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UNIT – III
CENTROIDS, CENTRE OF GRAVITY AND MOMENT OF INERTIA

3.1. Introduction to properties of Surface and Solids

In engineering applications, we come across complicated areas and solid bodies whose
properties are very important. The properties such as centroid of areas, centre of gravity of rigid
bodies, moment of inertia of area and mass moment of inertia of rigid bodies are considered in
the analysis and design of elements. The concept of centroid and centre of gravity is also
necessary to find the magnitude and direction of resultant force acting on the bodies. The
concept of moment of inertia is useful for calculation of stresses developed in a beam, buckling
of column and also to study the rotary motion of rigid bodies. This unit is mainly concerned
with the determination of above such properties.
3.2. Terms and Definitions
Centroid
It is defined as the point at which the total area of plane figure is considered to be
concentrated.
Centre of Gravity
It is defined as the point through which the whole weight of a body acts irrespective of its
orientation. It is denoted by C.G (or) G.
Centre of Mass
It is a point where the entire mass of a body is considered to be concentrated.
Centre of Pressure
When an area is subjected to a pressure, a point in the area exists through which the entire
force could be concentracted with the same external effect. This point is called centre of
pressure. If the pressure is uniformly distributed over an area, the centre of pressure coincides
with the centroid of the area.
Reference Axis
Centre of gravity (or) centroid is always computed with reference to some point of
reference or some assumed axis called the reference axis. For plane figure the axis of reference
is generally taken as the lowest line of the figure for computing and the left line of the figure for
computing .

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y
axis of reference

y axis of reference

Figure 3.1
If the plane figuers have areas symmetrical about x-x axis or y-y axis the procedure for
computing centroid is very much simplified. For symmetrical T-section about x-axis the
centroid lies on the y-axis, it is need to find only .
Centroidal Axis
It can be defined as an axis which is passing through the centroid of the plane figure is
called the centroidal axis.
3.3. Determinations of Areas and Volumes
The determination of geometric properties of surfaces and bodies such as areas and
volumes are very important in the engineering applications. In order to determine the areas and
volumes, the two theorems developed by Greek scientist Pappus and Swiss mathematician
Guldinus are used. These two theorems are also used to locate the centroid of bodies by
knowing surface area or volume generated.

3.3.1. Pappus and Guldinus theorems

Theorem I
The first theorem states that the area of the surface generated by revolving a plane curve
about a non intersecting axis in its plane is equal to the product of the length of the curve and the
distance travelled by the centroid of the curve during the generation.

B
B

A C
A C A C
Sphere Cone Torus
(a) (b) (c)

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Figure 3.2
Referring to the figure, by rotating a semicircular arc ABC about the axis AC, the surface
of a sphere can be obtained. By rotating a straight line AB about an axis AC, the surface of a
cone is generated. By rotating the circumference of a circle about the axis AC, the surface of a
ring or torus is obtained.
Note:
A surface of revolution is a surface which can be generated by rotating a plane curve about
a fixed axis.
Theorem II
The second theorem states that the volume of solid generated by revolving a plane area
about a non intersecting axis in its plane is equal to the product of the area and length of path the
centroid travels during the generation.

Solid Sphere Solid Cone Solid Torus

(a) (b) (c)

Figure 3.3
Referring to figure 2.47, a solid sphere can be obtained by rotating a semicircular area
about an axis. Similarly a cone is obtained by rotating a triangular area and a solid torus by
rotating a full circular area.
Note:
A body of revolution is a body which can be generated by rotating a plane area about a
fixed axis.

SOLVED PROBLEMS
1. Determine the surface area and volume of a sphere of radius ‘r’ by Puppus
and Guldinus theorems.
Solution:
a) Surface area
As per Pappus and Guldinus theorem I, the surface area of a sphere is generated by rotating
a semi-circular area about an axis.
Surface area A = length × Distance travelled by centroid

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 A = 4r2
b) Volume
As per Pappus and Guldinus theorem II, the volume of a sphere can be generated by
rotating a semi-circular area.
Volume V = Area × Distance travelled by centroid

