11/14/2017 The Moment Distribution Method | Strength of Materials Review

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The Moment Distribution Method

Moment distribution is based on the method of successive approximation developed by Hardy Cross (18851959) in his stay at the
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign (UIUC). This method is applicable to all types of rigid frame analysis.

Carry-Over Moment
Carry-over moment is defined as the moment induced at the fixed end of a beam by the action of the moment applied at the other end.

Consider the propped beam shown above,

EI tB/A = (AreaAB ) X B = 0

1 2 1 1
LMA ( L) + LMB ( L) = 0
2 3 2 3

1
MA = MB
2

Thus, the moment applied at the roller end carries over to the fixed end a moment that is half the amount and of opposite sign.

Beam Stiffness
Beam stiffness is the moment required to produce unit rotation at the simply supported end of a beam, the other end being rigidly fixed.

From the beam above,

EI AB = AreaAB

1 1
EI = LMA + LMB
2 2

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1 1 1
EI = L( MB ) + LMB
2 2 2

1 1
EI = LMB + LMB
4 2

1
EI = LMB
4

4EI
MB =
L

If = 1 radian, MB = beam stiffness K, thus

4EI
AbsoluteK =
L

For constant E,

I
RelativeK =
L

Modified K
For hinge and roller ends, multiply K by 3/4 to eliminate further distribution of moment on that support.

Fixed End Moments (FEM)

Assume that each span of continuous beam to be fully restrained against rotation then fixed-end moments at the ends its members are
computed.

Sign Convention
Counterclockwise moments acting on the beam are considered to be positive, and clockwise moments acting on the beam are considered
negative. This implies that clockwise reaction at the joint is positive and counterclockwise reaction at the joint is negative.

End Moments End Moments

Type of Load
(Actual Sign) (Used Sign)
2 2
P ab P ab
MA = F EMAB =
2 2
L L
2 2
Pa b Pa b
MB = F EMBA = +
2 2
L L

PL PL
MA = F EMAB =
8 8

PL PL
MB = F EMBA = +
8 8

2 2
wo L wo L
MA = F EMAB =
12 12
2 2
wo L wo L
MB = F EMBA = +
12 12

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2 2
5w o L 5w o L
MA = F EMAB =
192 192
2 2
11w o L 11w o L
MB = F EMBA = +
192 192

2 2
wo L wo L
MA = F EMAB =
30 30
2 2
wo L wo L
MB = F EMBA = +
20 20

2 2
5w o L 5w o L
MA = F EMAB =
96 96
2 2
5w o L 5w o L
MB = F EMBA = +
96 96

Mb 3a Mb 3a
MA = ( 1) F EMAB = + ( 1)
L L L L

Ma 3b Ma 3b
MB = ( 1) F EMBA = + ( 1)
L L L L

6EI 6EI
MA = F EMAB =
2 2
L L

6EI 6EI
MB = F EMBA =
2 2
L L

Distribution Factor, DF
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.

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.

Tags: moment distribution method continuous beam carry-over moment beam stiffness distribution factor fixed-end moment

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Problem 877 | Continuous Beam by Moment Distribution Method

Problem 878 | Continuous Beam by Moment Distribution Method
Problem 879 | Continuous Beam by Moment Distribution Method
Problem 880 | Continuous Beam by Moment Distribution Method
Problem 881 | Continuous Beam by Moment Distribution Method
Problem 882 | Continuous Beam by Moment Distribution Method
Problem 883 | Continuous Beam by Moment Distribution Method
Problem 884 | Continuous Beam by Moment Distribution Method
Problem 885 | Continuous Beam by Moment Distribution Method

Problem 872 | Continuous Beam with Spring End- up

Support Problem 877 | Continuous Beam by Moment
Distribution Method

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Strength of Materials

Chapter 01 - Simple Stresses

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Chapter 02 - Strain
Chapter 03 - Torsion
Chapter 04 - Shear and Moment in Beams
Chapter 05 - Stresses in Beams
Chapter 06 - Beam Deflections
Chapter 07 - Restrained Beams
Chapter 08 - Continuous Beams
The Three-Moment Equation
Reactions of Continuous Beams | Shear Diagrams
Continuous Beams with Fixed Ends
Deflections Determined by Three-Moment Equation
The Moment Distribution Method
Problem 877 | Continuous Beam by Moment Distribution Method
Problem 878 | Continuous Beam by Moment Distribution Method
Problem 879 | Continuous Beam by Moment Distribution Method
Problem 880 | Continuous Beam by Moment Distribution Method
Problem 881 | Continuous Beam by Moment Distribution Method
Problem 882 | Continuous Beam by Moment Distribution Method
Problem 883 | Continuous Beam by Moment Distribution Method
Problem 884 | Continuous Beam by Moment Distribution Method
Problem 885 | Continuous Beam by Moment Distribution Method
Chapter 09 - Combined Stresses
Chapter 10 - Reinforced Beams

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