Moment Distribution (Portal Frames)
Ahmad Shufni Othman
June 2016
Moment Distribution (Portal Frames)
Learning Objectives
Upon completion of this course, students should be able to ;
a) Calculate the internal moment at supports and joint subjected
to point loads and distributed loads using the Moment
Distribution Method, for;
i. Simple Frames
ii. Portal Frames (non-sway)
b) Draw the Bending Moment and Shear Force Diagram
Moment Distribution (Portal Frames)
Simple Frames
• A simple frame without side sway (i.e. without any motion
of translation in one side) may also be solved by moment
distribution method in a same way as that for a continuous
beam.
Moment Distribution (Portal Frames)
Examples 1
A frame ABC is loaded on AB as shown in figure below. Analyse the frame using
moment distribution method, and draw the bending moment diagram. Take moment
of inertia of AB and BC as 2I and I respectively.
1 kN/m
A B
2I
6m
I 10 m
C
Moment Distribution (Portal Frames)
Examples 1 (cont.)
First, assume the frame ABC to split up into fixed beams AB and BC, determine the
fixing moment (fixed end moment) due to loading;
Beams AB
1 kN/m wl 2 1 6 2
M F
AB 3kNm
A B 12 12
6m wl 2 1 6 2
M F
BA 3kNm
12 12
Since beam BC is not loaded, therefore fixing moments at B and C in span BC are
zero.
F
M BC 0 and F
M CB 0
Moment Distribution (Portal Frames)
Examples 1 (cont.)
Now, let find out the distribution factors at B;
NOTE;
The distribution factors for AB and CB is 1 (hinged / pinned support)
Moment Distribution (Portal Frames)
Examples 1 (cont.)
Moment distribution table:
Next, draw the bending moment diagrams
Moment Distribution (Portal Frames)
Examples 1 (cont.)
Draw the Bending Moment Diagram.
Final Moment;
MAB = 0
MBA = +1.04 kNm
MBC = -1.04 kNm B
MCB = 0 A
Bending Moment at Mid Span AB;
wl 2 1 6 2
M 4.5kNm
8 8
C
Moment Distribution (Portal Frames)
Examples 1 (cont.)
Draw the Shear Force Diagram.
B
RB2 1.04
Span AB Span BC
1.04
1 kN/m
A B
6m 10 m
RA RB1
RC
M 0 C
M
B
0
RA (6) 1(6)3 1.04 0 C
RB 2 (10) 1.04 0
1(6)3 1.04
RA 2.83kN 1.04
6 RB 2 0.1kN
10
M A 0
M B 0
RB1 (6) 1(6)3 1.04 0
RC (10) 1.04 0
1(6)3 1.04
RB1 3.17 kN 1.04
6 RC 0.1kN
10
Moment Distribution (Portal Frames)
Examples 1 (cont.)
Shear Force Diagram.
B
A
C
Moment Distribution (Portal Frames)
Examples 2
Consider the following portal frame with a constant value of E, determine the final
moment at support and joint.
1. Determine the fixed end moment :
F
M AB 0 F
M BA 36 1.5 54kNm
F
M BD M DB
F
0 wL2 64.8 52
M F
BC 135kNm
12 12
wL2 64.8 52
M F CB 135kNm
12 12
Moment Distribution (Portal Frames)
Examples 2 (cont.)
2. Calculate the distribution factor :
Moment Distribution (Portal Frames)
Examples 2 (cont.)
3. Moment distribution :
Moment Distribution (Portal Frames)
Examples 2 (cont.)
4. Bending Moment Diagram.
A C
B
NOTE :
Moment at joint B
D
M B 0
Moment Distribution (Portal Frames)
Examples 2 (cont.)
5. Shear Force Diagram.
Span BC
Span AB
M A 0
RB1 (1.5) 54 0
54
RB1 36kN
1. 5
Moment Distribution (Portal Frames)
Examples 2 (cont.)
5. Shear Force Diagram (cont.);
Span BD
Moment Distribution (Portal Frames)
Examples 2 (cont.)
