2

32kNm
12
12

M F 12 M F 21
M F 23 M F 32

M F 34 M F 43

WL 20 8

20kNm
8
8

20kN

4m

4m

4m

4m

Example 2
24kN/m

40k
N
A

4m

Distribution
factor
Fixed end
moments
1st distribution
Carry over
moments
2nd distribution

-40
1.33

Carry over
rd
3moments
distribution

0.67

Carry over
moments
4th distribution

0.15

Total
moment

20kN

4m
3

0.33 0.6
7
-32
40
5.33
2.67 -4
1.33 2.67

0.67 0.3
3
32
-20
-4
-8
2.67 0.89
1.78

0.89
0.29 -0.60
0.30
0.15 0.45

1.34
0.89 0.45
-0.3
0.20 0.10

38.5 -

4m

23.4 -

4m

4m
4

20
-2
0.4
5
0.23
18.2

Example 2
24kN/m

40k
N

Draw the BMD

1
Total moment-40.81

WL 40 8

80
4
4
40.81

24 4 2
48kNm
8
38.52

40.33

40.81 38.52
40.33
2

(kNm)

38.5238.5
2

23.46

17.01

80

20kN

18.2
23.4 6
23.4 2
6

WL 20 8

40
4
4

19.16

18.22

Example 3 with pinned

end
20kN/m
200k
N

K 21
D21

K2

D23

4
4

EI
LA

EI
EI
3
LA
LB

K 23
3

0.429
K2 4 3

D23 1 0.571 0.429

1
6

1
1
4 3
6
6

EI 1

3m

3m

Distribution factors

EI 1
A

4
0.571
43

6m

Example 3 with pinned

end
20kN/m
200k
N

Fixed end moments

M F 12

3m

WL 200 6
M F 21

150 kNm
8
8

M F 23 M F 32

EI 1
A

wL2 20 62

60 kNm
12
12

EI 1

3m

6m

Example 3 with pinned

end
20kN/m
200k
N

M F 12 M F 21

200 6
150kNm
8

M F 23 M F 32

20 6
60kNm
12
2

Carry over

-150
-25.70

Carry over

Total Moment

51.39
17.13

2nd distribution

6m

2
0.57
1
150

EI 1

3m

3m

1
Distribution
factor
Fixed end
moments
1st distribution

EI 1
A

0.42
960
-38.61

1.00
60
-60

-30
12.87

8.57
167.1

115.7 115.7
4

Example 3 with pinned

end
20kN/m
200k
N

M F 12 M F 21

200 6
150kNm
8

M F 23 M F 32

20 6
60kNm
12
2

First
distribution
Carry over
moments

Total Moment

-150

EI 1

6m

3m

3m

1
Distribution
factor
Fixed end
moments
Release joint 3

EI 1
A

2
0.57
1
150

3
0.42
960
-30

-17.13

34.26

167.1

115.7 115.7
4

60
-60

25.74

Example 3 with pinned

end
20kN/m
200k
N

Draw the BMD

3m
2

1
Total moment

167.1
3

115.7
200 64

167.1
3

EI 1

3m

6m

115.7
4
WL

EI 1
A

300 kNm
20 62
90kNm
8

115.7
4

32.13
158.5
7

(kNm)

Example 4 method 1
15kN/m
Method 1
The problem is treated as two
joints free to rotate, i.e. joints 2
and 3

Distribution factors

EI A
LA

30kN/m

4
1

EI 1

4m

EI 3

4m

1
4
1
K 21
4

0.25
D21

EI
EI
1
3
4
K2 4 A 4 B 4 4
LA
LB
4
4
3
4
3
K 23
4

0.75
D23

1
3 4
K2
4 4
4
4
4

D32 1

60kN
EI 2
C

2m

2m

2
2
w
L
1
5

2
0
k
N
m
F
1
2
F
2
1
2
2
2
3
0
F
2
3
F
3
2
1
1
M
602kN
m
F
34
Example 4 method 1
15kN/m

Method 1
The problem is treated as two
joints free to rotate, i.e. joints 2
and 3

Fixed end moments

30kN/m

60kN

EI 1

4m

EI 3

4m

EI 2
C

2m

2m

w
L
1
5

2
0
k
N
m
2
3
0
M
601kN
m
2
2
F
1
2
F
2
1
2
2
F
243F
32

Example 4 method 1

Distribution
factor
Fixed end
st
moments
1
distribution
Carry over
moments
2nd distribution
Carry over
rd
moments
3
distribution
Carry over
moments
4th distribution
Carry over
th
5moments
distribution

Total

0.25

-20
2.5
-5

0.5
-1

-23.0

20
5

15kN/m

EI 1

4m

0.7
5
-40

15
40
-10
-30
-3.8
0.9 2.9
7.5
-1.9 -5.6
-0.8
0.2 0.6

14.2 -

30kN/m

EI 3

4m

40
-120
80
7.5
-7.5
-15
15
1.5
-1.5
-2.8
2.8

120 -120

60kN

EI 2
C

2m

2m
4

Example 4 method 2
15kN/m
Method 2
The problem is treated as one
joints free to rotate, i.e. joints 2

