6.

Analysis of Statically Indeterminate Structures

Objectives:
1. Analyze the end moments in statically indeterminate beams by three-moment equations and draw the shear
and moment diagrams.
2. Analyze the end moments in statically indeterminate beams by slope-deflection method and by moment
distribution method.
3. Analyze the end moment for frames subjected to vertical loads by moment distribution method.

6.1. Three-Moment Equations for Beams

Three- moment equations are applied to determine the moments at the supports of continuous beams. After
the moments at the supports are known, reactions can then be found and complete analysis of the beam
(shear and bending moment) follows.

Fig. 6-1 shows a two-span beam arbitrarily loaded and with simple supports at points 1, 2 and 3. is the length
of span 1 and is the length of span 2.

Loads

① ② ③
Span 1 Span 2
Fig. 6-1

The three moment equation for span 1 and span 2 is:

̅ ̅
+2 ( )+ + + = 6EI . / ①
Where:
are the respective moments at points ①, ② and ③. Since the
supports are simple, and only one three-moment equation is
needed to solve the unknown moment

̅ = the moment about point ① of the area of the moment diagram resulting
from carrying the applied loads on the simple span 1. The respective values of the
̅
expression are derived using Table 6-1.
̅ = the moment about point ③ of the area of the moment diagram resulting
from carrying the applied loads on the simple span 2 . The respective values of the
̅
expression are derived using Table 6-1.
= the vertical distance from point ② to point ① of the deflected beam

= the vertical distance from point ② to point ③ of the deflected beam

The sign of or is positive when measured upward from point ②. When points ①,
②, and ③ are on the same elevation, then = = 0 and the right member of
equation ① becomes zero.

If the supports at points ① and ② are fixed, then it is necessary to consider imaginary spans at the left of span
1 and right of span 2 respectively ( shown in Fig. 6-1A) and form 3 three-moment equations to solve the three
unknowns the first equation by considering span 0 and span 1 and the third by considering span
2 and span 3. Since spans 0 and 3 are imaginary spans, all values involving the two = 0

Loads

⓿ =0 ① ② ③ =0 ④
Span 0 Span 1 Span 2 Span 3
(imaginary span) Fig. 6-1A (imaginary span)
 ̅ ̅
Table 6-1 : Values of and
( Derived from Table 8-1 page 272 of Strength of Materials 4th edition by Pytel and Singer)
Type of loading ̅ ̅
on span
P
a b
( ) ( )
L

w
L

w
L

w
L
a d
w 𝑤 𝑤
,𝑏 ( 𝐿 𝑏 ) ,𝑑 ( 𝐿 𝑑 )
𝐿 𝐿
b c 𝑎 ( 𝐿 𝑎 )- 𝑐 ( 𝐿 𝑐 )-
L

w
𝑳 𝑳
𝟐 𝟐

M
a b 𝑀 𝑀
( 𝑎 𝐿) ( 𝑏 𝐿 )
𝐿 𝐿
L

Example 6-1. By the three-moment equation, determine the moment at the interior support, then find the
reactions and draw the shear and moment diagrams of the beam shown in Fig. 6-2.
60 KN 75KN 55KN 20KN

1.5m 2.4m 1.8m 3.0m 2.1m 1.2m

𝐾𝑁
25
𝑚
① ② ③
= 5.7m = 5.1m
Span 1 Span 2
Fig. 6-2

Solution: Three-moment equation for span 1 and 2:

̅ ̅
+2 ( )+ + + =0 ①
= 0; = −25(1.2)(0.6) −20(1.2) = −42 KN-m
̅
=𝜮 ( )+
( ) ( ) ( )
= ,( ) ( ) - + ,( ) ( ) -+
̅
= 2521.667 KN-
̅ ( ) ( )
= , -+ = ,( ) ( ) -+
̅
= 1318.245 KN-
Substituting in equation ①,
2 ( 5.7 + 5.1) – (42)(5.1) + 2521.667 + 1318.245 = 0; = − 167.857 KN-m
Considering the segment ①−②
60 KN 75KN

