Moment-Distribution

The method of moment distribution relies on a series of calculations that are repeated and that with every
cycle come closer to the final situation. In this way we are able to avoid solving simultaneous equations.
Inspection of the slope-deflection equations shows us that the final end-moments depend on 4 effects
namely, θA, θB, ψAB and the fixed end moments, FEM. By using moment-distribution we are able to
investigate each effect separately. The following beam will be used to illustrate moment-distribution.

Rotation is possible at both B and C

Rotation at B and C are prevented and the load is applied.

FEM will result. These are called the initial moments.

Allow B to rotate until moment equilibrium is reached.

Rotation at B will induce a moment at C.

Allow C to rotate until moment equilibrium is reached. The

rotation of C will induce a moment at B.

Repeat this process until moment equilibrium is reached at

the nodes.

Assume that the sum of the initial moments at the node B is equal to M0.

Rotation will take place until moment equilibrium is attained, i.e., sum moments ΣMB = 0.

D
Therefore: MBA + MBC
D
+ M0 = 0
D
Where MBA D
and MBC are the moments as a result of the rotation at B, θB, and are called the distribution
moments. Remember that all the other rotations and sway are prevented.

2 ⋅ EI AB 4 ⋅ EI AB ⋅ θ B 2 ⋅ EIBC 4 ⋅ EIBC ⋅ θ B
D
MBA = ⋅ (2 ⋅θB ) = D
. In a similar fashion MBC = ⋅ (2 ⋅θB ) =
LAB LAB LBC LBC
D
But: MBA + MBC
D
+ M0 = 0
Solve for θB.

M0
θB = −
4 ⋅ EI AB 4 ⋅ EIBC
+
LAB LBC

Solve the distribution moments.

Moment-distribution Page 1 of 12 8/6/2007

 4 ⋅ EI AB
⋅ M0
LAB k ⋅ M0 k ⋅ M0
D
MBA =− = − BA = − BA
4 ⋅ EI AB 4 ⋅ EIBC
+
kBA + kBC ∑ kB
LAB LBC
4 ⋅ EIBC
⋅ M0
LBC k ⋅ M0 k ⋅ M0
D
MBC =− = − BC = − BC
4 ⋅ EI AB 4 ⋅ EIBC
+
kBA + kBC ∑ kB
LAB LBC

kBA is the stiffness of the member BA at the node B. It is also the moment that would be induced if a unit
rotation were applied at B in the member BA and the rotation at A was zero.

If B rotates a bending moment will be induced at A and C. Assume a rotation θB and calculate the moment at
A.

2 ⋅ ELAB M0
D
M AB = ⋅ (θ B ) , but bear in mind that θ B = −
LAB 4 ⋅ EI 4 ⋅ EIBC
AB
+
LAB LBC
2 ⋅ EI AB
⋅ M0
LAB
D
M AB =−
4 ⋅ EI AB 4 ⋅ EIBC
+
LAB LBC

The distributed bending moment is half the value of the distributed bending moment at B. This is called the
carry-over factor, CBA = ½.

The same solution may be obtained if one remembers that the stiffness of a member is the moment that is
induced if a unit rotation is applied at the node.

2 ⋅ EI AB 2 ⋅ EI AB 4 ⋅ EI AB
M AB = k AB = ⋅ (2 ⋅θA ) = ⋅ ( 2 ⋅ 1,0 ) =
LAB LAB LAB
2 ⋅ EI AB 2 ⋅ EI AB 2 ⋅ EI AB
MBA = ⋅ (θ A ) = ⋅ (1,0 ) =
LAB LAB LAB

MBA 1
CAB = =
M AB 2

Moment-distribution Page 2 of 12 8/6/2007

Example:

Use the method of moment-distribution to determine the bending moment diagramme of the following beam.

Distribution at A and B

Stiffness of members at A: Distribution Factors

4 ⋅ EI AB 4 ⋅ EI k AB 1,0
k AB = = = 1,0 DAB = = = 1,0
LAB 4 ∑ k 1,0
∑ k = 1,0
Stiffness of members at B:
4 ⋅ EIBA 4 ⋅ EI k AB 1,0
kBA = = = 1,0 DAB = = = 0,60
LAB 4 ∑ k 1,66667
4 ⋅ EIBC 4 ⋅ EI kBC 0,66667
kBC = = = 0,66667 DBC = = = 0,40
LBC 6 ∑ 1,66667
k
∑ k = 1,66667
Initial Moments:
W ⋅ L 10 ⋅ 4
0
M AB = FEM AB = = = +5,0 kN.m
8 8
W ⋅L 10 ⋅ 4
0
MBA = FEMBA =− =− = −5,0 kN.m
8 8
w ⋅ L2 5 ⋅ 62
0
MBC = FEMBC =+ =+ = 15,0 kN.m
12 12
w ⋅ L2 5 ⋅ 62
0
MCB = FEMCB =− =− = −15,0 kN.m
12 12

