Notes in Theory of Structures
Module 3 Title: Three-Moment Equation
Module Introduction/Rationale:
In this module, we will study the types of statically indeterminate beams and its analysis. One the
methods used to analyze the statically indeterminate beams is the three-moment equation.
Module Outcomes:
CO2: Determine the values of reactions at the supports, values of shearing force and bending
moments of statically indeterminate beams using Three-Moment Equation and Moment
Distribution Method.
Lesson 1 Title: Three-Moment Equation
Lesson Outcomes:
At the end of this topic the learner should be able to:
1. solve the factors for three-moment equation
2. determine the moment values of a continuous and propped beams
3. solve the reactions at the supports of a continuous and propped beams
STATICALLY INDETERMINATE BEAMS
When the number of unknown reaction components exceeds three, as in the beams shown in the
figure below, the three equilibrium equations are insufficient for determining the unknown reaction
components.
The additional reactions, being nonessential for equilibrium, are known as redundant reactions.
The number or redundant reactions is called the degree of indeterminancy of the beam.
Types of Statically Indeterminate Beams
1. Propped Cantilever Beam – a cantilever beam with one redundant support.
2. Fixed Beam – a beam restrained at both ends.
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Notes in Theory of Structures
3. Continuous Beams – beams that have two or more spans, thereby having one or more redundant
supports.
THE THREE- MOMENT EQUATION
The three-moment equation represents the compatibility condition that the slope of the elastic
curve be continuous at the interior support of the continuous beam. The equation involves three
moments – the bending moments at the support under consideration and at the two adjacent supports.
When using this method, the bending moments at the interior (and any fixed) supports of the
continuous beam are treated as the redundants.
A C
hA hC
B I2
I1
L1 L2
L L L L 6 A 1 a1 6 A 2 b 2 h h
M A 1 2MB 1 2 MC 2 6E A C
I1 I
1 I2 I2 I L
1 1 I L
2 2 L I
11 L 2I2
A C
I1 B I2
L1 L2
When point A, B, and C is on the same level in the deflected beam, hA and hC become zero.
L L L L 6 A 1 a1 6 A 2 b 2
M A 1 2MB 1 2 MC 2 0
I1 I1 I2 I2 I1L 1 I2L 2
Where: MA, MB and MC = moment at support A, B and C
L 1 = length of segment AB
L 2 = length of segment BC
I 1 = moment of inertia of segment AB
I 2 = moment of inertia of segment BC
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Notes in Theory of Structures
hA = vertical displacement of support A
hC = vertical displacement of support C
6 A 1 a1 6A 1 b 2
and = factors for three-moment equation
L1 L2
FACTORS FOR THREE-MOMENT EQUATION
6A1 a1 6A2 b2
Type of Loading L1 L2
a b
Pa(L2 - a2 ) Pb(L2 - b2 )
L L L
w
wL3 wL3
4 4
L
8wL3 7wL3
60 60
L
7wL3 8wL3
60 60
L
3PL2 3PL2
L/2 L/2 8 8
rd
Source: Strength of Materials, 3 Ed. by Ferdinand L. Singer, page 318
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Notes in Theory of Structures
Sample Problem
1. Determine the moment at point B and the reaction at point A, B and C.
30 KN
10 KN/m
A C
4I B 2I
2m 4m 5m
Solution:
For segment AB (I = 4) 6 A 1 a1
Note : use for first segment (segment AB) and
L=6m L
P = 30 KN 6A 2 b 2
use for second segment (segment BC)
a=2m L
b=4m
=
6A 1 a1 Pa L2 a2
=
30(2) 6 2 2 2
= 320 KN-m
2
L1 L 6
For segment BC (I = 2)
L=5m
w = 10 KN/m
6A 2 b 2 wL3 (10)(5) 3
= = = 312.50 KN-m
L2 4 4
For hinge and roller end supports, moment is equal to zero.