1.5m 2.4m 1.8m

𝐾𝑁
25
𝑚
②
= − 167.857 KN-m
①
= 5.7m

= (𝜮 ) ; − 167.857 = 5.7 − 75(1.8) −60(4.2) – 25(5.7)(2.85); = 109.696 KN

𝜮 = 0; = 167.804 KN
Considering the segment ② to the right edge: 55KN 20KN

3.0m 2.1m 1.2m

𝐾𝑁
25
𝑚
= − 167.857 KN-m
② ③
= 5.1m

= (𝜮 ) ; − 167.857 = 5.1 − 55(3.0) −20(6.3) – 25(6.3)(3.15) = 0; = 121.425 KN

𝜮 = 0; = 111.075 KN
= + = 167.804 + 111.075; = 278.879 KN
Checking, summation of the reactions = summation of the external loads.
For shear and moment diagrams:
60KN 75KN 55KN 20KN

1.5m 2.4m 1.8m 3.0m 2.1m 1.2m

𝐾𝑁
25
𝑚
① ② ③

109.70 278.88 121.42

109.70 111.08

72.2
50
36.08
12.2

−18.92

−47.8
−71.42
V-Diagram

−122.8

139.40 −167.8
136.43
93.71
52.9

−41.96
−(42)

M-Diagram
−167.84
Pa
P
a b A ̅ = (1/2)PaL(L/3) –(1/2)(Pa)(a)(a/3) = (1/6)PaL2 – (1/6)Pa3 = (1/6)Pa(L2-a2)
L
Pa/L 6 A ̅/L = (6/L) (1/6)Pa(L2-a2) = (Pa/L) (L2-a2)
-Pa

Example 6-2. Determine the moment at the supports by the three-moment equations.
72KN 55KN 60KN 20KN

28KN/m
17KN/m 17KN/m

Span 0 ① Span 1 ② Span 2 ③

1.2m 2.2 m 2.2 m 3.8 m 1.8 m 1.6 m
Fig. 6-2
Solution: Considering span 0 and span 1,
̅ ̅
+2 ( )+ + + =0
̅ ( ) ( ) ( )
= ,( ) ( ) - + ,( ) ( ) -+ = 1998.247 KN-
2 (5.6) + (5.6) + 1998.247 = 0; 11.2 + 5.6 + 1998.247 = 0 ①
Considering span 1 and span 2
̅ ̅
+2 ( )+ + + =0
( )
= −(20)(1.6) −
( )
− = − 58.453 KN-m
̅ ( ) ( ) ( )
= ,( ) ( ) - + ,( ) ( ) -+ = 1869.169 KN-
̅ ( ) ( )
= ,( ) ( ) - + + (11)( ) = 1514.056 KN-
(5.6) + 2 ( 5.6 + 5.6) −58.453( 5.6) + 1869.169 + 1514.056 = 0
5.6 + 22.4 = 3055.888 ②
Solving equation ① and equation ② simultaneously,
= 125.946 KN-m and = −104.937 KN-m

Example 6-3. Determine the unknown moments at the supports, find the reactions and draw the shear and
moment diagrams of the continuous beams shown in Fig. 6-3.

