MOMENT

DISTRIBUTION
(Module 5)
 79
Module V
Learning Outcomes:

At the end of this module, the student will able to:

1. Determine the values of moment and reactions, using moment distribution

method.
Introduction
In this module, part of the applications for continuous beam in the determination of
moment and support reactions. This method, is applicable for multiple span which require
iterative calculation of moments. This was developed by Hardy Cross which he prompted
to determine the values of moment by successive approximation. Its application to
continuous beam will serve to introduce this powerful tool of the structural engineer.

Several assumption will be needed in the preliminary calculations. There are four
(4) important concept in solving moment distribution: a) fixed-end moment, b) rotational
stiffness, c) lateral stiffness, and d) carry over factor.

Fixed End Moment

Any load supported by a beam fixed at both ends will induce a fixed-end moment
at each end of the beam. Table 5.1 gives the values of fixed end moments for different
types of loading.
In Fig. 5.1, it shows that the beam subjected to left moment and right moment of
the beam.

Fig. 5.1 Fixed End Moment

The signs of the fixed-end moments shall be based on the sign convention for
bending moment, both ML and MR are negative bending moments, because they tend to
make the beam concave downward at the ends. However, for consistency, the sign
adopted for moment distribution is the same as that for the slope-deflection methods
clockwise end moment and rotation of a member are considered positive.

Engr. BIENVINIDO C. BALANLAY Jr, PhD

Asso. Prof. III
 80
Module V
Table 5.1 Fixed End Moment Formulas.

Rotational Stiffness
A second concept needed for moment distribution method is rotational stiffness,
which is called the beam stiffness. Rotational stiffness is the moment required at the
simply supported end of a beam to produce unit rotation at the end, while the other end
is rigidly fixed.

Engr. BIENVINIDO C. BALANLAY Jr, PhD

Asso. Prof. III
 81
Module V

= +

Fig. 5.2 Beam Stiffness.

A beam with one end fixed while the other end is free to rotate under the action of
couple M as shown in Fig. 5.2. To determine the angle of rotation θ, we consider the
effects of moment M and the reaction R separately, and apply the area-moment method.
Thus,
𝑀𝐿 𝑀𝐿2
𝜃1 = 𝜃2 =
𝐸𝐼 2𝐸𝐼
𝑀𝐿 𝑀𝐿2 1 𝑅𝐿2 2
∆1 = ∙ ∆2 = ∙ 𝐿
𝐸𝐼 2𝐸𝐼 2 𝐸𝐼 3
𝑀𝐿2 𝑅𝐿3
∆1 = ∆2 =
2𝐸𝐼 3𝐸𝐼
2 3
𝑀𝐿 𝑅𝐿
∆1 = ∆2 : =
2𝐸𝐼 3𝐸𝐼
3𝑀
∴𝑅=
2𝐿
𝑀𝐿 𝑅𝐿2 𝑀𝐿 3𝑀 𝐿2
𝜃 = 𝜃1 − 𝜃2 = − = − ∙
𝐸𝐼 2𝐸𝐼 𝐸𝐼 2𝐿 2𝐸𝐼
𝑀𝐿
𝜃=
4𝐸𝐼
4𝐸𝐼
𝑀= 𝜃
𝐿
For an angle of rotation, θ = 1 radian, M = 4EI/L. This moment is the rotational
stiffness and is denoted by the symbol K. Hence,’
4𝐸𝐼
Absolute K =
𝐿
In many structures, however, the modulus of elasticity, E, is the saem for all
members, so only a relative resistance to rotation is needed. This may be called relative
beam stiffness and is expressed by
𝑰
Relative K =
𝑳

Engr. BIENVINIDO C. BALANLAY Jr, PhD

Asso. Prof. III
 82
Module V
Modified Beam Stiffness
In Fig. 5.3, the far (left) end is fixed. In certain problems, however, the far end is
also hinged. For this case the stiffness factor is 3/4 of the value when the far end is fixed
as will now be shown.

Fig. 5.3 Modified Beam Stiffness.

