Direct Displacement Method

Two-Span with a Cantilever Indeterminate Beam

problem statement
Using the direct displacement method, determine the final member end forces in the
two-span beam shown. The modulus of elasticity (E) is constant for the entire beam,
and the moment of inertia (I) for each member varies as indicated in the figure.
Note: The colors of the loads and moments are used to help indicate the
contribution of each force to the deflection or rotation being calculated. The
moment diagrams show the moments induced by a load using the same color as
the load.

Figure 1 - Beam structure to analyze

determine the kinematic degrees of freedom

The kinematic degrees of freedom are the number of independent joint displacements,
in this structure there are four:

Figure 2 - Locations of kinematic degrees of freedom

However, the number of kinematic degrees of freedom can be reduced by considering:

Approach 1. - remove the cantilever

Transfer the load acting at End D with a couple and a vertical force acting at Joint C .

Figure 3 - Structure with cantilever replaced by equivalent moment and vertical force

By replacing the cantilever end with a force and a couple, the structure's degree of
kinematic of freedom will be reduced to two;

Figure 4 - Kinematic degree of freedom for new structure

Determine the Fixed End Moments due to the applied loads on the new structure:
For reference, refer to the Table of Fixed End Moments
For a distributed load, the fixed end moments are equal to wL2/12=2x(24)2/12=96
For a point load, located at the center of a span, the fixed end moments are equal to PL/8 = 16x16/8 = 32

Figure 5 - Member fixed end moments due to the applied loads

Find the stiffness coefficients due to an applied unit displacement at each degree of
freedom:
For reference, refer to the Table of Fixed End Moments

Figure 6 - Stiffness coefficients due to unit rotation at B

Figure 7 - Stiffness coefficients due to unit rotation at C

At each degree of freedom, write the corresponding equilibrium equations:

At Joint B: 96- 32+ [(4E*1.5I)/24 + (4E*1.33I)/16]*X1+ (2E*1.33I/16)*X2 = 0
At Joint C: 32+ (2E*1.33I/16)*X1+ (4E*1.33I/16)*X2 = 12
The equilibrium equation for Joint C is set equal to the applied 12 ft-k moment at the
joint. This is to account for the moment due to the cantilever at end CD.
Determine the unknown joint rotations by simultaneously solving the equilibrium
equations:
X1 = -108/EI
X2 = -6/EI
Calculate the Member End Moments:
MAB = -96 + (2E(1.5I)/24)* X1 = -96 + (2E(1.5I)/24)*(-108/EI) = -109.5 ft-k
MBA = 96 + (4E(1.5I)/24)* X1 = 96 + (4E(1.5I)/24)*(-108/EI ) = 69 ft-k
MBC = -32 + (4E(1.33I)/16)* X1 + (2E(1.33I)/16)* X2 = -32 + (4E(1.33I)/16)*(108/EI) + (2E(1.33I)/16)*(-6/EI) = -69 ft-k
MCB = 32 + (2E(1.33I)/16)* X1 + (4E(1.33I)/16)* X2 = 32 + (2E(1.33I)/16)*(-108/EI)
+ (4E(1.33I)/16)*(-6/EI) = 12 ft-k
note: see approach 2 to determine the member end forces.

Approach 2. - apply modified stiffness

Figure 8- Locations of kinematic degrees of freedom

Consider the rotation at Joint B as the only unknown degree of freedom. Since the
resulting moment at Joint C is known to equal 12 ft-k due to the cantilever (positive
moment in the clockwise direction), modified stiffness for member BC can be used
(Modified Stiffness is also illustrated in the Introduction to the Direct Displacement
Method).
This approach is described in detail below.

Determine the Fixed End Moments due to the applied loads on the structure:
For reference, refer to the Table of Fixed End Moments
For a distributed load, the fixed end moments are equal to wL2/12=2x(24)2/12=96
For a point load, located at the center of a span, the fixed end moments are equal to PL/8 = 16x16/8 = 32
For the cantilever end, the fixed end moment is equal to the moment generated by the point load, PL = 3x4 = 12

Figure 9 - Member fixed end moments due to applied loads

Calculate the final Fixed End Moment at Joint B in member BC:

Since modified stiffness is being used at Joint C, the moments at Joint C must be
balanced. The moments at Joint B remain unbalanced as the reaction at Joint B will be
determined by the Direct Displacement Method.
A

BB

Distribution
Factor
FEM

10

-96

96 -32

-10

Carry Over

Moments.

32 -12

-20

Distribute

Final FEM

CC

-96

96 -42

Find the stiffness coefficients due

to an applied unit displacement at
Joint B:
Apply a unit displacement at the
location and in the direction of the
unknown degree of freedom.

Notice that the structure is shown

with a roller at Joint C. The
contribution of the cantilever to
the final reaction at Joint B was
12 -12 previously determined by
balancing the moments at Joint C,
refer to the Table of Fixed End

Figure 10- Stiffness coefficients due to unit rotation at B

At each degree of freedom, write the corresponding equilibrium equations:

The equilibrium equation is determined by summing the fixed end forces induced by
the member loads plus the moments caused by the unknown displacement.
At Joint B:

96 - 42 + [4E(1.5I)/24 + 3E(1.33I)/16]* X1 = 0

The equilibrium equation is set equal to zero because there are no applied moments at
the joint.
Determine the unknown joint rotation by solving for the unknown:
X1 = -108/EI
Calculate the Member End Moments:
MAB = -96 + (2E(3I/2)/24)* X1 = -96 + (2E(3I/2)/24)*(-108/EI ) = -109.5 ft-k
MBA = 96 + (4E(3I/2)/24)* X1 = 96 + (4E(3I/2)/24)*(-108/EI ) = 69 ft-k
MBC = -42 + (3E(4I/3)/16)* X1 = -42 + (3E(4I/3)/16)*(-108/EI ) = -69 ft-k
MCB = 12 ft-k
MCD = -12 ft-k

determine final member end forces

Using the results of either approach, apply the end moments and the loads, and
determine the member end forces using statics. For example;

Figure 11 - Member loads and reactions

These reactions are used to draw the complete shear and moment diagrams for the
structure.
Shear and Moment diagrams:

Figure 12 - Final shear and moment diagram