Slope Deflection Examples:

Fixed End Moments

For a member AB with a length L and any given load the fixed end moments are given by:
2
2 gB g A
L2
2
FEMBA 2 g B 2 g A
L
Where: gB and gA are the moments of the bending moment diagrammes of the statically determinate beam
about B and A respectively.
FEM AB

Example: Determine the fixed end moments of a beam with a point load.

Simply supported beam with bending moment diagramme. Centroid in accordance with standard tables.
2
2 gB g A
L2
2
L Wab b L
L Wab a L
2 2

2 L 3
2 L
3
L
2 Wab 2b 2L a L

3
L2

2 Wab 2b a b a

3
L2

2 Wab 2

L2

FEM AB
FEM AB
FEM AB
FEM AB
FEM AB

In a similar way FEMBA may be calculated.

Slope-deflection

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Use of slope-deflection equations:

Example 1: Determine the bending moment diagramme of the following statically indeterminate beam.

The unknowns are as follows: A, B, C = 0, AB = 0,BC = 0

We require two equations to solve the two unknown rotations:

0 M AB 0

M AB

2 EI
2 A B 3 AB FEM AB
L
2 EI
10 4

2 A B
4
8
EI A 0,5 EI B 5

M AB
M AB

EI A + 0,5 EI B + 5 = 0

(1)

0 MBA MBC 0

2 EI
A 2 B 3 AB FEMBA
L
2 EI
10 4

A 2 B
4
8
0,5 EI A 1 EI B 5

MBA
MBA
MBA

2 EI
2 B C 3 BC FEMBC
L
2 EI
5 62

2 B
6
12
0,66667 B 15

MBC
MBC
MBC

MBA + MBC = 0
0,5 EI A + 1,66667 EI B + 10 = 0

(2)

Solve the unknowns:

A = - 2,35294/EI
B = - 5,29412/EI
Calculate the values of the moments:
MBA = 0,5 x 2,35294 5,29412 5

Slope-deflection

= -11,471 kN.m

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MBC = 0,6667 x 5,29412 + 15

= + 11,471 kN.m
2 EI
MCB
B 2 C 3 BC FEMCB
L
2 EI
5 6 2
MCB
B
6
12
MCB = 0,3333 x 5,29412 15
= -16,675 kN.m
Draw the bending moment diagramme.

The Modified Slope-Deflection Equation with a Hinge at A:

We would like to eliminate A from the equation as we know that MAB = 0.

2 EI
2 A B 3 AB FEM AB
L
Solve for A.
M AB

FEM AB

3 AB
L

B
2
2 EI 2
2

2 EI
A 2 B 3 AB FEMBA
L
Replace A in this equation.
MBA

MBA

3 AB
2 EI
1

2 B B
3 AB FEMBA FEM AB

L
2
2
2

MBA

3 EI
1
B AB FEMBA FEM AB
L
2

This equation may be used to reduce the number of unknown rotations.

Solve the previous problem using the modified slope-deflection equation.

Slope-deflection

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The unknowns are as follows: A use the modified slope-deflection equation, B, C = 0, AB = 0,BC = 0
The total number of unknowns is reduced to B

0 MBA MBC 0

3 EI
1
B AB FEMBA FEM AB
L
2
3 EI
10 4 1 10 4

B
4
8
2 8
0,75 EI A 7,5

MBA
MBA
MBA

2 EI
2 B C 3 BC FEMBC
L
2 EI
5 62

2 B
6
12
0,66667 B 15

MBC
MBC
MBC

MBA + MBC = 0
1,41667 EI B + 7,5 = 0

(1)

B = - 5,29412/EI
Bending moments are as calculated previously.
Example 2: Determine the bending moment diagramme of the following structure.

Unknowns: A use modified SD equation, B, C, E use modified SD equation, AB = BC = CD = 0

0 MBA MBC MBE 0

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3 EI
1
B AB FEMBA FEM AB
L
2
No Loads No FEM:
3 2EI
MBA
B 1,5 EI B
4
MBA

2 EI
2 B C 3 BC FEMBC
L
2 3EI
20 4

2 B C
4
8
3,0 EI B 1,5 EI C 10

MBC
MBC
MBC

3 EI
1
B BE FEMBE FEMEB
L
2
3 EI

B 1,0 EI B
3

MBE
MBE

0 1,5 EI B 3,0 EI B 1,5 EI C 10 1,0 EI B 0

5,5 EI B 1,5 EI C 10 0

(1)

0 MCB MCD 0

2 EI
B 2 C 3 BC FEMCB
L
2 3EI
20 4

B 2 C
4
8
1,5 EI B 3,0 EI C 10

MCB
MCB
MCB

2 EI
2,0 C D 3 CD FEMCD
L
2 2EI

2,0 C 0 3 0 0
4
2,0 EI C

MCD
MCD
MCD

0 1,5 EI B 3,0 EI C 10 2 EI C 0

1,5 EI B 5 EI C 10 0

(2)

Solve for A and B.

