Moment distribution

Moment re-distribution
J. P. Forth
(Acknowledgements: Dr A. N. Fried and the
Concrete Centre)
Moment distribution

Simple hand calculation method of analysing
frames by distributing the fixed end moments
according to their relative stiffness.
Used mainly for analysing sub frames or
continuous beams where a simplified analysis is
required.
However, most structural analysis is undertaken
using convenient and efficient software
packages.
The stages of moment
distribution are

Calculate member stiffness
Calculate distribution factors
Calculate fixed end moments
Distribute moments according to stiffness
by an iterative process until balance is
achieved.

Member stiffness.
Stiffness k of a member, defined as 4 x product
of elastic modulus and its second moment of
area divided by the length ; thus k = 4EI/L
Greater the stiffness of a member, the more
moment it will attract.
Stiffness is modified depending on the degree of
fixity at the ends of a member.
k =
k =
k =
k =
k =
k =
k=
k = 0.75(4EI/L)
F
k = 0.75(4EI/L)
E
k = 0
G
k = 4EI/L
C
k=4EI/L
B
k = 0.75(4EI/L)
D
k = 4EI/L
A
Effect of end fixity on stiffness
Built in at one end and continuous at other k = 4EI/L {element A}
Continuous at both ends k = 4EI/L {elements B and C}
Continuous at one end and simply supported at the other k = 0.75(4EI/L) {elements D
and E}
Built in at one end and simply supported at the other k = 0.75(4EI/L) {elements F}
Simply supported at both ends k = 0 {element G}

Distribution factors
Use member stiffness to find proportion of total
stiffness a member provides at a connection.
Distribution factors enable the proportioning of
the stiffness.
Total stiffness at connection
k
1
+ k
2
+ k
3
+ k
4
= k
t

k
3
k
1

k
2

k
4

Member stiffnesses
f
1
= k
1
/k
t

f
2
= k
2
/k
t
f
3
= k
3
/k
t

f
4
= k
4
/k
t
f
3

f
1

f
2

f
4

Distribution factors
f
1
+ f
2
+ f
3
+ f
4
= 1.0
Distribution factors and carry over
Out of balance moments are redistributed
at the joint using distribution factors.
As part of re-distribution half of the
unbalanced moment is carried over to
other end of the beam.
Fixed end moments.
These are the moments at the fixed ends of a
member due to a given vertical load.
The values for a uniformly distributed load (UDL)
acting on the whole of a span and a point load
are shown. The formulae for other loading
situation can be found in many reference books.
Sign convention.
Clockwise moments are considered to be
positive, anticlockwise moments negative.
Common Fixed end moments
Fixed end
moment
Loading
configuration
Fixed end
moment
wL
2
/12 wL
2
/12
WL/8 WL/8
(Wab
2
)/L
2
(Wba
2
)/L
2
w/unit length
L
W
L/2
W
a
b
Moment distribution Example.
Three span beam has fixed ends.
Outer spans are 5.33m in length, and the inner
span 8.0m long.
Beam is of the same section throughout and so
EI is a constant hence we only require relative
stiffnesses.
For this purpose assume 4EI = 100, say (4EI
cancels out through all the terms so 100 is
chosen simply for convenience).
A udl of 36kN/m exists over the beam.
Beam stiffnesses
Beam stiffnesses = 4EI/L
Outer span (2 No.) = 100/5.33 = 18.76
Inner span = 100/8 = 12.5
k = 18.76
k = 12.5
k = 18.76
Setting up the problem
8.0m 5.33m 5.33m
12
33 . 5 36
2

85.23
-85.23 85.23 -85.23
192.0
-192.0
12
8 36
2

Fixed end moments

Distribution
Factors
5 . 12 76 . 18
76 . 18
+
5 . 12 76 . 18
5 . 12
+
0
0
0.6 0.4
0.6 0.4
No distribution
at fixed end
Moment distribution Iteration 1
85.23 + 64.06
= 149.29
85.23 -85.23 85.23 -85.23 192.0 -192.0
0 0 0.6 0.4 0.6 0.4
Step 1. Start at left support.
Distributed moment
= - 85.23 x 0 = 0
Step 2. Next support along
Out of balance moment = (85.23 192.0) = -106.77
Distribution to left of support = 106.77 x 0.6 = 64.06
Distribution to right of support = 107.77 x 0.4 = 42.71
Carry over to left = 0.5 x 64.06 = 32.03
Carry over to right = 0.5 x 42.71 = 21.35
-85.23 + 32.03 = -53.02
192 + 21.35 = 213.35
149.29 -53.02
Step 3. Next support along
Out of balance moment = (213.35 85.23) = 128.12
Distribution to left of support = -128.12 x 0.4 = -51.25
Distribution to right of support = -128.12 x 0.6 = -76.87
Carry over to left = 0.5 x -51.25 = -25.62
Carry over to right = 0.5 x -76.87 = -38.43

