ENGINEERING MECHANICS

ME: 2303

Centroid's and
centers of gravity

Md. Akibul Islam

Assistant Professor,
Department of ME,DUET
 CONTENT

Introduction Problem 1
Center of Gravity of a 2D Body Theorems of Pappus-Guldinus
Centroids and First Moments of Areas and Sample Problem 5.7
Lines Distributed Loads on Beams
Centroids of Common Shapes of Areas Sample Problem 5.9
Centroids of Common Shapes of Lines Center of Gravity of a 3D Body:
Composite Plates and Areas Centroid of a Volume
Sample Problem 5.1 Centroids of Common 3D Shapes
Determination of Centroids by Integration Composite 3D Bodies
Sample Problem 5.4 Sample Problem 5.12

Dhaka University of Engineering & Technology, Gazipur-1707

 Introduction
• Centre of gravity : of a body is the point at which the whole
weight of the body may be assumed to be concentrated.
• A body is having only one center of gravity for all positions of
the body.
• It is represented by CG. or simply G or C.

Dhaka University of Engineering & Technology, Gazipur-1707

 Introduction
Centroid
• Defines the geometric center of object.
• Its location can be determined from equations used to determine
the body’s center of gravity or center of mass.
• If the material composing a body is uniform or homogenous, the
density or specific weight will be constant throughout the body.
• The following formulas are independent of the body’s weight
and depend on the body’s geometry.

Dhaka University of Engineering & Technology, Gazipur-1707

 Center of Gravity of a 2D Body

• Center of gravity of a plate • Center of gravity of a wire

෍ 𝑀𝑦 𝑥𝑊
lj = ෍ 𝑥Δ𝑊 ෍ 𝑀𝑥 𝑦𝑊
lj = ෍ 𝑦Δ𝑊

= න𝑥𝑑𝑊 = න𝑦𝑑𝑊

Dhaka University of Engineering & Technology, Gazipur-1707

 Centroids and First Moments of Areas and Lines

• Centroid of an area • Centroid of a line

x W =  x dW x W =  x dW
x (At ) =  x (t )dA x ( La ) =  x ( a )dL
x A =  x dA = Q y x L =  x dL
= first moment with respect to y yL =  y dL
yA =  y dA = Q x
= first moment with respect to x

Dhaka University of Engineering & Technology, Gazipur-1707

 First Moments of Areas and Lines

• An area is symmetric with respect to an axis BB’ if

for every point P there exists a point P’ such that PP’
is perpendicular to BB’ and is divided into two equal
parts by BB’.

• The first moment of an area with respect to a line of

symmetry is zero.

• If an area possesses a line of symmetry, its centroid

lies on that axis

• If an area possesses two lines of symmetry, its

centroid lies at their intersection.

• An area is symmetric with respect to a center O if for

every element dA at (x,y) there exists an area dA’ of
equal area at (-x,-y).
• The centroid of the area coincides with the center of
symmetry.

Dhaka University of Engineering & Technology, Gazipur-1707

 Centroids of Common Shapes of Areas

Dhaka University of Engineering & Technology, Gazipur-1707

 Centroids of Common Shapes of Areas

Dhaka University of Engineering & Technology, Gazipur-1707

 Composite Plates and Areas

• Composite plates

X W =  x W
Y W =  y W

• Composite area

X  A =  xA
Y  A =  yA

Dhaka University of Engineering & Technology, Gazipur-1707

 Sample Problem 5.1
For the plane area shown, determine the first moments with respect to the x and y axes
and the location of the centroid.

SOLUTION:
• Divide the area into a triangle, rectangle, and
semicircle with a circular cutout.
• Calculate the first moments of each area with
respect to the axes.
• Find the total area and first moments of the
triangle, rectangle, and semicircle. Subtract the
area and first moment of the circular cutout
• Compute the coordinates of the area centroid by
dividing the first moments by the total area.

Dhaka University of Engineering & Technology, Gazipur-1707

 Sample Problem 5.1

• Find the total area and first moments of the triangle, Q x = +506.2  103 mm 3
rectangle, and semicircle. Subtract the area and first
moment of the circular cutout. Q y = +757.7  103 mm 3

Dhaka University of Engineering & Technology, Gazipur-1707

 Sample Problem 5.1

• Compute the coordinates of the area centroid by dividing the first moments by
the total area.

