MOMENT

AREA
METHOD
THEORY OF STRUCTURE- III (AP-221)
 INTRODUCTION

The moment-area method, developed by Otto Mohr in 1868, is a powerful tool for
finding the deflections of structures primarily subjected to bending. Its ease of
finding deflections of determinate structures makes it ideal for solving
indeterminate structures, using compatibility of displacement.

Mohr’s Theorems also provide a relatively easy

way to derive many of the classical methods of
structural analysis. For example, we will use
Mohr’s Theorems later to derive the equations
used in Moment Distribution. The derivation of
Clayperon’s Three Moment Theorem also follows
readily from application of Mohr’s Theorems.
 INTRODUCTION
❖There are many methods for solving indeterminate structures such as
moment distribution method, slope deflection method, stiffness
method etc. Moment area method is another one.

❖The idea of moment area theorem was developed by Otto Mohr and
later started formally by Charles E. Greene in 1873.It is just an
alternative method for solving deflection problems.

❖In this method we will establish a procedure that utilizes the area of
the moment diagrams [actually, the M/EI diagrams] to evaluate the
slope or deflection at selected points along the axis of a beam or
frame.
This method requires an accurate sketch of the deflected shape,
employs above two theorems.

Theorem 1 is used to calculate a change in slope between two points

on the elastic curve.

Theorem 2 is used to compute the vertical distance (called a tangential

deviation) between a point on the elastic curve and a line tangent to
the elastic curve at a second point.
 MOMENT AREA THEOREM

Theorem 1 :The change in slope between any two

points on the elastic curve equals the area of the M/EI
diagram between two points.
 MOMENT AREA THEOREM
Theorem 2: The vertical deviation of the tangent at a point A on the
elastic curve with respect to the tangent extended from another B
equals the moment of the area under the M/EI diagram between the
two points A and B. this moment computed about point A where the
deviation is to be determine.
 PROCESS
Process to Draw M/EI diagram
1.Determine a redundant reaction, that establish the numerical values for the bending
moment diagram.
2.Divided moment diagram by EI. Plot the value and sketch the M/EI

Process to Draw Elastic Curve

1 Draw an exaggerated view of the beam’s curve. Recall that points of zero slope
occur at fixed supports and zero displacement occurs at all fixed, pin and roller
supports
2. If it becomes difficult to draw the general shape of the elastic curve, use the
M/EI diagram. Realize that when the beam is subjected to a positive moment the
beam bends concave up, where negative he negative moments bends the beam
concave down. And change in curvature occurs where the moment of the beam is
 Process to Calculate Deviation

1.Apply theorem 1 to determine the angle between two tangents and

theorem 2 to determine vertical deviation between these tangents.

2.Realize that theorem 2 in general will not yield the displacement of a

point on the elastic curve. When applied properly it will only give the
vertical distance or deviation of a tangent at a point A on the elastic
curve from the tangent at B.

3.After applying either theorem 1 or theorem 2 the algebraic sign of the

answer can be verified from the angle or deviation as indicated on the
elastic curve.