Slope Deflection Method for the

Analysis of Indeterminate Structures

By
Prof. Dr. Wail Nourildean Al-Rifaie

All structures must satisfy:

Load-displacement relationship
Equilibrium of forces
Compatibility of displacements

Using the principle of superposition by

considering separately the moments
developed at each support of a typical
prismatic beam (AB) shown in Fig. 1(a) of a
continuous beam, due to each of the
displacements ,
, and the
applied loads. Assume clockwise moments
are +ive.

1.

Assume ends A and B are fixed, i., e., the

rotations
. This means that we
have to apply counterclockwise moment at
end A
and clockwise moment at end B
due to the applied loads to cause zero
rotation at each of ends A and B. Table (1)
gives
for different loading conditions.

Table (1)

2. Release end A against rotation at end A (rotates to

its final position
) by applying clockwise
moment
while far end node B is held fixed as
shown in Fig. 1.
3. Now, the clockwise moment
- rotation
relationship is:

4. The carry over moment at end B is:

5. In a similar manner, if end B of the beam rotates to

its final position
, while end A is held fixed. The
clockwise moment
rotation
relationship
is:

6. The carry over moment at end A is:

7.

If node B is displaced relative to as shown in Fig.

(1), so that the cord of the member rotates
clockwise i., e., positive displacement and yet both
ends do not rotate, then equal but anticlockwise
moments are developed in the member as shown
in the figure.

Slope-Deflection Equation
Load-displacement relationship
If the end moments due to each displacement and
the loading are added together, the resultant
moments at the ends may then be written as:

For prismatic beam element, equation (1) may be

written as:

The slope deflection equations (1 or 2) relate

the unknown moments applied to the nodes
to the displacements of the nodes for
any span of the structure.
To summarize application of the slopedeflection equations, consider the
continuous beam shown in Fig. (2) which has
four degrees of freedom.
Now equation (2) can be applied to each of
the three spans.

Fig. (2)

From Fig.(2):
Equilibrium conditions

Compatibility conditions

These equations would involve the four unknown

rotations A , B , C , D .
Solving for these four unknown rotations. It may be
noted that there is no relative deflection between the
supports, so that
The values of the obtained
rotations may then be substituted in to the slope
deflection equations to determine the internal
moments at the ends of each member.
If any of the results are negative, they indicate
counterclockwise rotation.

Example (1)
Solution

1.

Draw the shear and moment diagrams for the beam

shown in Fig.(3). EI is constant.
Using the formulas for the
tabulated in Table
(1) for the given loadings:

Fig. (3)

2. There are two slopes at B and C, i., e.,

are unknowns. Since end A is fixed,
Also,
since the supports do not settle, nor are they
displaced up or down

Now, by applying the equilibrium conditions:

Substituting the computed values in to moment

equations (a), (b), (c), and (d):

By considering the values of support moments and

the applied loads, the support reactions may then be
determined:
RA = 8.3625 kN
RB = 10.2042 kN
RC = 1.8333 kN
Shearing force and bending moment digrams are
shown in Fig. (4).

Fig. (4) Shearing Force & Bending Moment Digrams

Example (2)
Determine the internal moments at the supports of the
beam shown in Fig. (5). The support at B is displaced
(settles) 12 mm.

Solution
1.
Two spans must be considered. FEMs are determined
using Table (1).
AB
BC

0.012 0

6.667 x10 4
18
0 0.012

0.1x10 4
12

2. Using equation 2:
2 EI
M AB (
) AB ( B 3x6.667 x10 4 )
18
2 EI
M BA (
) AB (2 B 3x6.667 x10 4 )
18
2 EI
M BC (
) BC (2 B C 3x0.1x10 4 )
12
2 EI
M CB (
) BC (2 C B 3 x0.1x10 4 ) 0
12

(i )
( j)
(k )
(l )

3. Equilibrium condition:

0 and M C 0

2 EI
M AB (
) AB ( B 3 x6.667 x10 4 )
( m)
18
2 EI
2 EI
(
) AB (2 B 3 x6.667 x10 4 ) (
) BC (2 B C 3 x0.1x10 4 ) 0 (n)
18
12
2 EI
(
) BC (2 C B 3 x0.1x10 4 ) 0
( p)
12

In order to obtained the rotations B and C equations

(n) & (p) may then be solved simultaneously, it may be
noted that A 0 since A is fixed support. Thus,

B 4.65294 x10 4 rad . and C 2.47647 x10 4 rad .

Substituting these values into equations (i to l) yields

Example (3)
If end A in example (1) is simply supported, and by
applying the compatibility condition, their will be three
unknown rotations, ( A , B , C )
Now,
2 EI
M AB (
) AB (2 A B ) 4.5
(a)
2.4
2 EI
M BA (
) AB (2 B ) 4.5
(b)
2.4
2 EI
M BC (
) BC (2 B C ) 1.62
(c )
3.6
2 EI
M CB (
) BC (2 C B ) 1.62
(d )
3.6

Applying the equilibrium conditions:

2 EI
M AB (
) AB (2 A B ) 4.5 0
(1)
2.4
2 EI
2 EI
(
) AB (2 B ) 4.5 (
) BC (2 B C ) 1.62 0
2.4
3 .6
2 EI
M CB (
) BC (2 C B ) 1.62 0
(3)
3.6

( 2)

By solving equations (1, 2 & 3) for A , B , C and

substitute the values into equations (a, b, c, d):
M AB 0
M BA 4.158 kN .m clockwise
M BC 4.158 kN .m anticlockwise
M CB 0

Shearing force and bending moment diagrams are shown

in the following figure.