Distribution factors

EI A
LA

30kN/m

60kN

4
1

EI 1

4m

EI 3

EI 2
C

4m

2m

1
4
4
K 21
4

0.31
D21

EI
EI
1
3
13
K2 4 A 3 B 4 3
LA
LB
4
4
3
3
9
K 23
4

0.69
D23

K 2 4 1 3 3 13
4
4
4

D23 1 0.31 0.69

2m

2
2
w
L
1
5

2
0
k
N
m
F
1
2
F
2
1
2
2
2
3
0
F
2
3
F
3
2
M
601kN
m
4

Example 4 method 2
15kN/m

EI 1

4m

Distribution
factor
Fixed end
moments
Release joint 3
First
distribution
Carry over
moments

Total
moment

20

-6.2

-23.1

0.6
9
-40

40
80

60kN

-120

EI 2
C

2m

4m

40

-3.1

EI 3

0.31

-20

30kN/m

2m

13.8

13.8 13.8

120 -120

Example 4
30kN/m

15kN/m

Draw the BMD

EI 1

EI 3

1
Total moment-23.1

60kN

13.813.8

12
0

4m

4m

EI 2
C

2m

-120

15 42
30 kNm
8
23.1

13.8

(kNm)

30 42
60kNm
8
120

2m

Example 5 frame with no

8kN
10kN
sway
Distribution factors

2
C

B
A

5
3m

Joint 1

3m

4m

2kN/m

3m

3m

4
4 0.25
K14
4

0.6 D36
D14

1
1
4 0.25 4 0.17
K1 4 4
4
6

K12
4 0.17
D12

0.4 D32
K1 4 0.25 4 0.17

Joint 2

Joint 3

4 1
4 0.17
K 21
6

0.286
D21

1
1
1
K 2 4 6 4 4 4 6 4 0.17 4 0.25 4 0.17
D23
K
4 0.25
D25 25
0.429
K 2 4 0.17 4 0.25 4 0.17

Example 5 frame with no

8kN
10kN
sway
2
A

WL 10 6

7.5kNm
8
8

M F 23 M F 32

WL 8 6

6kNm
8
8

5
3m

wL2 2 4 2

2.67kNm
12
12

M F 12 M F 21

Fixed end moments

M F 41 M F 14

3m

4m

2kN/m

3m

3m

Example 5 frame with no

sway
10kN

2kN/m

DF
FEM

4
-2.67

1st
CO

CO

Total

2.67 -7.5

0.4 0.
6
6

2.9 1.93

-0.43 -0.64 -0.43

-2.4

-0.22

0.97

0.13 0.09

0.07

0.04

0.05

0.07

-0.02 -0.02

3r

0.28 0.42 0.28

6
9
6
-6
7.5

1.45

2nd
CO

0.6 0.4

-0.01

-0.02

-1.15 5.6
8

5.68

-1.2
0.09

0.09

0.05

0.04

-0.03 -0.04 -0.03

-0.02

-0.01

-0.02

8.13

0.59

-7.54

3.4
9

-1.8

0.32

0.07

0.05

-0.01

0.02

1.73

0.27

-3.6

-0.22

0.07

-0.01

8kN

0.13

-0.02

3.49

Example 5 frame with no

sway
2kN/m

12

14

0. 0.
6 4
2.67 -7.5
2.90 1.93

FE
M
1st
CO
2n
0.13
d
CO
3rd 5.6
tota 0.02
8
l

0.22
0.09
0.04
0.02
5.6
8

4
FE
M
CO
CO
tota

23

25

Dist
Factor

21

2.67
1.45
0.07
-

0.28 0.42 0.28

6
9
6
7.5
0
-6
0.43
0.43
0.97 0.64 -1.2
0.07 0.09 0.07
0.05
0.05
0.03
8.1 0.04
-0.03
0.5
3
7.5
9
4

5
0
0.32
0.05
-

10kN

8kN

32

36

0. 0.
6 4 60
-2.4 -3.6
0.22
0.09 0.1
0.04 3
0.02
3.4 0.02
9
3.4
9

0
-1.8
0.07
-

Example 5 frame with no

WL 8 6
sway
WL 10 6

12

15

2kN/m

8kN

10kN

tota 5.6
8
l

tota
l

5.6
8

1.1

21

8.1
3

2 42
4
8
0.2

1.7
3

3
23

25

0.5
9

3.4
9

1
12

0.5
9

1.1
5

14

8.1
7.5
3
4

5.6
8

7.5
4

0.2

32

3.4
9

36

3.4
9

1.7
63

Example 5 frame with no

WL 8 6
sway
WL 10 6

12

15
4

8.1
7.5
3
4

5.6
8

1.1
5

(kNm)

3.4
9

0.5
9

2 42
4
8
0.2
7

1.7
3

Moment distribution revision

Any questions?