Moment Distribution

Continuous Beams
Problem-1
Determine the support moments, hence draw the bending moment and shear force diagrams.

40 kN 20 kN
24 kN/m
B C D
A
EI EI EI

4.0m 4.0m 4.0m 4.0m 4.0m

A member with a flexural rigidity EI

Stiffness of a member

Stiffness of a member (k) = 4EI/L

 Stiffness of AB = kAB =
 Stiffness of BC = kBC =
 Stiffness of CD = kCD =

 Stiffness of AB = kAB = 4(EI)AB/LAB= 4EI/8 = EI/2

 Stiffness of BC = kBC = 4(EI)BC/LBC = 4EI/4 = EI

 Stiffness of CD = kCD = 4(EI)CD/LCD = 4EI/8 = EI/2

Distribution factor (DF)

At a joint in a structure, moments are distributed into each member in
proportion to the stiffness of the members meeting at that point

Distribution factor (DF) of a member =

Stiffness of a member / Σ stiffness of each member at the joint

 DFBA =
 DFBC =
 DFCB =
 DFCD =

1
Distribution factors (DF)

 DFBA = kAB / (kAB + kBC) = (EI/2) / (EI/2+EI) = 0.33

 DFBC = kBC / (kAB + kBC) = (EI) / (EI/2+EI) = 0.67

 DFCB = kBC / (kBC + kCD) = (EI) / (EI+EI/2) = 0.67

 DFCD = kCD / (kBC + kCD) = (EI/2) / (EI+EI/2) = 0.33

Note that DF at each joint (internal) should add to 1

2
Fixed-end moments (FEM) - refer to the supplied table below:

For the purpose of moment distribution:

Sign convention:

Clockwise is positive, +
Anticlockwise is negative, -

3
Fixed-end moments (FEM)

Member AB

MAB =
MBA =

Member BC

MBC =
MBC =

Member CD

MCD =

MDC =

Member AB

MAB = -WLAB/8 = -40x8/8 = -40 kNm

MBA = +WLAB/8 = +40x8/8 = +40 kNm

Member BC

MBC = -wLBC2/12 = -24x42/12 = -32 kNm

MCB = +wLBC2/12 = +24x42/12 = +32 kNm

Member CD

MCD = -WLCD/8 = -20x8/8 = -20 kNm

MDC = +WLCD/8 = +20x8/8 = +20 kNm

4
 24 kN/m 20 kN
40 kN
B C D
A
EI EI EI

4.0m 4.0m 4.0m 4.0m 4.0m

Joint A B C D

Member AB BA BC CB CD DC

Distribution factor 0 0.33 0.67 0.67 0.33 0

(DF)
Fixed-end moments -40.00 +40.00 -32.00 +32.00 -20.00 +20.00
(FEM)

Balancing moment (-8.00) (-12.00)

Distributed moment -2.67 -5.33 -8.00 -4.00

Carry-over moment -1.33 -4.00 -2.67 -2.00

Balancing moment (+4.00) (+2.67)

Distributed moment +1.33 +2.67 +1.78 +0.89

Carry-over moment +0.67 +0.89 +1.34 +0.45

Balancing moment (-0.89) (-1.34)

Distributed moment -0.29 -0.60 -0.89 -0.45

Carry-over moment -0.15 -0.45 -0.30 -0.23

Balancing moment (+0.45) (+0.30)

Distributed moment +0.15 +0.30 +0.20 +0.10

Final moments -40.81 +38.52 -38.52 +23.46 -23.46 +18.22

5
 24 kN/m 20 kN
40 kN
B C D
A
EI EI EI

4.0m 4.0m 4.0m 4.0m 4.0m

6
 Support moments

40.81
38.52
23.46 18.22

A B C D

Simply supported moments

48 40
80

Bending moment diagram

40.81 38.52
23.46
18.22

17.1
(mid span) 19.16
40.33

7
Shear Force Diagram

Support moments

40.81
38.52
23.46 18.22

A B C D

40.81 kNm 40 kN 38.52 kNm 24 kN/m 23.46 kNm 20 kN 18.22 kNm

D
A B C
EI EI EI

4.0m 4.0
m 4.0m 4.0m 4.0m

8
Shear Force Diagram

24 kN/m 20 kN
40 kN
B C D
A
EI EI EI

4.0m 4.0m 4.0m 4.0m 4.0m

40.81 kNm 40 kN 38.52 kNm 24 kN/m 23.46 kNm 20 kN 18.22 kNm

D
A B C
EI EI EI
20.26 kN 19.74 kN 51.77 kN
10.65 kN 9.35 kN
4.0m 4.0m 44.23 kN
4.0m 4.0m 4.0m

