Prof. Dr.

Ali Hameed Aziz Theory of Structures

Analysis of Indeterminate Structures

Slope Deflection Method
This method related slope (θ) and deflection (Δ) with fixed end moments (FEM). The method is
applicable for the analysis indeterminate structures including: Beams, Frames.
Fixed End Moment-Beams with Constant EI
w m0
2 2
-wl +wl +mob +moa
12 A B 12 2 (2a-b) A x B 2 (2b-a)
l l
L a b
L
P
q
-Pl +Pl A B
A B 8
8
L
L
Rotational Sip
P
2
a b
2
MF)AB=+4EIq Near end
-Pba A +Pba l
2 B 2 +2EIq
l l MF)BA= Far end
l
L
w A

D
2 2 L
-wl +wl
A B 20 B
30 Settlement of Support
L
-6EI D
MF)BA=MF)AB=
l2

Slope-Deflection Equations P
w w
When the structural member subjected to general load,
A B
the final member moments (MAB) and (MBA) can be qA

D
calculated by using the concept of superposition, by
qB
sum the following cases:-
Case-1 Applied Load L
(M1AB) and (M1BA) are the moments due to applied _
=
load on the member taken as fixed on both ends, called P
w w
(Fixed End Moment) →(use Tables !).
M1AB=MFAB and M1BA=MFBA
Case-2 Rotation at the left Support (θA) A B
MF)AB MF)BA
(M2AB)=4EI/L. θA +
(M2BA)=1/2(M2AB)= 2EI/L. θA qA
Case-3 Rotation at the left Support (θB) 4EI qA B 2EI qA
A qA A
(M3BA)=4EI/L. θB l l
(M3AB)=1/2(M3BA)= 2EI/L. θB + qB
2EI qB A qB
Case-4 Settlement at the Support (Δ) B 4EI q B
l l
(M4AB) = (M4BA)= (6EI/L2). Δ
+
6EI D A
Then;
l2 R
D

MAB=M1AB +M2AB +M3AB +M4AB

MAB= MFAB +4EI/L. θA+2EI/L. θB - (6EI/L2). Δ B 6EI D
MAB = MFAB +2EI/L(2 θA+ θB-3 Δ/L) l2

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 Prof. Dr. Ali Hameed Aziz Theory of Structures

Also,

MBA = MFBA +2EI/L(2 θB+ θA-3 Δ/L)

Actual Slope-Deflection Equations

𝐹
2𝐸𝐼 3∆
𝑀𝐴𝐵 = 𝑀𝐴𝐵 + 2𝜃𝐴 + 𝜃𝐵 −
𝐿 𝐿
𝐹
2𝐸𝐼 3∆
𝑀𝐵𝐴 = 𝑀𝐵𝐴 + 2𝜃𝐵 + 𝜃𝐴 −
𝐿 𝐿

Modified Slope-Deflection Equations

𝐹
𝑀𝐴𝐵 = 𝑀𝐴𝐵 + 𝑘𝑟𝑒𝑙)𝐴𝐵 2𝜃𝐴 + 𝜃𝐵 − 3𝑅𝑟𝑒𝑙)𝐴𝐵
𝐹
𝑀𝐵𝐴 = 𝑀𝐵𝐴 + 𝑘𝑟𝑒𝑙)𝐴𝐵 2𝜃𝐵 + 𝜃𝐴 − 3𝑅𝑟𝑒𝑙)𝐴𝐵

General Slope-Deflection Equations

2𝐸𝐼 3∆
𝑀𝑖𝑗 = 𝑀𝑖𝑗𝐹 + 2𝜃𝑖 + 𝜃𝑗 −
𝐿 𝐿
Where:
MAB is internal moment in the near end of the span
E, K modulus of elasticity of material and span stiffness
qA, qB near and far-end slopes or angular displacements of the span at the supports.
R is span rotation of its cord due to a linear displacement=D/L
MFAB is fixed end moment at the near-end support
D is difference between the two ends of the member normal to the member

M, MF = + if clockwise
- if counterclockwise
q = + if clockwise
- if counterclockwise
R = + if clockwise
- if counterclockwise

Procedure for Analysis

1. Label all the supports and joints (nodes) to identify the spans of the beam or frame between the nodes
(members). Each node is either support, internal hinge, or where EI value changes, the cantilever
portion is not considered as a member.
2. Identify the number of degrees of freedom (DOF). Each node can possibly have an angular
displacement (θ) and a linear displacement (Δ).
No. of unknown = qD
Fixed Hinge Roller Internal Hinge Rigid Part
θ=0, Δ=0 θ=?, Δ=0 θ=?, Δv=0, Δh=0 Δ=?, θL=?, θR=? Δ=?, θ=?

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 Prof. Dr. Ali Hameed Aziz Theory of Structures

3. Compute the fixed end moment (MFE) for each member.

4. Apply the slope deflection Eq. to each end of the span that each member has two Eq’s.
5. Write an equilibrium equation for each unknown degree of freedom for the structure. Each of these
equations should be expressed in terms of unknown internal moments as specified by the slope-
deflection equations. At each joint with q, the equilibrium equation is Mj=0.
6. If there is sidesway, shear equations related to the moments at the ends should be applied equal to the
No. of unknown displacement D
7. Solve the equations simultaneously to find q and D
8. Find the values of internal moment and hence the reactions at supports can be calculated.
9. Draw the Axial, Shear and Bending Moment diagrams.
Note
1-When calculating D, it must be normal to the member.
2-For internal hinge or roller, there is two rotation angles θright and θleft.

Example-1: Draw the shear and bending moment diagrams for the beam shown below by Slope-
Deflection method EI is constant.
Solution: 6kN/m

1. Degree of Freedom: qB, qA= qC =0

A C
2. R values: R=0 sinceD =0, R=D/L B
8m 6m

3. F.E.M’s: since there is no load on span AB, MFAB= MFBA=0

− −6(6 )
= = = −7 2
3 3
6(6 )
= = = 8
2 2
4. Slope-Deflection Equations:
2 3∆
= + 2 + −

2 3∆
= 2 + − = ( ) ( )
8 4
2 3∆
= 2 + − = ( ) (2)
8 2
2 3∆ 2
= 2 + − −72 = ( )−72 (3)
6 3
2 3∆
= 2 + − + 8 = ( )+ 8 (4)
6 3

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 Prof. Dr. Ali Hameed Aziz Theory of Structures

5. Additional Equations:
No. of additional Equation= No. of degree of freedom
In this Example, we need one additional Equation which comes from applying equilibrium Equations at
joint (B).

∑ = + = (5)

Substituting Eq’s.(2) and (3) in (5) yields:

MBA MBC
𝜃𝐵 = 6 7/𝐸𝐼
B
Substituting qB value into Eq’s.(1-4) yields:
= 54 =3 9
= 2 86 = −3 9
(+ve) sign of moment means that the moment acts clockwise, (-ve) sign mean it acts counterclockwise.

6. Final Reactions: To find the reactions at supports, make a section at a point just left and right the
roller (B).
+
∑ = = ) 6kN/m
1.54
54 + 3 9
= 578 A C
8 8m
B
6m

∑ = = 578 0.578 4.95 13.63

4.37
6
2 86 − 3 9 − ( 5 6 6 )
∑ = = 3 = 4 37 3.04
)
S.D
0.578

MAB=1.54 MBA=3.09
A
8m
5.52
Ay By)L 13.63
6kN/m
1.54
MBC=3.09 MCB=12.86 B.M.D
C
6m 3.09
By)R Cy=13.63
12.86

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