Both ends of beam AB in Fig. 5.3 are hinged. To determine the moment M acting
at the near end B to cause unit rotation θ = 1 radian at this end, apply the second area-
moment proposition.
𝑡𝐴/𝐵 = 𝑣𝑒𝑟𝑡𝑖𝑐𝑎𝑙 𝑑𝑒𝑣𝑖𝑎𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛 𝑜𝑓 𝑒𝑛𝑑 𝐴 𝑓𝑟𝑜𝑚 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑡𝑎𝑛𝑔𝑒𝑛𝑡 𝑎𝑡 𝐵
1 1 2 𝑀𝐿2
𝑡𝐴/𝐵 = ( 𝑀𝐿) ( 𝐿) =
𝐸𝐼 2 3 3𝐸𝐼
𝑡𝐴/𝐵 𝑀𝐿
𝜃= =
𝐿 3𝐸𝐼
3𝐸𝐼 3 4𝐸𝐼
𝑀= 𝜃= ( )𝜃
𝐿 4 𝐿
Thus, the stiffness factor at the near end when the far end is hinged three-fourths
of that when the far end is fixed.

Distribution Factor
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.

Engr. BIENVINIDO C. BALANLAY Jr, PhD

Asso. Prof. III
 83
Module V
𝐾
𝐷𝐹 =
∑𝐾

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.

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

Carry-Over
If both ends of member are unyielding supports, with one end fixed and the other
end rotated by an applied moment, then the carry-over factor (COF) is the ratio of the
moment at the fixed-end to the moment producing rotation at the other end see Fig. 5.4.

𝑀𝐹
The Carry over factor, COF = 𝑀

Fig. 5.4 Carry Over.

Example 5.1
By means of moment-distribution method, solve the moment at R2 and R3 of the
continuous beam shown in Fig. 5.5.

Fig. 5.5.

Solution.
Beam Stiffness, Let I = 60
𝐼
𝐹𝑜𝑟𝑚𝑢𝑙𝑎: 𝐾 =
𝐿

Engr. BIENVINIDO C. BALANLAY Jr, PhD

Asso. Prof. III
 84
Module V
60 3
𝐾𝐴𝐵 = 𝑥 = 3.75
12 4
60 3
𝐾𝐵𝐶 = 𝑥 = 4.50
10 4
Distribution Factor:
𝐾
𝐹𝑜𝑟𝑚𝑢𝑙𝑎: 𝐷𝐹 =
∑𝐾
𝐷𝐹𝐴𝐵 = 𝐷𝐹𝐶𝐵 = 1.0
3.75 5
𝐷𝐹𝐵𝐴 = =
3.75 + 4.50 11
4.50 6
𝐷𝐹𝐵𝐶 = =
3.75 + 4.50 11

Fixed End Moment:

Fig. 5.6. Fixed End Moment.
𝑃𝑎𝑏 2
𝐹𝐸𝑀𝐴𝐵 = ∑ 2
𝐿
300(4)(82 ) 300(8)(42 )
𝐹𝐸𝑀𝐴𝐵 = − − = −800𝑁. 𝑚
122 122
𝑃𝑎2 𝑏
𝐹𝐸𝑀𝐵𝐴 = ∑ 2
𝐿
300(8)(42 ) 300(4)(82 )
𝐹𝐸𝑀𝐴𝐵 = + = 800𝑁. 𝑚
122 122
𝑤𝐿2 𝑤𝐿2
𝐹𝐸𝑀𝐵𝐶 = − −
20 12
75(10)2 (60)(10)2
𝐹𝐸𝑀𝐵𝐶 = − − = −875 𝑁. 𝑚
20 12
𝑤𝐿2 𝑤𝐿2
𝐹𝐸𝑀𝐵𝐶 = +
30 12
2 (60)(10)2
75(10)
𝐹𝐸𝑀𝐵𝐶 = + = 750 𝑁. 𝑚
30 12
1 1
𝐹𝐸𝑀𝐶𝐷 = − (8)(6) (8) = −640 𝑁. 𝑚
2 3

Engr. BIENVINIDO C. BALANLAY Jr, PhD

Asso. Prof. III
 85
Module V
Moment Distribution Table:
Joint A B B C C D
DF 1.0 5/11 6/11 1.0 0
FEM 0.0 800 -875 750 -640
1st Dist. -122.73 -147.27 -100
Sum 1077.27 -1077.27 640 -640
Answer:
M2 = -1077.27 N.m
M3 = - 640 N.m

Example 5.2
Apply the moment-distribution method to the continuous beam of three spans with free
ends as shown in Fig. 5.7.