24 kN/m 20 kN
40 kN
B C D
A
EI EI EI
20.26 kN 71.51 kN 54.88 kN
9.35 kN

4.0m 4.0m 4.0m 4.0m 4.0m

51.77 kN
20.26 kN
10.65 kN

9.35 kN
19.74 kN

44.23 kN

9
x/(x-4)=51.77/44.23
x=2.157

Maximum sagging moment in span BC = -40.81+20.26x8 – 19.74x4+

(51.77x2.157)/2 = 17.12 kNm

10
 24 kN/m 20 kN
40 kN
B C D
A
EI EI EI

4.0m 4.0m 4.0m 4.0m 4.0m

40 kN 40 kN 40 kN

40 kN 40 kN 40 kN

11
Problem-2

40 kN
B C
A
EI EI

4.0m 4.0m 4.0m

Joint A B C

Member AB BA BC CB

Distribution factor 0 0.33 0.67 0

Fixed-end moments -40.00 +40.00 0 0

Balancing moment (-40.00)

Distributed moment -13.33 -26.67

Carry-over moment -6.67 -13.33

Final moments -46.67 +26.67 -26.67 -13.33

12
 40 kN
A B C
EI EI

4.0m 4.0m 4.0m

46.67

26.67

A C
B
13.33

Simply supported moments

80
46.67

26.67
36.67

13.33

43.33

13
Shear Forces

40 kN
A B C
EI EI
27.5 kN 10 kN
22.5 kN

4.0m 4.0m 4.0m

Shear Force Diagram

22.5 kN 10 kN

17.5 kN

14
Problem-3

40 kN
A
B C
EI EI

4.0m 4.0m 4.0m

For a member with a pinned end the stiffness is 3EI/L

 Stiffness of AB = kAB = 3(EI)AB/LAB= 3EI/8

 Stiffness of BC = kBC = 4(EI)BC/LBC = 4EI/4 = EI

Joint A B D

Member AB BA BC CB

Distribution factor 0.27 0.73 0

Fixed-end moments -40.00 +40.00 0 0

Release at A +40.00 +20.00

Balancing moment (-60.00)

Distributed moment -16.20 -43.80

Carry-over moment -21.90

Final moments 0 +43.80 -43.80 -21.90

15
 40 kN
A B C
EI EI

4.0m 4.0m 4.0m

43.8

A C
B
21.9

Simply supported moments

80 43.8

21.9

21.9
58.1

16
Shear Force

40 kN
A B C
EI EI

41.9 kN 16.425 kN
14.525 kN

4.0m 4.0m 4.0m

Shear Force Diagram

14.525 kN 16.425 kN

25.475 kN

17
Problem-3a

40 kN
A C
B
EI EI

4.0m 4.0m
4.0m

For a member with a pinned end stiffness is 3EI/L

 Stiffness of AB = kAB = 3(EI)AB/LAB= 3EI/8

 Stiffness of BC = kBC = 4(EI)BC/LBC = 4EI/4 = EI

Joint A B D

Member AB BA BC CB

Distribution factor 0.27 0.73 0

Fixed-end moments -40.00 +40.00 0 0

Release at A +40.00 +20.00

Balancing moment (-60.00)

Distributed moment -16.20 -43.80

Carry-over moment -21.90

Final moments 0 +43.80 -43.80 -21.90

18
Problem-3b
Different stiffnesses
Determine the bending moment and shear force diagrams for the continuous beam shown below.

40 kN
A
B C
2EI EI

4.0m 4.0m 4.0m

For member AB (with a pinned end) the stiffness is 3(EI)AB/LAB

 Stiffness of AB = kAB = 3(EI)AB/LAB= 3x2EI/8 = 6EI/8=0.75EI

 Stiffness of BC = kBC = 4(EI)BC/LBC = 4EI/4 = EI

Distribution factors at joint B

 DBA = 0.75EI/(0.75EI+EI) = 0.43

 DBC = EI/(0.75EI+EI) = 0.57

Joint A B C

Member AB BA BC CB

Distribution factor 0.43 0.57 0

Fixed-end moments -40.00 +40.00 0 0

Release at A +40.00 +20.00

Balancing moment (-60.00)

Distributed moment -25.8 -34.2

Carry-over moment -17.10

Final moments 0 +34.20 -34.20 -17.10

19
Problem-4

5 kN 40 kN
A
B C
EI EI

1.0m 4.0m 4.0m 4.0m

For a member with a pinned end stiffness is 3EI/L

 Stiffness of AB = kAB = 3(EI)AB/LAB= 3EI/8

 Stiffness of BC = kBC = 4(EI)BC/LBC = 4EI/4 = EI

Joint A B D

Member AB BA BC CB

Distribution factor 0.27 0.73 0

Fixed-end moments -40.00 +40.00 0 0

Release at A +35.00 +17.50

Balancing moment (-57.50)