Moment-distribution Page 3 of 12 8/6/2007

Distribution of the moments:

Carry over factors ½ ½

Action MAB MBA MBC MCB
Distribution factors 1,00 0,60 0,40
Initial moments + 5,000 - 5,000 + 15,000 - 15,000
Allow rotation of A - 5,000 ½ - 2,500
Allow rotation of B - 2,250 ½ - 4,500 -3,000 ½ -1,500
Allow rotation of A + 2,250 + 1,125
Allow rotation of B - 0,3375 - 0,675 - 0,450 - 0,225
Allow rotation of A + 0,3375 + 0,1688
Allow rotation of B - 0,051 - 0,1013 - 0,0675 - 0,0338
Allow rotation of A + 0,051 + 0,0255
- 0,0153 - 0,0102
0,000 - 11,472 + 11,472 - 16,759

Members with a hinge on one side:

Assume a member with a hinge at B.

Stiffness = moment required to induce a unit rotation at A:

3 ⋅ EI AB 3 ⋅ EI AB
k AB = M AB = (θ A ) =
LAB LAB
1
0
M AB = FEM AB − FEMBA
2

Redo example 1 using the stiffness of a member with a hinge.

3 ⋅ EIBA 3 ⋅ EI k AB 0,750
kBA = = = 0,750 DAB = = = 0,52941
LAB 4 ∑ k 1,41667
4 ⋅ EIBC 4 ⋅ EI kBC 0,66667
kBC = = = 0,66667 DBC = = = 0,47059
LBC 6 ∑ 1,41667
k
∑ k = 1,41667
W ⋅L 1  W ⋅L 
0
MBA = FEMBA − 1 FEM AB = − − ⋅ + = −7,50 kN.m
2 8 2  8 
w ⋅ L2 5 ⋅ 62
0
MBC = FEMBC = + =+ = 15,0 kN.m
12 12

Moment-distribution Page 4 of 12 8/6/2007

 w ⋅ L2 5 ⋅ 62
0
MCB = FEMCB = − =− = −15,0 kN.m
12 12

MBA MBC MCB

Dist Factors 0,52941 0,47059
Init moments - 7,500 + 15,000 - 15,000
Rotate B - 3,9706 - 3,5294 - 1,7647
-11,4706 + 11,4706 -16,7647

Example 3:

Determine the bending moment diagramme of the following structure.

Rotation will occur at B and C.

Stiffness at B

3 ⋅ EIBA 3 ⋅ 2EI kBA 1,5

kBA = = = 1,5 DBA = = = 0,2727
LAB 4 ∑ k 5,5
3 ⋅ EIBE 3 ⋅ EI kBE 1,0
kBE = = = 1,0 DBE = = = 0,1818
LBE 3 ∑ k 5,5
4 ⋅ EIBC 4 ⋅ 3EI kBC 3,0
kBC = = = 3,00 DBC = = = 0,5455
LBC 4 ∑ 5,5
k
∑ k = 5,5
4 ⋅ EICB 4 ⋅ 3EI kCB 3,0
kCB = = = 3,0 DCB = = = 0,600
LCB 4 ∑ 5,0
k
4 ⋅ EICD 4 ⋅ 2EI kCD 2,0
kCD = = = 2,0 DCD = = = 0,400
LCD 4 ∑ k 5,0
∑ k = 5,0
Initial moments:

W ⋅L 20 ⋅ 4
0
MBC = FEMBC = + =+ = +10,0 kN.m
8 8

Moment-distribution Page 5 of 12 8/6/2007

 W ⋅L 10 ⋅ 4
0
MCB = FEMCB = − =− = −10,0 kN.m
8 8

MAB MBE MBC MCB MCD MDC

0,2727 0,1818 0,5455 0,600 0,400
+10,0000 -10,000
-2,727 -1.818 -5.455 -2,728
+3,818 +7,637 +5,091 +2,545
-1,041 -0,694 -2,083 -1,041
+0,312 +0,625 +0,416 +0,208
-0,085 -0,057 -0,170 -0,085
+0,051 +0,034
-3,853 -2,569 +6,422 -5,541 +5,541 +2,753

Structural Frames with Sway.

