structural theory

--MOMENT AREA METHOD

4. Apply the Moment-Area Theorem 1 in determining the
slope in a beam. (CO1, CO2)

5. Apply the Moment-Area Theorem 2 in determining the

deflection in a beam. (CO1, CO2)
1-4
▪ Developed by Otto Mohr

▪ Later stated formally by Charles E. Greene in 1873

▪ Provide semi-graphical technique in determining
➢ the slope of the elastic curve

➢ deflection due to bending

▪ Advantageous:
➢ Beam subjected to series of concentrated load

➢ Segments having different moment of inertia

The change in slope between any two
points on the elastic curve equals the
area of the M/EI diagram between
these two points.
▪ θB/A is referred to as the angle of the tangent at B is measured with
respect to the tangent at A.
▪ Angle is measured counterclockwise from tangent A to tangent B if
the are of M/EI diagram is positive.
▪ Negative – clockwise
▪ Measured as radians
The vertical deviation of the tangent at a point
(A) on the elastic curve with respect to the
tangent extended from another point (B)
equals the “moment” of the area under the
M/EI diagram between the two points (A and
B). This moment is computed about point A
(the point on the elastic curve), where the
deviation tA/B is to be determined.
A B
B/ A tB / A
▪ Determine the slope at points B and C of the beam.
▪ Determine the deflection at points B and C of the beam.
▪ E = 200 GPa and I = 360 x 106 mm4.

Ans. θB = -0.00521 rad and θC = -0.00694 rad

1. Set your reference line. You can set reference line in anywhere of the beam. The technique is to set the
reference line in which it can simplify your calculations. With this problem, setting reference line at the fixed
support “A” may reduce our calculations by means of calculating the reactions there is not necessary
because moment diagram is derived from by taking moment about the reference point.
2. Solve the reactions (if necessary).
3. Draw the moment diagram by taking moment about the reference point. All the reactions/loads present at
the reference point will not be included since the moment arm is zero.
10 kN

+↑
A
5m
B
5m
C +↺
• 10 kN is a downward force so negative
0 area.
• The construction of line will always be
towards to the reference line.
• Review the LECTURE 7 about the degree
of curve in M-diagram of different loads.
−10 10 −100 So, the concentrated load would have 1st
=
𝐸𝐼 𝐸𝐼 M/EI diagram degree curve.
4. Derive relationship between the angles/deflections by drawing the deflection curve of the beam due to
load/s; and tangent line/s at support/s and desired point. Then solve the unknown.
Required: SLOPE at B

tan A
ϴA/B

ϴB
Angle measure at
Tangent line A with Angle at B with
respect to tangent respect to horizontal
line B tan B
Deflection curve

The two angles are congruent angles as shown. 𝜃𝐴/𝐵 = 𝜃𝐵

M/EI diagram:
𝜃𝐴/𝐵 = 𝜃𝐵
5m 5m
A B C 𝜃𝐴/𝐵 = is the area under M/EI diagram
0
between points A and B
h To calculate the height of load at B is by
−100
similarity of triangles: ℎ −100/𝐸𝐼
𝐸𝐼 =
5 10

50 1 50 375 50
ℎ=−
𝜃𝐴/𝐵 =− 5 + − 5 =− = 𝜃𝐵 𝐸𝐼
𝐸𝐼 2 𝐸𝐼 𝐸𝐼
375 −375 𝑘𝑁 ∙ 𝑚3
𝜃𝐵 = − = 6 2 −6 4
= −0.0052 𝑟𝑎𝑑
𝐸𝐼 200 × 10 𝑘𝑁 ∙ 𝑚 360 × 10 𝑚
𝜃𝐵 = −0.0052 𝑟𝑎𝑑 The negative sign means it rotates clockwise.
4. Derive relationship between the angles/deflections by drawing the deflection curve of the beam due to
load/s; and tangent line/s at support/s and desired point. Then solve the unknown.
Required: SLOPE at C

tan A
ϴA/C

Angle measure at Angle at B with

Tangent line A with respect to horizontal
respect to tangent
line C
Deflection curve
ϴC
The two angles are congruent angles as shown. 𝜃𝐴/𝐶 = 𝜃𝐶 tan C
M/EI diagram:
𝜃𝐴/𝐶 = 𝜃𝐶
5m 5m
A B C 𝜃𝐴/𝐶 = is the area under M/EI diagram
0
between points A and C