Fig. 5.7.
Solution:
Moment Distribution Table:
Joint A B B C C D
DF 1.0 0.5 0.5 0.5 0.5 1.0
FEM +8000 -8000 +3000 -3000 +4800 -7200
1st Dist. -8000 +2500 +2500 -900 -900 +7200
Carry-Over +1250 -4000 -450 +1250 +3600 -450
2nd Dist. -1250 +2225 +2225 -2425 -2425 +450
Carry-Over +1113 -625 -1213 +1113 +225 -1213
3rd Dist. -1113 +919 +919 -669 -669 +1213
Carry-Over +460 -557 -335 +460 +607 -335
3rd Dist. -460 +446 +446 -533 -534 +335
Sum 0 -7092 7092 -4704 4704 0
Answer:
MB = -7092 N.m
MC = - 4704 N.m

Engr. BIENVINIDO C. BALANLAY Jr, PhD

Asso. Prof. III
 86
Module V
Example 5.3
A continuous beam is fixed at both ends A and C and is supported by a roller at B. It
carries a uniformly distributed load of 4 kN/m. Assuming that EI is constant see Fig. 5.8.

Fig. 5.8.
1. Compute the moment at B.
2. Compute the reaction at A.
Solution.
1. Moment at B.
Stiffness:
𝐼
𝐾𝐴𝐵 =
18
𝐼
𝐾𝐵𝐶 =
24
Distribution Factor:
𝐼/18
𝐷𝐹𝐴𝐵 = = 0.57
𝐼/18 + 𝐼/24
𝐼/24
𝐷𝐹𝐵𝐴 = = 0.43
𝐼/18 + 𝐼/24
Fixed End Moment:
𝑤𝐿2
𝐹𝐸𝑀𝐴𝐵 = ±
12
4(18)2
𝐹𝐸𝑀𝐴𝐵 = ± = −108 𝑜𝑟 + 108 𝑘𝑁. 𝑚
12
4(24)2
𝐹𝐸𝑀𝐵𝐶 = ± = −192 𝑜𝑟 + 192 𝑘𝑁. 𝑚
12

Moment Distribution Table:

Joint AB BA BC CB
K I/18 I/24
DF 0 0.57 0.43 0
FEM -108 +108 -192 +192
st
1 Distribution 0 +47.88 +36.12 0
Carry-Over +23.94 0 0 +18.06
2nd Dist. 0 0 0 0
Sum -84.06 +155.88 -155.88 +210.06

Engr. BIENVINIDO C. BALANLAY Jr, PhD

Asso. Prof. III
 87
Module V
Note:
How to come up with +47.88 and +36.12.
= 108 + (-192) = - 84
= (-84) x -1.0 = 84
BA = 84 (0.57) = 47.88 kN.m
BC = 84 (0.43) = 36.12 kN.m
For Fixed support, DF = 0.
The sum-up of BA and BC is approximately equal, regardless of sign.
Also, take note that the value of moment at the support is always negative. In the
moment distribution, we can observe a positive value of moment however, outside of the
table it should be negative value.
MB = -155.88 N.m
2. Reaction at A.
∑ 𝑀𝐴 :
𝑅𝐵1 (18) + 84.06 = 155.88 + 4(18)(9)
𝑅𝐵1 = 39.99 𝑘𝑁
∑ 𝐹𝑣 :
𝑅𝐴 + 𝑅𝐵1 = 4(18)
𝑹𝑨 = 𝟑𝟐. 𝟎𝟏 𝒌𝑵

Assignment:
In our Assignment in Module 4, from the given problems in pages 70-71. Solve the
problem using moment distribution method.
1. Please refer to Figure 4.9.
2. Please refer to Figure 4.10.
3. Please refer to Figure 4.11.
4. Please refer to Figure 4.12.
5. Please refer to Figure 4.13.

Feedback

Hello there, my dear students! How are you coping with the lessons? Do you still
have some difficulty understanding the lessons? If yes, then go back to initial page of the
module and start reading again.

Engr. BIENVINIDO C. BALANLAY Jr, PhD

Asso. Prof. III
 88
Module V
References

Arreola, M. A., Structural Analysis (Theory of Structures), National Book Store, SI

Metric Edition, Metro Manila, 1992.

Besavilla V. I., Structural Analysis (Theory of Structures), BERC Publishing, Cebu

City, 2007.

Singer, F. (1970). Engineering Mechanics, Harper and Row Publishing, Second Edition,
New York.

ASEP, National Structural Code of the Philippines, Volume I, ASEP 7th Edition,
Quezon City, 2015.

www.chegg.com

www.google.com

www.wikipedia.com

Engr. BIENVINIDO C. BALANLAY Jr, PhD

Asso. Prof. III