2. Find the surface area and volume of a right circular cone of base radius ‘r’
and height ‘h’.
Solution:

B
B

– h –
x
x
L

G G

A C A C
r r
(a) Surface revolution (b) Body revolution

Figure 3.4
a) Surface Area
As per Pappus and Guldinus theorem I, the surface area of a right circular cone is
generated by rotating a slant length, L.
Surface area A = Length × Distance travelled by centroid
 r
 L   2  
 2 
 A = rL.
b) Volume
As per Pappus and Guldinus theorem II, the volume of a right circular cone is generated by
rotating a right angle triangle.
Volume V = Area × Distance travelled by centroid
1  r
 rh   2  
2  3 

 2
V  rh
3

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3. Find the surface area and volume of a cylinder using Pappus and Guldinus
theorems.
Solution:

r
G h 2 h
G

r r

(a) Surface revolution (b) Body revolution

Figure 3.5
a) Surface Area
Let h and r be height and radius of a cylinder.
As per pappus and Guldinus theorem I, a cylinder can be generated by rotating a stright
line of length, h.
Surface area A = Length × Distance travelled by centroid.
= h × 2r
 A = 2rh
b) Volume
As per Pappus and Guldinus theorem II, the volume of a cylinder is generated by
considering the shaded area.
Volume V = Area × Distance travelled by centroid
 V = r2h
3.4.1 Determination of Centroid by First Moment of Areas
Consider a plane figure, for which the centroid is to be determined. The total area of the
plane figure is ‘A’ and its centroidal distances are and measured from reference axes ox and oy
respectively.
Let a1, a2,........ an are small elemental areas of figure.
x1, x2......... xn are respective distances of small elemental areas from y-axis
y1, y2......... yn are respective distances of small elemental areas from x-axis

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x1
a1
x2
a2 C
x
y1

y2 y

x
O

Figure 3.6

According vanignon’s theorem,

AX  a1 x1  a 2 x 2  ........  a n x n
n

a x  a 2 x 2  ......  a n x n
a
i 1
i xi
X  1 1 
A A
n

a y  a 2 y 2  ......  a n y n
a
i 1
i yi
Y  1 1 
A A

Similarly,
n n

a
i 1
i xi a
i 1
i yi
where, (or) is the first moment of area of the surface about x
(or ) y axis.
3.4.2 IMPORTANT POINTS
i. The axis, about which moments of areas are taken, is known as axis of reference.
ii. The axis of reference, of plane figures, is generally taken as the lowest line of the figure for
determining y line of the figure for calculating
, and left x

iii. If the given section is symmetrical about X-X axis or Y-Y axis, then the C.G. of the section
will lie on the axis is symmetry.

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3.5. Determination of Centroid of Standard Sections by

Integration
3.5.1 Rectangular Section
Figure 3.5 shows a rectangular section of width b and height h. Consider a small elemental
strip of thickness dy and width b as shown in figure 3.5.
Let dA = Area of strip
= b dy
h
A   dA   bdy  bh
 Total area 0

First moment of small elemental strip about x-axis

= dA y

Total first moment of area about x-axis

h h
  dA y 
0
  b dy  y
0
h
y 
2
bh 2
 b  
 0
2 2
bh 2
 Y
 dA y  2  h
 dA bh 2
h
 Y
2

Similarly,
hb2
 X
 dA x
 2 
b
 dA bh 2

b
 X
2

SOLVED PROBLEMS
4. Locate the centroid of the volume shown in figure 3.7. All dimensions are
in cm.

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25 cm Cone

25 cm Cylinder

20 cm Hemisphere
x
O

Figure 3.7
Solution:
Divide the given figure into three parts.
i) Portion 1: Cone
1 2 1
r h    20   25 
2
v1 
3 3
= 10466.7 cm3
h 25
y1   25  20   45  51.25 cm
4 4

ii) Portion 2: Cylinder

v 2  r 2 h    202  25
= 31400 cm3

h 25
y2   20   20  32.5 cm
2 2

iii) Portion 3: Hemisphere

2 2 2
v3  r     203
3 3
= 16746.67 cm3
3r 5
y3  r   r
8 8

5
  20   12.5 cm
8
Using

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v1 y1  v 2 y 2  v3 y3
y
v1  v 2  v3


10466.67  51.25  31400  32.5  16746.67  12.5 
10466.67  31400  16746.67
1766250.22
  30.13 cm
58613.34

