CE371 Structural Analysis II

Lecture 1: 12.1 12.4

12.1) General Principles
12.2) Moment Distribution for Beams
12.3) Stiffness Factor Modification
12.4) Moment Distribution for Frames No Sidesway

CE371 Structural Analysis II

Dr. Ammar T. Al-Sayegh

12.1) General Principles

Moment distribution is a method of

successive approximations that can
be carried out to any degree of
accuracy.

This method starts with assuming

that each joint in the structure is
fixed, then joints are unlocked
and locked in succession until
each joint has rotated to its final
position.

During this process, internal

moments at the joints are
distributed and balanced.

CE371 Structural Analysis II

Dr. Ammar T. Al-Sayegh

Definitions Used by MDM:

Sign Convention: As with the slope-deflection

method, clockwise moment is positive.

Fixed-End Moment (FEM): The moment of a

fixed joint in a loaded member (taken from
FEM Table).

Member Stiffness Factor (K): Amount of

moment M required to rotate near end by
= 1 .

4
(Near End Pinned, Far End Fixed)

2
(Center-Span, Symmetric Beam, Symmetric Loading)

=
=

3
(Near End Pinned, Far End Pinned)

6
(Center-Span, Symmetric Beam, Antisymmetric Loading)

CE371 Structural Analysis II

Dr. Ammar T. Al-Sayegh

Member Relative-Stiffness Factor (KR): If E is constant for the whole

structure, the relative-stiffness factor, KR, can be used where K is used for beam
with near end pinned and far end fixed, such that

= (Near End Pinned, Far End Fixed)

Joint Stiffness Factor (KT): If several members

are fixed to a joint, then by principle of
superposition, the joint stiffness factor is
=

Distribution Factor (DF): If a moment M is

applied to a fixed joint, each member connected to
this joint will contribute a fraction of the total
resisting moment equal to the DF of that joint, so

Carry-Over Factor (CO): The fraction of

moment carried over the beam from one end to
another. For pinned-fixed beam
1
=
2

CE371 Structural Analysis II

Dr. Ammar T. Al-Sayegh

MDM Procedure for Beams:

1. Identify joints in the beam, determine DF for each span end using
Ks for the corresponding end. Note that DF = 0 for fixed supports,
and DF = 1 for pinned or roller supports.
2. Assume all joints where moments to be determined are initially
locked.
3. Determine the FEM for each span end.
4. Determine the unbalanced moment at each joint. Apply equal and
opposite moment to the joint by distributing this moment to both
sides of the joint according to DFs.
5. Unlock (release) one the locked joints and let the moments be
carried over to the other end of each span using the CO factors.
6. Relock the released joints and repeat 4 and 5 until all moments are
balanced out.
CE371 Structural Analysis II

Dr. Ammar T. Al-Sayegh

Example 1
Determine the reactions at the supports and then draw the
moment diagram. Assume A is fixed. EI is constant. the
moments at A and C.
50 kN

80 kN/m

20 m

CE371 Structural Analysis II

20 m

15 m

Dr. Ammar T. Al-Sayegh

Example 2
Determine the moments at B and C, then draw the moment
diagram for the beam. Assume C is a fixed support. EI is
constant.

CE371 Structural Analysis II

Dr. Ammar T. Al-Sayegh

Example 3
Determine the moment at B, then draw the moment diagram for
the beam. Assume the support at A is pinned, B is a roller and C
is fixed. EI is constant.
4 kN/m

12 m

15 m

CE371 Structural Analysis II

Dr. Ammar T. Al-Sayegh

Example 4
Determine the moment at B, then draw the moment diagram for
each member of the frame. Assume the supports at A and C are
pins. EI is constant.

CE371 Structural Analysis II

Dr. Ammar T. Al-Sayegh

Example 5
Determine the moment at B, then draw the moment diagram for
each member of the frame. Assume the supports at A and C are
pins. EI is constant.
4 kN/m

12 m

12 m
12 m

CE371 Structural Analysis II

Dr. Ammar T. Al-Sayegh

Example 6
Determine the moments at B and C, then draw the moment
diagram for each member of the frame. Assume the supports at
A, E, and D are fixed. EI is constant.
10 kN
2 kN/m
8m

8m

12 m
16 m

CE371 Structural Analysis II

10

Dr. Ammar T. Al-Sayegh