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TIMBER DESIGN

MOMENT DISTRIBUTION METHOD FOR BY: MARCO TAGUIAM NELMIDA, R.CEng, PICE,
INDETERMINATE BEAMS SM.ASCE, MSE-SE Candidate 1

COVERED TOPICS
• ANALYSIS OF INDETERMINATE BEAMS
USING MDM

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REFERENCES
 Engineering Mechanics (Statics)
1 3 th E d i t i o n b y R . C . H i b b e l e r

 S t ru c t u r a l A n a ly s i s 4th E di t i on by
Aslam Kassimali

 National Structural Code of the

P h i l i p p i n e s 2 0 1 5 – 7 th E d i t i o n b y
Association of Structural
Engineers of the Philippines, Inc.

 Structural Timber Design

Presentation 1

 www.mathalino.com

 ASCE SkyCiv Cloud Engineering

Software

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A N A LY S I S O F I N D E T E R M I N A T E B E A MS

BEAM STIFFNESS (K) CARRY-OVER MOMENT

Beam stiffness is the moment required by the Carry-over moment is defined as the moment
simply supported end of a beam to produce a induced at the fixed end of a beam by the
unit rotation of that end, the other end being action of a moment applied at the other end.
rigidly fixed.
• Absolute K = 4EI/L 1
𝑀 =− 𝑀
• Relative K = I/L 2
• Modified K = 3/4 x (Relative K or Absolute K)
DISTRIBUTION FACTOR (DF)
About Modified K
For continuous beams with hinge or roller ends, In frames and continuous beams, the
the final moment at that end is zero. The moments between any two adjacent
distribution of moment will become easier if we members are generally not equal. The
multiply the beam stiffness K of the span unbalanced moment must be distributed to
containing that support by ¾, which would the other end of each member. The ratio of
eliminate any further distribution of moment on distribution to any beam is called the
that support. DO NOT DO THIS FOR FIXED-END distribution factor (DF), and is defined by:
SUPPORT.
𝐷𝐹 = 𝐾/Σ𝐾
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A N A LY S I S O F I N D E T E R M I N A T E B E A MS
Where:

K = stiffness factor
ΣK = sum of the stiffness factors for
adjacent members

If the members are of the same material, only

relative K can be used.

DF = 0 for fixed end

DF = 1 for hinged or roller end

FIXED-END MOMENTS (FEM)

In the moment distribution method, we first

assume the individual spans to be fully
restrained at both ends, then we compute the
fixed end moments.

SIGN CONVENTION FOR REACTIONS:

Clockwise (+) : Counterclockwise (-) 5

S A M P L E P R O B L EM U S I N G M D M

Determine the reactions and draw the shear and bending moment diagrams for
the two-span continuous beam shown in the figure by using the moment-
distribution method (MDM).

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S A M P L E P R O B L EM U S I N G M D M
The first step in the analysis is to calculate the distribution factors Note:
at those joints of the structure that are free to rotate. * We can see that joints B and C of the continuous beam
are free to rotate so we can use the relative K for long
AT JOINT A (fixed end): 𝐷𝐹 =0
solution and modified K to shorten the approach.
AT JOINT B (roller):

𝐼 1.5 𝐼 3
𝐾 = = = 𝐼
𝐿 10 20

𝐼 𝐼 1
𝐾 = = = 𝐼
𝐿 10 10

3
𝐷𝐹 =
𝐾
=
𝐾
= 20 𝐼 =
3
= 0.6
Σ𝐾 𝐾 + 𝐾 3 1 5
20 𝐼 + 10 𝐼
1
𝐾 𝐾 𝐼 2
𝐷𝐹 = = = 10 = = 0.4
Σ𝐾 𝐾 + 𝐾 3 1 5
𝐼+ 𝐼
20 10

AT JOINT C (roller end):

