STUDENT NAME : AMBESA RAUZELA

STUDENT NO. :
SUBJECT : STRUCTURAL ANALYSIS SAN33P2
PRACTICAL : MOMENT DISTRIBUTION
LOCATION : STRUCTURES LAB WSU COLLEGE ST
DATE OF LAB PRAC. : 30 APRIL 2019
DUE DATE : 5 MAY 2019
SUPERVISOR : L Melane
 TABLE OF CONTENTS

 Statement of objectives
 Theory
 Description of equipment
 Procedure
 Results
 Conclusion
 References
Statement of objectives

The aim of this practical was to understand the meaning of carryover factor,
distribution factor, fixed end moments and relative stiffness. To understand how
different support conditions perform be it roller, fixed, or pinned support. To be able
to solve reactions for statically indeterminate. Also to be able to draw bending and
shear force diagrams.

Theory

In moment distribution method every joint of the structure to be analysed is fixed so

as to produce a fixed end moment. Then each fixed joint is released and the fixed
end moments are distributed to adjacent members until equilibrium is achieved.
Fixed end moments are the moments produced at the member ends by external
loads that does not mean the joint is fixed.
Distribution factors can be defined as the proportions of the unbalanced moments
carried by each of the members.
Carryover factors- when a joint is released, balancing moment occurs to
counterbalance the unbalanced moment which is initially the same as the fixed-end
moment. This balancing moment is then carried over to the member on the other
end.

Description of equipment

 Two span continuous beam carried on supports which are free to rotate. Each
support is fixed.
 Load hangers
 Weights

Procedure

 We put load hangers on A, Band C and we released the three supports and
zero the pointers.
 We then locked all the three supports.
 For our practical we were asked to use 20N weight and put it on hanger B,
and then the moment will be 2000Nmm.
  We released support B, and then it will rotate to a position of equilibrium.
Locked B and the rotation was 0.07 rad.
 For measuring the moment at A, we released A and added a load that would
zero the pointer and the needed was 3N. this is the carryover moment from B
to A.
 We have to do the same at support C, release C and we had to add 6N to
bring the pointer to zero. This is the carryover from B to C.
 The moment distribution was then completed.

Results

𝑀
Stiffness (k) = ɵ

𝑀𝑏𝑎
Distribution Factors (DF) = 𝑀

𝑀
KAB = ɵ

3∗100
= 0.07

= 4285.714

𝑀
KBC = ɵ

6∗100
= 0.02

= 30 000

Total stiffness = 4285.714 + 30000

= 34285.714

4285.714
DFBA = = 0.143
30000

30000
DFBC = 34285.714

= 0.875
 AB BA BC CB

Distribution Factors 0.143 0.875

Fixed End Moment 0 +2000 0

Distribution 0 -286 -1750 0

Carry Over -143 0 0 -875

Final -143 -1964 -875

Theoretical calculations

AB BA BC CB

Distribution Factors 0.4 0.6

Fixed End Moment 0 +2000 0

Distribution 0 -800 -1200 0

Carry Over -400 0 0 -750

Final -400 -2000 -600

Conclusion

The practical was useful to us as students because we then understood the

meanings of the terms carryover, and distribution factors.
But we obtained from the practical that there is a difference between practical and
theoretical stiffness. And also due to bad condition of the two way span we were
using, the results we have might not be that correct.
The vital part is that we understand the concept of moment distribution very well.