Chapter 7:

Centroids of Areas
CENTROIDS AND CENTER OF GRAVITY
Ax=∑ 𝒂𝒙
CHAPTER OBJECTIVES
1.Discuss the concept of the center of gravity, and the centroid.
Ay=∑ 𝒂𝒚
2. Determine the location of the center of gravity and centroid for
a system of discrete particles and a body of arbitrary shape. Centroids Of Lines:

7.1.INTRODUCTION: Lx=∑ 𝒍𝒙

CENTER OF GRAVITY---- is the point through which the Ly=∑ 𝒍𝒚

whole weight of the body acts. a body is having only one
center of gravity for all the positions of the body. it
is represented by c.g or simply g.

CENTROIDS---- the point which the total area of a plane

figure(like rectangle, square, triangle, quadrilateral,
circle) is assumed to be concentrated. The centroid is
also c.g. or simply g.

7.2. CENTROIDS OF COMPOSITES FIGURES

Center of Gravity Flat plate

Wx=∑ 𝒘𝒙

Wy=∑ 𝒘𝒚

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 Centroids for Common Geometric Shapes
Shape Area x y
or Semi-Circle 1
A=(2)Πr2 0 4𝑟
Length 3𝜋
Rectangle A=bd 1
(2)b
1
(2)d

Triangle A=
1
bh 0 1
(3) h
2 Semicircular Arc L=Πr 2𝑟 0
𝜋

Circle A=Πr2 0 0

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 Circular Arc L=2rθrad 𝑟𝑠𝑖𝑛𝜃 0
𝜃𝑟𝑎𝑑
Quarter Circle 1
A=(4)Πr2 4𝑟 4𝑟
3𝜋 3𝜋

Sector of Circle A=r2θrad 2𝑟𝑆𝑖𝑛𝜃 0 Quarter Ellipse 1

A= 4Πab 4𝑎 4𝑏
3𝜃𝑟𝑎𝑑 3𝜋 3𝜋

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Parabolic Segment A= 3bh
2 3
𝑏 2
8 ℎ Spandrel 1
5 𝐴 𝐴
1 𝑏 𝑛+1
= 𝑏ℎ 𝑛 + 2 = ℎ
𝑛+1 4𝑛 + 2

Ellipse A=Πab 0 0

Half ellipse 1
A=2Πab 0 4𝑏
3𝜋

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 Illustrative Example:

7.3.Properties Of Angles and Channels A slender homogeneous wire of uniform cross section is
bent into the form shown in figure. Determine the
position of the centroid of the wire with respect to the
given axes.

Size Area Ẍ Ӯ
units Sq.in. Web
thickness
5x3x1/2 angle 3.75 in 1.75 0.75
6x4x1 angle 9.00 in 2.17 1.17
6x6x1/2angle 5.75 in 1.68 1.68
8x6x1 angle 13.00 in 2.65 1.65
10” -15.3 lb 4.47 0.64 0 0.24 Solution:
channel
12’’- 20.7 lb 6.03 0.70 0 0.28 The wire is considered equivalent to two line segments,
channel one semicircleof 4 cm radius and the other a straight
line 8 cm long.

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 Lx=∑ 𝒍𝒙 Illustrative Example 7.2

(𝟒𝝅 + 𝟖)𝒙 = (𝟒𝝅)(−

𝟐𝒙𝟒
)+(8)(4) Determine the position of the centroid of the shaded area
𝝅 shown in figure.
x = 0

Ly=∑ 𝒍𝒚

(𝟒𝝅 + 𝟖)𝒚 = (𝟒𝝅)𝒙𝟎 + (𝟖)(-4)

20.56y = -32

y = -1.558 cm

The centroid of the wire Line on the Y-axis is 1.558 cm

below the x-axis.

Solution: As indicated by the dashed lines, the net

shaded area may be considered as the sum of a quarter
circle of 5 in radius, a rectangle 5 cm by 4 cm radius
and a rectangle 6 cm by 9 cm, minus a triangle 7.5cm by
9 cm

ES11 – STATICS OF RIGID BODIES | PREPARED BY: ENGR. RUTH ANN D. MANINGDING 6
 Computation Of results

Area(cm2) X (cm) Ax(cm3) y(cm) Ay(cm3)

Quarter +19.63 +2.12 +41.62 +2.12 +41.62
Circle
Rectangle +20.00 +2.5 +50.0 -2 -40.0
5x4
Rectangle +54.00 -3.00 -162.0 +0.5 +27.0
6x9
Triangle -33.75 -3.5 +118.12 -1 +33.75
Total +59.88 +47.745 +62.37

Taking the sums from the tabulation, gives the following

results:
∑ 𝑎𝑥
x= 𝐴

47.74
x=59.88

x=0.80 cm
∑ 𝑎𝑦
y= 𝐴

62.37
y=
59.88

y=1.04cm

ES11 – STATICS OF RIGID BODIES | PREPARED BY: ENGR. RUTH ANN D. MANINGDING 7
EXERCISE 7:
Problem7.2. Locate the centroid of the shaded area shown
Problem7.1.Determine the coordinates of the centroid of
in Fig.
the area shown in fig. with respect to the given axes.

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Problem7.3. Locate the centroid of the bent wire shown in Problem7.4. Find the coordinates of the centroid of the
Fig. the wire is homogeneous and of uniform cross- shaded area as shown.
section.

ES11 – STATICS OF RIGID BODIES | PREPARED BY: ENGR. RUTH ANN D. MANINGDING 9
 References:

Barry Onouye, Kevin Kane, C 2012, Statics and

Strength of Materials for Architecture and Building
Construction 4th edition, Pearson Education, Inc.,
Prentice Hall, One Lake Street ,Upper Saddle River,
New Jersey 07458

R. C. HIBBELER,C 2013, Engineering Mechanics Statics

13th edition, Pearson Education, Inc. Pearson
Prentice Hall
Upper Saddle River, New Jersey 07458

https://mathalino.com/

J.L. Meriam & L.G. Kraige, C 2002, Engineering

Mechanics Volume 1 Statics Fifth Edition, John Wiley
& Sons, Inc.,New York

Singer,Ferdinand L,C 1954,Engineering Mechanics, 2nd

edition,Harper & Row, New York, Evanston & London

ES11 – STATICS OF RIGID BODIES | PREPARED BY: ENGR. RUTH ANN D. MANINGDING 10