LECTURE NOTES N0.

9a
CEB 614 – STRUCTURAL ANALYSIS 1
Reference Textbook: Structural Analysis by R.C. Hibbeler, 5th Edition
April 2020

MOMENT DISTRIBUTION FOR FRAMES: NO SIDESWAY

Application of the Moment Distribution Method for frames having no side sway follows
the same procedure as that given for beams. To minimize the chance for errors, it is
suggested that the analysis be arranged in Tabular form.

ILLUSTRATIVE PROBLEM NO.1: FRAME ANALYSIS WITHOUT SIDESWAY (page233)

A Frame shown in the figure below has a fixed supports at A and B and is hinged at E.
It is subjected to a horizontal lateral load of 200kN at the mid span of AC and a
uniformly distributed load of 50kN/m throughout the span CDE. The members of the
Frame have different moment of inertias as indicated in the Figure Assume that the
modulus of Elasticity (E) of the Frame is constant.

w = 50kN/m

E
2m C 2I D 2I

200kN I I
2m
B
A

6m 6m

a) Using the principle of Moment Distribution method, evaluate the end moments at
points A, B, and E and the joint moments at C and D. Use 6 cycles of Distribution
in the analysis

b) Analyze the support reactions at points A, B and E

CEB 614 Structural Analysis 2020 Hardy Cross Method (Moment Distribution Method) Page 1
SOLUTION: Using Relative Stiffness (k) = I/L

w = 50kN/m

E
2m C 2I
D 2I
200kN I I
2m

A B

6m 6m

CEB 614 Structural Analysis 2020 Hardy Cross Method (Moment Distribution Method) Page 2
PROCEDURAL STEPS OF SOLUTION:

1. Evaluate the number of supports (end support or support with joints). If the support is an end support, the
number of its member is only one member. For support joining more than one member of the frame,
determine the number of members of each support.

2. Determine the stiffness (k) of each member.

3. Compute the Distribution Factor (DF) of the member in a joint with more than one member by the
formulae:

DFmember = Kmember
ΣK joint

a) For end support with only one member

 If the end support is a simple support , DF = 1

 If the end support is a Fixed end support , DF = 0

4. Irrespective of the given kind of support in the beam or frame, assumed that all supports are fixed or
locked and compute the fixed end moments consider separate from every other span. Use Table 1
below in computing FEM.

TABLE 1 (Formula taken from Table 7.2 of the reference Textbook).

Case Type of Load Fixed End Moments
No.
P
MA MB MA = (-)P a b2
1 a b L2
A B
MB = (+)P a2 b
L L2

MA = (-) wL2
2 MA wkN/m MB
12
A B
L MB = (+) wL2
12

MA MB
MA = (-) (5/192) wL2
3 A L/2 w kN/m B
MB = (+) (11/192) wL2
L

MA MB MA = (-) wL2
4 MMA 30
.
wkN/m
A B MB = (+) wL2
L 20

MA= (-) 5 wL2

5 wkN/m
96
A B
L/2 L/2 MB= (+) 5wL2
96

CEB 614 Structural Analysis 2020 Hardy Cross Method (Moment Distribution Method) Page 3
 P
MA MB MA = (-) P L
L/2 L/2 8
6 A B
L MB = (+)P L
8

5. Unlock each support and distribute the unbalanced moments at each support. Then relock
each support

6. After distributing the unbalanced moment to each adjacent span, carry over one – half this
amount, with the same sign, to the other end of each span.

7. Note:

a) After completing the above procedures, this complete one cycle of distribution. Step 6
and step 7 must be repeated because of the new unbalance moment caused by the
carry – over moments.

b) The repetitions are made until the carry – over moments became zero or negligibly in
values.

8. The accuracy of the application of the moment – distribution method is when the carry –
over moment becomes negligibly small.

CEB 614 Structural Analysis 2020 Hardy Cross Method (Moment Distribution Method) Page 4
 STIFFNESS MODIFICATION FACTOR

The distribution of moments can be shortened if the stiffness factor of an end span
can be modified as follows:

A) Slope caused by the moment when the near or far end of the end span is simply
supported

RR
MA MB = 0
A B
ӨA ӨB

tB/A

L/2

0 0 M

- RL
2/3L

MOMENT DIAGRAM BY PARTS

FIGURE 2
Deviation at point B from reference tangent drawn at A

EItB/A = Area(AB) . xB
EItB/A = (MA L) ( 1/2 L) – [(RL)(L)/2](1/3 L)
EItB/A = (MA L2) - (RL3) ----------------- eq. 1
2 6
Slope at point B(ӨB)

EIӨB = EItB/A -------------------------------------- eq.2

L

but RL = M
R = M/L

Substitute eq. 1 to eq. 2 and simplify

EIӨB = ML ; ӨB = ML
3 3EI

Stiffness Modification Factor will be:

Modified Factor = ML/4EI = 3/4

ML/3EI

Note: The ¾ value should be multiplied to the stiffness when the far end of the end span is
simply supported.