2,57426
EI
2,77228
C
EI

2,57426
3,861 kN.m
EI
3,0 2,57426 1,5 2,77228 10 6,4355 kN.m
1,0 2,57426 2,574 kN.m
1,5 2,57426 3,0 2,77228 10 5,545 kN.m

MBA 1,5 EI B 1,5 EI

MBC
MBE
MCB

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MCD 2,0 2,77228 5,545 kN.m

MDC

2 EI
C 2,0 D 3 CD FEMDC EI C 2,772 kN.m
L

Sway Structures
One of the ways in which can calculate whether a structure can sway and the number of independent sway
mechanisms, is to convert the structural elements to bar hinged elements and to determine the degree of
instability. The degree of instability will also be the number of independent sway mechanisms.
Example:

Structure with bar-hinged elements:

s=5
r=7
s+r
= 12
n=6
2n
= 12
2n (s + r)
=0
No independent sway mechanism

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Example:

Structure with bar-hinged elements:

s=5
r=6
s+r
= 11
n=6
2n
= 12
2n (s + r)
=1
One independent sway mechanism
Example: Determine the bending moment diagramme of the following structure:

s=3
r=4
n=4
2n (s + r)

=1

s+r
=7
2n
=8
One independent sway mechanism

Sway of the structure.

One assumes that the member BC does not deform as AE is so large that
If this is true, BB must = CC.

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P L
0
AE

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But BB = 6 AB therefore CD = CC/4 = 6 AB/4 = 1,5 AB.

Call AB, - .
A = 0
B ?
C ?
D use the modified slope deflection equation.
?
We require three equations to solve the unknowns.
Unknown in this case:

M
M

For the third equation, one must investigate all the external forces that are applied to the structure.

The axial forces YAB and YDC are usually difficult to determine, whereas the shear forces V AB and VDC can be
calculated by taking moments about B of the member AB and C of the member CD respectively.
The third equation is obtained by:

Y 0

0 MBA MBC 0

2 EI
A 2 B 3 AB FEMBA
L
2 EI
20 6

2 B 3 ( )
6
8
EI 0,6667 B 3 15

MBA
MBA
MBA

MBC

2 EI
2 B C 3 BC FEMBC
L
2 EI
10 10

2 B C
10
8
EI 0,4 B 0,2 C 12,5

0 EI (1,0667 B 0,2 C ) 2,5 0

0 MCB MCD 0

MCB

2 EI
B 2 C 3 BC FEMCB
L

MBC
MBC

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(1)

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2 EI
10 10
B 2 C
10
8
EI 0,2 B 0,4 C 12,5

MCB
MCB

3 EI
1
C CD FEMCD FEMDC
L
2
3 EI

C ( 1,5 )
4
EI 0,75 C 1,125

MCD
MCD
MCD

0 EI 0,2 B 1,15 C 1,125 12,5 0

(2)

Take moments about B.

VAB

M AB MBA 20 3
6

2 EI
20 6
EI (0,3333 B ) 15
B 3
6
8
EI (0,3333 B ) 15 EI (0,6667 B ) 15 60

6
2

EI B
10
6
6

MBA
VAB
VAB

In a similar fashion one may calculate VDC in terms of the unknowns:

0,75 C 1,125

VDC EI

Y 0

20 VAB VDC 0

EI ( 2 B 2,25 C 7,375 ) 120 0

(3)

Solve the unknowns:

B
= -18,582 / EI
C
= - 9,61572 / EI

= 24,24397 / EI
Substitute in the equations for the moments:
MAB
MBA

= 33,051 kN.m
= -3,144 kN.m

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MBC
MCB
MCD

= 3,144 kN.m
= - 20,063 kN.m
= 20,063 kN.m

Momentary Centre of Rotation

When two points on a rigid body undergo a small displacement, the body rotates about a momentary centre
of rotation and the following angles are equal:

Example: Determine the sway angles of the following structure in terms of the sway angle DB of the
following structure.

