Centroid

&
Moment of Inertia
Centroid
• The centroid of an area is situated at its geometrical centre. In each of
the following figures ‘G’ represents the centroid, and if each area was
suspended from this point it would balance.
Centroid Location
Symmetrical Objects
Centroid location is determined by an object’s line of symmetry

Centroid is located on When an object has multiple lines of symmetry, its

the line of symmetry. centroid is located at the intersection of the lines of
symmetry.
 Centroid Location
The centroid of a square or rectangle is located at
a distance of 1/2 its height and 1/2 its base.

H B H
2 2
B
Centroid Location
The centroid of a right triangle is located at a
distance of 1/3 its height and 1/3 its base.

B
Centroid Location
The centroid of a ½ circle or semi-circle is located
at a distance of 4r away from the axis on its line
3
of symmetry

.849in.

4r 4  2in.
  0.849 in. = 0.8in.
3 3
Centroid Location Equations
Complex Shapes

x=
 xA i i

A i  zA
i i
z=
y=
 yA i i A i

A i
Centroid Location Complex Shapes

2
1

1. Divide the shape into simple shapes.

2. Determine a reference axis.

Centroid Location Complex Shapes
6. Multiply each simple shape’s area by its distance from
centroid to reference axis.
Shape Area (Ai) 𝐱𝐢 𝐀𝐢 𝐱𝐢
1 18.0in.2 x 1.50in. 27.0in.3
2 4.50in.2 x 4.00in. 18.0in.3
3 9.00in.2 x 4.50in. 40.5in.3

Shape Area (Ai) 𝐲𝐢 𝐀𝐢 𝐲𝐢

1 18.0in.2 x 3.00in. 54.0in.3
2 4.50in.2 x 4.00in. 18.0in.3
3 9.00in.2 x 1.50in. 13.5in.3
Centroid Location Complex Shapes
7. Sum the products of each simple shape’s area and their
distances from the centroid to the reference axis.

Shape 𝐀 𝐢 𝐱𝐢 ෍ 𝐀 𝐢 𝐱𝐢 = 27.0in.3
1 27.0in.3 + 18.0in.3
2 18.0in.3 + 40.5in.3
3 40.5in.3 85.5in.3
෍ 𝐀 𝐢 𝒚𝐢 = 54.0in.3
Shape 𝐀𝐢 𝐲𝐢
1 54.0in.3 + 18.0in.3
2 18.0in.3 + 13.5in.3
3 13.5in.3 85.5in.3
Centroid Location Complex Shapes
8. Sum the individual simple shape’s area to
determine total shape area.

Shape Ai
1 18in.2 ෍ 𝐀 𝐢 = 18.0in.2
2 4.5in.2 2
3 9in.2
+ 4.5in.
2
+ 9.0in.
4.5in.2 31.5in.2
18in.2

9in.2
Centroid Location Complex Shapes
9. Divide the summed product of areas and distances by
the summed object total area.
෍ 𝐀 𝐢 𝒙𝐢 =
85.5in.3 2.7in.

෍ 𝐀 𝐢 𝒚𝐢 = 85.5in.3
෍ 𝐀𝐢 = 31.5in.2

2.7in.
85.5in.
= 2
= 2.71in.
31.5in.
85.5in.3 Does this shape have any lines of
= 2
= 2.71in. symmetry?
31.5in.
Alternative Solution

• The same problem solved a different way

• Previous method added smaller, more manageable areas to
make a more complex part.

• Alternative Method = Subtractive Method

• Uses the exact same equations
• Uses nearly the exact same process
• Start with a bigger and simpler shape
• Treat shapes that need to be removed as “negative”
areas
Centroid Location – Subtractive Method
1. Determine reference axis
and start with an area that 3 in.
is bigger than what is given

Square = Shape 1
3 in.

2. Remove an area to get the 6 in.

centroid of the complex
shape

Triangle = Shape 2

6 in.
Centroid Location Complex Shapes
3. Calculate the area of each simple shape.
Assume measurements have 3 digits.
Area of shape #1 =
3 in.
width x height
6.0in. x 6.0in. = 36 in.2
3 in.

