International Journal of Advanced Engineering Research and Technology (IJAERT) 118

Volume 4 Issue 4, April 2016, ISSN No.: 2348 8190

Comparative Study of End Moments Regarding Application of Rotation

Contribution Method (Kanis Method) & Moment Distribution Method for
the Analysis of Viaduct Frame
Dr. P. Gopalsamy1, S. Govindhan2*
1

Visiting professor, Dept of Structural engineering, Anna university Regional campus Madurai ,Tamilnadu
2*
PG Scholar, Anna university Regional campus Madurai, Tamilnadu

Abstract
Analysis of Viaduct frames involves lot of
complications and tediouscalculations by themethods.
To carry out such analysis is a time consuming
task.The rotation contribution method i.e. Kanis
Method & Moment DistributionMethod for analysis of
viaduct frames can be handy in approximate and
quickanalysis so as to get the detailed estimates ready.
In this work, these two methodshave been applied for
uniform as well as varying loading conditions. This
paperpresents the analysis of frame, considering
mainly the case of sway type viaductframe, which is
the most common in practice. The Kanis method is
self correcting, that is, the error, if any, in a cycle is
corrected automatically in the subsequentcycles. The
checking is easier as only the last cycle is required to
be checked. Theconvergence is generally fast. It leads
to the solutions in just a few cycles of iterations.
Keywords - Viaduct Frame, Kanis Method, Moment
Distribution Method, Sway Analysis

1. INTRODUCTION
Structural analysis deals with study and
determination of forces in various components of a
structure subjected to loads. As the structural system as
a whole and the loads acting on it may be of complex
nature certain simplifying assumptions with regard to
the quality of material, geometry of the members,
nature and distribution of loads and the extent of
connectivity at the joints and the supports are always
made to make the analysis simpler.
For the design of viaduct frames, Kanis
method and moment distribution methods of analysis
are mainly used, which allows the engineer to analyse
frames easily and design it economically. The research
is concluded by evaluating a selection of viaduct
frame, with practical dimensions in order to
substantiate the conclusions as stated below. Viaduct
frames are single storey or multi storey, single or
multi-bay frames with pitched or flat roof .The vertical
and top members are rigidly joined. The frames may
be fixed or hinged at the base. A simple viaduct frame
consists of a horizontal beam resting on two columns.

The junction of the beam with the column consists of

rigid joints.

2.
HISTORY
ANALYSIS

AND

METHODS

OF

2.1Structure
In engineering and architecture, A structure is
the assemblage of two or more basic structural
components connected together in such a way that they
serve the user functionally and carry the loads arising
out of self and super-imposed loads safely without
causing any problem of serviceability.
2.2 Structural Analysis
Structural analysis deals with study and
determination of forces in various components of a
structure subjected to loads. As the structural system as
a whole and the loads acting on it may be of complex
nature certain simplifying assumptions with regard to
the quality of material, geometry of the members,
nature and distribution of loads and the extent of
connectivity at the joints and the supports are always
made to make the analysis simpler.
2.3 Kanis Method
This methodprovides a systematicapproach for
the analysis and design of rigid jointed frames. It is a
numerical approach for the solution of slope deflection
equations. This is iterative in nature in which the end
moments in the members of a rigid jointedskeletal
structure are determined by correcting successively the
fixed end momentsin the corresponding restrained
structure, The deformation of a rigid jointed skeletal
structure gives rise to, a. Joint rotation: Since the joints
are rigid, the joint rotations are also the endrotations of
the members meeting at the joint.b.Linear
displacements of joints resulting in member
rotations.The joint rotation as well as the linear
displacements make their owncontributions to the end
moment in the members of the structure.They
arerespectively known as rotation contributions and
displacement contributions. In Kanis method both
these types of contributions are iterated in such a way
that thejoint equilibrium equations as well as the shear

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International Journal of Advanced Engineering Research and Technology (IJAERT) 119

Volume 4 Issue 4, April 2016, ISSN No.: 2348 8190

equations, if any, are satisfied at every stage of

iteration.