55 KN 85KN 68KN 65KN

28KN/m 28KN/m
18KN/m 12KN/m

① Span1, = 5m Span2, = 5.6m

② ③ Span3, = 6m ④
1.0 m 2.0 m 2.0 m 3.8 m 1.8 m 2.2 m 3.8 m
Fig. 6-3
Solution: Considering span 0 and span 1 ( span 0 is an imaginary span left of span 1)
̅ ̅
+2 ( )+ + + =0
̅ ( ) ( ) ( )
= + ,( ) ( ) -+ ,( ) ( ) -+ = 1672.5 KN-
2 (5) + (5) + 1672.5 = 0; 10 +5 + 1672.5 = 0 ①
Considering span 1 and span 2
̅ ̅
+2 ( )+ + + =0
̅ ( ) ( ) ( )
= ,( ) ( ) - + ,( ) ( ) -+ = 1642.5 KN-
̅ ( ) ( )
= ,( ) ( ) - + + (16)( ) = 1516.118 KN-
 (5) + 2 ( 5 + 5.6) + (5.6) +1642.5 + 1516.118 = 0
5 + 21.2 + 5.6 + 3158.618 = 0 ②
Considering span 2 and span 3
̅ ̅
+2 ( )+ + + = 0; =0
̅ ( ) ( )
= ,( ) ( ) - + + (16)( ) = 1635.402 KN-
̅ ( ) ( )
= ,( ) ( ) - + + (16)( ) = 1938.753 KN-
(5.6)+ 2 (5.6 + 6) +1635.402 + 1938.753 = 0
5.6 + 23.2 + 3574.155 = 0 ③
Solving the three equations simultaneously,
= −125.181 KN-m, = −84.138 KN-m and = −133.749
For the reactions:

55 KN 85KN 68KN 65KN

28KN/m 28KN/m
18KN/m 12KN/m

① Span1, = 5m ② Span2, = 5.6m ③ Span3, = 6m ④

1.0 m 2.0 m 2.0 m 3.8 m 1.8 m 2.2 m 3.8 m

55 KN 85KN

−125.181KN- 18KN/m
m −84.138KN-m
① Span1, = 5m ②
1.0 m 2.0 m 2.0 m

= (𝜮 ) ; − 84.138 = 5 − 85(2) − 55(4) – 18(5)(2.5) – 125.181= 0; = 131.209 KN

𝜮 = 0; = 98.791 KN

68KN

28KN/m
12KN/m
−84.138KN-m −133.749KN-m
② Span2, = 5.6m ③
3.8 m 1.8 m

= (𝜮 ) ; − 133.749 = 5.6 − 68(1.8 ) – 12(5.6)(2.8) – (16)(5.6)(3.7333) −84.138 = 0; =76.465 KN

𝜮 = 0; = 103.535 KN 65 KN
= + = 98.791 KN + 76.465
= 175.256KN 28KN/m

12KN/m
−133.749KN-m
③ Span 3, 𝐿 = 6m ④
2.2m 3.8m

= (𝜮 ) ; − 133.749 = 6 −65(2.2 ) – 12(6)(3) – (16)( 6)(4) = 0; =69.542 KN

𝜮 = 0; = 115.458 KN
= + = 103.535 KN + 115.458
= 218.993KN
Checking, summation of reactions = summation of external loads.

For shear and moment diagrams:

 55 KN 85KN 68KN 65KN

28KN/m Y1 Y2 28KN/m
18KN/m 12KN/m
A B
① Span1, = 5m ② Span2, = 5.6m ③ Span3, = 6m ④
1.0 m 2.0 m 2.0 m 3.8 m 1.8 m 2.2 m 3.8 m
= 131.21KN = 175.26 KN = 218.99KN = 69.54KN

131.21
113.21 115.46
76.47
82.61
58.21

22.21 17.61

−9.30

−62.79 −69.54
−77.30
−98.79 −103.53
V-Diagram

94.78
77.45 86.48

32.85 30.40

−2.97

−84.13
−125.18
−133.75
M-Diagram
x y3/x = 16/5.6; y3 = 2.8571x
𝜮V = 0; 103.535 –12x – (1/2)(2.8571x)(x) – 68 = 0
68KN x = 2.3203m
Mm = 103.535(2.3203) – 133.749-68(0.5203)
28KN/m Y3 - 12(2.3203)2/2 – (1/2) (6.6293)(2.3203)2/3
12KN/m Mm = 32.85 KN-m
−84.138KN-m −133.749KN-m
② Span2, = 5.6m ③
3.8 m 1.8 m
=103.535 KN
= (𝜮 ) ; − 133.749 = 5.6 − 68(1.8 ) – 12(5.6)(2.8) – (16)(5.6)(3.7333) −84.138 = 0; =76.465 KN
𝜮 = 0; = 103.535 KN 65 KN
= + = 98.791 KN + 76.465
= 175.256KN 28KN/m

