ECS 468 Indeterminate Structures

MOMENT DISTRIBUTION METHOD

Prepared by Oh Chai Lian
ECS 468 Indeterminate Structures

Moment Distribution Method (3 hours Lecture)

Learning Outcomes:
At the end of this lecture, students should be able to :

1) identify the non-sway frame and sway frame.

2) solve the moments at every joint of statically indeterminate non-
sway frame.
ECS 468 Indeterminate Structures

Moment Distribution for Frame

Type of frame Criteria Procedure of Analysis
Non-sway Frame Symmetrical loading Same as beam
Symmetrical geometry
(without horizontal restrained)

Horizontal load
Nonsymmetrical vertical load
Nonsymmetrical geometry
( but with proper horizontal
restrained)

Sway Frame Horizontal load Stage1: Non-sway analysis

Nonsymmetrical vertical load
Nonsymmetrical geometry
Different support conditions
Settlement of support
Different EI for frame members
( without horizontal restrained)
Apply a restrained, R to prevent the
frame from side-sway.
Moment distribution for non-sway frame.
Stage 2: sway analysis
Release R, a same but in opposite force
R apply to make the frame sway.
Moment distribution for sway frame.
ECS 468 Indeterminate Structures

Example 4: Frame without sway (non-sway frame)

Determine the internal moment at the joints of the frame shown. There is a pin
at E and D and a fixed support at A. EI is constant.

Solution:
By inspection, the pin at E will prevent the frame from side-sway.
ECS 468 Indeterminate Structures

Joint A B C D E

Member AB BA BC CB CD CE DC EC

K 4(EI)/5 = 0.8EI 4(EI)/6 = 0.667EI 3(EI)/5 = 3(EI)/4 = 0.6EI 0.75EI

0.8EI 0.667EI 0.6EI 0.75EI

K 0.8EI + 1.467EI 2.017EI 0.6EI 0.75EI

DF = 0 0.545 0.455 0.330 0.298 0.372 1 1

K/K

FEM
wL2
( FEM ) BC 135kNm
12
wL2
( FEM ) CB 135kNm
12
ECS 468 Indeterminate Structures

Moment distribution table:

ECS 468 Indeterminate Structures

BMD
ECS 468 Indeterminate Structures

Moment distribution for sway frames

To determine sides-way and the internal moments at the joints using
moment distribution, we will use the principle of superposition

Stage 1 Stage 2
ECS 468 Indeterminate Structures

Real structure (sway) Restraining R applied Opposite direction of R, R applied

(Non-sway) (sway)
Moment, M = Moment, M1 + Moment, M2

Assume R causing a
By moment distribution,
(FEM due to )
get M1
(FEM due to external loads)
Moment distribution, get M2

Value of R by static of Value of R by static of

equilibrium FX = 0 equilibrium FX = 0

M2 = R/R (M2), R/R is a correction factor

Thus, final moment M = M1 + R/R (M2)
ECS 468 Indeterminate Structures

Example 5: Sway frame

Determine the moments at each joint of the frame shown. EI is constant

Solution:
By inspection, this frame will sway due to non-
symmetrical of vertical load and no horizontal
restrained.

= +

Stage 1 Stage 2
Actual frame
No-sway analysis, M1 sway analysis, M2
ECS 468 Indeterminate Structures

Moment Distribution Method (3 hours Lecture)

Learning Outcomes:
At the end of this lecture, students should be able to :

1) solve the moments at every joint of statically indeterminate sway

frame.
ECS 468 Indeterminate Structures

Joint A B C D

Member AB BA BC CB CD DC

K 4EI/5 = 0.8 EI 0.8 EI 4EI/5 = 0.8EI 0.8 EI 4EI/5 = 0.8 EI 0.8 EI

K 0.8 EI + 1.6 EI 1.6 EI 0.8 EI +

DF = 0 0.5 0.5 0.5 0.5 0

K/K

Stage 1: Non-sway analysis

FEM
16(4) 2 (1)
( FEM ) BC 2
10.24kNm
(5)

16(1) 2 (4)
( FEM ) CB 2.56kNm
(5) 2
ECS 468 Indeterminate Structures

Moment distribution table (M1):

To find R,

B 5.78 kNm C 2.72 kNm

5m 5m

2.88 kNm 1.32 kNm

A D

Ax = 1.73 kN Dx = 0.81 kN

FX = 0
R = 1.73 - 0.81 = 0.92 kN

Ax = 1.73 kN Dx = 0.81kN
ECS 468 Indeterminate Structures

Stage 2: Sway analysis

Assume R is applied at C, causing the frame to deflect .

Since both B and C happen to be displaced the same , AB and DC have
the same E, I and L and both A and D are fixed support,
FEMAB = FEMDC FEM
Due to ,
FEMAB = - 6EI /52 = -0.24 EI
FEMBA = - 0.24 EI

FEMCD = - 0.24 EI
FEMDC = - 0.24 EI
Assume FEMAB = - 0.24 EI = -100 kNm
Thus, FEMBA = - 100 kNm

FEMCD = - 100 kNm

FEMDC = - 100 kNm
ECS 468 Indeterminate Structures

Moment distribution table (M2):

To find R,

C 60 kNm
B 60 kNm

5m 5m

80 kNm 80 kNm
A D

Ax = 28 kN Dx = 28 kN

FX = 0
R = 28 + 28 = 56 kN

Ax = 28 kN Dx = 28 kN
ECS 468 Indeterminate Structures

Final moment,
M = M1 + R/R (M2 ) R/R = 0.92/56 = 0.0164

AB BA BC CB CD DC

M1 2.88 5.78 -5.78 2.72 -2.72 -1.32

M2= R/R*M2 -1.31 -0.99 0.99 0.99 -0.99 -1.31

M (kNm) 1.57 4.79 -4.79 3.71 -3.71 -2.63

Test your understanding

Try to use link below:-
http://www-staff.lboro.ac.uk/~cvjae3/cvb008/mod/pro/ps3.htm
ECS 468 Indeterminate Structures

Appendix: Fixed End Moment (FEM)

ECS 468 Indeterminate Structures