3.1.2 Stiffness and rotation factor (R.F.)

Table 3.1 Distribution Factor o Kani Method

2.4 Moment Distribution Method

This is basically an iterative process. It
involves artificially restrainingtemporarily all the
joints against rotations and writing down the fixed end
momentsfor all the members. The joints are then
released one by one in succession. At each
released member joint the unbalanced moments are
distributed to all the ends of themembers meeting at
that joint.A certain factor of these distributed moments
arecarried over to the far end of members. The
released joint is again restrained temporarily before
proceeding to the next joint. The same set of
operations arecarried out at each joint till all the joints
are completed. This completes one cycle ofoperations.
The process is repeated for a number of cycles till the
values obtainedare within the desired accuracy. This
method is also a displacement analysis.

joint

members

DF

RF
U=-0.5
(DF)

BA

I/5

2I/5

0.5

-0.25

BC

I/5

0.5

-0.25

CB

I/5

0.5

-0.25

CD

I/5

0.0035

-0.25

2I/5

3.1.3 By Kani Method

3. METHODOLOGY ADOPTED
This paper presents the analysis of viaduct
frame, considering mainly the case of single storey as
well as two storey, which is the most common in
practice, by using two most common methods viz.
moment distribution method & rotation contribution
method (Kanis method). The vertical and top
members are rigidly joined. The frame is fixed at the
base.
3.1 Single Storey Viaduct Frame

Fig. 3.2 Sway Frame Iterative Process

Fig. 3.1 Viaduct Frame Sway

3.1.3.1 Final End Moments( Kani Method)

MAB = 3.61 KNm ,MBA = 8.335 kNm

3.1.1 Fixed end moments

MBC = -8.062 KNm, MCB = 7.624 kNm
MAB = 0, MBA = 0, MBC = -14.4 kNm,
MCD = -7.679 KNm,MDC = -4.436kNm
MCB = 9.6 kNm, MCD= 0, MDC = 0
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International Journal of Advanced Engineering Research and Technology (IJAERT) 120

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3.1.4 By Moment Distribution Method

Table 3.2 Moment Calculation(Non Sway)
joint
member
df
fem
balance
carry
over
balance
carry
over
balance
carry
over
balance

A
AB
3.6

BA
0.5
7.2
-

BC
0.5
-14.4
7.2
-2.4

CB
0.5
9.6
-4.8
3.6

CD
0.5
-4.8
-

D
DC
-2.4

0.6

1.2
-

1.2
-0.9

-1.8
0.6

-1.8
-

-0.9

0.225

0.45
-

0.45
-0.15

-0.3
0.225

-0.3
-

-0.15

0.075

0.1125
0.0375

0.11
-

0.0188

0.01

7.0312

7.03

carry
over
balance

0.037

0.07
5
-

0.0

final
moment

4.462

8.9

3.2.1 ROTATION FACTORS

Table 5.21 Rotation Factor of kanis Method

0.056
0.028

8.953

joint

members

B-A

I/4

-0.125

B-C

I/4

-0.125

B-E

2I/4

-0.25

C-B

I/4

C-D

2I/4

0.75 I

-0.1667
-0.333

3.2.2 KANIS METHOD

0.056
-

3.506

Choose any arbitrary value of side sway,

= 75 / ( EI )
Table 3.3 Moment Calculation - Sway
joint

member

AB

BA

BC

CB

CD

DC

DF

0.5

0.5

0.5

0.5

fem

-22.5

-22.5

22.5

-22.5

22.5

22.5

final
moment

-22.5

-22.5

22.5

-22.5

22.5

22.5

Fig. 3.4 Iteration process 0f Final Moments

3.2 TWO STOREY VIADUCT FRAME

3.2.2.1 FINAL MOMENTS
MAB = 32.00 - 6.22 + 0 = 25.70 KNm
MBA = 32.00 6.22 6.22 + 0 = 19.56 KNm
MBC = 18.47 5.42 6.22 6.22 = 0.61KNm
MCB = 18.47 -5.42 5.42 6.22 = 1.41 KNm
MBE = 13.15 12.44 12.44 8.91= - 20.29 KNm
MEB = - 4.50 8.91 8.91 12.44 = -34.76 KNm
MCD = 16.00 10.83 10.83 + 4.25 = 1.41 KNm
MDC -16.00 + 4.25 + 4.25 -10.83 = =18.33 KNm
MFE = 32.00 -4.45 + 0 = 27.55 KNm
MEF = 32.00 +0-4.45 4.45 = 23.10 KNm
MED = 18.47 + 2.13 4.45 4.45 = 11.70 KNm
Fig. 3.3 Two storey Viaduct Frame