X =  x A + 757.7  103 mm 3
=
 A 13.828 103 mm 2

X = 54.8 mm

Y =  y A + 506.2  103 mm 3
=
 A 13.828 103 mm 2

Y = 36.6 mm

Dhaka University of Engineering & Technology, Gazipur-1707

 Determination of Centroids by Integration

x A =  xdA =  x dxdy =  xel dA • Double integration to find the first moment may
be avoided by defining dA as a thin rectangle or
yA =  ydA =  y dxdy =  yel dA strip.

x A =  xel dA 𝑥𝐴
lj = න𝑥lj 𝑒𝑙 𝑑𝐴 x A =  xel dA
=  x ( ydx ) 𝑎+𝑥
=
2r 1 
cos  r 2 d 
=න 𝑎 − 𝑥 𝑑𝑦
2 3 2 
yA =  yel dA
𝑦𝐴
lj = න𝑦lj 𝑒𝑙 𝑑𝐴 yA =  yel dA
y
= ( ydx ) 2r 1 
2 = න𝑦 𝑎 − 𝑥 𝑑𝑦 = sin   r 2 d 
3 2 
Dhaka University of Engineering & Technology, Gazipur-1707
 Sample Problem 5.4

Determine by direct integration.

SOLUTION:
• Determine the constant k.
• Evaluate the total area.
• Using either vertical or horizontal strips,
perform a single integration to find the
first moments.
• Evaluate the centroid coordinates.

Dhaka University of Engineering & Technology, Gazipur-1707

 Sample Problem 5.4
SOLUTION:
• Determine the constant k.

y = k x2
b
b = k a2  k = 2
a
b 2 a 12
y= 2x or x = 1 2 y
a b
• Evaluate the total area.
A =  dA
a  3 a
b b x
=  y dx =  2 x 2 dx =  2 
0a  a 3  0
ab
=
3

Dhaka University of Engineering & Technology, Gazipur-1707

 Sample Problem 5.4

• Using vertical strips, perform a single integration to

find the first moments.

Dhaka University of Engineering & Technology, Gazipur-1707

 Sample Problem 5.4

• Or, using horizontal strips, perform a single integration

to find the first moments.

a+x a − x2
b 2
Q y =  xel dA =  (a − x )dy =  dy
2 0 2

1 b  2 a 2  a 2
b
=  a − y dy =
2 0  b 
 4
 a 
Q x =  yel dA =  y (a − x )dy =  y a − 1 2 y1 2 dy
 b 
b
 a 3 2 ab 2
=   ay − 1 2 y dy =
0 b  10

Dhaka University of Engineering & Technology, Gazipur-1707

 Sample Problem 5.4

• Evaluate the centroid coordinates.

xA = Q y
ab a 2b 3
x = x= a
3 4 4

yA = Q x
ab ab 2 3
y = y= b
3 10 10

Dhaka University of Engineering & Technology, Gazipur-1707

 Problem 1

Determine the location of the centroid of a circular shaded sector as shown in figure.

SOLUTION:
• Evaluate the shaded area.
• Y axis is symmetry, i,e. 𝑌𝐴 =0
• Evaluate the centroid coordinates.

Dhaka University of Engineering & Technology, Gazipur-1707

 Problem 1

1
Area = × r × 2𝛼r
2

= 𝛼𝑟 2

2𝑟𝑠𝑖𝑛𝛼
X =
3𝛼

Area of triangle
1
Area = 2 × × r cos𝛼 × r sin𝛼
2

= 𝑟 2 cos𝛼 sin𝛼

Dhaka University of Engineering & Technology, Gazipur-1707

 Problem 1

2𝑟𝑠𝑖𝑛𝛼 2
= 𝛼𝑟 2 . - 𝑟 2 cos𝛼 sin𝛼. rcos 𝛼
3𝛼 3

2𝑟 3 𝑠𝑖𝑛𝛼 2𝑟 3 𝑠𝑖𝑛𝛼.𝑐𝑜𝑠 2 𝛼
= -
3 3

2𝑟 3 𝑠𝑖𝑛𝛼
= (1- 𝑐𝑜𝑠 2 𝛼)
3

2𝑟3 𝑠𝑖𝑛𝛼
3
(1− 𝑐𝑜𝑠2𝛼)
𝑋𝐴 =
𝛼𝑟 −𝑟 2
2 cos𝛼 sin𝛼
4𝑟𝑠𝑖𝑛3 𝛼
3
=
2𝛼−2cos𝛼 sin𝛼
4𝑟𝑠𝑖𝑛3 𝛼
= 𝑌𝐴 =0
3 (2𝛼−𝑠𝑖𝑛2𝛼)

Dhaka University of Engineering & Technology, Gazipur-1707

 Theorems of Pappus-Guldinus
• Surface of revolution is generated by rotating a plane curve about a fixed axis.

Theorem1: The area of a surface of

revolution is equal to the length of the
generating curve times the distance traveled
by the centroid of the curve while the
surface is being generated.

A = 2 yL

Dhaka University of Engineering & Technology, Gazipur-1707

 Theorems of Pappus-Guldinus
• Body of revolution is generated by rotating a plane area about a fixed axis.