Distributed moment -15.52 -41.98

Carry-over moment -20.98

Final moments -5.00 +41.98 -41.98 -20.98

20
21
 5 kN 40 kN
A
B C
EI EI
20.38 kN 15.72 kN
40.35 kN

1.0m 4.0m 4.0m 4.0m

Shear Force Diagram

15.37 kN 15.72 kN

5 kN

24.63 kN

22
 Moment Distribution of Frames
Sway and Non-Sway Frame

Sway Frame

To prevent the sway

23
 To represent
bracing

Non-Sway Frame

24
Example of Non-Sway Frame

Determine the bending moment and shear force diagram for the frame below.

40 kN
B C
5 kN/m EI 1.0m

2EI 2EI 6.0m

A D

4.0m

25
 40 kN
B C
EI 1.0m

5 kN/m

2EI 2EI 6.0m

A D

4.0m

Joint A B C D

Member AB BA BC CB CD DC

Distribution factor 0 0.5 0.5 0.5 0.5 0

(DF)
Fixed-end moments -15.00 +15.00 -7.5 +22.5 0.00 0.00
(FEM)

26
Joint A B C D

Member AB BA BC CB CD DC

Distribution factor 0.5 0.5 0.5 0.5

(DF)
Fixed-end moments -15.00 +15.00 -7.5 +22.5 0.00 0.00
(FEM)

Release A +15.00 +7.50

Balancing moment (-15.00) (-22.50)

Distributed moment -7.50 -7.50 -11.25 -11.25

Carry-over moment -5.63 -3.75

Balancing moment (+5.63) (+3.75)

Distributed moment +2.81 +2.81 +1.88 +1.88

Carry-over moment +0.94 +1.40

Balancing moment (-0.94) (-1.40)

Distributed moment -0.47 -0.47 -0.70 -0.70

Carry-over moment -0.35 -0.23

Balancing moment (+0.35) (+0.23)

Distributed moment +0.17 +0.17 +0.12 +0.12

Final moments 0 +17.51 -17.53 +9.97 -9.95 0

27
Joint Moments

-17.52 -9.96

B C

A D

Simply supported moments

B C

30
22.5

A D

Bending moment diagram

-17.52 -9.96
B C

+13.74 +18.15
(middle)

A D

28
 17.52 9.96
40 kN
HB HC
B C
VB VC
3.0m 1.0m

VB VC
17.52 9.96
HB
C HC
B
5 kN/m

HA D HD
A
VA VD

HA= 12.08 kN
VA=11.89 kN

HD= 1.66 kN
VD=28.11 kN

HB = 30-12.08 = 17.92 kN
VB = -11.89 kN

HC= -HB = -17.92 kN

VC= 28.11 kN

29
 40 kN
B C R

1.0m

5 kN/m

6.0m

A D HD
HA
4.0m
VA VD

R = 16.26 kN

Position of maximum bending moment of AB x = 2.42m

Maximum Moment = 14.59 kNm

-17.52 -9.62
B C

13.74 (middle) 18.15

14.59 (maximum)
X=2.42m

A D

30
 17.52 9.96
40 kN
HB HC
B C
VB=11.89 kN
VC=28.11 kN
3.0m 1.0m

VB VC
17.52 9.96
HB
C HC
B
5 kN/m

HA=12.08 kN D HD=1.66 kN
A
VA VD

HA= 12.08 kN HD= 1.66 kN

VA=11.89 kN VD=28.11 kN

HB = 17.92 kN VB = 11.89 kN

HC= -HB = -17.92 kN VC= 28.11 kN

11.89
C
B
17.92

28.11
1.66
X=2.42m

Position of maximum
moment

12.08 A D

31
Sway Frame

32
Joint A B C D

Member AB BA BC CB CD DC

Distribution factor 0 0.5 0.5 0.5 0.5 0

(DF)
Fixed-end moments -12.00 -12.00 -12.00 -12.00
(FEM)

Release A +12.00 +6.00 +6.00 +12.00

Balancing moment (+6.00) (+6.00)

Distributed moment +3.00 +3.00 +3.00 +3.00

Carry-over moment +1.50 +1.50

Balancing moment (-1.50) (-1.50)

Distributed moment -0.75 -0.75 -0.75 -0.75

Carry-over moment -0.38 -0.38

Balancing moment (+0.38) (+0.38)

Distributed moment +0.19 +0.19 +0.19 +0.19

Carry-over moment +0.10 +0.10

Balancing moment (-0.10) (-0.10)