Example (4)
Determine the moments at each joint of the frame shown in
Fig.(7). EI is constant.

Fig. (7)

( FEM ) BC

5(24)(8) 2

80 kN .M
96

( FEM ) CB

5(24)(8) 2

80 kN .M
96

Because ends A and D are fixed supports.

AB BC CD 0
and

2 EI
since no sidesway
) AB ( B ) 0.1667 EI B
12
2 EI
M BA (
) AB (2 B ) 0.3334 EI B
12
2 EI
M BC (
) BC (2 B C ) 80 0.5EI B 0.25 EI C 80
8
2 EI
M CB (
) BC (2 C B ) 80 0.5EI C 0.25 EI B 80
8
2 EI
M CD (
) CD ( 2 C ) 0.3334 EI C
12
2 EI
M DC (
) CD ( C ) 0.1667 EI C
l
M AB (

will occur.

Equilibrium conditions:

BA

M BC 0

0.3334 EI B 0.5EI B 0.25 EI C 80 0

Or
0.8334 EI B 0.25 EI C 80 0

CB

(1)

M CD 0

0.5 EI C 0.25 EI B 0.3334 EI C 80 0

Or
0.8334 EI C 0.25 B 80 0

(2)

Solving simultaneously yields

137.1
137.1
B
and C
EI
EI

Therefore,

M AB 22.9 kN .m

clockwise

M BA 45.7 kN .m

clockwise

M BC 45.7 kN .m anticlockwise
M CB 45.7 kN .m

clockwise

M CD 45.7 kN .m anticlockwise
M DC 22.9 kN .m anticlokwise

The bending moment diagram is shown in Fig.(8).

Fig.(8)

Example (5)
Determine the internal moments at each of the frame
shown in Fig.(9).
Solution

Fig.(9)

1.

Fixed end moments:

Span AB : ( FEM ) AB
Span BC : ( FEM ) BC

w(1.5L) 2
w(1.5 L) 2

, ( FEM ) BA
12
12
wL2
wL2

, ( FEM ) CB
12
12

Span BD : ( FEM ) DB

Pl
Pl

, ( FEM ) BD
8
8

2. Joint moments:
M AB

2 EI
w(1.5L) 2
(
) AB (2 A B )
1.5L
12

(i )

M BA

2 EI
w(1.5L) 2
(
) AB (2 B A )
1.5L
12

( j)

2 EI
wL2
M BC (
) BC (2 B C )
L
12
2 EI
wL2
M CB (
) BC (2 C B )
L
12
2 EI
PL
M BD (
) BD (2 B D )
L
8
2 EI
PL
M DB (
) BD (2 D B )
L
8

(k )
(l )
( m)
( n)

3. Equilibrium conditions:
M AB

w(1.5L) 2
2 EI
(
) AB (2 A B )
0
1 .5 L
12
B

(1)

w(1.5L) 2
2 EI
2 EI
wL2
(
) AB (2 B A )
(
) BC (2 B C )

1.5 L
12
L
12
2 EI
PL
(
) BD (2 B D )
0
(2)
L
8
2 EI
wL2
M CB (
) BC (2 C B )
0
L
12
2 EI
PL
M DC (
) BD ( B )
L
8

(3)
(4)

Solving equations
Solving
equations (1,2,3)
(1,2,3) simultaneously
simultaneously yields
yields A , B , C
Substituting the rotation values into equations (i to n) to
determine the joint moments.

Example (6)
Determine the joint internal moments of the frame shown in
Fig.(10), both ends A and D are fixed.
Assume

EI
EI
EI
) AB ( ) BC 1 and ( ) CD 1.5
L
L
L

Fig.(10)

Solution
1. Fixed end moments:
Span AB : ( FEM ) AB
( FEM ) BA

10(1.8)(3.6) 2
(5.4)

Span BC : ( FEM ) BC
( FEM ) CB

10(3.6)(1.8) 2

(5.4)

4.0 kN .m

8.0 kN .m

3(7.2) 2

12.96 kN .m
12

3(7.2) 2

12.96 kN .m
12

It is assumed that the axial deformation is neglected so that

BBO CC O

as shown in the following figure.

 CD 1.5 AB and BC A D 0

It may be noted that

2. Joint moments:
M AB ( B 3 AB ) 4
2 EI
) AB (2 B AB ) 8
1.5 L
(2 B C ) 12.96

(i )

M BA (

( j)

M BC

(k )

M CB 1.5(2 C B ) 12.96

(l )

M CD (2 C 4.5 AB )
3 C 6.75 AB

( m)

M DC 1.5( C 4.5 AB )
1.5 C 6.75 AB

( n)

3. Equilibrium conditions:

Jo int B :

BA

M BC 0

Or
4 B C 3 AB 4.96
Jo int C :

CB

(1)

M CD 0

Or

B 5 C 6.75 AB 12.96

(2)

Since a horizontal displacement

occurs, the summing forces on the

entire frame in the x-direction. This yields

0 : 10 H A H D 0

In which :
HA

10 M AB M BA

3
5.4

and
M CD M DC
3.6
10 M AB M BA M CD M DC
10

0
3
5.4
3.6
Or
B 2.25 C 4.75 AB 10.667
(3)
HD

Solving equations (1, 2, 3) yields

B 2.8208, C

0.565, AB 1.9194

By substituting these values into moment equations (i to n):

M AB 6.9374 kN .m
M BA 7.8833 kN .m
M BC 7.8833 kN .m
M CB 14.6509 k .N .m
M CD 14.6509 kN .m
M DC 13.8035 kN .m

Bending moment diagram is plotted in the following figure.