An introduction to approximate methods of frame analysis
Dr Wei Yuen Loo
Updated 30 August 2024
Gravity loads on frames: approximate analysis
Gravity loads on frames: approximate analysis
Actually the beam column joint is not fully rigid. Therefore we assume it is around
half-way between the pinned end case, and the fully fixed case, i.e. 0.1 L
• From this the moment at the mid-span of the beam is readily calculated, and the
moment at the ends of the beam are also easily calculated
• At the joints, the moments at the column ends counteract the beam end
moments, and are shared equally between the columns above and below the
beam
Gravity loads: Example 1
Using an approximate method, calculate and draw the bending moment and shear
force diagram and show all reactions.
Gravity loads: Example 1 (answer for member AB)
Gravity loads: Example 1 (answer for member CD)
Gravity loads: Example 1 (finding column moments)
Moments at beam column joints:
At joint A the beam moment is 8.64 kNm anti-clockwise. Therefore the moment at the top of the
column is clockwise 8.64 kNm (the total moments at a joint must be zero). At joint B the result is
simply a mirror image of the moments at A
At joint C the beam moment is 17.28 kNm anti-clockwise. The columns above and below this joint
are assumed to resist the 17.29 kNm equally (50% each). Thus the moment for member CE is 8.64
kNm clockwise and for member CA is also 8.64 kNm. Note that at joint D the result is a mirror image
of the result at C
Gravity loads: Example 1 (answer for columns and overall BMD)
Gravity loads: Example 1 (Answer: Column shear forces)
Column shear forces
Gravity loads: Example 1 (Answer: Shear force diagram and reactions)
Final shear force diagram and reactions
Gravity loads: Previous exam problem
Gravity loads: Previous exam problem
Do top beam, and then proportionally increase for second beam.
Gravity loads: Previous exam problem
Final bending moment diagram, remember the beam end moments at all levels
except the roof, are split between the column above and column below 50:50
Gravity loads: Previous exam problem
Find the horizontal reactions on columns and hence the shear forces.
The shear forces for the beam are done exactly the same as for a beam that is
simply supported.
Low aspect ratio frames – Lateral force analysis by the PORTAL METHOD
Aspect ratio is simply height to width. So the portal method is appropriate for short wide
buildings. Just three assumptions:
1. There is one inflection point at the mid heights of the columns
2. There is one inflection point at the mid-span of the beams
3. Horizontal shear is divided among all the columns, with the interior columns taking twice
as much as the exterior columns
The assumption is a single frame with several bays can be conceptualised as several
individual frames:
Everything then flows from these three basic principles:
Lateral force analysis by the PORTAL METHOD: Example 2
Solve for the shear forces and bending moments for the frame below:
Lateral force analysis by the PORTAL METHOD: Example 2 (answer: Bending moment)
Lateral force analysis by the PORTAL METHOD: Example 2 Final answer
The free body diagram for each rigid segment are produced.
Column shears The complete BMD and SFDs are shown below:
Beam shears
Lateral force analysis by the PORTAL METHOD: Example 3
Solve for the shear forces and bending moments for the frame below:
Lateral force analysis by the PORTAL METHOD: Example 3 ANSWER
Lateral force analysis by the PORTAL METHOD: Example 3 ANSWER
Lateral force analysis by the PORTAL METHOD: Example 4
Solve for the shear forces and bending moments for the frame below:
Lateral force analysis by the PORTAL METHOD: Example 4 - ANSWER
Distribute the forces, remembering the interior columns take twice the force of the exterior
Lateral force analysis by the PORTAL METHOD: Example 4 - ANSWER
Draw the bending moment diagram for the columns, and then the moments at the ends of the beams
balance the unbalanced moment at the beam-column joints
Lateral force analysis by the PORTAL METHOD: Example 4 - ANSWER
Calculate the reactions on the ends of the beams, and then the shear forces for the beams are found.
For the column shears, simply refer to the forces each column resists. Shear force diagram below:
Lateral force analysis by the PORTAL METHOD: Example 5
Solve for the shears, bending moments, and reactions for the frame below:
All you need to do is the following:
Step 1: Get the column shears
Step 2: Get the column moments (column shears x 1/2 column length)
Step 3: The beam moments then balance the column moments
Step 4: Get the beam shears by moment equilibrium
Lateral force analysis by the PORTAL METHOD: Example 5
Step 1: Get the column shears (twice as much in the interior as exterior columns)
Lateral force analysis by the PORTAL METHOD: Example 5
Step 2: The column bending moments easily obtained: Column shear x 1/2 length of column
Lateral force analysis by the PORTAL METHOD: Example 5
Step 3: Find the beam moments by balancing the column moments at each joint
Lateral force analysis by the PORTAL METHOD: Example 5
Step 4: To obtain the beam shears, simply, Beam shear = Moment / (span * 0.5)
Lateral force analysis by the PORTAL METHOD: Example 6
Solve for the shears and bending moments for the frame below:
Lateral force analysis by the PORTAL METHOD: Example 6 ANSWER
Solve for the shears, bending moments, and reactions for the frame below:
Lateral force analysis by the PORTAL METHOD: Example 6 Answer
The BMD and SFDs are now readily found:
Lateral force analysis by the PORTAL METHOD: Example 7
Solve for the shear forces and bending moments for the frame below:
Lateral force analysis by the PORTAL METHOD: Example 7: ANSWER
Distribute the forces:
Lateral force analysis by the PORTAL METHOD: Example 7: ANSWER
Bending moment diagram:
Lateral force analysis by the PORTAL METHOD: Example 7: ANSWER
Shear force diagram: