MOMENT DISTRIBUTION METHOD

The moment distribution method is used for statically indeterminate beams and frames by
simple hand calculations. This is basically an iterative process. The procedure involves
artificially restraining temporarily all the joints against rotation and writing down the fixed end
moments for all the members. The joints are then released one by one in succession. At each
released joint the unbalanced moments are distributed to all the ends of the members meeting
at that joint.
A certain fraction of these distributed moments are carried over to the far ends of members.
The released joint is again restrained temporarily before proceeding to the next joint. The
same set of operations are carried out at each joint till all the joints are completed. This
completes one cycle of operations. The process is repeated a number of times or cycles till the
values obtained are within the desired accuracy.
The sign convention will be the same as one followed for slope-deflection method. Now we want
to define certain terms employed in this method. Consider a joint and four members which are
connected at that joint. Each member will represent a different case. If an external moment M
is applied to such a joint, the joint undergoes a rotation Θ1. Since all the members meeting at
this joint undergo the same rotation Θ1, the applied moment M is distributed to each of the
ends of the members according to their relative stiffness values.
 Absolute and Relative Stiffness of Members

The absolute stiffness of a member can be defined as the moment required to produce a unit rotation at simply
supported end while the other end is fully restrained.
I/L ratio is referred to as relative stiffness and denoted by letter k

M ik k M ki
i
θ =1

2EI 4EI Absolute Stiffness

M ik = .2θ 1 = 2 E k .2θ 1 = 4 E k =
L L
2EI 2EI
M ki = .θ 1 = 2 E k .θ 1 = 2 E k =
L L
 by using slope-deflection equations, member end moments can be written
3

2 EI 15 θ
M 51 = ( 2θ 5 + θ 1 ) = 0 → θ 5 = − 1 ,
L15 2
θ1
4 θ1 M 2
2 EI 12 2 EI 12
θ1 M 12 = ( 2θ 1 − θ 1 ) = θ 1 = 4 E ( 12 k12 ) θ 1
θ4 1 θ2 L12 L12
θ1 2 EI 13 4 EI 13
θ 4 = θ1 θ 2 = −θ1 M 13 = ( 2θ 1 ) = θ 1 = 4 E ( k13 ) θ 1
L13 L13
Skew − Sym. Symmetrical 2 EI 14 6 EI 14
M 14 = ( 2θ 1 + θ 1 ) = θ 1 = 4 E ( 32 k14 ) θ 1
Deformation Deformation L14 L14

θ5 2 EI 15  θ 1  3 EI 15
5 M 15 =  2θ 1 −  = θ 1 = 4 E ( 34 k15 ) θ 1
L15  2  L15
zero − moment
Modified relative
stiffness
Moment equilibrium equation of joint 1
Relative stiffness values with their coefficients may be
M = 4 E ( k12 + k13 + k14 + k15 ) θ1
1
2
3
2
3
4
considered as modified relative stiffness values

M  1 
θ1 =   Substitute the rotation at joint 1 in slope deflection
4 E  12 k12 + k13 + 23 k14 + 34 k15  equations
 M  1   2 k12
1 
M 12 = 4 E ( k12 )
1
2 1 =1  M = d 12 M
4 E  2 k12 + k13 + 32 k14 + 43 k15  2 12k + k 13 + 3
k
2 14 + 3
k
4 15 

M  1   k13 
M 13 = 4 E ( k13 ) 1 =1  M = d 13 M
4 E  2 k12 + k13 + 23 k14 + 43 k15   2 k12 + k13 + 2 k14 + 4 k15 
3 3

M  1   2 k14
3 
M 14 = 4 E ( 32 k14 ) 1  =   M = d 14 M
4E  2 k12 + k13 + 2 k14 + 4 k15   2 k12 + k13 + 2 k14 + 4 k15 
3 3 1 3 3