Theorem 2: Volume of a body of revolution

is equal to the generating area times the
distance traveled by the centroid through the
rotation.
V = 2 y A

Dhaka University of Engineering & Technology, Gazipur-1707

 Sample Problem 5.7
The outside diameter of a pulley is 0.8 m, and the cross section of its rim is as shown.
Knowing that the pulley is made of steel and that the density of steel is determine the
mass and weight of the rim.  = 7.85  10 3 kg m 3

SOLUTION:
• Apply the theorem of Pappus-Guldinus to
evaluate the volumes or revolution for the
rectangular rim section and the inner cutout
section.

• Multiply by density and acceleration to

get the mass and acceleration.

Dhaka University of Engineering & Technology, Gazipur-1707

 Sample Problem 5.7
SOLUTION:
• Apply the theorem of Pappus-Guldinus to
evaluate the volumes or revolution for the
rectangular rim section and the inner cutout
section.
• Multiply by density and acceleration to get
the mass and acceleration.

( )( −9 3 3
m = V = 7.85  10 kg m 7.65  10 mm 10 m mm 
3 3 6 3
) m = 60.0 kg
(
W = mg = (60.0 kg ) 9.81 m s 2

) 
W = 589 N

Dhaka University of Engineering & Technology, Gazipur-1707

 Distributed Loads on Beams

L • A distributed load is represented by plotting the load per

W =  wdx =  dA = A unit length, w (N/m) . The total load is equal to the area
0 under the load curve.

(OP )W =  xdW • A distributed load can be replace by a concentrated load

with a magnitude equal to the area under the load curve
L
(OP ) A =  xdA = x A and a line of action passing through the area centroid.
0

Dhaka University of Engineering & Technology, Gazipur-1707

 Sample Problem 5.9
A beam supports a distributed load as shown. Determine the equivalent concentrated
load and the reactions at the supports.

SOLUTION:
• The magnitude of the concentrated load is
equal to the total load or the area under the
curve.

• The line of action of the concentrated load

passes through the centroid of the area
under the curve.
• Determine the support reactions by
summing moments about the beam ends.

Dhaka University of Engineering & Technology, Gazipur-1707

 Sample Problem 5.9

SOLUTION:
• The magnitude of the concentrated load is equal to the
total load or the area under the curve.

F = 18.0 kN

• The line of action of the concentrated load passes through

the centroid of the area under the curve.
63 kN  m
X = X = 3.5 m
18 kN

Dhaka University of Engineering & Technology, Gazipur-1707

 Sample Problem 5.9

• Determine the support reactions by summing moments

about the beam ends.

 M A = 0 : B y (6 m ) − (18 kN )(3.5 m ) = 0
B y = 10.5 kN

 M B = 0 : − Ay (6 m ) + (18 kN )(6 m − 3.5 m ) = 0

Ay = 7.5 kN

Dhaka University of Engineering & Technology, Gazipur-1707

Center of Gravity of a 3D Body: Centroid of a Volume

• Center of gravity G • Results are independent of body orientation,

 
− W j =  (− W j ) x W =  xdW yW =  ydW z W =  zdW

 
rG  (− W j ) =  r  (− W j )
  • For homogeneous bodies,
 
rGW  (− j ) = ( r W )  (− j )
  W =  V and dW =  dV

  x V =  xdV yV =  ydV z V =  zdV

W =  dW rGW =  r dW

Dhaka University of Engineering & Technology, Gazipur-1707

 Centroids of Common 3D Shapes

Dhaka University of Engineering & Technology, Gazipur-1707

 Composite 3D Bodies

• Moment of the total weight concentrated at the center of

gravity G is equal to the sum of the moments of the
weights of the component parts.

X W =  xW Y  W =  yW Z W =  zW

• For homogeneous bodies,

X V =  xV Y  V =  yV Z V =  zV

Dhaka University of Engineering & Technology, Gazipur-1707

 Sample Problem 5.12

SOLUTION:
• Form the machine element from a
rectangular parallelepiped and a quarter
cylinder and then subtracting two 1-in.
diameter cylinders.

Locate the center of gravity of the steel

machine element. The diameter of each
hole is 1 in.

Dhaka University of Engineering & Technology, Gazipur-1707

 Sample Problem 5.12

Dhaka University of Engineering & Technology, Gazipur-1707

 Sample Problem 5.12

X =  xV  V = (3.08 in 4 ) (5.286 in 3 )
X = 0.577 in.

Y =  yV  V = (− 5.047 in 4 ) (5.286 in 3 )
Y = 0.577 in.

Z =  zV  V = (1.618 in 4 ) (5.286 in 3 )
Z = 0.577 in.
Dhaka University of Engineering & Technology, Gazipur-1707 36/37
 Acknowledgement

In this PowerPoint presentation, most of the slide has been made from the lecture
note of Ferdinand P. Beer. Russell Johnston, Jr. Special thanks to J. Walt Oler
(Texas Tech University ) for his valuable information about the Center of Gravity.

Dhaka University of Engineering & Technology, Gazipur-1707

Dhaka University of Engineering & Technology, Gazipur-1707