Introduction

The moment distribution method (not to be confused with moment redistribution) is a structural analysis method for statically indeterminate beams and frames developed by Hardy Cross. It was published in 1930 in an ASCE journal.[1] The method only accounts for flexural effects and ignores axial and shear effects. From the 1930s until computers began to be widely used in the design and analysis of structures, the moment distribution method was the most widely practiced method. Fixed end moments Fixed end moments are the moments produced at member ends by external loads when the joints are fixed. Flexural stiffness The flexural stiffness (EI/L) of a member is represented as the product of the modulus of elasticity (E) and the second moment of area (I) divided by the length (L) of the member. What is needed in the moment distribution method is not the exact value but the ratio of flexural stiffness of all members.
Distribution factors

When a joint is released and begins to rotate under the unbalanced moment, resisting forces develop at each member framed together at the joint. Although the total resistance is equal to the unbalanced moment, the magnitudes of resisting forces developed at each member differ by the members' flexural stiffness. Distribution factors can be defined as the proportions of the unbalanced moments carried by each of the members.

EXPERIMENT 4 REACTION OF A CONTINUOUS BEAM USING MOMENT DISTRIBUTION METHOD Objective To determine the reaction of two-span continuous beam by using moment distribution method Apparatus The apparatus comprise of; 1. A support frame 2. 3 Nos. reaction support pier 3. 3 Nos. dial gauges 4. 2. Nos. load hanger 5. Beam specimen 6. A meter ruler to measure the span of the beam 7. A set of weights Procedure 1. Clamped the reaction piers to the support frame using the plate and bolt supplied with the apparatus and at a predetermine distant between the support. 2. Place the beam specimen between the two cylindrical piece / knife-edge of each support. 3. Fix the load hanger at each mid-span of the beam. 4. Fix an independent dial gauge at the top of each knife edge support (see. Figure 1) 5. Place a spirit level on the beam and using the leveling handle adjusts the height of the support until the beam is level. 6. Zero the dial gauge and the force gauge reading 7. Place a suitable load on the load hanger and note the reading of dial gauges.

8. Using the leveling handle, raise or lower the height of the first support so that the dial gauge reading at this support is zero. 9. Similarly raised or lower the second support so that its dial gauge reading is zero. When doing this the dial gauge reading at support 1 and 3 will either increase or decrease. 10.Adjust the dial gauge reading at the third support by increasing or decreasing the support height so that it is zero. 11.Check all the dial gauge reading. If any of the reading is not zero adjust the support height of that particular gauge until zero. Repeat the procedure until all readings are zero indicating that the beam is once again level. 12.Record the force gauge reading at each support. This gives the reaction at that support. 13.Increase the load on the load hanger at suitable increments and for each increment repeat step 8 to 12. 14.When the desired maximum load is reached, decrease the loading on the load hanger at the same increments as above until all loads is removed from the load hanger. Results Left Hand span of beam between support Right Hand span of the beam between support Distance of load from left hand support Distance of load from the right hand support Force Gauge resolution = = = = = 0.5 mm mm mm mm N/ div

a) Point load Table 1: Reaction At The Left Hand Support Applied Load Force Gauge Reading (Support Reaction) Increasing Load Decreasing Load Average Theoretic al

(N)

div

div

Reaction (N)

Table 2: Reaction At The Middle Support Applied Load (N) Force Gauge Reading (Support Reaction) Increasing Load Decreasing Load Average div N div N N Theoretic al Reaction (N)

Table 3 : Reaction At The Right Hand Support Applied Load (N) Force Gauge Reading (Support Reaction) Increasing Load Decreasing Load Average div N div N N Theoretic al Reaction (N)

Typical Support reaction W L/2 L

W L/2 L

(support)

(support)

(support)

b) Uniformly load Table 1: Reaction At The Left Hand Support Applied Load (N/mm) Force Gauge Reading (Support Reaction) Increasing Load Decreasing Load Average div N div N N Theoretic al Reaction (N)

Table 2: Reaction At The Middle Support Applied Load (N/mm) Force Gauge Reading (Support Reaction) Increasing Load Decreasing Load Average div N div N N Theoretic al Reaction (N)

Table 3 : Reaction At The Right Hand Support

Applied Load (N/mm)

Force Gauge Reading (Support Reaction) Increasing Load Decreasing Load Average div N div N N

Theoretic al Reaction (N)

Typical Support reaction

L (support) (support)

L (support)

Analysis a) Find the reaction at each support by using moment distribution method b) Compare the percent error for experiment data and theory data c) Draw the best fit curve through the plotted points. (Reaction verses applied load) Discussion a) If the material of the beam is change from steel to aluminum, how does this affect the support reaction? Give reasons for your answer b) If thinner beam is used how does this affect the support reaction?

c) How does the experimental reactions compare with the theoretical d) How well do your experimental and theoretical values. Are you agreeing? e) State the possible factors that might influence your result and possible means of overcoming it.