12KN/m
−133.749KN-m
③ 2.2m Span 3, 𝐿 = 6m
3.8m ④
2.8781m
V=0
Example 6-4 Find the moments at the supports by three-moment equations.
65KN
65 KN
85KN 68KN
28KN/m 12KN/m

18KN/m

① Span 1, = 5.2m ② Span 2, = 5.4m ③ Span 3, = 5.6m ④

1.00m 2. 40 m 1.80 m 1.00m 4.40 m 2. 20 m 3.40 m
Fig. 6-4
Solution: Solution: Considering span 0 and span 1 ( span 0 is an imaginary span left of span 1)
̅ ̅
+2 ( )+ + + =0
̅ ( ) ( ) ( )
= ,( ) ( ) -+ ,( ) ( ) -+ = 1838.298 KN-
2 (5.2) + (5.2) + 1838.298 = 0; 10.4 +5 + 1838.298 = 0 ①
Considering span 1 and span 2
̅ ̅
+2 ( )+ + + =0
̅ ( ) ( ) ( )
= ,( ) ( ) -+ ,( ) ( ) -+ = 1746.654 KN-
̅ ( ) ( )
= ,( ) ( ) - + + *,( ) , ( ) ( ) - +
( )
̅
= 2205.377 KN-
(5.2) + 2 ( 5.2 + 5.4) + (5.4) +1746.654 + 2205.377 = 0
5 + 21.2 + 5.4 + 3952.031= 0 ②
Considering span 2 and span 3
̅ ̅
+2 ( )+ + + = 0;
̅ ( ) ( )
= ,( ) ( ) - +

+ *( ), ( ) ( )- ( ), ( ) ( ) -+
( )
̅
= 2075.495 KN-
̅ ( ) ( )
= ,( ) ( ) - +

+ *( ), ( ) ( )- ( ), ( ) ( ) -+
( )
̅
= 1781.686 KN-
(5.4)+ 2 (5.4 + 5.6) + (5.6) +2075.495 + 1781.686 = 0
5.4 + 22 + 5.6 + 3857.181 = 0 ③
Considering span 3 and span 4 ( span 4 is imaginary)
̅ ̅
+2 ( )+ + + = 0;
̅ ( ) ( )
= ,( ) ( ) - +

+ *( ), ( ) ( )- +
( )
̅
= 1617.554 KN-
(5.6)+ 2 (5.6) + 1617.554 = 0
5.6 + 11.2 + 1617.554 = 0 ④
In equation ④, = ⑤
Substituting equation ⑤ in equation ③,
5.4 + 22 + 5.6 . / + 3857.181 = 0
 5.4 + 22 −808.777 −2.8 + 3857.181 = 0
5.4 + 19.2 + 3048.404 = 0 ⑥
Solving equations ①, ② and ⑥ simultaneously, and then substituting in equation ⑤
= − 113.078 KN-m
= − 127.363 KN-m
= − 122.950 KN-m
= − 82.949 KN-m

65 KN

① Span 1, = 5.2m ② Span 2, = 5.4m ③ Span 3, = 5.6m ④

1.00 m 2. 40 m 1.80 m 1.00 m 4.40 m 2. 20 m 3.40 m

Fig. 6-4

= 0; = −25(1.2)(0.6) −20(1.2) = −42 KN-m

̅
=𝜮 ( )+
( ) ( ) ( )
= ,( ) ( ) - + ,( ) ( ) -+
̅
= 2521.667 KN-
̅ ( ) ( )
= , -+ = ,( ) ( ) -+
̅
= 1318.245 KN-

①
̅ ̅
+2 ( )+ + + =0
 52.9
52.9
52.9

① ② ③
Span 1 Span 2
Fig. 6-1

̅ ̅
L L
6.2.Slope-Deflection Method for Beams
6.3. Moment Distribution Method for Beams
6.4. Moment Distribution Method for Frames