1
𝐾 𝐾 𝐼
𝐷𝐹 = = = 10 = 1
Σ𝐾 𝐾 1
𝐼
10
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S A M P L E P R O B L EM U S I N G M D M
Compute fixed-end moments. Assuming that all the free joints Note:
are clamped against rotation, evaluate, for each member, the * We can see that joints B and C of the continuous beam
fixed-end moments due to the external loads by using the FEM are free to rotate so we can use the relative K for long
Table given in the previous slide.
solution and modified K to shorten the approach.
𝑃𝑎𝑏 80 5 5
𝐹𝐸𝑀 =− =− = −100 𝑘𝑁 · 𝑚
𝐿 10
𝑃𝑎 𝑏 80 5 5
𝐹𝐸𝑀 = + =+ = +100 𝑘𝑁 · 𝑚
𝐿 10
𝑃𝑎𝑏 40 5 5
𝐹𝐸𝑀 = − =− = −50 𝑘𝑁 · 𝑚
𝐿 10
𝑃𝑎 𝑏 40 5 (5)
𝐹𝐸𝑀 = + =+ = +50 𝑘𝑁 · 𝑚
𝐿 10

After recording the distribution factors and the fixed-end

moments in the moment-distribution table, we begin the
moment-distribution process by balancing joints B and C. The
unbalanced moments at Joint B is equal to:

𝑈𝑀 = 𝐹𝐸𝑀 + 𝐹𝐸𝑀 = 100 + −50 = +50 𝑘𝑁 · 𝑚

Thus, the distributed moments at the ends B of members AB and

BC are:
𝐷𝑀 = 𝐷𝐹 −𝑈𝑀 = 0.6 −50 = −30 𝑘𝑁 · 𝑚
𝐷𝑀 = 𝐷𝐹 −𝑈𝑀 = 0.4 −50 = −20 𝑘𝑁 · 𝑚
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S A M P L E P R O B L EM U S I N G M D M
Similarly, noting that the unbalanced moment at joint C is: Note:
* We can see that joints B and C of the continuous beam
𝑈𝑀 = 𝐹𝐸𝑀 = +50 𝑘𝑁 · 𝑚 are free to rotate so we can use the relative K for long
Then, we determine the distributed moment at end C of member
solution and modified K to shorten the approach.
BC to be,

𝐷𝑀 = 𝐷𝐹 −𝑈𝑀 = 1 −50 = −50 𝑘𝑁 · 𝑚

(NOTE! Since the unbalanced moments in joints B and C were

determined, to make it balanced, take the opposite sign as you
can see on the MDM table multiply to their distribution factors.)

ONE-HALF of these distributed moments are then carried over to

the far ends of the members, as shown on the third line of the
moment-distribution table. This process is repeated, as shown in
the table, until the UNBALANCED MOMENTS ARE NEGLIGIBLE
SMALL.

The FINAL MEMBER END MOMENTS, obtained by summing the

moments in each column of the moment-distribution table, are
recorded on the last line of the table.

S A M P L E P R O B L EM U S I N G M D M
ALTERNATIVE METHOD:

Because the end support C of the continuous beam is a

simple support, the analysis can be simplified by using the
modified relative bending stiffness for member BC, which is Note:
adjacent to the simple support C: * We can see that joints B and C of the continuous beam
are free to rotate so we can use the relative K for long
3 𝐼 3 𝐼 3
𝐾 = = = 𝐼 solution and modified K to shorten the approach.
4 𝐿 4 10 40

Note that the relative bending stiffness of member AB remains

the same as before. The distribution factors at joint B are now
given by:

3
𝐾 𝐾 𝐼 2
𝐷𝐹 = = = 20 = = 0.67
Σ𝐾 𝐾 + 𝐾 3 3 3
20 𝐼 + 40 𝐼
3
𝐾 𝐾 40 𝐼 1
𝐷𝐹 = = = = = 0.33
Σ𝐾 𝐾 + 𝐾 3 3 3
𝐼+ 𝐼
20 40

At joint C,
1
𝐷𝐹 =
𝐾
=
𝐾
= 10 𝐼 = 1
Σ𝐾 𝐾 1
10 𝐼
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S A M P L E P R O B L EM U S I N G M D M
The values of fixed-end moments and unbalanced moments
are still the same.

