Structural Analysis II:: 4th Semester B.

Tech
MOMENT DISTRIBUTION METHOD

Basic propositions:

Let us consider a propped cantilever AB of length, l, subjected to a moment, M, at the propped end B.

Let R be the reaction at B. considering any section at a distance x from B.

We get, BM at the section = 𝑅𝑥 − 𝑀 …………….. (A)

ⅆ2 𝑦
We know, 𝐸𝐼 ⅆ𝑥2 = 𝑅𝑥 − 𝑀

d𝑦 𝑅𝑥 2
⇒ 𝐸𝐼 ⅆx = 2
− 𝑀𝑥 + 𝐶1

d𝑦
At 𝑥 = 𝑙, ⅆx
=0

𝑅𝑙 2
∴0= 2
− 𝑀𝑙 + 𝐶1

𝑅𝑙 2
⇒ 𝐶1 = 𝑀𝑙 −
2

d𝑦 𝑅𝑥 2 𝑅𝑙 2
∴ 𝐸𝐼 ⅆx = 2
− 𝑀𝑥 + (𝑀𝑙 − 2
) ⋯ ⋯ ⋯ ⋯ ⋯ ⋯ ⋯ ⋯ ⋯ ⋯ ⋯ ⋯ (𝑖)

𝑅𝑥 3 𝑀𝑥 2 𝑅𝑙 2
⇒ 𝐸𝐼 y = 6
− 2
+ (𝑀𝑙 − 2
) 𝑥 + 𝐶2

At 𝑥 = 0, 𝑦 = 0

⇒ 0 = 𝐶2
𝑅𝑥 3 𝑀𝑥 2 𝑅𝑙 2
∴ 𝐸𝐼 y = 6
− 2
+ (𝑀𝑙 − 2
) 𝑥 ⋯ ⋯ ⋯ ⋯ ⋯ ⋯ ⋯ ⋯ ⋯ ⋯ ⋯ ⋯ (𝑖𝑖)

Now, we know, at 𝑥 = 𝑙, y = 0
𝑅𝑙 3 𝑀𝑙 2 𝑅𝑙 2
∴0= − + (𝑀𝑙 − )𝑙
6 2 2
3𝑀
⇒𝑅=
2𝑙

Substituting the value of R in (𝑖)

d𝑦 3𝑀 𝑥 2 3𝑀 𝑙 2 3𝑀𝑥 2 3𝑀𝑙
𝐸𝐼 ⅆ𝑥 = 2𝑙 2
− 𝑀𝑥 + (𝑀𝑙 − 2𝑙 2
) = 4𝑙
− 𝑀𝑥 + 𝑀𝑙 − 4

d𝑦 3𝑀𝑥 2 𝑀𝑙
𝐸𝐼 ⅆ𝑥 = 4𝑙
− 𝑀𝑥 + 4
⋯ ⋯ ⋯ ⋯ ⋯ ⋯ ⋯ ⋯ ⋯ ⋯ ⋯ ⋯ (𝑖𝑖𝑖)

The support B is propped ⇒ there is a support ⇒ there will be a rotation at B.

Let the rotation/ slope be 𝑖𝑏 .

d𝑦
At 𝑥 = 0, ⅆx
= 𝑖𝑏
𝑀𝑙
∴ (𝑖𝑖𝑖) ⇒ 𝐸𝐼 𝑖𝑏 = 0 − 0 +
4
𝑀𝑙
⇒ 𝑖𝑏 = 4𝐸𝐼
⋯ ⋯ ⋯ ⋯ ⋯ ⋯ ⋯ ⋯ ⋯ ⋯ ⋯ ⋯ (𝑖𝑣)

Dr. Utpal K Nath, CED, AEC Page 1 of 5

 Structural Analysis II:: 4th Semester B.Tech
MOMENT DISTRIBUTION METHOD

Also BM at A = 𝑅𝑙 − 𝑀 = 𝑀𝑎 (Let)
3𝑀 3𝑀 𝑀
= 2𝑙
𝑙 −𝑀 = 2
−𝑀 = 2

Using equation A, BM at B = 𝑅. 0 − 𝑀 = −𝑀

∴ We see, BM at B = −𝑀 ⇒ ℎ𝑜𝑔𝑔𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑏𝑒𝑛𝑑𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑚𝑜𝑚𝑒𝑛𝑡 (-ve)

𝑀
BM at A = 2
⇒ 𝑠𝑎𝑔𝑔𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑏𝑒𝑛𝑑𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑚𝑜𝑚𝑒𝑛𝑡 (+ve)
𝑀
∴ We see, when a moment M is applied at B, a corresponding moment 2
develops at A. This is known as
carry-over moment.