213.15 51.25 = 162.10
213.35
162.10
-85.23 -76.87 = -162.10
-162.10
85.23 -38.43 = 46.80
-149.29 25.62 = -174.91
-192 + 42.71
= -149.29
46.80
Boxed numbers below the beam only indicate the method and are to be omitted.
Step 4.
Distributed moment = 46.80 x 0 = 0
-149.29
-174.91
Iteration 2
85.23 -85.23 85.23 -85.23 192.0 -192.0
0 0 0.6 0.4 0.6 0.4
162.1
-162.1
213.35 149.29
-53.02
-149.29
46.80
-174.91
-45.33
167.2
164.7
165.2
-165.3
-165.68
-164.7
45.27
Moment diagram
Draw support moment diagram
Superimpose free moment diagrams on
support moment diagram.
Fixed end moments
-165.32 165.32 165.32
-45.18
45.18 -165.32
Free body moments
M
ss
= 36 x 8
2
/8
= 288 kNm

M
ss
= 36 x 5.33
2
/8
= 127.1 kNm
M
ss
= 36 x 5.33
2
/8
= 127.1 kNm

Superimpose diagrams
165.32 165.32
45.18
127.8
127.8 288.0
Shear Force Diagrams.

The shear force along a beam is the
summation of the individual effects of end
moments and loads.
Final shear force diagram
144
118.4
95.9
-22.5
118.4
144
73.4
Shear force diagrams and reactions.
Using virtual work or similar
Reactions at A, B, C and D can be found.
They are the same as the sum of the shear
forces at the ends of the beams spanning onto
the support :
Reaction at A = 73.4kN
Reaction at B = 144 + 118.4 = 262.4kN
Reaction at C = 118.4 + 144 = 262.4kN
Reaction at D = 73.4Kn
Moment dist. (Practical applications)
Usually analysis of elements is undertaken using some form of
computer package.
Using moment distribution on the sub frames in a 10 storey building
would be most unusual these days.
Computers reduce errors
Check moments using wL
2
/8, or wL
2
/12 depending on the fixity to
ensure you are not an order of 10 out.
Engineers call this having a feel for the structure. In reality it is
unlikely that any project which is big would not be checked at least
four or five times.
With a number of load cases, number of computations rapidly
expands.
Consequently, if at all possible use electronic methods to assist the
analysis.
Redistribution of moments.

In BS 8110 considerable information on
moment redistribution is included. Very
little is given in the European Code. The
entire clause on this aspect of concrete
design covers about 1.5 pages.
Moment re-distribution - background

Moment re-distribution is an optional
procedure and may be applied to frames,
sub-frames and continuous beams.
Interior span
continuous rect. beam
of length L & subject
to a udl of w/m
Beam but with ends
fully fixed
Beam but simply
supported.
The overall amount of moment between span and supports remains the
same, its just the distribution of the moment that changes, the support
and span moments could be equal.
Relationship between a fully fixed, simply
supported and continuous beams
moments.
wL
2
/8
wL
2
/12

wL
2
/8
wL
2
/16

wL
2
/8
Case for moment re-distribution
A beam fixed at both ends supports an
ever increasing UDL.
Bending strengths are equal at the span
and supports.
If the ultimate bending moment at a
support is reached at a UDL of 30kN/m,
what will be the value of the UDL at
collapse.
Solution
w kN/m
L
Loading diagram
u kN/m
Additional load
uL
2
/8
Additional moment
for hinges at each end
At collapse M
u
(at centre span) = wL
2
/12
= wL
2
/24 + uL
2
/8
So u = w/3 and collapse load = 30 + 30/3 = 40 kN/m

wL
2
/12

wL
2
/12
wL
2
/24

Bending moment diagram
Benefits of Moment Re-
distribution.
A more balanced distribution of moments
results in terms of the magnitude of span
and support moments.
A reduction in the range of the moment
envelope may occur.
A corresponding reduction in the
reinforcement requirements leading to
easier placement and fit.