M  1   4 k15
3 
M 15 = 4 E ( 34 k15 ) 1  =   M = d 15 M
4E k
 2 12 + k 13 + 3
k
2 14 + 3
k
4 15 
1
k
 2 12 + k 13 + 3
k
2 14 + 3
k
4 15 

The factor, by which the applied

Distribution Factors moment is multiplied to obtain the end
M 12 + M 13 + M 14 + M 15 = M moment of any member is known as the
DISTRIBUTION FACTOR
(1444
d12 + d13 + d14 + d15 ) M = M
24443 3
Relative
1 Modified
Stiffness k13
2 EI13 1 k13 1 1 Values
M 31 = θ1 = M = d .M = M 13
2 ∑ kij'
13
L13 2 2 4 M 2

1
Carry over factor
3
2 k14 1
2 k12
Skew − Sym.
3
4 k15 Symmetrical
The carry over factor is defined as the factor by Deformation Deformation
which the moment at simply supported end is multiplied
to get the moment carried over to (produced at) the 5
other end. zero − moment
 100.kN 20. kNm
100*5
1 2 − M 12F = M 21F = = 62.5kNm
8
EI 3EI 20*7.52
5 − M 23 = M 32 =
F F
= 93.75kNm
7.5m 12

1 2 3 All the joints temporarily restrained

−62.5 62.5 −93.75 93.75 Fixed end moments

The temporary restraint is resisting a moment of

31.25 kNm to obtain the true condition at support 2,
31.25 we must remove the temporary restraint. When we
2 release the joint 2, it will rotate until it attains a
position of equilibrium generating a moment of
62.5 62.5 93.75 93.75 negative 31.25 kNm. This moment is distributed
between the two members in proportion to their
Free Body Diagram of joint 2
relative stiffness.
I
1
d 21 = 5
=
Therefore, the moment developed at
I
5 + 3I
7 .5 3 M 21 = 13 (31.25) = 10.42kNm.
the end of each member 3I
2 M 23 = 23 (31.25) = 20.83kNm.
d 23 = 7 .5
=
I
+ 3I
3
5 7 .5 Half of these moments will be carried over
to the far ends of the members with the
same sign.
31.25
2
5.21 10.42 20.83 10.42
2
57.29 72.92 72.92 104.17
 The above procedure can be recorded in a convenient tabular form

100.kN 20. kNm

1 2 3
EI 3EI
5 7.5m
k12 = LI = 0.2 I k23 = 3I
7.5 = 0.4 I

0 0.3333 0.6667 0 Distribution Factors

1 2 3 Fixed end moments
-62.5 62.5 -93.75 93.75
5.21 10.42 20.83 10.42 Balance joint 2, and carry over moments
72.92 -72.92
-57.29 104.17 Final member end moments

2
57.29 72.92 72.92 104.17
 Example : It is required to determine the support moments for the continuous beam.

Relative stiffness, distribution factors and

40 kNm
50 80 80 fixed end moments
1 2 3 4
d 21 = 0.125
0.375 = 13
k12′ = 3 I
= 0.125 I
4 6 d 23 = 0.25
0.375 = 2
3
3m 3 X 2m k23 = 4I = 0.25 I
4 4 d32 = 0.25
0.50 = 1
2
k34 = = 0.25 I
I

2
4
d34 = 0.25
0.50 = 1
2
80*2*42 80*4*22 40*4
−M = M =
F F
+ = 106.67kNm −M 34F = M 43F = = 53.33kNm
12
36
21
36 12
150 50 kN force at the free end
produces a moment of 150 kNm. at
1 0.3333 0.6667 0.5 0.5 0 joint 1. It may be considered as an
1 2 3 4 external moment at the joint.
160 0 0 -53.33 53.33
-150 -75
-28.33 -56.67 -28.33
106.67
20.42 40.83 40.83 20.42 106.67 2
-6.81 -13.61 -6.81
1.70 3.40 3.40 1.70
-0.57 -1.13 -0.57 106.67 106.67
0.15 0.29 0.29 0.15
-0.05 -0.10 -0.05 80 80

0.02 0.03 0.03 0.01

-0.01 -0.01
8.79 -8.79 75.61 160
-150 49.23 -49.23
 200 200 Example : For the symmetrical structures use
the modified relative stiffness and no carry
1 2 3 4 over moment across the symmetry axis.