6 in. Area of shape #2 =

Note: Since the area is being
removed, we are going to call it a
negative area.
6 in.
-½ base x height
-½x3.0in.x3.0in. = -4.5 in.2
Centroid Location Complex Shapes
4. Determine the centroid of each simple shape.

3 in. Shape #1 Centroid Location

1/3 b Centroid is located at the
1/3 h intersection of the lines of
3 in. symmetry.

6 in. Middle of the square

Shape #2 Centroid Location

Centroid is located at the
6 in.
intersection of 1/3 its
height and 1/3 its base.
Centroid Location Complex Shapes
5. Determine the distance from each simple shape’s
centroid to the reference axis (x and y).
3 in.

5in.

3 in.

6 in. 3in.

5in.
3in.

6 in.
Centroid Location Complex Shapes
6. Multiply each simple shape’s area by its distance from
centroid to reference axis.

3 in. Shape Area (Ai) 𝐱𝐢 𝐀 𝐢 𝐱𝐢

1 36in.2 x 3.0in. 108in.3
5 in.

3 in.
2 -4.5in.2 x 5.0in. -22.5in.3
3 in.
6 in.
5 in.
Shape Area (Ai) 𝐲𝐢 𝐀 𝐢 𝐲𝐢
3 in.

1 36in.2 x 3.0in. 108in.3

6 in. 2 -4.5in.2 x 5.0in. -22.5in.3
Centroid Location Complex Shapes
7. Sum the products of each simple shape’s area and their
distances from the centroid to the reference axis.

Shape 𝐀 𝐢 𝐱𝐢 ෍ 𝐀 𝐢 𝐱𝐢 = 108.0in.3
3
1 108in.3 + -22.5in.
2 22.5in.3
85.5in.3

𝐀𝐢 𝐲𝐢 3
Shape ෍ 𝐀 𝐢 𝒚𝐢 = 108.0in.
1 108in.3 + -22.5in.3
2 22.5in.3
85.5in.3
Centroid Location Complex Shapes
8. Sum the individual simple shape’s area to
determine total shape area.

Shape Ai
1 36 in.2 ෍ 𝑨𝒊 = 36.0in. 2

2 -4.5 in.2
2
+ -4.5in.
3 in.

3 in. 31.5in.2
6 in.

6 in.
Centroid Location Complex Shapes
9. Divide the summed product of areas and distances by
the summed object total area.

෍ 𝐀𝐢 𝒙𝐢 = 85.5in.3
2.7in. 3 in.
෍ 𝐀 𝐢 𝒚𝐢 = 85.5in.3
3 in.
෍ 𝐀𝐢 = 31.5in.2
6 in.
3

2.7in.
85.5in.
= 2
= 2.71in.
31.5in.
6 in.

85.5in.3 Does this shape have any lines of

= 2
= 2.71in. symmetry?
31.5in.
Moment of Inertia
What is Moment of Inertia?
• IT IS THE MOMENT REQUIRED BY A SOLID BODY TO OVERCOME IT’S
RESISTANCE TO ROTATION
• IT IS RESISTANCE OF BENDING MOMENT OF A BEAM
• IT IS THE SECOND MOMENT OF MASS (mr2) OR SECOND MOMENT
OF AREA (Ar2)
• IT’S UNIT IS m4 OR kgm2
 Moment of inertia is second moment
of area.
• Consider a lamina of area A
• Let this lamina is split up in
to an infinite of small
elements even of area da..
• x1,x2,x3……are distance of
small element from OY axis.
• y1,y2,y3……are distance of
small elements from OX axis.
 Taking secound moment of all the small
elements about OX axis


Ix   y dA
2
Iy   x dA
2

 Thus secound moment of area is called

moment of inertia.
 UNIT : mm4, cm4
 Standard Shape Derivation

SOLUTION:
• A differential strip parallel to the x axis is
chosen for dA.
I x   y 2
d A

d A  l d y
• For similar
triangles,
Determine the moment l hy h y h y
of inertia of a triangle  l bdA b dy
with respect to its base. b h h h
Integrating dIx from y = 0 to y = h
Same as rectangle..
h y
 
h
bh 2
I x   y dA   y b
2
dy   hy  y 3 dy
2

0 h h0

 y3 y 4 
h
bh3
I x
b
 h  
h 3 4 0 12
Polar Moment of Inertia
•The polar moment of inertia is an important
parameter in problems involving torsion of
cylindrical shafts and rotations of slabs.
J 0   r 2 dA