5. A steel ball of 20 cm diameter rests centrally over a concrete cube of size

30 cm. Determine the centre of gravity of the system. Take density of
concrete as 25 kN / m3 and that of steel as 8 kN / m3.

cm
10
Steel Ball

30 cm Concrete Cube

x x
30 cm

Figure 3.8
Solution:
As the system is symmetrical about y-axis, therefore, its centre of gravity lies on the y-axis.
Let be the position of C.G from the reference axis x-x as shown in figure 2.54.
i) Portion 1: Steel Ball (Sphere)
3
4 3 4  10  3
v1  r        4.189  10 m
3

3 3  100 
w1 = v1 × Density of steel = 4.189 × 10–3 × 8000
= 33.5 N
y1 = 30 + 10 = 40 cm
ii) Portion 2: Concrete cube
v2 = 0.3 × 0.3 × 0.3 = 27 × 10–3 m3
w2 = v2 × Density of concrete = 27 × 10–3 × 25000

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= 675 N.
y2 = 30/2 = 15 cm
w1 y1  w 2 y2  33.51  40    675  15
y  
w1  w 2 33.51  675
= 16.18 cm.
6. A machine component is formed by combining a hallow cylinder, a solid
cylinder and a cube as shown in figure 3.9. The mass density of solid cylinder
and cube is 8000 kg / m3 and of hollow cylinder is 8500 kg / m3.
i) Find the centre of gravity of the composite volume
ii) Locate the centre of mass of the composite volume.

12 cm

12 cm 1 Cube

8cm Solid Cylinder

10 cm 2

12 cm 3 8 cm Hollow Cylinder

Figure 3.9
Solution:
As the machine component is symmetrical about y-axis, therefore, it is necessary to find
only.
Divide the component into three parts
i) Portion 1: Cube
v1 = 12 × 12 × 12 = 1728 cm3 = 1.728 × 10–3 m3
m1 = v1 × density= 1.728 × 10–3 × 8000
= 13.824 kg.
12
y1   22  28 cm
2
ii) Portion 2: Solid cylinder
v2 =  r2 h =  × 44 × 10 = 502.72 cm3
= 0.502 × 10–3 m3
m2 = v1 × density = 0.50 × 10–3 × 8000
= 4.07 kg.
10
y2   12  17 cm
2

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iii) Portion 3: Hollow cylinder

v3 =  (R2 – r2)h =  (62 – 42) × 20
= 1256.8 cm3 = 1.2568 × 10–3 m3
m2 = v3 × density= 1.2568 × 10–3 × 8500
= 10.68 kg.
12
y3   6 cm
2
a) Centre of gravity of composite volume

v1 y1  v 2 y 2  v3 y3
y 
v1  v 2  v3


1.728  10 3
   
 28  0.502  103  17  1.2568  103  6 
1.728  103  0.502  103  1.2568  103
= 18.49 cm
b) Centre of mass of the composite volume
m1 y1  m 2 y 2  m3 y3
y 
m1  m 2  m3


13.824  28   4.07  17   10.68  6 
13.82  4.07  10.68
= 18.21 cm.
7. Determine the centroid of bent wire as shown in figure 3.10. All dimensions
are in cm.

10 cm Reference axis
o A x
B

5cm

D E
C
2 cm

2cm 4cm
y

Figure 3.10
Solution:
As the bent wire is not symmetrical about any axis, therefore, it is necessary to find both
and . Let ox and oy be the reference axes to which the position of C.G of the wire is determined.
Divide the bent wire into four parts as shown in figure 2.56.

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i) Portion 1: Wire AB
L1 = 10 cm
x1 = 10/2 = 5 cm
y1 = 0
ii) Portion 2: Wire BC
L2 = 5 cm
x2 = 0
y2 = 2.5 cm
iii) Portion 3: Wire CD
L3 = 2 cm
x3 = 1 cm
y3 = 5 cm
iv) Portion 4: DEF
D   4
L4    6.284 cm
2 2
4
x 4  2   4cm
2
4r 4  2
y4  5  5 
3  3 

= 5.84 cm
L1 y1  L 2 y 2  L3 y3  L 4 y 4
y
 Using L1  L 2  L3  L 4


10  0  5  2.5   2  5   6.284  5.84 
10  5  2  6.284

= 2.54 cm
L1 x1  L 2 x 2  L3 x 3  L 4 x 4
x
Similarly, L1  L 2  L3  L 4


10  5  5  0   2 1   6.284  4 
10  5  2  6.284
= 3.31 cm
8. Determine the centroid of the area bound by x-axis, if OB is represented by
y = kx2 and OA = a and OB = b as shown in figure 3.11.