Since we are using the modified relative bending stiffness for

member BC, joint C needs to be BALANCED ONLY ONCE in the Note:
moment-distribution process. * We can see that joints B and C of the continuous beam
are free to rotate so we can use the relative K for long
Thus joints B and C are balanced and the distributed moments solution and modified K to shorten the approach.
are computed in USUAL MANNER, as indicated on the second
line of the MDM table.

However, as shown on the third line of the table, NO MOMENT

is carried over to end C of member BC. Joint B is balance
once more, and the moment is carried over to the end A of
member AB.

Then, both joints B and C are now balanced.

The final moments are determined by summing the moments

in each column of the MDM table.

(NOTE! The second approach has also the same procedure

compare to the first one. The difference is that the beam
bending stiffness used in this approach was modified and
reduced. Therefore, the solution became simplified.)
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S A M P L E P R O B L EM U S I N G M D M
To solve the reactions in every support, we
must cut the joints of the continuous beam
to produce internal forces and final
moments.

At SEGMENT AB:

+↻ Σ𝑀 = 0
−𝐵 10 + 80 5 + 83.4 − 108.4 = 0
𝐵 = 37.5 𝑘𝑁 ↑

+↻ Σ𝑀 = 0
𝐴 10 − 80 5 + 83.4 − 108.4 = 0 Because of the action-reaction concept, there will be transfer of internal forces
𝑨𝒀 = 𝟒𝟐. 𝟓 𝒌𝑵 ↑ and moments along the beam in every segment.

At SEGMENT BC: At JOINT B:

+↻ Σ𝑀 = 0 + ↑ Σ𝐹 = 0
−𝐶 10 + 40 5 − 83.4 = 0 𝐵 −𝐵 −𝐵 =0
𝑪𝒀 = 𝟏𝟏. 𝟔𝟔 𝒌𝑵 ↑ 𝐵 − 37.5 − 28.34 = 0
𝑩𝒀 = 𝟔𝟓. 𝟖𝟒 𝒌𝑵 ↑
+↻ Σ𝑀 = 0
𝐵 10 − 40 5 − 83.4 = 0
𝐵 = 28.34 𝑘𝑁 ↑

(Note: To check, you can also use summation forces

along vertical (y) equal to zero, then you will also
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get the same value. Just be careful with the signs.)

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S A M P L E P R O B L EM U S I N G M D M

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PROBLEM
SET #2
DEADLINE:
FEBRUARY 21, 2022 (3CE-1)
FEBRUARY 22, 2022 (3CE-3)
FEBRUARY 26, 2022 (3CE-2, 3CE-4)

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G E N E R A L I N S T R UC T I O N S F O R P R O B L EM S E T S

1) SOLVE ALL THE GIVEN PROBLEMS;

2) SHOW (STEP-BY-STEP) EVERY PROCESS YOU HAVE DONE IN YOUR FINAL OUTPUT;
3) SCALE PROPERLY ALL FBDs AND ILLUSTRATIONS TO AVOID CONFUSION; AND
4) BOX YOUR FINAL ANSWER.

NOTE: TWO (2) FORMATS SHOULD BE SUBMITTED.

1-2) PDF AND WORD FORMATS (SAME CONTENTS)

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P R O B L EM N O . 1

The two-span continuous beam is shown

in the given figure.

6 kN 12 kN/m 1) Determine the reactions at every

support.
c
A 2) Draw the shear and moment diagram.
B D

3) Calculate the maximum shear and

1m 3m 4m
moment in the beam.

EI = CONSTANT
4) Locate the maximum shear and
moment from point C.

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REMINDER!
QUIZ #2
COVERAGE:
CHAPTER 1
CHAPTER 2

SCHEDULE:
FEBRUARY 21, 2022 (3CE-1)
FEBRUARY 22, 2022 (3CE-3)
FEBRUARY 26, 2022 (3CE-2, 3CE-4)

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END OF LECTURE

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