−100
𝐸𝐼

1 100 500
𝜃𝐴/𝐶 = − 10 = − = 𝜃𝐶
2 𝐸𝐼 𝐸𝐼
375 −500 𝑘𝑁 ∙ 𝑚3
𝜃𝐶 = − = 6 2 −6 4
= −0.0069 𝑟𝑎𝑑
𝐸𝐼 200 × 10 𝑘𝑁 ∙ 𝑚 360 × 10 𝑚
𝜃𝐶 = −0.0069 𝑟𝑎𝑑 The negative sign means it rotates clockwise.
4. Derive relationship between the angles/deflections by drawing the deflection curve of the beam due to
load/s; and tangent line/s at support/s and desired point. Then solve the unknown.
Required: DEFLECTION at B

tan A

tB/A = ∆B

tB/A is vertical deviation measured from

deflection curve at point C up to tangent line A.
tan B
Deflection curve

As shown in figure, tB/A = ∆ B

M/EI diagram:
𝑡𝐵/𝐴 = ∆𝐵
5m 5m
A B C 𝑡𝐵/𝐴 = is the area under M/EI diagram
0
between points A and B moment about B.
h To calculate the height of load at B is by
−100
similarity of triangles: ℎ −100/𝐸𝐼
𝐸𝐼 =
5 10

50 1 50 2 3125 50
ℎ=−
𝑡𝐵/𝐴 =− 5 (2.5) + − 5 (5) = − = ∆𝐵 𝐸𝐼
𝐸𝐼 2 𝐸𝐼 3 3𝐸𝐼
3125 −3125 𝑘𝑁 ∙ 𝑚3
∆𝐵 = − = 6 2 −6 4
= −0.0145 𝑚
3𝐸𝐼 3 200 × 10 𝑘𝑁 ∙ 𝑚 360 × 10 𝑚
𝜃𝐵 = −14.5 𝑚𝑚 The negative sign means it deflects downward.
4. Derive relationship between the angles/deflections by drawing the deflection curve of the beam due to
load/s; and tangent line/s at support/s and desired point. Then solve the unknown.
Required: DEFLECTION AT C

tan A

tC/A = ∆ C
tA/C is vertical deviation measured from tangent
line A up to deflection curve at point C.

Deflection curve

As shown in figure, tC/A = ∆ C tan C

M/EI diagram:
𝑡𝐶/𝐴 = ∆𝐶
5m 5m
A B C 𝑡𝐶/𝐴 = is the area under M/EI diagram
0
between points A and C moment about C.

−100
𝐸𝐼

1 100 2 10000
𝑡𝐶/𝐴 = − 10 (10) = − = ∆𝐶
2 𝐸𝐼 3 3𝐸𝐼
10000 −10000𝑘𝑁 ∙ 𝑚3
∆𝐶 = − = 6 2 −6 4
= −0.0463 𝑚𝑚
3𝐸𝐼 3 200 × 10 𝑘𝑁 ∙ 𝑚 360 × 10 𝑚
∆𝐶 = −46.30 𝑚𝑚 The negative sign means it deflects downward.
▪ Determine the slope at point C of the beam.
▪ E = 200 GPa and I = 6 x 106 mm4.

Ans. θC = 0.112 rad

 Reference line

Ay = By =10 KN
▪ Determine the deflection at point C of the beam.
▪ E = 200 GPa and I = 6 x 106 mm4.

Ans. ∆C = -412.5 mm
Next topic: CONJUGATE BEAM METHOD