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B
2
y=kx

b
y
x
O x A
a dx

Figure 3.11
Solution:
The equation of the curve is y = kx2. The value of constant ‘k’ can be obtained by
substituting the values of x = a and y = b in the above equation.
 b  ka 2
b
k
or a2
Consider a vertical strip of width dx as shown in figure 2.57.
Area of elemental strip = y dx.
  Area of the figure
a a
  y dx   kx 2 dx
0 0

a
 x3  a3
k  k
 3 0 3
b a3  b 
   k 
a 2
3  a2 
1
 ab.
3

Moment of area about y - axis

a a a
   y dx  x    k x dx  x   kx dx
2 3

0 0 0
a
 x4  b  a4  b a2
k   2  
 4 0 a  4  4

Moment of area about x - axis,

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a a
y y2
   y dx 
0
2
 0 2 dx
a
1
a
1  x5 
 
2 0
k 2 x 4 dx  k 2  
2  5 0
1  b2   a 5  ab2
  4  
2  a   5  10
Moment of area about y-axis
x=
Area


 ba 2
/4   ba 2

3 3
 a
1  ab  4 ab 4
3

Moment of area about x-axis

y=
Similarly, Area

ab 2 3 3
   b
10 ab 10

COMPOSITE AREAS:

9. From a rectangular lamina ABCD 10 cm x 12 cm a rectangle hole of 3 cm x 4 cm is cut as

shown in figure.

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Solution:

The section shown in figure is having a cut hole. The center of gravity of a section with a cut
hole is determined by considering the main section first as a complete one and then subtracting
the area of the cut hole, i.e., by taking the area of the cut hole as negative.

Let y is the distance between the C.G of the section with a cut hole from the bottom line DC.
a1 = Area of rectangle ABCD = 10 x 12 = 120 cm2
y1 = Distance of C.G of the rectangle ABCD from the bottom line DC
= 12/2 = 6 cm

a2 = Area of cut hole, i.e., rectangle EFGH = 4 x 3 = 12 cm2

y2 = Distance of C.G of the cut hole from bottom line DC
= 2 + 4/2 = 2+ 2 = 4 cm
Now using the equation

y = (a1y1 – a2y2)/A

Where A = a1 – a2

y = (120 x 6 – 12 x 4) /(120 – 12 ) = 6.22 cm

To Find x

Let x = Distance between the C.G of the section with a cut hole from the left line AD
x1 = Distance of the C.G of the rectangle ABCD from the left line AD
= 10/2 = 5 cm
x2 = Distance of the C.G of the cut hole from the left line AD
= 5 + 1 + 3/2 = 7.5 cm
Using the equation

x = (a1x1 – a2x2)/a1 – a2

x = (120 x 5 – 12 x 7.5 ) / ( 120 – 12 ) = 4.72 cm

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Result:
Hence, the C.G of the section with a cut hole will be at a distance of 6.22 cm from bottom line
DC and 4.72 cm from the line AD.

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Review Questions

1. Differentiate between centre of gravity and centroid.

2. Define centre of mass. How is it different from centre of gravity.
3. What is centre of pressure?
4. What do you understand by axis of symmetry? Give examples.
5. Define centre of symmetry. Give examples.
6. What do you understand by axis of reference?
7. Distinguish between reference axes and centroidal axes.
8. State papus and Guldinus theorems.
9. What is centroid of a volume?
10. Under what conditions do the following coincide?
11. Centre of mass and centre of gravity
12. Centre of gravity and centroid of area.
13. What is a body of revolution?
14. Find the centroid of an I-section with top flange 100mm×20mm, web 200mm×30mm
and bottom flange 300 mm×40 mm.
(Ans:= 79 mm from bottom of lower flange)
15. Find the position of the centroid of an unequal angle section 10 cm × 16 cm × 2 cm.
(Ans: =5.67 cm, = 2.67 cm)
16. Find the moment of inertia of a T-section having flange and web both 120mm × 30mm
about x-x axis passing through the C.G of the section.
(Ans: Ixx = 14715 × 103 mm4)

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DETERMINATION OF MOMENT OF INERTIA OF PLANE FIGURE

Moment of Inertia of a plane Area
Moment of inertia of an area about an axis is nothing but second moment of area about the
desired axis. It is a purely mathematical term and one of the important properties of areas.
Consider a plane area, whose moment of inertia is required to be found out. Split up the
whole area into a number of small elements.