Carry-over moment:

When a moment is applied to produce rotation without translation at the near supported end B of a beam whose
farther end A is fixed, the carry over moment, 𝑀𝑎 at the farther end is one half the applied moment M and is of
the same sense (order)/ direction as that of the applied moment.
𝑀𝑙
Now, (𝑖𝑣) ⇒ 𝑖𝑏 = 4𝐸𝐼
4𝐸𝐼
⇒ M= 𝑖𝑏
𝑙
4𝐸𝐼
If, 𝑖𝑏 , i.e., slope = 1, then M = 𝑙

𝟒𝑬𝑰
∴ Moment required to produce a unit slope is 𝐌= 𝒍
⋯ ⋯ ⋯ ⋯ ⋯ ⋯ ⋯ ⋯ ⋯ (𝟏)

This is called the stiffness of member AB.

Definition: When a structural member of uniform section in subjected to a moment at one end only, then the
moment required so as to rotate that end to produce unit slope, is called the stiffness of the member.
4𝐸𝐼
∴ For propped cantilever, which has one end fixed and other end free, stiffness = 𝑙

Considering a simply supported beam

Let us consider a simply supported beam AB of length l subjected

to a clockwise moment M at the end B. Let the reactions at A and
B be RA and RB respectively.

∴ 𝑅𝐴 + 𝑅𝐵 = 0
⇒ 𝑅𝐴 = − 𝑅𝐵
Let 𝑅𝐵 is upwards (↑) and 𝑅𝐴 is downwards (↓)

Now, ∑M @ A = 0

⇒ 𝑅𝐵 . 𝑙 − 𝑀 = 0

Dr. Utpal K Nath, CED, AEC Page 2 of 5

 Structural Analysis II:: 4th Semester B.Tech
MOMENT DISTRIBUTION METHOD
𝑀
⇒ 𝑅𝐵 = 𝑙

Consider a section at a distance 𝑥 from B we get,

ⅆ2 𝑦 𝑀
𝐸𝐼 ⅆ𝑥 2 = 𝑅𝐵 𝑥 − 𝑀 = 𝑙
𝑥 −𝑀

d𝑦 𝑀𝑥 2
⇒ 𝐸𝐼 ⅆ𝑥 = 2𝑙
− 𝑀𝑥 + 𝐶1

𝑀𝑥 3 𝑀𝑥 2
⇒ 𝐸𝐼. y = 6𝑙
− 2
+ 𝐶1 𝑥 + 𝐶2

At 𝑥 = 0, 𝑦 = 0 ⇒ 𝐶2 = 0
𝑀𝑙 3 𝑀𝑙 2
At 𝑥 = 𝑙, 𝑦 = 0 ⇒ 0 = 6𝑙
− 2
+ 𝐶1 𝑙

𝑀𝑙 2 𝑀𝑙 2
⇒ −𝐶1 𝑙 = 6
− 2

1 𝑀𝑙 2 𝑀𝑙 2
⇒ −𝐶1 = ( − )
𝑙 6 2

𝑀𝑙
⇒ 𝐶1 = 3

d𝑦 𝑀𝑥 2 𝑀𝑙
∴ 𝐸𝐼 ⅆ𝑥 = 2𝑙
− 𝑀𝑥 + 3

Let 𝑖𝑏 be the slope at B

d𝑦
∴ At 𝑥 = 0, ⅆ𝑥 = 𝑖𝑏
𝑀𝑙
⇒ 𝐸𝐼 𝑖𝑏 = 0 − 0 +
3
𝑀𝑙
⇒ 𝑖𝑏 = 3𝐸𝐼 ⋯ ⋯ ⋯ ⋯ ⋯ ⋯ ⋯ ⋯ ⋯ ⋯ ⋯ ⋯ (2)
3𝐸𝐼
Or 𝑀 = 𝑙
𝑖𝑏
3𝐸𝐼
When 𝑖𝑏 = 1, 𝑀 = 𝑙
3𝐸𝐼
∴ For simply supported beam, stiffness =
𝑙

Dr. Utpal K Nath, CED, AEC Page 3 of 5

 Structural Analysis II:: 4th Semester B.Tech
MOMENT DISTRIBUTION METHOD

Distribution theorem: - A moment which is applied to a structural joint to produce rotation without
translation gets distributed among the connected members at the joint in the same proportion as their
stiffness.

Let members AO, BO, CO, DO and EO be connected rigidly at joint O. Let a moment, M, be applied at O. Since all
the members are connected rigidly at O, the slope at O for each member will be the same. Let the ends B and D
be hinged and the end A, C and E is fixed. Let, for the members:

OA OC OC OD OE
Length l1 l2 l3 l4 L5
Moment of Inertia I1 I2 I3 I4 I5
Elasticity E1 E2 E3 E4 E5
Slope ioa iob ioc iod ioe

Let the applied moment M is divided among the members as M1, M2, M3, M4 and M5 for OA, OB, OC, OD and
OE respectively.