MA = 0 and MC = 0
L L L L 6A a 6A b
M A 1 2MB 1 2 MC 2 1 1 2 2 0
I
1 I
1 I2 I
2 I L
1 1 I2L 2
L L 6 A 1 a1 6 A 2 b 2
2MB 1 2 0
1 I2
I I1L 1 I2 L 2
6 5 320 312.50
2MB 0
4 2 4 2 MB = – 29.53 KN-m
10 KN/m
2 MB (4) + 80 + 156.25 = 0
8 MB + 236.25 = 0 2I C
MB = – 29.53 KN-m (counter clockwise) answer
B
5m
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Notes in Theory of Structures
Solve for the reaction at C (use segment BC) MB = – 29.53 KN-m
10 KN/m
Take a moment at point B
ΣMB = 0 2I C
0 = (10 KN/m) (5 m) (2.50 m) – 29.53 KN-m – RC (5 m) B
0 = 125 – 29.53 – RC (5) 5m
RC = 19.09 KN answer RC
30 KN
10 KN/m
A C
4I B 2I
2m 4m 5m
RA RB RC = 19.09 KN
Solve for the reactions at A and B (use the whole diagram)
Take a moment at point A
ΣMA = 0
0 = 30 KN (2 m) + (10 KN/m) (5 m) (2.50 m + 6 m) – RB (6 m) – RC (11 m)
0 = 60 + 425 – RB (6) – (19.09 KN) (11 m)
0 = 60 + 425 – RB (6) – 209.99
RB = 45.83 KN answer
Take a moment at point B
ΣMB = 0
0 = – 30 KN (4 m) + (10 KN/m) (5 m) (2.50 m) + RA (6 m) – RC (5 m)
0 = – 120 + 125 + RA (6 m) – (19.09 KN) (5 m)
0 = – 120 + 125 + RA (6) – 95.45
RA = 15.08 KN answer
30 KN
10 KN/m
A C
4I B 2I
2m 4m 5m
RA = 15.08 KN RB = 45.83 KN RC = 19.09 KN
Check the reactions using ΣFy = 0
Up = Down
RA + RB + RC = 30 KN + (10 KN/m) (5 m)
15.08 + 45.83 + 19.09 = 30 + 50
80 = 80 OK
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Notes in Theory of Structures
2. Determine the moment at point B and the reaction at point A, B and C.
18 KN/m
10 KN 20 KN
A C
I B 3I
7m 2m 3m 3m
Solution:
For segment AB (I = 1)
L=7m
w = 18 KN/m
6A 1 a1 7wL3 7(18)(7) 3 2
= = = 720.30 KN-m 10 KN
L1 60 60
a b
For segment BC (I = 3) C
3I
L=8m
P = 10 KN P = 20 KN B
2m 3m 3m
a=2m a=5m
b=6m b=3m 20 KN
a b
6A 2 b 2 Pb(L2 b 2 ) (10)(6)(8 2 6 2 ) (20)(3)(8 2 32 )
= = + 3I C
L2 L 8 8
2 B
= 210 + 412.50 = 622.50 KN-m 2m 3m 3m
For hinge and roller end supports, moment is equal to zero.
MA = 0 and MC = 0
L L 6A a 6A b
2MB 1 2 1 1 2 2 0
I1 I2 I1L 1 I2L 2
7 8 720.30 622.50
2MB 0
1 3 1 3
2 MB (9.67) + 720.30 + 207.50 = 0
19.34 MB + 927.80 = 0
MB = – 47.97 KN-m (counter clockwise) answer 10 KN 20 KN
MB = – 47.97 KN-m
Solve for the reaction at C (use segment BC)
3I C
Take a moment at point B
ΣMB = 0 B
2m 3m 3m
0 = (10 KN) (2m) + (20 KN) (5 m) – 47.97 KN-m – RC (8 m)
RC
0 = 20 + 100 – 47.97 – RC (8)
RC = 9.01 KN answer
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Notes in Theory of Structures
18 KN/m
10 KN 20 KN
A C
I B 3I
7m 2m 3m 3m
RA RB RC = 9.01 KN
Solve for the reactions at A and B (use the whole diagram)
Take a moment at point A
ΣMA = 0
0 = ½ (18 KN/m) (7m) [(1/3) (7)] + 10 KN (9 m) + 20 KN (12 m) – RB (7 m) – RC (15 m)
0 = 147 + + 90 + 240 – RB (7) – (9.01 KN) (15 m)
0 = 147 + 90 + 240 – RB (7) – 135.15
RB = 48.84 KN answer
Take a moment at point B
ΣMB = 0
0 = – ½ (18 KN/m) (7m) [(2/3) (7)] + 10 KN (2 m) + 20 KN (5 m) + RA (7 m) – RC (8 m)
0 = – 294 + 20 + 100 + RA (7 m) – (9.01 KN) (8 m)
0 = – 294 + 20 + 100 + RA (7) – 72.08
RA = 35.15 KN answer
Check the reactions using ΣFy = 0
Up = Down
RA + RB + RC = ½ (18 KN/m) (7m) + 10 KN + 20 KN
35.15 + 48.84 + 9.01 = 63 + 30
93 = 93 OK
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Notes in Theory of Structures
