MOMENT

DISTRIBUTION
METHOD
BY: MARIA CARISSA M. LANDOY, RCE
INTRODUCTION

1. Moment distribution is based on the

method of successive approximation
developed by Hardy Cross in 1930 in his
stay at the University of Illinois at
Urbana-Champaign (UIUC).
INTRODUCTION

2. Moment distribution is a method of

successive approximations that may be
carried out to any desired degree of
accuracy
INTRODUCTION
3. The method begins by assuming each
joint of a structure is fixed. Then, by
unlocking and locking each joint in
succession, the internal moments at the
joints are “distributed” and balanced
until the joints have rotated to their final
or nearly final positions
DEFINITION OF TERMS

• CARRY-OVER MOMENT - is defined

as the moment induced at the fixed
end of a beam by the action of the
moment applied at the other end.
DEFINITION OF TERMS
DEFINITION OF TERMS

• BEAM STIFFNESS - is the moment

required to produce unit rotation at the
simply supported end of a beam, the
other end being rigidly fixed.
DEFINITION OF TERMS
DEFINITION OF TERMS

• Modified K - For hinge and roller ends,

multiply K by 3/4 to eliminate further
distribution of moment on that support.
DEFINITION OF TERMS

• Fixed End Moments (FEM)

Assume that each span of continuous
beam to be fully restrained against
rotation then fixed-end moments at the
ends its members are computed.
DEFINITION OF TERM
DEFINITION OF TERM
DEFINITION OF TERMS

• Distribution Factor, DF
At a joint, the distribution factor of a
member is the ratio of the bending
stiffness of the member to the sum of
bending stiffness of all the members
connected to the joint.
DEFINITION OF TERMS

In general, the end moments of any two

adjacent spans are not equal creating an
unbalanced moment at the joint. This
unbalanced moment is then distributed in
percentage equal to the distribution factor.
DEFINITION OF TERMS

Note:
DF = 0 for fixed end.
DF = 1 for hinged or roller end.
PROCEDURE FOR ANALYSIS

1. Assume that all joints at which the

moments in the connecting spans
must be determined are initially
locked.
2. Determine the moment that is
needed to put each joint in
equilibrium.
PROCEDURE FOR ANALYSIS

3. Release or “unlock” the joints and

distribute the counterbalancing
moments into the connecting span at
each joint.
4. Carry these moments in each span
over to its other end by multiplying
each moment by the carry-over factor.
PROCEDURE FOR ANALYSIS

5. By repeating this cycle of locking and

unlocking the joints, it will be found that
the moment corrections will diminish
since the beam tends to achieve its
final deflected shape.
3

EXAMPLES
3 Example#1:
For the beam shown below, determine the
reactions.
3 Answer:

M2 = 1604.32 lb.ft
3 Example#2:
Determine the reaction of the given
structure below.

30 kN /m
3 Answer:

𝑀𝐴 = 91.875 𝑘𝑁. 𝑚
𝑅𝐴 = 13.125 𝑘𝑁
𝑅𝐵 = 223.125 𝑘𝑁
3 Example#3:
Determine the reaction at A and C of the
given structure below.

25 ft
3 Answer:

𝑉𝐶 = 20.63 𝑘
𝑉𝐴 = 30.63 𝑘
3 Example#4:
Draw the shear and moment diagram of
the beam below. E is constant.
3 Answer:
3 Example#5:
Determine the moment at B and C.
3 Answer:

𝑀𝐶 = 275.28 𝑘. 𝑓𝑡
𝑀𝐵 = 205.28 𝑘. 𝑓𝑡
3

BOARD
WORK
3 Boardwork#1 :
For the beam shown below, determine the
reaction and moment at point B.
3 Answer:

𝑀𝐵 = 262.8 𝑘. 𝑓𝑡
𝑅𝐵 = 96.28 k
3 Boardwork#2 :
Calculate the moment at B and C for the
given beam below.
3 Answer:

𝑀𝐶 = 405.7 𝑓𝑡 − 𝑘
𝑀𝐵 = 239.1 𝑓𝑡 − 𝑘
3 Boardwork#3 :
For the beam shown below, determine the
moment at B and C.
3 Answer:

𝑀𝐵 = 328.1 𝑘. 𝑓𝑡
𝑀𝐶 = 173. 9 k. ft
3 Boardwork#4 :
Calculate the vertical reaction at B and
moment at C for the given beam below.
3 Answer:

𝑀𝐶 = 268.9 𝑘. 𝑓𝑡
𝑉𝐵 = 64.59 𝑘.
3 Boardwork#5 :
Calculate the moment at A and C for the
given beam below.
3 Answer:

𝑀𝐷 = 430.3 𝑓𝑡. 𝑘
𝑀𝐴 = 87.2 𝑓𝑡. 𝑘
3 Boardwork#6 :
For the cantilever beam shown, determine
the support reactions at the fixed-end of
the beam.
3 Answer:

𝑀𝐴 = 13.145 𝑘𝑁. 𝑚
𝑅𝐴 = 15.387 kN
3 Boardwork#7 :
Calculate the moment at B and C for the
given beam below.
3 Answer:

𝑀𝐶 = 250 𝑓𝑡. 𝑘
𝑀𝐵 = 160 𝑓𝑡. 𝑘
3 Boardwork#8 :
Calculate the moment at A and D for the
given beam below.
3 Answer:

𝑀𝐴 = 279 ft − k
𝑀𝐷 = 171 ft−k
3 Boardwork#9 :
Calculate the moments acting at A and B
for the following beam shown.
3 Answer:

𝑀𝐴 = 51.9 𝑘𝑁. 𝑚
𝑀𝐵 = 85.2 kN.m
3 Boardwork#10 :
Determine all moment A & D for the beam
of which is assumed to have the following
support settlements: A=1.25 in., B=2.40 in.,
C=2.75 in., and D=1.10 in.
3 Answer:

𝑀𝐵 = 151.5 ft − k
𝑀𝐶 = 369 ft−k

Note: some error due to rounding off

numbers.