∴ 𝑀 = 𝑀1 + 𝑀2 + 𝑀3 + 𝑀4 + 𝑀5
𝑀1 𝑙1
𝑖𝑜𝑎 = 4𝐸1 𝐼1
⋯ ⋯ ⋯ ⋯ ⋯ ⋯ [Since A is fixed, using (1)]

𝑀2 𝑙2
𝑖𝑜𝑏 = ⋯ ⋯ ⋯ ⋯ ⋯ ⋯ [Since B is hinged, using (2)]
3𝐸2 𝐼2

𝑀3 𝑙3
𝑖𝑜𝑐 = 4𝐸3 𝐼3
⋯ ⋯ ⋯ ⋯ ⋯ ⋯ [Since C is fixed, using (1)]

𝑀4 𝑙4
𝑖𝑜ⅆ = 3𝐸4 𝐼4
⋯ ⋯ ⋯ ⋯ ⋯ ⋯ [Since D is hinged, using (2)]

𝑀5 𝑙5
𝑖𝑜𝑒 = 4𝐸5 𝐼5
⋯ ⋯ ⋯ ⋯ ⋯ ⋯ [Since E is fixed, using (1)]

But, 𝑖𝑜𝑎 = 𝑖𝑜𝑏 = 𝑖𝑜𝑐 = 𝑖𝑜ⅆ = 𝑖𝑜𝑒

𝑀 𝑙 𝑀 𝑙 𝑀 𝑙 𝑀 𝑙 𝑀 𝑙 𝑀1 𝑀2 𝑀3 𝑀4 𝑀5
⇒ 4𝐸1 𝐼1 = 3𝐸2 𝐼2 = 4𝐸3 𝐼3 = 3𝐸4 𝐼4 = 4𝐸5 𝐼5 ; ⇒ 4𝐸1 𝐼1 = 3𝐸2 𝐼2 = 4𝐸3 𝐼3 = 3𝐸4 𝐼4 = 4𝐸5 𝐼5
1 1 2 2 3 3 4 4 5 5
𝑙1 𝑙2 𝑙3 𝑙4 𝑙5

4𝐸1 𝐼1 3𝐸2 𝐼2 4𝐸3 𝐼3 3𝐸4 𝐼4 4𝐸5 𝐼5

∴ 𝑀1 : 𝑀2 : 𝑀3 : 𝑀4 : 𝑀5 = : : : :
𝑙1 𝑙2 𝑙3 𝑙4 𝑙5

Let,
4𝐸1 𝐼1 3𝐸2 𝐼2 4𝐸3 𝐼3 3𝐸4 𝐼4 4𝐸5 𝐼5
𝛼1 = 𝑙1
, 𝛼2 = 𝑙2
, 𝛼3 = 𝑙3
, 𝛼4 = 𝑙4
, 𝛼5 = 𝑙5

𝑀1 𝑀2 𝑀3 𝑀4 𝑀5 M
∴ 𝛼1
= 𝛼2
= 𝛼3
= 𝛼4
= 𝛼5
= 𝛼

Where, 𝑀 = 𝑀1 + 𝑀2 + 𝑀3 + 𝑀4 + 𝑀5

And 𝛼 = 𝛼1 + 𝛼2 + 𝛼3 + 𝛼4 + 𝛼5

Dr. Utpal K Nath, CED, AEC Page 4 of 5

 Structural Analysis II:: 4th Semester B.Tech
MOMENT DISTRIBUTION METHOD

𝛼 𝛼 𝛼 𝛼 𝛼
∴ 𝑀1 = ( 1 ) 𝑀 𝑀2 = ( 2 ) 𝑀 𝑀3 = ( 3 ) 𝑀 𝑀4 = ( 4 ) 𝑀 𝑀5 = ( 5 ) 𝑀
𝛼 𝛼 𝛼 𝛼 𝛼

∴ We can see that the moment in each of the members is a factor of total moment. This factor is known as
distribution factor.

RELATIVE STIFFNESS:
4𝐸1 𝐼1 3𝐸2 𝐼2 4𝐸3 𝐼3 3𝐸4 𝐼4 4𝐸5 𝐼5
We know, 𝑀1 : 𝑀2 : 𝑀3 : 𝑀4 : 𝑀5 = 𝑙1
: 𝑙 : 𝑙 : 𝑙 : 𝑙
2 3 4 5

Let E be same for all the members

4𝐼1 3𝐼2 4𝐼3 3𝐼4 4𝐼5
∴ 𝑀1 : 𝑀2 : 𝑀3 : 𝑀4 : 𝑀5 = : : : :
𝑙1 𝑙2 𝑙3 𝑙4 𝑙5

𝐼1 3𝐼2 𝐼3 3𝐼4 𝐼5
= : : : :
𝑙1 4𝑙2 𝑙3 4𝑙4 𝑙5

𝐼 3𝐼 𝐼 3𝐼 𝐼
The ratios- 𝑙1 , 4𝑙2 , 𝑙3 , 4𝑙4 , 𝑙5 are called relative stiffness of the members respectively.
1 2 3 4 5

The relative stiffness of a member whose farther end is:

3I
• hinged will be =
4𝑙
I
• fixed will be =
𝑙
Relative stiffness of the member
Distribution factor of a joint at a member = Total relative stiffness at joint

Dr. Utpal K Nath, CED, AEC Page 5 of 5