CHAPTER 1: SLOPE DEFLECTION METHOD FOR STATICALLY INDERTERMINATE BEAMS

1.0 INTRODUCTION

The slope-deflection method uses displacements as unknowns and is referred to as a

displacement method. In the slope-deflection method, the moments at the ends of the members
are expressed in terms of displacements and end rotations of these ends.

An important characteristic of the slope-deflection method is that it does not become

increasingly complicated to apply as the number of unknowns in the problem increases. In the
slope-deflection method the individual equations are relatively easy to construct regardless of
the number of unknowns

2.0 DERIVATION OF THE SLOPE-DEFLECTION EQUATION

When the loads are applied to a frame or to a continuous beam, the member will develop end
moments and become deformed as indicated. The notation used in the figure will be followed.

Fundamental Slope-Deflection Equations:

A B
A

MAB
B
MBA

[ ]

[ ]

Where:

Case A: Fixed End Moment

w

A B

FEMAB FEMBA
 CHAPTER 1: SLOPE DEFLECTION METHOD FOR STATICALLY INDERTERMINATE BEAMS

Table of Fixed End Moments

Case B: rotation at A

MAB
A
A B
MBA
 CHAPTER 1: SLOPE DEFLECTION METHOD FOR STATICALLY INDERTERMINATE BEAMS

Case C: displacement of end B related to end A

MAB

MBA
A

3.0 ANALYSIS OF BEAMS SLOPE DEFLECTION METHOD

General Procedure:

Step 1: Scan the beam and identify the number of (a) segments and (b) kinematic unknowns. A
segment is the portion of the beam between two nodes. Kinematic unknowns are those rotations
and displacements that are not zero and must be computed. The support or end conditions of
the beam will help answer the question.

Step 2: For each segment, generate the two governing equations. Check the end conditions to see
whether one of the end rotations is zero or not (it is not possible for both the end rotations and
other deflection components to be zero). If there are no element loads, the FEM term is zero. If
there are one or more element loads, use the appropriate formula to compute the FEM for each
element load and then sum all the FEMs. If one end of the segment displace relative to the other,
compute the chord rotation; otherwise it is zero.

Step 3: For each kinematic unknown, generate an equilibrium condition using the free-body
diagram.

Step 4: Solve for all unknowns by combining all the equations from steps 2 and 3. Now the
equations are entirely in terms of the kinematic unknowns.

Step 5: Compute the support reactions with appropriate FBDs.

 CHAPTER 1: SLOPE DEFLECTION METHOD FOR STATICALLY INDERTERMINATE BEAMS

Example 1:

A continuous beam is supported and loaded as shown in the figure. Analyze the beam for support
moments and reactions.

60 kN 25 kN

A B

3m 3m 3m
 CHAPTER 1: SLOPE DEFLECTION METHOD FOR STATICALLY INDERTERMINATE BEAMS

Example 2:
5 kN

10 kN/m
B C
A
2I I

4m 2m
 CHAPTER 1: SLOPE DEFLECTION METHOD FOR STATICALLY INDERTERMINATE BEAMS

Example 3

16 kN 80 kN
16 kN
10 kN/m
C D
A B
I I I

2.5 m 2.5 m 2.5 m 2.5 m