Approximation of Lateral Loads

on Building Frames

(Portal Method)

Prepared by:

Engr. Kenny B. Cantila

This method is most suitable of analyzing fixed supported building frames.

Assumptions

1. A hinge is placed at the center of each girder and each column since this
is assumed to be a point of zero moment.

2. At a given floor level, the shear at interior column hinges is twice that at
the exterior column hinges.
Problem 1: The frame shown is subjected to a lateral load of 12 kN. Using
Portal Method, compute the following:

a. Axial load in each column

20 kN
A 6m B

4m

25 kN
C 6m D

8m

E F
 20 kN A B
6m
2m
10 kN 10 kN

20 kN A B
6m
4m

25 kN C D
6m

4m

22.5 kN 22.5 kN
 20/3 kN 20/3 kN

20 kN A 10 kN B
3m 3m
2m 2m
10 kN 10 kN

20/3 kN 20/3 kN

10 kN 110/3 kN 110/3 kN 10 kN
2m 2m
25 kN C 12.5 kN D
3m 3m
4m 4m

22.5 kN 22.5 kN
130/3 kN 130/3 kN

22.5 kN 22.5 kN

4m 4m

22.5 kN E
90 kN ∙ m 90 kN ∙ m F 22.5 kN

130/3 kN 130/3 kN
Problem 2: The frame shown is subjected to a lateral load of 12 kN. Using
Portal Method, compute the following:

a. Axial load in each column

12 kN
B D F H

4m
A C E G
8m 8m 8m
 1 kN 1 kN 1 kN 1 kN 1 kN 1 kN
12 kN
B D F H
4m 4m 4m 6 kN 4m 4m 2 kN 4m
2m 10 kN 2m 2m 2m
2 kN 4 kN 4 kN 2 kN

1 kN 0 0 1 kN

2 kN 4 kN 4 kN 2 kN
2m 4 kN ∙ m 2m 8 kN ∙ m 2m 2m
8 kN ∙ m 4 kN ∙ m
A 2 kN C 4 kN E 4 kN 2 kN G

1 kN 0 kN 0 kN 1 kN
Problem 3: The frame shown is subjected to lateral loads. Using Portal
Method, compute the following:

a. Axial load in each column

A D G
20 kN

5m
B E H
30 kN

6m
C F I
8m 8m
 8m 8m
20 kN A D G
2.5 m
5 kN 10 kN 5 kN

8m 8m
20 kN A D G

5m

30 kN B E H
3m
12.5 kN 25 kN 12.5 kN
 3.125 kN 3.125 kN 3.125 kN 3.125 kN
4m 4m 4m 4m
20 kN A D G

2.5 m
2.5 m
15 kN 5 kN

2.5 m
5 kN 10 kN 5 kN

3.125 kN 0 3.125 kN
10 kN
5 kN 12.5 kN 12.5 kN 12.5 kN 12.5 kN 5 kN

2.5 m

2.5 m
2.5 m

4m 4m 4m 4m
30 kN B E H
22.5 kN 7.5 kN
3.0 m

3.0 m

3.0 m
12.5 kN 25 kN 12.5 kN

15.625 kN 0 15.625 kN

12.5 kN 25 kN 12.5 kN
3.0 m

3.0 m

3.0 m
37.5 kN ∙ m 75 kN ∙ m 37.5 kN ∙ m
C 12.5 kN F 25 kN I 12.5 kN

15.625 kN 0 15.625 kN
 REFERENCES

Besavilla, V.I., Jr. (2007). Structural Analysis. ISBN 971-8510-87-2. VIB

http://theconstructor.org/structural-engg/analysis/portal-method-of-
approximate-analysis/3777/