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D is a fixed point so that the point B may only move vertical to the member BD. B moves from B to B. In a
similar way E is a fixed point and C can only move vertically to the member to C. A may move horizontally.
If one looks at the member AB both ends may move so we will find a momentary centre of rotation O 2 vertical
to the direction of movement. Both ends of member BC can move so we will find a momentary centre of
rotation, O1 vertical to the direction of movement of B and C.
Because movements are small relative to the length of the member, the tan = the angle .
BB = 5 x BD

BC O1B O1C

BB ' 5 BD

0,6 BD
LO1B 8,3333

CC = 6,667 x BC
= 4 x BD
CC ' 4 BD
CE

BD
LCE
4

AB O2B O1A

CC '' 5 BD

0,5 BD
LO2B
10

The direction of the angle is important. If it is clock-wise it is negative. BD as shown is negative so BC will be
positive.
Example:
Determine the bending moment diagramme of the following sway structure.

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Structure with sway mechanism.

Determine the number of independent sway mechanisms:
s=4 r=5
s+r=9
n = 5 2n = 10
2n (s + r) = 1
1 independent sway mechanism!
A
use modified slope-deflection equation
B
?
C
use modified slope-deflection equation
B
0
E
0

?
2 unknown we require 2 equations
Unknowns

Set DB = -
BB = 4

BC BO1 CO1

BB ' 4

0,5
LO1B
8

CC = 10 BC = 5
CC '
5
CE

LCE
5

0 MBA MBC MBD 0

3 EI
1
B AB FEMBA FEM AB
L
2
3 EI
30 6 1 30 6

B
6
8
2 8
0,5 EI B 33,75

MBA
MBA
MBA

3 EI
1
B BC FEMBC FEMCB
L
2
3 EI

B
6
0,5 EI B 0,25 EI

MBC
MBC
MBC

MBD

2 EI
2 B D 3 BD FEMBD
L

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MBD

2 EI
2 B 3
4
1,0 EI B 1,5 EI

MBD

0 2 EI B 1,25 EI 33,75 0

(1)

To determine the second equation one must view all the external forces on the structure:

As it is difficult to determine YDB and YEC we will take moments about a point where their moment is known
to be 0. The momentary centre of rotation, O1, is such a point.
Determine the unknown forces in terms of the unknown rotations and translational angles.

Member AB
MB 0 VAB 6 30 3 MBA 0
VAB

0,5 EI B 56,25
6

Member BD
MB 0 VDB 4 MDB MBD 0

2 EI
B 2 D 3 BD FEMDB
L
0,5 EI B 1,5 EI

MDB
MDB

VDB

MDB MBD 1,5 EI B 3 EI

4
4

Member CE
MC 0 VEC 5 MEC 0
MEC

3 EI
1
E EC FEMEC FEMCE
L
2

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3 EI
( ) 0,6 EI
5
M
0,6 EI
EC
5
5

MEC
VEC

Take moments about the momentary centre of rotation:

VAB x 6 + VDB x 12 + VEC x 15 30 x 3 MDB MEC = 0
0,5 EI B 56,25 4,5 EI B 9 EI 1,8 EI 90 0,5 EI B 1,5 EI 0,6 EI 0

O1

0 4,5 EI B 8,7 EI 33,75 0

(2)

Solve the unknowns:

B 21,3535

EI

7,16561

EI
MBA
MBC
MBD
MDB
MEC

= -23,073 kN.m
= +12,468 kN.m
= +10,605 kN.m
= -0,072 kN.m
= -4,299 kN.m

Bending moment diagramme

Calculate the bending moments and draw the bending moment diagramme of the following structure.

Change the nodes to hinges and calculate the number of independent sway mechanisms.
s=6
r=6
(s + r) = 12
n=7
2 n = 14 therefore 2 n (s+r) = 2 with two independent sway mechanisms

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We have three unknowns, namely B, D and . We require three equations to solve these unknowns.

0 MBA MBC MBF 0

3 EI
1
B BA FEMBA FEM AB
L
2
3 2EI
6 52 1 6 5 2

B 0

5
12
2
12

MBA
MBA

MBA = 1,2 EI B 18,75

3 EI
1
B BC FEMBc FEMCB
L
2
3 2EI
MBc
B ( ) 0 0
3
MBC = 2 EI B + 2 EI
MBc

2 EI
2 B F 3 BF FEMBF
L
2 EI
MBF
2 B 0 0 0
4
MBF = 1 EI B
MBF

M
M

0 4,2 EI B 2 EI 18,75 0

0 MDC MDE MDG 0

(1)