5. Shear Force Diagram (cont.);
B
A C
D
Moment Distribution (Portal Frames)
Examples 3
Consider the following portal frame with a constant value of E, determine the final
moment at support and joint.
1. Determine the fixed end moment :
Moment Distribution (Portal Frames)
Examples 3 (cont.)
2. Calculate the distribution factor :
Moment Distribution (Portal Frames)
Examples 3 (cont.)
3. Moment distribution :
Moment Distribution (Portal Frames)
Examples 3 (cont.)
4. Bending Moment Diagram.
C
A
B
D
Moment Distribution (Portal Frames)
Examples 3 (cont.)
5. Shear Force Diagram ;
RA RB1
Span AB
Moment Distribution (Portal Frames)
Examples 3 (cont.)
5. Shear Force Diagram (cont.);
RB2 RC1
29.16 66.84
Span BC
Moment Distribution (Portal Frames)
Examples 3 (cont.)
5. Shear Force Diagram (cont.);
RC2
29.16 35.92
66.84 84.08
Span CD RD
Moment Distribution (Portal Frames)
Examples 3 (cont.)
5. Shear Force Diagram (cont.);
C
A
B
D
Moment Distribution (Portal Frames)
SYMMETRICAL PORTAL FRAME (NON-SWAY)
A simple portal frame consists of a beam, resting over
two columns. The junction of the beam and column
behaves like a rigid joint. In general, the portal frames
are of the following two types ;
a) Symmetrical portal frames (non-sway)
b) Unsymmetrical portal frames (sway)
Moment Distribution (Portal Frames)
Examples 4
Consider the following portal frame with a constant value of EI, determine the final
moment at support and joint.
1. Determine the fixed end moment :
Moment Distribution (Portal Frames)
Examples 4 (cont.)
2. Calculate the distribution factor :
Moment Distribution (Portal Frames)
Examples 4 (cont.)
3. Moment distribution :
Moment Distribution (Portal Frames)
Examples 4 (cont.)
4. Bending Moment Diagram.
B C
A D
Moment Distribution (Portal Frames)
Examples 4 (cont.)
5. Shear Force Diagram.
RB1
RA
Span AB
Moment Distribution (Portal Frames)
Examples 4 (cont.)
5. Shear Force Diagram (cont.);
RB1 RC1
Span BC
Moment Distribution (Portal Frames)
Examples 4 (cont.)
5. Shear Force Diagram (cont.);
C
B
A D
Moment Distribution (Portal Frames)
Exercise 1
Consider the following loaded portal frame, determine the final moment at support and joint
and draw the bending moment diagram.
Question 1 Question 2
M AB 10.376kNm M AB 38.866kNm
M BA 20.813kNm M BA 78.009kNm
M BC 20.813kNm M BC 78.009kNm
M CB 20.813kNm M CB 78.009kNm
M CD 20.813kNm M CD 78.009kNm
M DC 10.376kNm M DC 38.866kNm
Moment Distribution (Portal Frames)
Exercise 1 (cont.)
Question 3
M AB 242.167 kNm
M BA 140.525kNm
M BC 140.525kNm
M CB 54.866kNm
M CD 9.144kNm
M CE 45.722kNm
M DC 4.572kNm
M EC 22.861kNm
Question 4
M AB 240.953kNm
M BA 143.066kNm
M BC 143.066kNm
M CB 13.167 kNm
M CD 0.615kNm
M CE 13.781kNm
M DC 0.309kNm
M EC 16.819kNm
Moment Distribution (Portal Frames)
Class Problem
Consider the following loaded portal frame, determine the final moment at support and joint.
M AC 4.218kNm
M CA 8.436kNm
M BC 34.607 kNm
M CB 16.501kNm
M CD 8.051kNm
M DE 2.231kNm
M DC 3.427 kNm
M DF 1.196kNm
M FD 0.598kNm
M ED 6.740kNm
Moment Distribution (Portal Frames)
Next ...
ANALYSIS OF STATICALLY
DETERMINATE 2D PIN-JOINTED
TRUSSES
