Chapter 15

Chapter 7 Moment Distribution Method

7.1 Introduction
In the previous chapter, we have seen that the displacement method leads to a set of simultaneous, linear algebraic equations for the unknown displacements (translations and rotations) of the joints of the structure. For structures with many joints, the number of simultaneous equations is large; consequently, their solution using hand calculations is difficult. A method of successive approximations (or an iterative method), referred to as moment distribution method, which eliminates the need for solving simultaneous equations for structures whose joints do not translate was presented by Hardy Cross in 1932. This iterative method is also applicable to the analysis of structures having joint translations. In this case, it is referred to as the displacement method with moment distribution, and it reduces the number of simultaneous equations which must be solved in analyzing a structure to that of its unknown joint translations. Moment distribution consists of a series of computational cycles, each representing an iterative step in the solution of the set of governing equations. The calculations may be stopped after two or three cycles, giving a good approximate analysis or they may be carried on to whatever degree of accuracy desired. The moment distribution method and the displacement method have the same theoretical basis. The sign convention followed in the development of the moment distribution method is the same as the one followed for the displacement method.

7.2 Basic Concepts

Before developing the moment distribution method, it is necessary to define certain terms employed in this method. The rigid frame in Fig.7-1a is composed of three prismatic members each with one end supported and the other end rigidly connected at joint K whose translations are prevented. An anti-clockwise couple is applied to the joint A. It is evident that there is only one unknown rotation for this structure and it can be solved using the displacement method. The

Chapter 15

primary unknown is and the primary system is shown in Fig.7-1b. k The canonical equation is
rkk k + RkP = 0

Fig.7-1 A rigid frame with no joint translation

Chapter 15

Construct bending moment diagrams of the primary structure M

MP

and

, as shown in Fig.7-1c and Fig.7-1d respectively. The artificial

moment reaction induced in the artificial restraint may be determined by the equilibrium condition for joint K:
rkk = 4ikA + 3ikB + i kC = S kA + S kB + S kC = S ki
i

RkP = mk

where

S ki

represents the rotational stiffness of the end k of the member

ki which is defined as the end moment at k required to produce a unite rotation at end k of the member. Sometimes the definition may also be expressed as the bending moment at k end due to the unit rotation at end k of the member. Thus the rotational stiffness of the end k of the members, shown in Fig.7-2, Ski may be determined using the slopedeflection equations. It must be noted that: 1) the end k of the member is the end where the moment applies, the end i is the farther end, the rotational stiffness of the member is dependent on the restraint of the farther end; 2) the end k may be a fixed support, or a hinge support, or a roller support. In a word, the end k can rotate but cannot translate; 3) the rotational stiffness of the members is derived from the slope-deflection equations. The readers are advised to complete the derivation.

Chapter 15

Fig.7.2 rotational stiffness of four types of members (When the farther end of a member is fixed, the rotational stiffness of the member is 4i; when the farther end of a member is simply supported, the rotational stiffness of the member is 3 i; when the farther end of a member is a sliding support, the rotational stiffness of the member is i.) Solve the canonical equation to get the rotation of the joint k:
k =
RkP mk = rkk S ki
i

The superposition of the bending moment gives:

M = M k k + M P = M k k

Thus,

Chapter 15

mk S kA M kA = S kA ( )= mk i S ki i S ki mk S kB M kB = S kB ( )= mk i S ki i S ki mk S kC M kC = S kC ( )= mk i S ki i S ki

( a)

m 1 1 S kA 1 M Ak = 2i k = S kA ( k ) = mk = M kA 2 i S ki 2 i S ki 2 M Bk = 0 = 0 M kB mk S kc M Ck = i k = S kC ( )= mk = M kC i S ki i S ki

(b)

It is evident from Eq. (a) that an external couple applied to a joint will be resisted by the members meeting at the joint in direct proportion to their rotational stiffness. The resisting moments developed at the near ends of members may be determined by the following expression:
M ki = ki mk

(7-2)

in which
ki =
S ki S ki
i

(7-3)

The ratio ki is referred to as the distribution factor for the member at near end and the moment Mki is referred to as the distribution moment. It is apparent that the distribution factors for the members which frame into a joint of a structure can be computed from the rotational stiffness of the ends of the members of the structure which frame into this joint. Thus the distribution factors for three members of the structure shown in Fig.7-1 are:

Chapter 15

kA = kB = kC =
Note that

S kA 4i 1 = = S kA + S kB + S kC 4i + 3i + i 2 S kB 3i 3 = = S kA + S kB + S kC 4i + 3i + i 8 S kC i 1 = = S kA + S kB + S kC 4i + 3i + i 8

