APPLIED MECHANICS

Prepared by:
Er. Hari Pyakurel
B.E. in Civil Engineering , IOE-PULCHOWK CAMPUS
M.E. in Environmental Engineering , IOE- IOE-PULCHOWK CAMPUS
Masters in Public Administration, Tribhuwan University
 Chapter:4. Centre of Gravity and Centroid
Centre of Gravity and Centroid: [6 Hours]
• 4.1 Concept of Centre of Gravity, Centroid, Axis of Symmetry
• 4.2 Centroid of Composite lines (straight line, arc, semicircle and
quarter circle)
• 4.3 Centroid of Composite Area (Rectangle, Triangle, Circle / Semi-
circle / Quarter circle / Circular sector, Parabola / Semi-parabola and
Ellipse)
• 4.4 Centroid of Area under curve by the method of Integration
4.1 Concept of Centre of Gravity, Centroid, Axis of Symmetry

Centre of Gravity
• It is defined as a point about which the entire weight of the body is
assumed to be concentrated.
• It is Center of mass.
• It is related to distribution of mass.
• Centre of Gravity (C.G.) is that point through which the resultant of a
system of parallel forces formed by the weights of all particles of the
body passes.
In other words, the point through which the whole weight of the body acts
is known as centre of gravity.
Every body has one and only one c.g.
 Centroid
• The plane figures (like triangle, rectangle, quadrilateral, circle, trapezoid,
etc.) have only areas but no mass. The centre of area of such figure is
known as centroid.
• It is also called the geometrical centre or the centre of gravity.
• It can also be defined as a point about which the entire line, area or
volume is assumed to be concentrated.
• It is related to distribution of length, area and volume.
Axis of Symmetry
• Axis of Symmetry is a line or axis which divides the given line,
are or volume into two equal and identical parts.
• Centroid always lies along the line of axis of symmetry.
In fig. Axis X and Y are axis of symmetry

How to calculate the position of C.G.?

-Choose the reference axis (if not given) by considering the axis
of symmetry.
-Divide the given area into a number of elements with defined
geometry.
-Calculate the area and position of c.g. of each area from the
reference axis.
Derivation for Centre of Gravity
Derivation for the Centroid of Area
Axis of Reference
4.2 Centroid of Composite lines (straight line, arc, semicircle
and quarter circle)
4.3 Centroid of Composite Area (Rectangle, Triangle, Circle / Semi-circle
/ Quarter circle / Circular sector, Parabola / Semi-parabola and Ellipse)
Numerical:
4.4 Centroid of Area under curve by the method of
Integration