EV204 Theory of Structure

Structure of Chapter

CHAPTER 9:

MOMENT DISTRIBUTION METHOD

a) Introduction – Definitions and Terminologies

b) Basic Concept
c) Beam Analysis
d) Frame Analysis

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Prepared by: Dr. Brenda Lee C. T.
 EV204 Theory of Structure
MOMENT DISTRIBUTION METHOD
Introduction - Definition and Terminologies
REF: Textbook Chapter 12
• Used to analyse deformations of beams and frames due to bending
moments
• Applied on smaller structures and during preliminary designs as the use
of computers are introduced
• More popular than slope deflection method, or other methods for the
matter, as it does not involve the solving of simultaneous equations

Definitions and Terminologies

a) Sign Convention – Clockwise moment is positive

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Prepared by: Dr. Brenda Lee C. T.
 EV204 Theory of Structure
MOMENT DISTRIBUTION METHOD
Introduction - Definition and Terminologies
REF: Textbook Chapter 12
b) Member stiffness, K – the moment needed at an end of a member to cause a
unit rotation at the same end.

Illustration: M
For a beam of length L such as this, B
(far end fixed beam)

Applying slope deflection equation: M

2 EI
2   4 EI 
L L
4 EI
Thus, this will give that: K 
L
However, for a far-end hinged beam, applying slope deflection equation will
give:
3EI
K
L 3
Prepared by: Dr. Brenda Lee C. T.
 EV204 Theory of Structure
MOMENT DISTRIBUTION METHOD
Introduction - Definition and Terminologies
REF: Textbook Chapter 12 
c) Carryover moment
M B
Consider again the same beam where
a moment is applied at A.
MBA
A
Then a reaction moment,
MBA is developed at B

2 EI
Applying the slope deflection equation for MBA: M BA  
L
4 EI M
Since moment applied at A is  , then M BA 
L 2
However, for a far-end hinged beam, applying slope deflection equation will
give:
M BA  0 4
Prepared by: Dr. Brenda Lee C. T.
 EV204 Theory of Structure
MOMENT DISTRIBUTION METHOD
Introduction - Definition and Terminologies
REF: Textbook Chapter 12
MBA for both cases are called the carryover moment.

For every member, there is a carryover factor, which is the ratio of the
carryover moment to the applied moment :
M BA
CO 
M

 For beam with fixed end, CO = 0.5

 For beam with hinged end, CO = 0

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Prepared by: Dr. Brenda Lee C. T.
 EV204 Theory of Structure
MOMENT DISTRIBUTION METHOD
Introduction - Definition and Terminologies
REF: Textbook Chapter 12
d) Distribution factor - DF

• Needed when a node connects more than one member

• Tells the fraction of applied moment resisted by each member
• For example:
M BA  KWhena moment M is applied at node B,
 M members AB, BC and BD will rotate at the
D same angle.
A B 
 4 EI 3EI 4 EI 
FBD of node B will give: M     
 AB
L LBD LBC 

 M   K  ;   
M
 So, KB is the total K for all members
K
Then for member AB,
 M  M BA K
M BA  K BA     DF    BA
C  K  M KB
  6
Prepared by: Dr. Brenda Lee C. T.
 EV204 Theory of Structure
MOMENT DISTRIBUTION METHOD
Basic Concept
REF: Textbook Chapter 12
1. Start with assuming that all nodes that are free to rotate are restrained, or
clamped (all nodes are now fixed).
 Then at this stage, all nodes would developed fixed end moments due to any
loading on their members.
 This, however causes an imbalance (what is added must be subtracted) to
nodes that are actually free to rotate

2. Re-achieve equilibrium by releasing nodes that were locked in step (1) – one at a
time.
 Now the nodes are allowed to rotate under the ‘unbalanced moment’

3. When the released note rotates, it causes a moment to be developed in the

members connected to the nodes.
 Therefore, ‘unbalanced moments’ at nodes need to be distributed to the
corresponding members. This is when DF are needed to know how much
moment is transferred to each connected member.
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Prepared by: Dr. Brenda Lee C. T.
 EV204 Theory of Structure
MOMENT DISTRIBUTION METHOD
Basic Concept
REF: Textbook Chapter 12
4. The bending of a member due to the distributed moment causes carryover
moment to be developed at the other node
 When moment from a member has been carried-over to the other node, the
‘released’ node is now clamped

5. The releasing and clamping of nodes that are originally free to rotate is repeated
until all ‘unbalanced moments’ become negligible.

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Prepared by: Dr. Brenda Lee C. T.
 EV204 Theory of Structure
MOMENT DISTRIBUTION METHOD
Basic Concept
REF: Textbook Chapter 12
Procedure of analysis
a) Calculate and find DFs at all nodes that are free to rotate
b) Find fixed end moments for all nodes
c) Iteration of moment distribution

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Prepared by: Dr. Brenda Lee C. T.
 EV204 Theory of Structure
MOMENT DISTRIBUTION METHOD
Beam Analysis
REF: Textbook Chapter 12

Determine the internal

moments for the beam.
EI is constant.

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Prepared by: Dr. Brenda Lee C. T.