3. Determine the moment at point A and the reaction at point A and B.
15 KN/m 15 KN/m
B AA B
A 2I I=0 A 2I
L=0
3m 3m
Solution:
For segment AA-A (I = 0) Note: For a fixed support, draw an imaginary segment either
L=0 to the left or to the right.
Draw an imaginary segment to the left from point A
6 A 1 a1
=0 6A 1 a1
L1 Note : use for first segment (segment AA-A) and
L
For segment BA (I = 2) 6A 2 b 2
use for second segment (segment AB)
L=3m L
w = 15 KN/m
6A 2 b 2 wL3 (15)(3) 3 2
= = = 101.25 KN-m
L2 4 4
For hinge and roller end supports, moment is equal to zero.
MB = 0 and MAA = 0
L L L L 6 A 1 a1 6 A 2 b 2
M AA 0 2M A 0 1 MB 1 0
0
0 1 1 I1L 1 I2 L 2
L 6A b
2M A 1 2 2 0 MA = – 16.88 KN-m 15 KN/m
I1 I2L 2
3 101.25 B
2M A 0 A 2I
2 2
2 MA (1.5) + 50.63 = 0 3m
3 MA + 50.63 = 0
MA = – 16.88 KN-m (counter clockwise) answer RA RB
Solve for the reactions MA = – 16.88 KN-m 15 KN/m
Take a moment at point A
ΣMA = 0
0 = (15 KN/m) (3m) (1.50 m) – 16.88 KN-m – RB (3 m) B
A 2I
0 = 67.50 – 16.88 – RB (3)
RB = 16.87 KN answer 3m
Take a moment at point B RA = 28.13 KN RB = 16.87 KN
ΣMB = 0 Up = Down
0 = – (15 KN/m) (3m) (1.50 m) – 16.88 KN-m + RA (3 m) RA + RB = (15 KN/m) (3m)
0 = – 67.50 – 16.88 + RB (3) 28.13 + 16.87 = 45
RA = 28.13 KN answer 45 = 45 OK
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Notes in Theory of Structures
Problem Set No: 1 (Module 3)
A. Determine the moment at point B and the reaction at point A, B and C. Use Three-Moment Equation.
1. 4. 15 KN/m
24 KN/m
25 KN
16 KN/m
A C A I C
4I B 2I B 2I
2m 2m 6m
7m 5m
2. 5.
34 KN/m 30 KN
28 KN/m 10 KN/m
A B C A C
2I 4I 4I B I
5m 6m 2.50 m 2.50 m 3m
3. 6.
20 KN/m
40 KN 15 KN 20 KN 18 KN/m
A C A C
4I B 3I 3I B 2I
6m 3m 2m
2m 1m 2m 4m
B. Determine the moment at the fixed support and the reaction at point A and B. Use Three-Moment
Equation.
7. 14 KN/m 9.
30 KN 20 KN
A B
3I B A 4I
5m 1m 3m 1m
8. 12 KN 10. 25 KN
10 KN/m 30 KN/m
B A
A 2I 5I B
3m 1m 2m 2m
