Theory of Structures

The Moment - Area Method

Consider a segment of
the elastic curve of a beam R
shown in figure in a general
deformed shape.

This member was y dθ

initially straight and
continuous.
a b
For a small angle dθ,
dθ dt
R . dθ = dx tab tba
θba
1
or 𝑑𝜃 = . 𝑑𝑥
𝑅

Integrating between the

x
two points xa and xb . xa x x+dx xb
𝑥𝑏 M/EI
1
𝜃𝑏𝑎 = ∫ . 𝑑𝑥
𝑅
𝑥𝑎

For an elastic beam;

1 𝑀
=
𝑅 𝐸𝐼
Therefore,
𝑥𝑏
𝑀 x
𝜃𝑏𝑎 = ∫ . 𝑑𝑥 xa x x+dx xb
𝐸𝐼
𝑥𝑎

𝑀
The right-hand side of the above equation represents the area under the diagram
𝐸𝐼
between xa and xb, and the left-hand side is the change in slope of the tangents at points x a
and xb . This equation is the statement of the first moment-area theorem.

First-Moment Area Theorem: The change in slope between the tangents of the elastic
𝑀
curve at two points is equal to the area of the diagram between the two points.
𝐸𝐼

Consider the tangents to the elastic curve in figure, at two points along the beam
located at x and x+dx. The change in the slope over this small length of beam is dθ.
Theory of Structures

Let ( dt ) is the vertical deviation of the tangents on each side of the differential
element dx, this deviation is measured along a vertical line passing through xb .

For small angles dt = (xb – x) . dθ

1
Substituting dθ = dx
𝑅

Integrating between xa and xb;

𝑥 𝑥 1
𝑡𝑏𝑎 = ∫𝑥 𝑏 𝑑𝑡 = ∫𝑥 𝑏(xb – x) 𝑑𝑥
𝑎 𝑎 𝑅

The tangential deviation tba is the deflection at xb measured relative to the tangent at
xa.
1 𝑀
For an elastic beam =
𝑅 𝐸𝐼

𝑥 𝑀
Therefore; 𝑡𝑏𝑎 = ∫𝑥 𝑏(xb – x) 𝑑𝑥
𝑎 𝐸𝐼

𝑀
The right-side of the equation is the first moment about xb of the area under the
𝐸𝐼
diagram between points xa and xb.

Second-Moment Area Theorem: The vertical deviation of the tangent at a point (b) on the
elastic curve with respect to the tangent extended from another point (a) equals the
𝑀
“moment” of the area under the diagram between the two points " a " and " b "
𝐸𝐼
taken about point " b ".

Sign Convention
The figure shows the algebraic signs of the slopes and tangent deviation distances
for the moment-area method: a positive slope change implies an increase in the slope
between the two points, and a tangent deviation is positive if the elastic curve lies above
the tangent reference line; i.e., in the positive coordinate direction.
Theory of Structures

A B
A
B

+ ve dev.
- ve dev.

B
A
θBA

θBA A
B

+ ve change of slope - ve change of slope

y y
b b

3𝑏 5𝑏
𝑧̅ b - 𝑧̅ 8 8

c.g c.g
A2 A2
h h
A1 A1
c.g c.g

x x

b - 𝑥̅ 𝑥̅ 3𝑏 𝑏
4 4
A1 =
1
𝑏ℎ 𝑏
A1 =
1
𝑛+1 𝑥̅ = bh b
𝑛+2 3 x̅ =
Type equation here. 4
Type equation here.
2bh/3 𝑏 − 𝑥̅
A2 = bh-A1 𝑧̅ = 2bh/3 3b
A2 = 3 bh
2 2
z̅ =
8
Theory of Structures

Example (1): Use the Moment-Area method to calculate the slope and deflection at the
free end of the cantilever shown in Figure.

Ma EI = Constant
a b

Solution
L
st
From the 1 moment-area theorem;
1
θa = θba = 𝑀𝑎 . 𝐿
𝐸𝐼
y
𝑀𝑎 .𝐿
θa = (⤺ )
𝐸𝐼
a
From the 2nd moment-area theorem θa
tab θba
x
1 𝐿 𝑀𝑎 𝐿2 b
tab = Δa = (𝑀𝑎 . 𝐿). ( ) =
𝐸𝐼 2 2𝐸𝐼

+ +Ma
Theory of Structures

Example (2): Use the moment-area method to calculate the rotations and mid-span
deflection for the simply supported beam subjected to a uniformly distributed load.

EI = Constant

𝜔 / unit length
A B
c
L/2 L/2

Solution
M/EI
Applying 1st moment-area theorem;
𝜔𝐿2
θBA = θA + θB , θA = ‒ θB (from symmetry) 8𝐸𝐼
1 2 𝜔𝐿2 1 𝜔𝐿3
𝜃𝐵𝐴 =
𝐸𝐼
(3 . 8
. 𝐿) =
𝐸𝐼
( 12 ) x
(5/8)(L/2)
1 1 𝜔𝐿3
θA = θBA = ( 𝐸𝐼 ) (⤺ )
2 24
L/2 L/2
1 𝜔𝐿3
θB = ‒ θA = ‒ ( 𝐸𝐼 ) ( ⤾ )
24

From 2nd moment-area theorem

ΔC = tbc
2 𝜔𝐿2 𝐿 𝜔𝐿4 θA θB
tbc =
1
(3 .
5 𝐿
. )( . ) =
5
( 𝐸𝐼 ) tBC
𝐸𝐼 8 2 8 2 384

θBA