MOMENT-AREA METHOD

Introduction
In this chapter, you will be introduced to moment-area method one
of the two (2) geometric methods in calculating deformations in
beams. Specifically, we are discussing:
1. Elastic curves
2. Elastic beam theory
3. Moment-area theorems
4. Moment diagram by parts
5. Application of moment-area theorems to calculate slopes and
displacements in beams
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Elastic Curves
Locus of points defining the displaced position of the member
Represented by deflection diagram
This curve is easy to sketch but it is necessary to know the boundary
conditions to consider them in the sketch

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Elastic Curves
Boundary conditions

Figures from Ref. [1]

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Elastic Curves Examples (1)

Figures from Ref. [1]

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Elastic Curves
In case sketching is difficult, consider drawing the moment diagram
(+) M >> concave downward; (-) M >> concave upward
Point of inflection
the point of zero moment
where concavity of the elastic curve changes

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Elastic Curves Examples (2)

Figures from Ref. [1]

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Elastic Curves Practice

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Elastic Beam Theory

Relates the slope

)and displacement () of elastic curve of
the member to the internal loads (moment and shear)
Assumptions:
1. Beams length-to-depth ratio is high (slender beams)
2. Homogenous material and elastic (linear stress-strain diagram)
3. Neglects effect of shear
For beams with low length-to-depth ratio, they are called deep beams
Deformation due to shear: in slender beam = negligible, in deep beams can
not be neglected
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Elastic Beam Theory

This equation was derived in your mechanics of materials subject
Used in the Double Integration Method
2
=
2

This follows

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==

[ 1]

[ 2]

10

Moment-Area Theorems: Theorem 1

Theorem 1 The change in slope between any two points on the elastic
curve equals the area of the M/EI diagram between these two points.
Proof:
[eq 2] =

Integrating from a certain interval, say from x = A to x = B

The
right
side
of
the
equation
represents

the area under M/EI diagram while the

left side represents the change in slope in

the elastic curve between points A and B.
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Theorem 1
=

Beam

Let / =
/ = [Area in M/EI diagram
between A and B]

Area

M/EI
diagram

Elastic
Curve
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Theorem 1: Illustration

A simply-supported beam of length L is loaded at the mid-span by a

concentrated load P. Assuming EI is constant throughout the length of
the beam, determine the change in slope of the beam between its
supports.
= Area in M/EI diagram between b and a
P
2
1

b Beam
=
=
L
2 4
8
PL/4EI

PL/4
M diagram
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M/EI
diagram

Elastic
curve

tan b

tan a

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Theorem 2
Theorem 2 The vertical deviation of the tangent at point (A) on the
elastic curve with respect to the tangent extended from another point
(B) equals the moment of the area under the M/EI diagram
between the two points (A and B). This moment is computed about
the point A (the point on the elastic curve), where the deviation /
is to be determined.
The figure in the left illustrates 2 vertical
deviations
/ = vertical deviation of the tangent at
point A with respect to tangent at point B
Note that the point is at the elastic curve, not
in the undeformed shape of the beam. 14
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Theorem 2: Derivation
= based on arc equation [ = ]

From [eq 2] =
Thus, =

and,

Integrating from x = A to x = B

/ =

/ =

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Theorem 2
/ =

The right side of the equation

represents the moment of the area [of
the M/EI diagram between A and B]
about A.
Simply, moment of area AB about A

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Theorem 2: Illustration
A simply-supported beam of length L is loaded at the mid-span by a
concentrated load P. Assuming EI is constant throughout the length of
the beam, determine the vertical deviation of the tangent at the left
support (a) to the tangent at the right support (b).
P
a

PL/4EI
M/EI
diagram
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tan b

Beam

Elastic
curve

17

Theorem 2: Illustration
/ = moment of area AB about A
1

3
/ =
=
2 4
2 16
P
a

PL/4EI
M/EI
diagram
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tan b

Beam

Elastic
curve

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Important Notes
Sign convention for both moment-area theorems:
Positive if the moment diagram is positive, otherwise, negative.
Positive / means that is greater than
= 10, = 5
= 10, = 5
= 5, = 10

Positive / means that point A in the elastic curve is above the

tangent at B.

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Moment-Area Method
Application of moment-area theorems
Procedure for analysis
1. Determine the support reactions
2. Draw the M/EI diagram
3. Sketch the elastic curve
4. Indicate in the curve the unknowns
5. Apply moment-area theorems
Note that the theorems do not directly return unknown values
The unknowns should be calculated analytically using geometric relations
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Example 1 [from Ref. 1]

Based on the beam shown:
1. Sketch the elastic curve.
2. Draw the M/EI diagram.
3. Determine the slope at A.
4. Determine the deflection at C.
Use E = 200 GPa, I = 250e6 mm4.

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Example 1
1. Sketch the elastic curve

The blue
curve is the
elastic curve.

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Example 1
2. Draw the M/EI diagram.

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Example 1
3. Determine the slope at A.

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/
=

= 8
/ = [ 2]

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Example 1
3. Determine the slope at A.
/ = 2
/ = moment of area AB about B
1
192
1
/ =

8 8
2

3
2048
/ =

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25

Example 1
3. Determine the slope at A.

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= 8
2048
/ =

/
256
=
=

26

Example 1
4. Determine the deflection at C ( ).

= /

/ 2

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27

Example 1
Solve by similar triangle.

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/
=
= 2/
16
8
2048

=2

4096

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Example 1
Solve / by theorem 2.
/ = moment of area AC about C
1
192
1
1
192
/ =

8
8 +8 +

3
3

11264
/ =

3
8 8
4

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Example 1
4. Determine the deflection at C ( ).