Summary of Code Guidance
Moments calculated from a linear elastic analysis may be re-distributed in a
continuous beam or slab where the ratio of adjacent spans is between 0.5 and 2.0.
Equilibrium between internal and external forces must be maintained under all
appropriate combinations of design ultimate load.
When using high ductility steel (Class B and Class C Characteristic yield strength
between 400 600MPa ) sections may be designed for moments down to 70% of the
maximum moment obtained from a linear elastic analysis at that section for any load
case.
For normal ductility steel the figure is reduced to 80%.
When the maximum moment at a support or in the span is reduced the section
should be designed so that :-

Where,
x
bal
is the depth of the neutral axis. The suffix bal is used
when the beam is balanced.
d is the effective depth
is the ratio of the redistributed moment to the moment
before distribution
According to the UK annex, k
1
= 0.4
k
2
= 0.6 + 0.0014/
cu3
assuming a rectangular stress
block.
2 1
/ ) ( k d k x
bal
s o
Flexure and Shear design of beams.
z
bal
= d 0.8x
bal
/2
Moment of resistance of concrete
= M
bal
= F
c
x z
bal
= (0.453f
ck
bx
bal
)z
bal

And K
bal
= M
bal
/bd
2
f
ck
= 0.453 x
bal
z
bal
/d
2

or K
bal
= 0.453(x
bal
/d)(z
bal
/d)

The following table summarises this data in a
design friendly way.

2 / ) (
2 1
EC from k d k x
bal
s o
The effect or moment re-distribution on K
bal
Redistribution
(%)
x
bal
/d z
bal
/d K
bal
d/d
0 1.0 0.45 0.82 0.167 0.171
10 0.9 0.45 0.82 0.167 0.171
15 0.85 0.45 0.82 0.167 0.171
20 0.8 0.4 0.84 0.152 0.152
25 0.75 0.35 0.86 0.137 0.133
30 0.7 0.3 0.88 0.120 0.114
k
1
= 0.4, k
2
= 1.0. UK National Annex case
Moment re-distribution
Conceptual example.
A three span continuous beam is analysed using
conventional elastic analysis. Three load cases are
assessed and these are given in the Figure below
min max min
max min max
max max max
L1 L2 L3
240
144
375
349
358
Bending moment diagrams
550
452
Explanation
Load case which produces the maximum support
moments of 452 and 550kNm does not produce the
maximum span moment of 375kNm.
If maximum support moments were reduced to the
maximum support moments produced by the maximum
span moment case, namely 358 and 349kNm, we would
produce an identical moment diagram because both load
cases have maximum loading on the span. Identical in
this context means of the same shape and overall value,
but obviously in a different vertical positions.
Therefore it is possible to reduce the maximum support
moments without increasing the maximum span
moment.
Redistribution in accordance with the code.
For high ductility steel - code permits 30% reduction in
moment :
Our example : support moments may become :-
452 x 0.7 = 316.4kNm
550 x 0.7 = 385kNm
Problem Reducing 452 below 358 [value for min max
min case has no advantage. Support moment will
increase.
Therefore, only reduce LH moment by 21% to 358.
If we then superimpose the free bending moment from
this load case on support moments of 358 and 385, the
diagram shown below is obtained.
Final Bending Moment
349
240
358 = 0.79 x 458
144
375
550
452
FINAL BENDING MOMENT ENVELOPE AFTER RE-
DISTRIBUTION
385 = 0.7 x 550
Free body diagram
between two redistributed
support moments
Solving a continuous beam.
Span above (centre) has been considered in
isolation to explain the process of re-distribution
and to satisfy the conditions given in the code.
In practice, consider the effects of moment re-
distribution on all spans,
For example reducing a support moment for a
given load case, not only increases the span
moment in this span but also in the adjacent
span.
Moment re-distribution
Example
Example Moment re-distribution
Design the main tensile reinforcement in a
beam which is to carry a moment of
400kNm after 30% re-distribution. Use
25mm diameter bars, a cover of 30mm,
and take the beam section as 350 x
550mm deep. Characteristic strength of
concrete = 40N/mm
2
.
Solution
Maximum bending moment = 400kNm

Effective depth d = 550 12.5 30 -10 = 497.5mm

Limiting depth to neutral axis x
bal
= ( k
1
)d/k
2
From the National Annex, k
1
= 0.4 and k
2
= 1.0
So limiting x
bal
= (0.7 0.4)497.5/1.0 = 149.25mm
And z
bal
= d 0.4x
bal
= 437.6mm