3 EI
1
D DC FEMDC FEMCD
L
2
3 2EI
MDC
D
3
MDC = 2 EI D - 2 EI
MDC

MDE = + 10 x 2 = + 20
2 EI
2 D G 3 DG FEMDG
L
2 EI

2 D
4

MDG
MDG

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MDG = EI D

0 3 EI D 2 EI 20 0

(2)

Third equation may be obtained from the vertical equilibrium of node C

-VCB - VCD 20 = 0
VCB

MBC 2 EI B 2 EI

3
3

VCD

MDC 2 EI D 2 EI

3
3

-VCB - VCD 20 = 0
2 EI B 2 EI D 4 EI
20 0
3
+ 2 EI B - 2 EI D - 4 EI = 60

(3)

Solve the three simultaneous equations:

B
D

MBA
MBC
MBF
MFB
MDC
MDG
MGD

-6.0185/EI
8.0093/EI
22.0139/EI
= - 25,972 kN.m
= + 31,991 kN.m
= - 6,0185 kN.m
= - 3,009 kN.m
= - 28,009 kN.m
= + 8,009 kN.m
= + 4,005 kN.m

Example 2:

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The support D of the structure undergoes the following displacement, 10 mm vertically down and 20 mm
horizontally to the left. E = 200 GPa and I = 50 x 10-6 m4.

If one determines the number of independent sway mechanisms we see that there is one. The unknowns are
thus B and .
The sway angles will consist of a known angle as a result of the displacement of D and the unknown, .
Determine the known angles for the 10 mm and 20 mm displacement individually and add them together.
In order to do this the unknown sway must be prevented.

For the 10 mm displacement, B drops vertically by 10 mm. The sway angles are thus equal to BB/Length of
the member:
0,010
2,5 x 103
4
0,010

1,1111 x 10 3
9

AB
BC

For the 20 mm displacement, B may only move vertically so that both ends of member BD move and in this
way we will find a momentary centre of rotation.
OB BD OD
0,20
5 x 10 3
4
Therefore, BD = 5,0 x 10-3

OD

BB = OB x 3 m = 0,015 m
0,015
3,75 x 10 3
4
0,015

1,66667 x 10 3
9

AB
BC

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The total sway as a result of the displacements is the sum of the individual sway angles. Therefore:

AB 2,5 x 10 3 3,75 x 10 3 6,25 x 10 3

BC 1,1111 x 103 1,6667 x 10 3 2,7778 x 10 3
BD = 5,0 x 10-3
To determine the relative sway angles:

Set BD = , then BB = 5

AB O1B

BB '
5

0,75
LO1B
6,6667

BC O 2B

BB '
5

0,3333
LO 2B
15

Equations required to solve the unknowns:

0 MBA MBC MBD 0

3 EI
1
B BA FEMBA FEM AB
L
2
3 2 (200 x 10 6 50 x 10 6 )
MBA
B ( 0,75 6,25 x 10 3
4
MBA = 15 000 B + 11 250 + 93,75
MBA

3 EI
1
B BC FEMBC FEMCB
L
2
3 2 (200 50)
10 9 2 1 10 92

B (0,3333 2,7778 x 10 3

9
12
2
12

MBC
MBC

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MBA = 6 666,667 B 2 222,22 + 82,7313

2 EI
2 B D 3 BD FEMBD
L
2 200 50
MBD
2 B 3 ( 5 x 10 3 )
5
MBD = 8 000 B 12 000 - 60,00
MBD

0 29 6666,67 B 2 972,22 116,4813 0

(1)

For the second equation one must look at all the external forces that are applied to the structure.

As it is very difficult to determine YDB take moments about a point where the moment of YDB = 0, i.e., O2.
Take moments about B of the member AB:
VAB

MBA 15000 B 11250 93,75

3750 B 2812,5 23,4375

LAB
4

To determine the force VDC, take moments about B of the member BD:
M MDB
VDB BD
LBD
2 EI
B 2 D 3 BD FEMDB
L
2 200 50
MBD
B 3 ( 5 x 10 3 )
5
MDB = 4 000 B 12 000 - 60,00
MDB

VDB

MBD MDB 12 000 B 24 000 240

2 400 B 4 800 24
LBD
5

10 92
0
2
20 750 B + 96 562,5 + 199,6875 = 0

MO 2 0 VAB 13 VDB 10 MDB

(2)

Solve the two simultaneous equations:

= - 0,0040464
= - 0,00119844

MBA

= + 19,572 kN.m

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MBC
MBD
MDB

= + 58,418 kN.m
= - 77,990 kN.m
= - 61,804 kN.m

Slope-deflection

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