= /

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4096

11264
/ =

7168
=

30

Example 1
Numerical values of and .
Use E = 200 GPa, I = 250e6 mm4.
E = 200e6 kPa
I = 250e6/10e-12 m4
I = 250e-6 m4

256
256
=
=
= 0.00512

2006 2506
7168
7168
=
=
= 0.143

2006 2506

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NOTE that E and I are

converted to kPa (kN/m2)
and m4 since the loads and
length [used in the
calculations of and ] are
in kN and m, respectively.

31

Example 2 [from Ref. 2]

Based on the beam shown:
1. Sketch the elastic curve.
2. Draw the M/EI diagram.
3. Determine the slope at B.
4. Determine the deflection at C.

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Example 2
1. Sketch the elastic curve.

NOTE that the elastic curve is continuous all throughout the length of the beam since
there is no hinged connection (or member releases) along the length.
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Example 2
26

2. Draw the M/EI diagram.

46

169

2
26

12
a
-34

Shear
Diagram

Moment
Diagram
-120

169/EI

26
=
= 13
2

M/EI
Diagram
-120/EI

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Example 2
26

46

3. Determine the slope at B.

/
=

/ = 2
/ =

tan B

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Example 2
26

46

3. Determine the slope at B.

Solving /
169/EI
M/EI
Diagram
-120/EI

In my perspective, the area in

this diagram is difficult to
solve.
We need the concept of
drawing the moment diagram
in parts.
To be continued

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36

Moment Diagram by Parts

Construction of moment diagram for each load
Procedure
1. Select a point (reference point) in the beam.
2. Solve the support reactions. Reaction at the selected point is
unnecessary to compute.
3. For each load, draw the moment diagram assuming that it is a
cantilever load such that the reference point is the location of fixed
support.
Also known as bending moment diagram by cantilever parts
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37

Moment Diagram by Parts - Illustration

Draw the moment diagram by parts of the beam shown for each of
the selected reference point.
1. Point A
2. Point C

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Moment Diagram by Parts - Illustration

1. Reference point A
a. Uniform load, 1.5 k/ft
21.8

b. Concentrated load, 30 k

1.5 62
= 27
2

30

2
30 6 + 4 = 300

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Moment Diagram by Parts - Illustration

1. Reference point A
c.

21.8

Concentrated load, 21.8 k

21.8 15 = 327

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21.8

40

Moment Diagram by Parts - Illustration

1. Reference point A
21.8

327

27

300
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41

Moment Diagram by Parts - Formula

Consider length L, fixed at left, concentrated load at right end

1. Concentrated load P
PL

2. Uniform load w
2
2
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3. Concentrated moment M

4. Distributed load (triangular)

w (w at left end)

2
2

2
42

Moment Diagram by Parts - Illustration

2. Reference point C
a. Concentrated load, 17.2 k
21.8

17.2
17.2

b. Concentrated load, 21.8 k

172
109

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21.8

43

Moment Diagram by Parts - Illustration

2. Reference point C
c.

Uniform load, 1.5 k/ft

21.8

17.2

2
2
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12

75

44

Moment Diagram by Parts - Illustration

2. Reference point C
21.8

17.2
172
A

B
75

2
2

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109
C

12
45

Example 2 [resume]
26

46

3. Determine the slope at B.

Draw moment diagram by parts.
What is the reference point?
Recall the requirements: ,
Using the elastic curve, it can be
inferred that AREA along BC is needed
for the computation of .
It has been derived that needs /
which in turn needs AREA along AB.
Thus, it is better to select point B as
reference point.
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/
tan B
46

Example 2
26

46

3. Determine the slope at B.

Draw moment diagram by parts. B is reference point.
780

120

2
900

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Example 2
26

46

3. Determine the slope at B.

Original moment diagram vs moment diagram in parts.
780

169/EI

-120/EI

120

900

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Example 2
26

46

3. Determine the slope at B.

Solving /

/ =
/ =

/ =
/ =

1 780
2
30 30 +
2
3
1 900
3

30 30
3
4
31500

780

120

900

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Example 2
26

46

3. Determine the slope at B.

/
=

31500
/ =

31500
1050
=
=
30

tan B

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50

Example 2
26

46

4. Determine the deflection at C.

/

Using arc length formula

/ + = 10

= 10 /
1050
=

/
tan B

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51

Example 2
26

46

4. Determine the deflection at C.

Solving /

/ =
/ =

/ =

1 120
2

4000

10

2
3

780

10
120

900

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Example 2
26

46

4. Determine the deflection at C.

/

/
tan B

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Using arc length formula

= 10 /
10500 4000
=

6500
=

53

Example 2
26

Numerical values of and .

46

E = 29000 ksi >> 4176000 ksf

I = 2000 in4 >> 0.0964506 ft4

1050
=
= 0.00261

6500
=
= 0.0161 = 0.194

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54

Practice Problems
1. Determine the maximum deflection. E = 10000 ksi, I = 500 in4.
= 1.72

2. Determine the slopes and deflections at points B and C of the beam

shown. Use E = 70 GPa, I = 500e6 mm4.
= 0.0514
= 0.0771
= 180
= 373
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55

Practice Problems
3. Determine the slopes and deflections at points B and D. E = 29000
ksi, I = 6000 in4.
= 0.0099

= 0.0084
= 0.86
= 1.44

4. Determine the slope and deflection at point D. E = 10000 ksi, I =

2500 in4.
= 0.01134
= 2.04

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References
1. Structural Analysis 8th Ed. RC Hibbeler
2. Structural Analysis 4th Ed. Aslam Kassimali

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