•The polar moment of inertia is related to the

rectangular moments of inertia,
 
J 0   r 2 dA   x 2  y 2 dA   x 2 dA   y 2 dA
 I y  Ix
 PARALLEL (TRANSFER)AXIS THEOREM
 THE MOMENT OF AREA OF AN
OBJECT ABOUT ANY AXIS
PARALLEL TO THE
CENTROIDAL AXIS IS THE
SUM OF MI ABOUT IT’S
CENTRODAL AXIS AND THE
PRODUCT OF AREA WITH THE
SQUARE OF DISTANCE OF CG
FROM THE REF AXIS
 IXX= IG+Ad2
 A is the cross-sectional area.
: is the perpendicuar distance between
the centroidal axis and the parallel axis.
 Moment of Inertia - Parallel Axis
Theorem
Parallel axis theorem:
Consider the moment of
inertia Ix of an area A
with respect to an axis
AA’. Denote by y the
distance from an element
of area dA to AA’.
I x   y dA
2
 Moment of Inertia - Parallel Axis
Theorem
Consider an axis BB’ parallel
to AA’ through the centroid C
of the area, known as the
centroidal axis. The equation
of the moment inertia
becomes
I x   y dA    y  d  dA
2 2

  y dA  2 y dA  d  dA
 2
 2
 Moment of Inertia - Parallel Axis
Theorem

The first integral is the moment

of inertia about the centroid.
I x   y dA
 2

The second component is the first moment area about the

centroid
yA   ydA  y  0
  ydA  0
 Moment of Inertia - Parallel Axis
Theorem
Modify the equation obtained
with the parallel axis theorem.

I x   y dA  2  y dA  d  dA
 2
 2

 Ix  d 2 A
 Example – Moment of Inertia

Compute the moment of inertia in

the x about the AA` plane.

AA`
 Example – Moment of Inertia
Compute the moment of inertia in
the x about the AA` plane.
h b
Ix   y dA    y dxdy
2 2

Area 0 0
h
 y  bh3 3
 b  
 3 0 3 AA`
 Example – Moment of Inertia

The moment of inertia about the

centroid
h/2
Ix  
Area
y 2 dA  
 h/2
y 2bdy

h/2
 y  3
bh3
 b  
 3   h/2 12
 Example – Moment of Inertia

Using the parallel axis theorem

Ix  Ix  d A2

2
bh  h 
3
 4 3
     bh     bh
12  2   12 
3
bh
 AA`
3
Parallel Axis Theorem
•Moment of inertia IT of a circular area with
respect to a tangent to the circle,
 
I T  I  Ad 2  14  r 4   r 2 r 2

 54  r 4

•Moment of inertia of a triangle with respect to a

centroidal axis,
I AA  I BB  Ad 2

I BB  I AA  Ad 2  12
1 bh3  1 bh 1 h
2 3
 2
 36
1 bh3

9 - 38
Determine the moment of inertia of the area shown in the fig.

1 1
I1s = bd3 = × 24 × 63 = 432m m 4
12 12
1 1
I2s = bd3 = × 8 × 483 = 73728m m 4
12 12
1 1
I3s = bd3 = × 48 × 63 = 864m m 4
12 12

I1 s = I1 s + Ah2 = 432 + 24 × 6 × 24 + 3 2= 105408 m m 4

I3 s = I3 s + Ah2 = 864 + 48 × 6 × 24 + 3 2= 210816 m m 4

I s = 105408 + 73728 + 210816 =390 × 10 3 mm 4

 PERPENDICULAR AXIS THEOREM

 The moment of inertia of a plane area about

an axis normal to the plane is equal to the
sum of the moments of inertia about any two
mutually perpendicular axes lying in the
plane and passing through the given axis.
Moment of Inertia: Iz = Ix+Iy
Product of Inertia
•Product of Inertia:
I xy   xy dA

•When the x axis, the y axis, or both are an

axis of symmetry, the product of inertia is
zero.