MDE = 18.47 + 2.13 + 2.13 4.45 = 18.28 KNm

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International Journal of Advanced Engineering Research and Technology (IJAERT) 121

Volume 4 Issue 4, April 2016, ISSN No.: 2348 8190

3.2.3 MOMENT DISTRIBUTION METHOD

4.2 Two Storey Viaduct Frame

3.2.3.1 STOREY MOMENTS

Table 6.5 Comparison of Sway Moments for

Viaduct Frame

Storey 2
Q2 = -8 KN

end moments ( KNm)

MFr= -( 8 * 4 ) / 3
members

kanis
method

moment
distribution
method

percentage
of
variation

MAB

25.7

27.56

7.28%

MBA

19.56

17.18

12.17%

MBC

0.61

-1.47

58.5%

MCB

1.41

3.29

57.14%

MBE

-20.29

-15.71

22.57%

= - ( 3 /4 )

MEB

-34.76

-31.65

8.95%

= - 0.75

MCD

1.41

-3.29

57.14%

MDC

18.33

-20.29

9.66%

MBC= -1.47 KNm,, MCB= 3.29 KNm

MFE

27.55

29.89

7.8%

MCD= -3.29 KNm, MDC= -20.29 KNm

MEF

23.10

21.57

8.6%

MED

11.70

10.06

14.01%

MDE

18.28

20.06

8.8%

= -10.67 KNm
Storey 1=>

Q1 = -8-16
= -24 KN
MFr=

-( 24 * 4 ) / 3

= - 32.00 KNm
3.2.3.2 TRANSLATIONAL FACTORS
In each storey there are only two columns
and both of them have the same relative stiffness.
Translational factor for each column = 0.5 ( - 1.5 )

3.2.3.3

FINAL MOMENTS

MAB= 27.56 KNm, MBA= 17.18 KNm

MBE = -15.71 KNm, MEB = -31.65 KNm

MFE = 29.89 KNm, MEF = 21.57 KNm
MED = 10.06 KNm, MDE = 20.06 KNm

5. CONCLUSION

4. RESULT AND DISCUSSION

4.1 Single Storey Viaduct Frame
Table 4.1Comparision of Sway Moments Inclined
Viaduct Frame
end moments ( KN m)
moments
@

kanis
method

moment
distribution
method

percentage
of variation

MAB

3.61

3.7115

2.73%

MBA

8.355

8.2021

1.83%

MBC

-8.062

-8.2022

1.71%

MCB

7.624

-8.2022

2.03%

MCD

-7.679

-7.7823

1.33%

-4.2546

2.09%

MDC

-4.346

Some of the conclude recommendations are following,

1. The End Moments calculated by the application of
rotation contribution method, i.e. Kanis Method, for
the analysis of considered viaduct frame, mostly
matches with those calculated by the application of
Moment Distribution method (Single storey Frame
only).
2. The percentage variation of End Moments is within
acceptable limit. ( Except in two storey frame).
3. The percent variation can be further reduced with
the increase in number of iterations in both analysis
methods.
4. It is found that, only 3-4 iteration are sufficient
while using Kanis Method; which is somewhat less as
compared with Moment Distribution Method.
6. The convergence is generally fast. It leads to the
solutions in just a few cycles of iterations.
7. After the analysis, frame under consideration is
statically determinate and contains all end moments.

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International Journal of Advanced Engineering Research and Technology (IJAERT) 122

Volume 4 Issue 4, April 2016, ISSN No.: 2348 8190

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