(c )

kA + kB + kC = 1

In general

ki

S = S
i i

ki

=1

ki

That is the sum of distribution factors of the members meeting at a joint must be equal to 1. In a word the applied couple is distributed to each of the ends of the members meeting at the joints according to their distribution factors. Thus the distributed moments of the frame shown in Fig.7-1 are:
1 M kA = kA mk = mk 2 3 M kB = kB mk = mk 8 1 M kC = kC mk = mk 8

(d )

The moments at far ends can be calculated using the slope-deflection equations and the results are shown in Eq. (b). They may be expressed in a general form:
M ik = C ki M ki

(7-4)

where Cki is referred to as the carry over factor and is defined as the ratio of moment at far end to the moment at the near end. That is, when the distributed moment Mki is applied to the near end k of the member ki,

Chapter 15

C ki M ki

will be carried over to the far end i of the member. The moment

at the far end, i.e., the product of the distributed moment and the carry over factor is call carry over moment. The carry over factor is determined according to the restraint of the far end of the member. It is evident from Eq. (b) that:
C ki = 1 2

when the far end is fixed; when the far end is simply supported; when the far end is slidely supported (7-5)

C ki = 0 C ki = 1

Thus the carry over moments of the frame shown in Fig.7-1 are:

1 M Ak = CkA M kA = mk 4 M Bk = CkB M kB = 0

1 M Ck = CkC M kC = mk 8 The bending moment diagram is shown in Fig.7-1 (e). The procedure of the solving can be summarized as follows: the applied couple to joint k is distributed to each near end of members meeting at the joint k according to their distribution factors and the distributed moments are carried over to each of the far ends of the members to produce carry over moments according to their carry over factors.

(e )

7.3 Process of Moment Distribution Method

In this section the solution procedure of moment distribution method for structures with no joint translations will be developed. The basic idea underlying the method may be illustrated by considering the analysis of a continuous beam shown in Fig.7-3. It is apparent that there is only one unknown rotation for this structure. The actual system shown in Fig.7-3a could be considered as the sum of two systems shown in Fig.7-3b and c. The system shown in Fig.73b, which represent the structure is subjected to the external load only, is called fixed system. The system shown in Fig.7-3c, which represent the

Chapter 15

structure is subjected to the joint rotation only, is called rotate system.

Fig.7-3

The member-end moments of fixed system can be determined and are referred to as fixed-end bending moments. For the structure shown in Fig.7-3d, consider the equilibrium condition for joint K and we have
F F FRP = M KA + M KC =

1 F FP l = M Ki 8

For the rotation system, if

mK

is determined, all member-end bending

moments can be obtained as discussed in the previous section and they are called distributed moments and carry over moments. For the actual system, the equilibrium condition for joint K gives
FR = FRP m K = 0

So

mK

is obtained from the equilibrium condition for joint K and is

referred to as unbalanced moment. The solution process is illustrated schematically as follows.

Chapter 15

Fig.7-4 The final bending moment diagram is shown in Fig.7-5.

Fig.7-5

Example 7-1 Construct bending moment diagram of continues beam shown in Fig.7-6.

Fig.7-6 Solution 1. Calculate distribution factors and determine carry over factors For joint B, we have

Chapter 15

10

BC =
3

EI EI +4 l l 4 EI l

EI l

3 = 0.429 7

BC =
3

EI EI +4 l l

4 = 0.571 7

ki

= BA + BC = 0.429 + 0.571 = 1

C BA = 0

C BC =

1 2

For joint C, we have

CB =
3 4 EI EI +4 l l 3 EI l EI l = 4 = 0.571 7

CD =

EI EI 3 +4 l l

4 = 0.429 7

ki

= CB + CD = 0.571 + 0.429 = 1

C CB =

1 2

C CD = 0

2. Compute fixed-end moments For member AB, we have

F M AB =0
F M BA =

3 3 FP l = 630 0.35 = 41.344kNm 16 16

For member BC, we have

1 1 F M BC = FP l = 750 0.35 = 32.8125kNm 8 8 1 1 F M CB = FP l = 750 0.35 = 32.8125kNm 8 8

For member CD, we have

F M CD = 41.344kNm F M DC =0

Chapter 15

11

3. Process of computation The computation process is illustrated in Fig.7-7.

Fig.7-7 4. Bending moment and shearing force diagrams. The internal force diagrams are shown in Fig.7-8.

Fig.7-7

Chapter 15

12