2 X 5m 15 2 X 5m 3
M 21F = 200*10 = 375kNm
16

1 0.4286 0.5714
1 2 k12′ = 3 I
4 10 = 0.075I d 21 = 0.075
0.175 = 0.4286
0 375 0
-160.73 -214.28 ′ =
k23 3 I
2 15 = 0.100 I d 23 = 0.100
0.175 = 0.5714
214.28 -214.28

24 kN
m
Example : In addition to the given loading support 3 settles 150
down by 12 mm. EI= 700000 kNm2 1 2 3

P  2 a 2b  150  36*4  4 6 10
M = 2 b a +
F
21 = 16*6 +  = 252kNm
L  2  100  2 
24*10*10
− M 23F = = 300kNm 1 0.5 0.5 1
8 1 2 3
Fixed end moment 0 252 -300 0
3EI ∆ 3*7.105 *0.012
− M 23FSS = 2 = = 252kNm FEM support sett. -252
L 100
Balance joint 2 150 150
k12′ = 3 I
4 10 = 0.075I d 21 = 0.075
0.150 = 0.5 Final member end 402 -402
′ = d 23 = = 0.5 moments
k23 3 I
4 10 = 0.075I 0.075
0.150
Example : Find member end moments for the given symmetrical frame and loading.

20. kN m
For the analysis we may open the leg up
2 3
0 0.8 0.2
3 1 2
-166.67
1 4
66.67 133.33 33.33

4 10 4 66.67 133.33 -133.33

k12 = 5I = 0.20 I d 21 = 0.20

0.25 = 0.80 20*100
−M 23F = = 166.67kNm
′ =
k23 1 I
2 10 = 0.05I d 23 = 0.05
0.25 = 0.20 12

Example : Find member end moments by using moment distribution method.

300

k12′ = 3 I
= 0.15 I 1 0.5833 0.4167 1
100kN 30 kNm 4 5 1 2 3
′ = -183.75
k23 3 I
4 7 = 0.1071I
3
-67.81 -48.44
2
d 21 = 0.5833 -67.81 -232.19
4
d 23 = 0.4167
1
30*72
−M = F
23 = 183.75kNm
3 7 8
M 2EM = 100*3 = 300kNm External moment on joint 2
 Analysis of frames with side sway

In frames undergoing lateral translation (side sway), the analysis is carried out in two stages. In the first stage, the
frame is prevented from undergoing any side sway by applying an artificial joint restraint as shown in the figure
given below. The procedure is then similar to the one adopted for the frames without side sway.

F
2 3 2 3

Artificial
1 4 1 4 restraint

The value of the artificial restraining force F, is obtained by first evaluating the shear at the bases of columns.
Then from the equilibrium condition ,

∑F HORIZONTAL =0

the true value of F can be evaluated. At this stage the end moments are true only when restraining force F were
acting.
To achieve the true condition of structure, the frame has to be analyzed again by applying a force equal and
opposite to artificial restraining force F.
The member end moments resulting from this condition of loading will be combined with the moments obtained from
the earlier restrained condition to obtain the true values of moments in the frame.
 Example : Determine the end moments of the portal frame using Cross
20 kNm
method.