Distributed moment -0.05 -0.05 -0.05 -0.05

Final moments 0 -3.61 +3.61 +3.61 -3.61 0

33
 VB VC
3.61 3.61
HB=0.60 HC=0.60
C
B

HA=3.61/6=0.60 D HD=0.60
A
VA VD

RC=1.20
B C

6.0m

A D

4.0m

Based on the first case without sway, Rc should be 16.26, so we should multiply the
values of moments in the sway case by 16.26/1.2=13.55

34
Joint A B C D

Final moments 0 -48.92 +48.92 +48.92 -48.92 0

35
Non-sway

-17.52 -9.62
B C

13.74 (middle) 18.15

14.59 (maximum)
X=2.42m

A D

Sway

-48.92
48.92
B C

A D

36
Non-Sway+Sway

-58.88
31.40 -6.31
B C

38.2 (middle)

A D

37
Example-xx
Determine the support moments for the beam shown below.
Support C settles by 5mm (vertically downwards). EI = 104 kNm2

20 kN/m 10 kN/m
A B C D
EI 1.5EI 2EI

3.0m 3.0m 6.0m

20 kN/m 10 kN/m
A B C D
EI 1.5EI 2EI

3.0m 3.0m 6.0m

5mm

Member AB

MAB = -w(LAB)2 /12 = -20x32/12 = -15 kNm

MBA = +w(LAB)2 /12 = +20x32/12 = +15 kNm

Member BC
Due to settlement

MBC = -6ᵟ(EI)BC/(LBC)2 = (-6x1.5x104/32)x5= -50 kNm

MCB = -6ᵟ(EI)BC/(LBC)2 = (-6x1.5x104/32)x5= -50 kNm

Member CD
Load
MCD = -w(LCD)2 /12 = -10x62/12 = -30 kNm

MDC = +w(LCD)2 /12 = +10x62/12 = +30 kNm

Settlement
MCD = +6ᵟ(EI)CD/(LCD)2 = (+6x2x104/62)x5= +16.67 kNm
MDC = +6ᵟ (EI)CD/(LCD)2 = (+6x2x104/62)x5= +16.67 kNm

Total
MCD = -30+16.67 = -13.33 kNm
MDC = +30+16.67 = +46.67 kNm

38
Joint A B C D

Member AB BA BC CB CD DC
Distribution factor (DF) 0 0.40 0.60 0.67 0.33 0
Fixed-end moments -15.00 +15.00 -50.00 -50.00 -13.33 +46.67
(FEM)

Release at D -23.34 -46.67

Balancing moment (+35.0) (+86.67)

Distributed moment +14.00 21.00 58.07 28.60

Carry-over moment +7.00 29.04 +10.50

Balancing moment (-29.04) (-10.50)

Distributed moment -11.62 -17.42 -7.04 -3.47

Carry-over moment -5.81 -3.52 -8.71

Balancing moment (+3.52) (+8.71)

Distributed moment +1.41 +2.11 5.84 2.87

Carry-over moment +0.71 2.92 +1.05

Balancing moment (-2.92) (-1.05)

Distributed moment -1.17 -1.75 -0.70 -0.35

Carry-over moment -0.58 -0.35 -0.87

Balancing moment (+0.34) (-0.14)

Distributed moment +0.14 +0.24 -0.09 -0.05

Carry-over moment +0.07 -0.05 +0.12

Balancing moment (+0.05) (-0.12)

Distributed moment +0.02 +0.03 -0.08 -0.04

*after 4 iterations -13.7 +17.62 -17.97 +8.14 -9.01 +0.00

Final moments
Final moments -13.7 +17.79 -17.79 +8.58 -8.58 +0.00
*After 5 iterations -13.87 +17.65 -17.65 +8.75 -8.75 +0.00

39
 20 kN/m 10 kN/m
A B C D
EI 1.5EI 2EI

3.0m 3.0m 6.0m

20 kN/m 10 kN/m
A B C D
EI 1.5EI 2EI

3.0m 3.0m 6.0m

5mm

40
Degree of indeterminacy

For beams and rigid jointed frame

ID=[(3m+r)-3n]

If the horizontal reactions are ignored in a beam then

ID=[(2m+r)-2n]

41
42
 24 kN/m 20 kN
40 kN
B C D
A
EI EI EI

4.0m 4.0m 4.0m 4.0m 4.0m

Joint A B C D

Member AB BA BC CB CD DC

Distribution factor
(DF)
Fixed-end moments
(FEM)

Balancing moment

Distributed moment

Carry-over moment

Balancing moment

Distributed moment

Carry-over moment

Balancing moment

Distributed moment

Carry-over moment

Balancing moment

Distributed moment

Final moments

43