CEB 614 Structural Analysis 2020 Hardy Cross Method (Moment Distribution Method) Page 5
 ILLUSTRATIVE PROBLEM NO. 2: Using Modified Stiffness Factor (page 236)

A properly restrained frame shown in Figure 3 below has hinge supports at A and C
with overhang end DE. Using the “Modified Stiffness Factor” principle of Moment
Distribution Method, evaluate the nodal moments at A, C and D and generate the
shear and moment diagram of the frame. The members of the frame have different
moment of inertias.

3 kN/m
C C E
2I D 2I

End span CD &AD 10m

I
B 15kN

5m

20.0m 5.0m

FIGURE 3

1) Stiffness of the member of the frame

Since CD and AD are end span and points C and A are simple supports, use the modified
stiffness factor, where the stiffness of the end span is multiplied by ¾ .

kCD = kDC = ¾ (2I) =. 6I . = 3I .

L 80 40

kAD = kDA= ¾ (I) =. 3I . = . I .

L 60 20

2. Compute the Distribution Factor (DF) of the member in a joint with more than one member
by the formulae:

DFmember = Kmember
ΣK joint

a) For end support with only one member

 If the end support is a simple support , DF = 1

 If the end support is a Fixed end support , DF = 0

CEB 614 Structural Analysis 2020 Hardy Cross Method (Moment Distribution Method) Page 6
 DFCD = 1.0 – Simple Support

DFDC = . kDC . = 3I/40 . = 0.60

kDC+ kDA 3I/40 + I/20

DFDA = . kDA .= I/20 . = 0.40

kDC+ kDA 3I/40 + I/20

DFAD = 1.0 – Simple Support

3) Fixed End Moment

FEMCD = (-) wL2 = (-)100 kNm

12
FEMDC = (+) wL2 = (+)100 kNm
12

FEMDA = (-) Pab2 = (-) 15(10)(5)2 = (-)16.67 kNm

L2 (15)2

FEMAD = (+) Pa2b = (+) 15(10)2(5) = (+)33.33 kNm

L2 (15)2

MOMENT DISTRIBUTION TABLE

C Joints A D C
C
YY Member AD DA DC DE CD
C
C Mod. k I/20 1/20 3I/40 I/20 3I/40
L
E DF = K/ΣK 1 0.40 0.60 - 1

1 FEM (+) 33.33 (-) 16.67 (+) 100 (-)37.50 (-) 100

1ST Distribution (-) 33.33 (-) 18.332 (-) 27.498 - (+) 100
Carry –over (-) 9.166 (-) 16.67 (+) 50 - (-) 13.749
2 .
2nd Distribution (+) 9.166 (-) 13.332 (-) 19.998 - (+) 13.749

Carry –over (-) 6.67 (+) 4.583 (+) 6.875 - (-) 10.0
3 .
3rd Distribution (+) 6.67 (-)4.583 (-) 6.875 - (+) 10.0

TOTAL (ΣM) 0 (-) 65.004 (+) 102.504 (-) 37.50 0

CEB 614 Structural Analysis 2020 Hardy Cross Method (Moment Distribution Method) Page 7
TUTORIAL PROBLEM NO. 1 (page 242)

The Frame shown in the Figure below has fixed support at A and a hinged support at
D. Using the principle of “ Modified Stiffness Factor” of the Moment distribution
Method, evaluate the bending moments at the nodal points A, C and D and
generate the shear and moment diagram of the frame. The frame is properly
restrained; hence there will be no side sway or yielding of the supports. Assumed EI is
constant for the whole frame.

C 25kN/m

D
3m

75kN B

3m

9.0m

FIGURE

CEB 614 Structural Analysis 2020 Hardy Cross Method (Moment Distribution Method) Page 8
TUTORIL PROBLEM NO.2: FRAME ANALYSIS WITHOUT SIDESWAY (page248)

A Frame shown in the figure below has a fixed support at A and a hinged supports at
points D and E. It is subjected to a horizontal lateral load of 20kN at point B of the
frame and a uniformly distributed load of 5kN/m throughout the span BC. Evalaute
the bending moments at points A, B, C, D and E of the frame using the “Modified
Stiffness Factor” of the Moment Distribution Method. Assumed EI is constant and there
will be no side sway in the nodal points.

5kN/m
20kN

B C E

15m

D
A

18m 12m
A

CEB 614 Structural Analysis 2020 Hardy Cross Method (Moment Distribution Method) Page 9
 THANK YOU JESUS CHRIST

CEB 614 Structural Analysis 2020 Hardy Cross Method (Moment Distribution Method) Page 10