Let a1, a2, a3 ..... = Areas of small elements and

r1, r2, r3 .... = Distance of the elements from the line about which the moment
of intertia is required to be found out
Now the moment of inertial of the area,
I = a1 r12 + a2 r22 + a3 r32 + ......
=  ar2
Moment of Inertia by the Method of Integration
Consider a plane figure, whose moment of inertia is required to be found out about x-x axis
and y-y axis as shown in figure. Let us divide the whole area into a number of small elemental
areas. Consider one of these strips.
y

x dA

x
O

Fig
Let dA = Area of the small element under consideration.
x = Distance of the C.G. of the element on x-x axis.
y = Distance of the C.G. of the element on y-y axis.
We known that the moment of inertia of the elemental area about y-y axis
= dA · x2
 Moment of inertia of the whole area may be obtained by integrating the above equation.
 I yy   dA x 2   dA x 2
Similarly,

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Ixx   dA y2   dA y2

Polar moment of inertia

The moment of inertia of an area of plane figure with respect to an axis perpendicular to the x-y
plane and passing through a pole O (z -axis) is called the polar moment of inetia.it is denoted by
the letter J.
Polar moment of inertia of the element about Z axis
=area(dA)×(distance between the element and Z axis)2
=dA.r2
Polar moment of inertia of the whole area about z axis
J= ∫ r2 dA
But from the geomentry of figure, r2=x2+y2
J=∫ r2 dA=∫ (x2+y2)dA =∫ x2dA +∫y2dA
J=IYY+IXX

Units of moments of inertia

We know that moment of intertia of an area
=(area)(distance)2 =(length)4
Thus ,it has a unit of ‘m4’.

Radius of gyration
Radius of gyration of an area is defined as the distance from a reference axis whose area is
considered to be concentrated such that these is no change in the moment of inertia about the
reference axis.
If the entire area A is concentrated at a distance k from a reference axis, then the moment
of inertia, I, of the entire area about the reference axis is taken as Ak2.
i.e., I = Ak2
I
k
or A

where, k = Radius of gyration.

A = Area of the section.
Hence, radius of gyration about x-x axis,
I xx
k xx 
A
and, radius of gyration about y-y axis,

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Parallel Axis Theorem

This theorem states that moment of inertia of an area about any axis in the plane of an area,
is equal to the sum of moment of inertia about a parallel centroidal axis and the product of area
and square of the distance between the two parallel axes.

dA
y
G G
C.G

A B

Fig

Referring to figure,
IAB = IGG + Ah2
where, IAB is the moment of inertia about the axis AB
IGG is the moment of inertia about centroidal axis GG parallel to AB,
A is the area of the plane figure
h is the distance between the axis AB and the parallel centroidal axis GG.
Consider an elemental parallel strip of area dA at a distance y from centroidal axis.
Then,
IAB    y  h  dA
2

 
  y2  2yh  h 2 dA   y2 dA   2yh dA   h 2 dA

Now,  y dA  Moment of inertia about the axis GG.

2

 2yh dA  2h  y dA

 y dA
 2h A
A
 y dA
In the above, term, 2hA is constant, and A is the distance of centroid from the
 y dA
0
reference axis GG. Since GG passes through the centroid itself, A and hence the term
 2yh dA  0
Now, the third term

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  h 2 dA  h 2  · dA  Ah 2

 IAB  IGG  Ah 2

Hence the proof

Perpendicular Axis Theorem
This theorem states that the moment of inertia of an area about an axis perpendiuclar to its
plane at any point O, is equal to the sum of moment of inertia about any two mutually
perpendicular axis through the same point O and lying in the plane of the area.
y

dA

y
r

x
O

Fig
Referring to figure, if z-z is the axis normal to the plane passing through
point O.
As per the theorem,
Izz = Ixx + Iyy
In order to prove this theorem, let us consider an elemental area dA at a distance r from O.
Let the co-ordinates of dA be x and y. Then from definition,

I zz   r 2 dA


  x 2  y2 dA   r  x 2  y2 
  x 2 dA   y 2 dA

= Ixx + Iyy
 Izz  I xx  I yy

Hence the proof.