K = M/(bd
2
f
ck
) = (400 x 10
6
)/(350 x 497.5
2
x 40) = 0.115
K
bal
= 0.453(x
bal
/d)(z
bal
/d) = 0.453 x (149.25/507.5)(437.6/497.5) = 0.12
K K
bal
so singly reinforced beam







A
s
= M /(0.87 f
yk
z) = (400 x 10
6
)/(0.87 x 500 x 442.8 = 2076mm
2


Use 5 No. 25mm diameter bars, Area = 2454mm
2

Shear design as previous
( ) | | 133 . 1 / 25 . 0 5 . 0 K d z + =
( ) | | d mm d d z 95 . 0 8 . 442 89 . 0 133 . 1 / 115 . 0 25 . 0 5 . 0 s = = + =
Solution continued
Max. and min. reinforcement areas
EN 1992-1-1:2004 9.2.1.1). Clause 9.2.1.1

A
s,min
0.26 (f
ctm
/fyk) bd and 0.13%bd
f
ctm
= 0.3 x f
ck
2/3
=0.3 x 40
2/3

= 3.55N/mm
2
or see Table 3.1 code

A
s,min
0.26 x (3.55/500) x (350 x 507.5) = 328mm
2
A
s,min
0.13% = 0.13/100(350 x 507.5 = 230.9mm
2

A
s,max
0.04 x bd = 0.04 x (350 x 507.5) = 7105mm
2

And A
s,min
= 328 2454 7105 = A
s,max
so OK.
Ultimate capacity of beam

Set K= 0.12




M
u
= K
bal
bd
2
f
ck
= 0.12 x 350 x 497.5
2
x 40 x 10
-6

= 415.8kNm

( ) | | d mm d d z 95 . 0 438 88 . 0 133 . 1 / 12 . 0 25 . 0 5 . 0 s = = + =
Example Moment re-distribution
Design the main tensile reinforcement in a
beam which is to carry a moment of
600kNm after 30% re-distribution. Use
25mm diameter bars, a cover of 30mm,
and take the beam section as 350 x
550mm deep. Characteristic strength of
concrete = 40N/mm
2
.
Solution
Maximum bending moment = 600kNm

Effective depth d = 550 12.5 30 -10 = 497.5mm

Limiting depth to neutral axis x
bal
= ( k
1
)d/k
2
From the National Annex, k
1
= 0.4 and k
2
= 1.0
So limiting x
bal
= (0.7 0.4)497.5/1.0 = 149.25mm
And z
bal
= d 0.4x
bal
= 437.8mm

K = M/(bd
2
f
ck
) = (600 x 10
6
)/(350 x 497.5
2
x 40) = 0.17
K
bal
= 0.453(x
bal
/d)(z
bal
/d) = 0.453 x (149.25/497.5)(437.8/497.5) = 0.12
K K
bal
so doubly reinforced beam

Compressive steel = (K K
bal
)f
ck
bd
2
/(f
sc
(d-d)
d = 52.5mm, so steel compressive strain = 0.0035x (149.25 52.5)/149.5 = .0023,
Therefore, steel has yielded (>0.00217) so use f
yk
= 500N/mm
2
Area comp steel = (0.17 0.12)40 x 350 x 497.5
2
/ [0.87 x 500 x (497.5 - 52.5)]
= 895mm
2
[3 H25 1470mm
2
]

Area of tens steel = [K
bal
f
ck
bd
2
]/[0.87f
yk
z] + A
s

= [0.12 x 40 x 350 x 497.5
2
]/[0.87 x 500 x 437.8] + [895]
= 3078mm
2
. 7 H25 bars [3436mm
2
]

(A
s,prov
A
s,req
) (A
s,prov
- A
s,req
) so (1470 895) = 575mm
2
(3436 3078) = 358mm
2
so OK


Solution continued
Max. and min. reinforcement areas
EN 1992-1-1:2004 9.2.1.1). Clause 9.2.1.1

A
s,min
0.26 (f
ctm
/f
yk
) bd and 0.13%bd
f
ctm
= 0.3 x f
ck
2/3
=0.3 x 40
2/3

= 3.55N/mm
2
or see Table 3.1 code

A
s,min
0.26 x (3.55/500) x (350 x 507.5) = 328mm
2
A
s,min
0.13% = 0.13/100(350 x 507.5 = 230.9mm
2

A
s,max
0.04 x bd = 0.04 x (350 x 507.5) = 7105mm
2

And A
s,min
= 328 3436 7105 = A
s,max
so OK.