VDB 1023

Engineering
Mechanics

Geometric properties of Area and

Solids Part I - Center of Gravity,
Centroid

Recap of previous lecture

Solve problem involving simple trusses and friction
Method of joint
Method of section

Course Learning Outcome (CLO)

At the end of this course, you shall be able to:
CLO

Description

CLO1

Resolve a system of forces and apply the equilibrium conditions

CLO2

Solve problem involving simple trusses and friction

CLO3

Calculate the geometrical properties of simple and complex areas and solids

CLO4

Analyze the dynamics of a rigid body

Course Learning Outcome (CLO)

At the end of this section you should be able to
Calculate the geometric properties of areas and
solids.
Understand the concepts of 1) center of gravity, 2)
centroid.
Be able to determine the location of these points for
an area or body (Single & Composite)

Center of Gravity
A body is composed of an infinite number of particles, and so if the body is located within
a gravitational field, then each of these particles will have a weight dW.
The Center of gravity (CG) is a point, often shown as G, which locates the resultant
weight of a system of particles or a solid body.
From the definition of a resultant force, the sum of moments due to individual particles
weights about any point is the same as the moment due to the resultant weight located at
G.
Also, note that the sum of moments due to the individual particles weights about point G
is equal to zero.

Center of Gravity
The location of the center of gravity, measured from the y axis, is determined by equating
the moment of W about the y axis to the sum of the moments of the weights of the
particles about this same axis.
If dW is located at point (x, y, z), then _
~x dW
x
W
=

_
_
Similarly,
~
~

y W = y dW

z W = z dW

Therefore, the location of the center of gravity G with respect to the x, y, z axes becomes,

Center of Mass
By replacing the Weight (W) with a Mass (m) in these equations, the coordinates of the
Center of mass (CM) can be found.

Similarly, the coordinates of the Centroid of volume, area, or length can be obtained by
replacing W by Volume (V), Area (A), or Length (L), respectively.

Centroid of a Volume
- Rectangular

- Triangular

- Cylinder

The centroid, C, is a point defining the geometric center of an object.

The centroid coincides with the center of mass or the center of gravity only if the material
of the body is homogenous (density or specific weight is constant throughout the body).
If an object has an axis of symmetry, then the centroid of object lies on that axis.
In some cases, the centroid may not be located on the object.

- Quarter & Semicircle

Centroid of an Area
1.

Choose an appropriate differential element (dA) at a general point (x,y).

Hint: Generally, if y is easily expressed in terms of x (e.g., y = x2 + 1), use a vertical
rectangular element. If the converse is true, then use a horizontal rectangular element.

2.

Express dA in terms of the differentiating element dx (or dy).

3.

Determine coordinates (x, y) of the centroid of the rectangular element in terms of the
general point (x,y).

4.

Express all the variables and integral limits in the formula using either x or y depending
on whether the differential element is in terms of dx or dy, respectively, and integrate.

Note: Similar steps are used for determining the CG or CM. These steps will become clearer
by doing a few examples.

EXAMPLE 1
Given:
Find:

The shaded area as shown below.

The location of centroid (x, y).

Method:

Follow the steps.

EXAMPLE 1 (cont.)
Solutions
1. Since y is given in terms of x,
Choose dA as a vertical rectangular strip.
2. dA y dx x 3 dx
3. %
%

x x and y y / 2 x 3 / 2

4. x

5.

x%dA dA

x (x ) dx

x 3dx (1/ 5)[x 5 ]10 (1/ 4)[x 4 ]10

(1/ 5) (1/ 4) 0.8 m

y

y%dA

dA

(x / 2)(x ) dx

x 3dx

(1/14)[x 7 ]10 (1/ 4)[x 4 ]10 (1/ 14) (1/ 4) 0.2857 m

Location of Centroid (Symmetrical Object)

Centroid location is determined by an objects line of symmetry.

Centroid is located on the line of symmetry.
When an object has multiple lines of symmetry, its centroid is located at the intersection of
the lines of symmetry.

Location of Centroid (Symmetrical Object)

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).

Centroid of Composite Structure

Composite plates
%
x W xW
%
y W yW

x%W & y y%W

W
W

Composite area
%
x A xA
%
y A yA

x%A
y%A

x
&y
A

Centroid of Composite Structure

Concept of 1st Moment
Centroid of an area

x W x dW

x At x t dA
x A x dA Q y
first moment with respect to y
yA y dA Q x
first moment with respect to x

Centroid of a line

x W x dW

x La x a dL
x L x dL
yL y dL

EXAMPLE 2
For the plane area shown, determine the first moments with
respect to the x and y axes and the location of the centroid.

(SOLUTION) Method:
1)Divide the area into a triangle,
rectangle, and semicircle with a
circular cutout.
2)Calculate the first moments of each
area with respect to the axes.

%
x A xA
%
y A yA

x%A
y%A

x
&y
A
A

3)Find the total area and first

moments of the triangle, rectangle,
and semicircle. Subtract the area
and first moment of the circular
cutout.
4)Compute the coordinates of the
area centroid by dividing the first
moments by the total area.

EXAMPLE 2 (cont.)
1) Divide

2) Calculate

3) Find the total area and first moments

of the triangle, rectangle, and
semicircle. Subtract the area and first
moment of the circular cutout.

Q x 506.2 103 mm 3
Q y 757.7 103 mm 3

EXAMPLE 2 (cont.)
4) Compute the coordinates of the area centroid by
dividing the first moments by the total area.
x A 757.7 103 mm 3

A 13.828 103 mm 2
X 54.8 mm

y A 506.2 103 mm 3

A 13.828103 mm 2
Y 36.6 mm

Theorems of Pappus-Guldinus
Volume (V)

Body of revolution is generated by rotating a plane area about a fixed axis.

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

Theorems of Pappus-Guldinus
Area (A)

Surface of revolution is generated by rotating a plane curve about a fixed axis.

Area of a surface of revolution is equal to the length of the generating curve times the
distance traveled by the centroid through the rotation.
A 2 yL

EXAMPLE 3 (For Your Study)

The outside diameter of a pulley is 0.8 m, and the
cross section of its rim is as shown. Knowing
3
that the pulley is made
and that the
7.85 10of
kgsteel
m3
density of steel is
Determine the mass and weight of the rim.
SOLUTION:
Apply the theorem of PappusGuldinus 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.

EXAMPLE 3 (cont.)
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.

m V 7.85 10 kg m

9 3
7.65 10 mm 10 m mm

W mg 60.0 kg 9.81 m s 2

m 60.0 kg
W 589 N

EXAMPLE 4 (Distributed Loads on Beam) (For Your Study)

Basic concept

W wdx dA A
0

OPW xdW
L

OP A xdA x A
0

A distributed load is represented by plotting the load per

unit length, w (N/m). The total load is equal to the area
under the load curve.
A distributed load can be replaced by a concentrated load
with a magnitude equal to the area under the load curve
and a line of action passing through the area centroid.

EXAMPLE 4 (Distributed Loads on Beam) (For Your Study)

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.

EXAMPLE 4 (Distributed Loads on Beam) (For Your Study)

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 3.5 m
X
18 kN

EXAMPLE 4 (Distributed Loads on Beam) (For Your Study)

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