1.

Introduction
By forming slope deflection equations and applying joint and shear equilibrium conditions, the
rotation angles (or the slope angles) are calculated. Substutituting them back into the slope
deflection equations, member end moments are readily determined.

Slope deflection equations

The slope deflection equations express the member end moments in terms of rotations angles. The
slope deflection equations of member ab of flexural rigidity EIab and length Lab are:

where a, b are the slope angles of ends a and b respectively, is the relative lateral displacement
of ends a and b. The absence of cross-sectional area of the member in these equations implies that
the slope deflection method neglects the effect of shear and axial deformations.
The slope deflection equations can also be written using the stiffness factor

and the chord rotation

Derivation of slope deflection equations

When a simple beam of length Lab and flexural rigidity EIab is loaded at each end with clockwise
moments Mab and Mba, member end rotations occur in the same direction. These rotation angles can
be calculated using the unit dummy force method or the moment-area theorem.

Rearranging these equations, the slope deflection equations are derived.

Equilibrium conditions
Joint equilibrium
Joint equilibrium conditions imply that each joint with a degree of freedom should have no
unbalanced moments i.e. be in equilibrium. Therefore,

Here, Mmember are the member end moments, Mf are the fixed end moments, and Mjoint are the
external moments directly applied at the joint.
Shear equilibrium
When there are chord roations due to sidesway in a frame, additional equilibrium conditions,
namely the shear equilibrium conditions need to be taken into account.
Example
The statically indeterminate beam shown in the figure is to be analysed.

Members AB, BC, CD have the same length

L = 10 M

Flexural rigidities are EI, 2EI, EI respectively.

Concentrated load of magnitude
support A.

P = 10 KN acts at a distance a = 3 m from the

Uniform load of intensity

Member CD is loaded at its midspan with a concentrated load of magnitudeP

q = 1 kN / m

acts on BC.

= 10 KN

In the following calcuations, clockwise moments and rotations are positive.

] Degrees of freedom
Rotation angles A, B, C, D of joints A, B, C, D respectively are taken as the unknowns. There
are no chord rotations due to other causes including support settlement.

Fixed end moments

Fixed end moments are:

Slope deflection equations

The slope deflection equations are constructed as follows:

Joint equilibrium equations

Joints A, B, C should suffice the equilibrium condition. Therefore

Rotation angles
The rotation angles are calculated from simultaneous equations above.

Member end moments

Substitution of these values back into the slope deflection equations yields the member end
moments (in kNm):