Frames with a sway mechanism may be tackled by preventing the sway and calculating the force required to
prevent the sway, call this P. Arbitrary sway is then applied to the structure and the force that leads to the
arbitrary sway is calculated, call this Q. Apply the super-position equation as neither of the forces are really
there.

P+xQ=0

Final bending moment = Bending moment with sway prevented + x times bending moment with arbitrary
sway.

Example 4:

Determine the bending moment diagramme of the following sway structure. The support A is a hinge, E is
fixed and D is a roller. There is a hinge in BC at C.

Force P prevents the sway and force Q induces the arbitrary sway.
Apply force P to prevent the sway. Rotation will occur at B and at C.

Moment-distribution Page 6 of 12 8/6/2007

At B

3 ⋅ EI AB 3 ⋅ EI k BA 0,6
k BA = = = 0,6 DBA = = = 0,375
L AB 5 ∑k 1,6
3 ⋅ EI BC 3 ⋅ 2EI k BC 1,0
k BC = = = 1,0 DBC = = = 0,625
LBC 6 ∑k 1,6

∑ k = 1,6 ∑ D = 1,000
At C

3 ⋅ EI CD 3 ⋅ 2EI k CD 1,0
k CD = = = 1,00 DCD = = = 0,5556
LCD 6 ∑k 1,8
4 ⋅ EI CE 4 ⋅ EI k CE 0,8
k CE = = = 0,8 DCE = = = 0,4444
LCE 5 ∑k 1,8

∑ k = 1,8 ∑ D = 1,000

Initial moments:

0
M BC = FEM BC − 1 FEM CB
2
w ⋅L2  − w ⋅ L2  10 ⋅ 6 2 10 ⋅ 6 2
0
M BC = −1   = + = +45,00 kN.m
12 2  12  12 2 ⋅ 12
 

MBA MBC MCD MCE MEC

0,375 0,625 0,5556 0,4444
+45,000
-16,875 -28,125
-16,875 +16,875 0 0 0

Force, P, that prevents sway:

Take moments about O1.

Σ MO1 = 0. - Px4 + VAB x 10 = 0

Moment-distribution Page 7 of 12 8/6/2007

 −M BA − 16,875
V AB = = = −8,4375 kN
L AB 5

Arbitrary Sway

Choose ψAB as the unknown angle and calculate all others in terms of this angle.
BB' CC '
BB' = 5 ⋅ ψ ψ O1B = ψ BC = =ψ CC ' = 5 ⋅ ψ ψ O2C = ψ CD = = −0,5 ⋅ ψ
5 10
Assuming that all rotation angles are equal to 0 and there are sway angle it is possible to write the initial
moments in terms of these sway angle.

2 ⋅ EI AB
Standard case: M AB = (2 ⋅ θ A + θ B − 3 ⋅ ψ AB ) with θ angles = 0
L AB
− 6 ⋅ EI AB (ψ AB )
M AB =
L AB
3 ⋅ EI AB
Modified form: M AB = (θ A − ψ AB ) with θ angles = 0
L AB
− 3 ⋅ EI AB (ψ AB )
M AB =
L AB

Therefore:

MBA : MBC : MCD : MCE : MEC

3 ⋅ EI AB ⋅ ψ AB 3 ⋅ EI BC ⋅ ψ BC 3 ⋅ EI CD ⋅ ψCD 6 ⋅ EI CE ⋅ ψ CE 6 ⋅ EI CE ⋅ ψ CE
− : − :− : − :−
L AB LBC LCD LCE LCE
3 ⋅ EI ⋅ ( −ψ ) 3 ⋅ 2EI ⋅ ( +ψ ) 3 ⋅ 2EI ⋅ ( −0,5 ⋅ ψ ) 6 ⋅ EI ⋅ ( −ψ ) 6 ⋅ EI ⋅ ( −ψ )
− :− :− :− :−
5 6 6 5 5
0,6 EI : -1,0 EI : 0,5 EI : 1,2 EI : 1,2 EI

Set EI = 20

12 : -20 : 10 : 24 : 24

Moment-distribution Page 8 of 12 8/6/2007

 MBA MBC MCD MCE MEC
0,375 0,625 0,5556 0,4444
12,000 -20,000 +10,000 +24,000 +24,00
+3,000 +5,000 -18,890 -15,110 -7,555

+15,000 -15,000 -8,890 +8,890 +16,445

∑ MO1 = 0
- 4 x Q + 3 x 10 – 16,445 + 5,067 x 10 – 1,4817 x 9 = 0

Q = 12,7237 kN

Superposition equation:

P+xQ=0
X = 0,66313

Final bending moments:

MF = M sway prevented + x M arbitrary sway

MBA MBC MCD MCE MEC

-16,875 +16,875 0 0 0 M sway prevented
+9,947 -9,947 -5,895 +5,895 +10,905 x M arbitrary sway
-6,928 +6,928 -5,895 +5,895 +10,905 MF

Moment-distribution Page 9 of 12 8/6/2007

Final Bending Moment Diagramme.

Structure with Displacement of a Support

Example 5:

Determine the bending moment diagramme of the structure if E = 200 GPa, I = 150 x 10-6 m4 and the support
E moves 20 mm to the right.

View the structure with the displacement of the support.

+20
EE’ = 20 mm, therefore: ψ O1B = = ψ O1C = ψ CE
4000
20
CC ' = ψ O1C ⋅ 3000 = ⋅ 3000 = 15 mm
4000

CC ' −15 CC ' 15

ψ BC = = ψ DC = =
6000 6000 6000 6000

Use the slope-deflection equations to determine the initial moments with all rotations θ equal to zero.

Moment-distribution Page 10 of 12 8/6/2007

 2 ⋅ EI BC
0
M BC = (2 ⋅ θ B + θ C − 3 ⋅ ψ BC ) + FEM BC
LBC
6 −6 2
2 ⋅ 2EI
0
M BC = (− 3 ⋅ ψ BC ) + FEM BC = 2 ⋅ 2 ⋅ 200 x10 ⋅ 150 x10  − 3 ⋅ − 15  + 45 ⋅ 42⋅ 2
6 6  6000  6
0
M BC = 150 + 20 = 170 kN.m

6 −6 2
2 ⋅ 2EI
0
M CB = (− 3 ⋅ ψ BC ) + FEM CB = 2 ⋅ 2 ⋅ 200 x10 ⋅ 150 x10  − 3 ⋅ − 15  + − 45 ⋅ 24 ⋅ 2
6 6  6000  6
0
M CB = 150 − 40 = 110 kN.m

6 −6
3 ⋅ 2EI
0
M CD = (− ψ CD ) = 3 ⋅ 2 ⋅ 200 x10 ⋅ 150 x10  − 15 
6 6  6000 
0
M CD = −75 kN.m

6 −6
3 ⋅ EI
0
M CE = (− ψ CE ) = 3 ⋅ 200 x10 ⋅ 150 x10  − 20 
5 5  4000 
0
M CE = −90 kN.m

At B

4 ⋅ EI AB 4 ⋅ EI k BA 1,0
k BA = = = 1,0 DBA = = = 0,4286
L AB 4 ∑k 2,3333
4 ⋅ EI BC 4 ⋅ 2EI k BC 1,3333
k BC = = = 1,3333 DBC = = = 0,5714
LBC 6 ∑k 2,3333

∑ k = 2,3333 ∑ D = 1,000
At C

4 ⋅ EI CB 4 ⋅ 2EI k CB 1,3333
k CB = = = 1,3333 DCB = = = 0,4546
LCB 6 ∑ k 2,9333
3 ⋅ EI CD 3 ⋅ 2EI k CD 1,000
k CD = = = 1,000 DCD = = = 0,3409
LCD 6 ∑ k 2,9333
3 ⋅ EI CE 3 ⋅ EI k CE 0,6
k CE = = = 0,6000 DCE = = = 0,2045
LBCE 5 ∑ k 2,9333

∑ k = 2,9333 ∑ D = 1,000

Moment-distribution Page 11 of 12 8/6/2007

 MAB MBA MBC MCB MCD MCE
0,4286 0,5714 0,4546 0,3409 0,2045
+170,000 +110,000 -75,000 -90,000
-36,431 -72,862 -97,138 -48,569
+23,541 +47,082 +35,307 +21,180
-5,045 -10,090 -13,451 -6,726
+1,529 +3,058 +2,293 +1,375
-0,328 -0,655 -0,874 -0,437
+0,099 +0,199 +0,149 +0,089
-0,042 -0,057

-41,804 -83,649 +83,649 +104,607 -37,251 -67,356

Final Bending Moment Diagramme

Moment-distribution Page 12 of 12 8/6/2007