3 20*62 2 6 EI 3
M = 50*4 = 37.5kNm
F −M = M = F
23 = 60kNm
F
32
16
21
12 50kN 2
4EI 4 EI
k12′ = 3 4I
= 0.75 I d 21 = 0.75
= 0.4286 2
4 4
1.75 1 4
k23 = 6I
=I d 23 = 1.75
1
= 0.5714
6
d32 = 1 6m
k34 = 4I
4 =I 2

d34 = 1
2
54.80 35.77
1 0.4286 0.5714 0.5 0.5 0 2 3
1 2 3 4
37.5 -60 60
-15 -30 -30 -15 50 ∑M 2 =0 ∑M 3 =0

16.07 21.43 10.72 Q12 = 11.3 Q43 = 13.41

17.88 4
-2.68 -5.36 -5.36 -2.68 1
1.15 1.53 0.76
-0.19 -0.38 -0.38 -0.19
50 F
0.08 0.11 0.06
-0.01 -0.03 -0.03 -0.01
54.80 -54.80 35.77 -35.77 -17.88 11.3 13.41

∑F H = 0 → F = 50 − 11.3 − 13.41 = 25.29kN

This is the force the artificial restraint exerts on the frame to prevent side sway. To obtain the true condition the
artificial constraint has to be removed. This procedure could be done in an indirect manner. Apply an unknown force F’,
the fixed end moments in the columns due to side sway:
 ∆ ∆ 3EI ∆
F′ M 21F = −
L2
= −0.75E∆ Let E∆ be 10,

2 3 6EI ∆
M 34F = M 43F = − 2 = −1.5E∆ M 21F = −7.5,...M 34F = M 43F = −15
L

1 4
5.76 8.08
2 3
1 0.4286 0.5714 0.5 0.5 0
1 2 3 4
-7.5 0 -15 -15
∑M 2 =0 ∑M 3 =0
3.75 7.5 7.5 3.75
Q12 = 1.44 Q43 = 4.90
1.61 2.14 1.07 11.54
1
4
-0.27 -0.54 -0.54 -0.27
0.12 0.15 0.08
F′
-0.02 -0.04 -0.04 -0.02
0.01 0.01 8,07 -8,07 -11.54
-5.76 5.76 1.44 4.90

∑F H = 0 → F ′ = 6.34kN

The true value of horizontal force to be applied to the frame is 25.29 kN. Therefore the moments due to a lateral
force of 25.29 kN are obtained by proportion, that is multiplying the moments by a factor 25.29/6.34=3.985
 −
M 12 = 0 32.96

M 21 = +54.80 + 3.985*(−5.76) = +31.84kNm − − NORMAL FORCE

53.98 66.02
M 23 = −54.80 + 3.985*(+5.76) = −31.84kNm
M 32 = +35.77 + 3.985*(+8.07) = +67.93kNm
M 34 = −35.77 + 3.985*(−8.08) = −67.93kNm 66.02
M 43 = −17.88 + 3.985*(−11.54) = −63.87kNm +
−
+ 53.98
32.96
20 kNm 32.96 − SHEAR FORCE
− 17.04

2 6EI 3
50kN 4EI 4EI

1 4 41.04
31.84 +
67.93
−
− BENDING
MOMENT
34.08 +

63.87
 Example :
d 21 = 0.25
0.25 + 0.3333 = 0.4286
100kN k12 = = 0.2500 I
I
4 d 23 = 0.3333
0.25 + 0.3333 = 0.5714
k23 = 2I
= 0.3333I
2 2EI 3
6
d32 = 0.3333
0.20 + 0.3333 = 0.6250
k34 = 5I = 0.2000 I
30 kNm EI EI
4m d34 = 0.2000
0.20 + 0.3333 = 0.3750

1 4 − M 12F = M 21F = 40,... − M 23F = 88.89,...M 32F = 44.44kNm

2 4 3
69.55 100 24.06

0 0.4286 0.5714 0.625 0.375 0 74.25 25.75

1 2 3 4
-40 40 -88.89 44.44 0 0

-13.89 -27.78 -16.67 -8.33

13.46 26.91 35.87 17.94

69.55 24.06 12.02
-5.61 -11.21 -6.73 -3.36 30 kN
m
25.22
1.20 2.40 3.20 1.60
Q43 = 28.33
-0.50 -1.00 -0.60 -0.30 Q12 = 48.92 25.75
0.11 0.21 0.29 0.15