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Determination of M.I of Standard Sections by Integration

M.I of a Rectangular Section
Consider a rectangle of base ‘b’ and depth ‘d’ as shown in figure. Let us find M.I of this
rectangle section about its centroidal axes and base.

Fig
a) M.I of rectangular section about its centroidal axes
Consider a strip AB of thickness dy parallel to x-x axis and at a y distance from it.
Area of the strip = b · dy
M.I of the strip about x-x axis,
= Area × y2
= (b · dy) y2
= b · y2 · dy
The M.I of the whole section can be found out by integrating for the whole length of the
lamina.
d d
2 2
I xx   b · y · dy  
2
y 2 · dy
d d
2 2

 d
    d 2  
3 3
d
 y3  2 
b  b 2 
  d 2
3

3 3


Similarly,
bd 3
I yy 
12

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b) M.I of rectangular section about its base.

Consider a strip AB of thickness dy parallel to the base RS and at a y distance from it.
M.I of the strip about base
IRS (base) = (b · dy) · y2
M. I of the whole section about the base RS
d
IRS base    b y2 dy
0

d
 y3  3
 b    bd
 3 0 3

M.I of a Circular Section

Consider a circular section of radius r as shown in figur 2.62. Now consider an elementary
ring of radius x and thickness dx.
 Area of the ring, dA = 2x · dx
In order to find the M.I of circular section, first find the M.I of the ring about the axis
normal to the plane of circle (zz).
y
z

dx
x r
x O x

z
y

M.I of ring about zz axis,

= dA · x2 = (2 x dx) x2 = 2 x3 dx
M.I of the circular section about zz axis.

r r
Izz   2x 3 dx  2  x 3 dx
0 0

r
 x4   4
 2     r   d
4

 4 0 2 32

We know form the perpendicular axis theorem,

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I zz  I xx  I yy
I zz 1 d 4 d 4
 I xx  I yy    
2 2 32 64
d 4
I xx  I yy 
64

M.I of a Triangular Section

Consider a triangular section of base b and height h as shown in figure.

P h
dy Q
x G x

B C
b

Fig
First find the M.I of the triangle about its base BC, then by applying the parallel axis
theorem we can calculate M.I about its centroidal horizontal axis x-x.

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a) M.I of a triangular section about its base

Consider a small strip PQ of thickness by at a distance of y from the apex A of the triangle.
From the geometry of the figure
PQ y

BC h
 Width of the strip
BC  y by
PQ  
 h h
 by 
PQ     dy
 Area of the strip  h 

M.I of the strip about base BC

= Area of the strip × (Distance)2

 by 
   dy   h  y 
2

 h 
by
 h  y  dy
2

h
M.I of the whole triangular section, about its base.

h
by
  h  y  dy
2
IBase 
0
h
h
b
 y  h  y  dy
2

h0
h
y  h 2  y2  2hy  dy
b
h 0


h

b
h 0
 yh 2  y3  2hy2  dy
h
b  y2 h 2 y 4 2h y3 
    
h  2 4 3 0

b  h 4 h 4 2h 4 
    
h 2 4 3 
bh 3

12
bh 3
 IBase 
12

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b) M.I of a triangular section about its horizontal centroidal axis x-x.

M.I of a triangular section about its horizontal axis x-x can be obtained from parallel axis
theorem.

P h
dy Q
x G x

B C
b

Fig
IBase = Ixx + Ah2
   Ixx = IBase – Ah2

bh 3  bh  h  
3

    
12  2  3  
bh 3 bh 3 bh 3
  
12 18 36
bh 3
 I xx 
36

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Review Question.
1. Define moment of inertia of an area.
2. State and prove the parallel axis theorem.
3. State the perpendicular axis theorem.
4. Find the moment of inertia of a T-section having flange and web both 120mm × 30mm
about x-x axis passing through the C.G of the section. (Ans: Ixx = 14715 × 103 mm4)

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