•Parallel axis theorem for products of inertia:

I xy  I xy  xyA
Principal Axes and Principal Moments of Inertia
•The change of axes yields
Ix  Iy Ix  Iy
I x   cos 2  I xy sin 2
2 2
Ix  I y Ix  I y
I y   cos 2  I xy sin 2
2 2
Ix  I y
I xy  sin 2  I xy cos 2
2

Given I x   y 2 dA I y   x 2 dA •The equations for Ix’ and Ix’y’ are the

parametric equations for a circle,
I xy   xy dA
I x  I ave 2  I x2y  R 2
we wish to determine moments
and product of inertia with Ix  I y  Ix  I y  2
I ave  R     I xy
respect to new axes x’ and y’. 2  2 
Note: x  x cos  y sin  •The equations for Iy’ and Ix’y’ lead to the same
y   y cos  x sin  circle.
Principal Axes and Principal Moments of Inertia
•At the points A and B, Ix’y’ = 0 and Ix’ is a
maximum and minimum, respectively.
I max, min  I ave  R
2 I xy
tan 2 m  
Ix  I y

•The equation for Qm defines two angles,

90o apart which correspond to the
principal axes of the area about O.

•Imax and Imin are the principal moments

I x  I ave 2  I x2y  R 2
of inertia of the area about O.
Ix  I y  Ix  I y  2
I ave  R     I xy
2  2 
Sample Problem 1
SOLUTION:
•Determine the product of inertia using direct
integration with the parallel axis theorem on
vertical differential area strips
•Apply the parallel axis theorem to evaluate
the product of inertia with respect to the
centroidal axes.

Determine the product of inertia of

the right triangle (a) with respect
to the x and y axes and
(b) with respect to centroidal axes
parallel to the x and y axes.
Sample Problem 1
SOLUTION:
•Determine the product of inertia using direct integration
with the parallel axis theorem on vertical differential area
strips
 x  x
y  h1   dA  y dx  h1  dx
 b  b
 x
xel  x yel  12 y  12 h1  
 b

Integrating dIx from x = 0 to x = b,


b 2
2x
I xy   dI xy   xel yel dA   x 1 h 1   dx
0
2
 b
b 2 b
2 x x x 2 3 x 2 x3 x 4 
h    dx h    2 
 2 b 2b 2 
0   4 3b 8b  0

I xy  24
1 b2h2
Sample Problem 1
•Apply the parallel axis theorem to evaluate the product
of inertia with respect to the centroidal axes.
x  13 b y  13 h

With the results from part a,

I xy  I xy  x yA
I xy  24  13 h12 bh
1 b2h2  1 b
3

I xy   72
1 b2h2
Sample Problem 2
SOLUTION:
•Compute the product of inertia with
respect to the xy axes by dividing the
section into three rectangles and applying
the parallel axis theorem to each.
•Determine the orientation of the principal
axes (Eq. 9.25) and the principal moments
of inertia (Eq. 9. 27).
For the section shown, the moments of
inertia with respect to the x and y axes
are Ix = 10.38 in4 and Iy = 6.97 in4.
Determine (a) the orientation of the
principal axes of the section about O,
and (b) the values of the principal
moments of inertia about O.
Sample Problem 2
SOLUTION:
•Compute the product of inertia with respect to the xy axes
by dividing the section into three rectangles.
Apply the parallel axis theorem to each rectangle,

I xy   I xy  x yA 
Note that the product of inertia with respect to
centroidal axes parallel to the xy axes is zero for each
rectangle.
Rectangle Area, in 2 x , in. y , in. x yA, in 4
I 1.5  1.25  1.75  3.28
II 1.5 0 0 0
III 1.5  1.25  1.75  3.28
 x yA  6.56

I xy   x yA  6.56 in 4
Sample Problem 2
•Determine the orientation of the principal axes (Eq. 9.25)
and the principal moments of inertia (Eq. 9. 27).
2 I xy 2 6.56
tan 2 m     3.85
Ix  I y 10.38  6.97
2 m  75.4 and 255.4

m  37.7 and m  127.7

2
Ix  I y  Ix  I y 
I x  10.38 in 4
I max, min      I xy
2
2  2 
I y  6.97 in 4
2
10.38  6.97  10.38  6.97 
      6.56 
2
I xy  6.56 in 4
2  2 

I a  I max  15.45 in 4
I b  I min  1.897 in 4