-0.05 -0.09 -0.06 -0.03

120 F
0.01 0.02 0.03 0.01

-25.22 69.54 -69.55 24.06 -24.06 -12.02 48.92 28.33

∑F H = 0 → F = 120 − 48.92 − 28.33 = 42.75kN

 3′ 6EI ∆
∆
sin α
M12F = M 21F = − = −0.375EI ∆
16
∆ 2′ ∆
tan α
∆ 6E 2I ∆
2 3 M 23F = M 32F = = 0.25EI ∆
36. 43
sin α = 0.8 6EI ∆
M 34F = M 43F = − = −0.30EI ∆
tan α = 4
3
α 4 25*0.8
let...EI ∆ = 100
32.36 29.39

0 0.4286 0.5714 0.625 0.375 0

1 2 3 4 10.29 10.29
-37.5 -37.5 25 25 -30 -30
2.68 5.36 7.14 3.54
0.46 0.91 0.55 0.28
-0.10 -0.20 -0.26 -0.13 29.40 29.70
32.36
0.04 0.08 0.05 0.02
34.93
-0.01 -0.02 -0.02 -0.01
Q43 = 22.49
-34.93 -32.36 32.36 29.39 -29.4 -29.7 Q12 = 16.82 10.29

To get the true moments for the lateral force of 45.75 kN. Acting F′
from left to right, these moments must be multiplied by 42.75/39.31
and superposed by the moments due to the external loads without 16.82 22.49
any side sway.
∑F H = 0 → F ′ = 16.82 + 22.49 = 39.31kN
 M 12   −25.22   −34.93   −63.20 
        We may check the sum of shears at the base of columns
 M 21   +69.54   −32.36   +34.35  is equal to external lateral force.
 M 23   −69.54  42.75  +32.36   −34.35 
 = +  = 
 M 32   +24.06  39.31  +29.40   +56.03 
 M   −24.06   −29.40   −56.03 
 34       
M  −12.02 −29.70 − 44.32 −
 43       
52.79
− −

63.06 61.23

36.94 NORMAL FORCE

kN
52.79 +
+ −
63.06
− 91.77
20.07
− 34.35 + 56.03
67.21 −
−

SHEAR FORCE
12.09 +
kN + 44.32
−
63.20 52.79

BENDING MOMENT 36.94

kNM
Example: Find member end moments and draw shear force and bending moment diagrams. EI is constant.

100kN 100
2 3 k12 = 0.20 I 2 3

k23 = 3 I
4 5 = 0.15 I
3 1
No side sway, no fem, due
d 21 = 0.5714
1 to external loading. All the
d 23 = 0.4286 member end moments are
zero.
4m 5

2 ∆ 3 F′ 100
∆ 2 F = 133.33
∆ tan α
sin α
∑M 2 =0
1 α 1
Q12 = 133.33 133.33
6EI ∆ 100
M12F = M21F = − = −0.4EI ∆
25 sin α
3EI ∆
M23F = = 0.16EI ∆
25 tan α 26.29
5.26
let...EI ∆ = 100
26.29 F′
2
0 0.5714 0.4286 1
1 2 3 33.14
∑M 2 =0
-40 -40 16
1 Q = 26.82 26.82
6.86 13.71 10.29
-33.14 -26.29 26.29 5.26
 M 12   0   −33.14   −164.73 
    133.33     26.14
M = 0 +
 21    26.82  −26.29 =
  − 130.68 
 M  0  +26.29   +130.68  +
 23       

− SHEAR FORCE
kN
59.08

− 130.68
NORMAL FORCE
kN
44.32 +
+

BENDING MOMENT
− kN

164.73