8 CENTROID OF PLANE FIGURES

CENTRE OF GRAVITY
It is the point where the whole weight of the body is assumed to be concentrated. It is the point on
which the body can be balanced. It is the point through which the weight of the body is assumed to
act. This point is usually denoted by ‘C.G.’ or ‘G’.

CENTROID (C.G. OR G)
Centroid is the point where the whole area of the plane figure is assumed to be concentrated. The
calculation of centroid means the determination of x and y as shown in Figure 9.1.

Figure 9.1 Centroid of the plane figure.

1
Determination of Centroid by the Method of Moments
Let us consider a body of total weight W as shown in Figure 9.2. The centre of gravity of the whole
figure is located at a distance x from the y-axis and at a distance y from the x-axis (the point
through which the total weight W acts).

Figure 9.2 Centroid by the method of moments.

Let us divide the whole figure into a number of elemental strips of weights w1, w2, w3, w4, ...,
wn whose centroids are located at distances x1, x2, x3, ..., xn from the y-axis and y1, y2, y3, y4, ..., yn
from the x-axis.
Applying the theorem of moments about the y-axis,
W x = w1x1 + w2x2 + w3x3 + ... + wnxn
w1 x1  w2 x2  ...  wn x n
or x
W
But if the body is homogeneous and isotropic, then the specific weight of the material is
given by
W W
H
V A–t
where W is the weight of the body and V is the volume of the body, A is the cross-sectional area and
t is the thickness which is constant.
Hence, we have
H a1tx1  H a2 tx2  ...  H an tx n a1 x1  a2 x2  ...  an x n 6ai xi
x
H a1t  H a2 t  ...  H an t a1  a2  ...  an 6ai
6ai yi
Similarly, y
6ai

Axes of Reference
These are the axes with respect to which the centroid of a given figure is determined.

2
 Figure 9.3 Axes of reference.

Generally the left-hand bottom corner of the plane figure is considered as the origin so that
the left extreme edge and the bottom line are considered reference axes, with respect to which the
centroid of the given figure is measured (Figure 9.3).

Centroidal Axis
The axis which passes through the centroid of the given figure is known as centroidal axis, such as
the axis X-X and the axis Y-Y shown in Figure 9.4.

Figure 9.4 Centroidal axes.

Symmetrical Axis
It is the axis which divides the whole figure into equal parts, such as the axis X–X and the
axis Y–Y shown in Figure 9.5.
(a) For a figure which is symmetrical about both the axes, x = 0 and y = 0.
(b) For a figure which is symmetrical about the Y–Y axis, x = 0. Such a figure which is
symmetrical about the Y–Y axis is shown in Figure 9.6. The area on the left-side of the
Y–Y axis is equal to the area on the right side of the Y–Y axis.
(c) For a figure which is symmetrical about the X–X axis, y = 0. Such a figure which is
symmetrical about the X–X axis is shown in Figure 9.7.
3
 Figure 9.5 Symmetrical axes.

Figure 9.6 Symmetry about the Y–Y axis. Figure 9.7 Symmetry about the X–X axis.

(d) For a figure which does not have any axis of symmetry, we calculate both x and y .
Such a figure which does not have any axis of symmetry is shown in Figure 9.8.

Figure 9.8 Neither the X–X axis nor the Y–Y axis is the axis of symmetry.
4
Centroids of Some Important Geometrical Figures
Shape Area x y Figure

b d
Rectangle bd
2 2
(Same for square)

È 1Ø b È 1Ø
Triangle ÉÊ ÙÚ bd ÉÊ ÙÚ d
2 2 3

È 1Ø È 1Ø È 1Ø
Right-angled triangle ÉÊ ÙÚ bd ÉÊ 3 ÙÚ b ÉÊ ÙÚ d
2 3

Circle p r2 x =r y =r

(Contd.)...

5
 Shape Area x y Figure

d 4r
2 3Q

d  4r
2 3Q

Qr2
Semicircle
2

4r d
3Q 2

 4r d
3Q 2

Qr2 4r 4r
Quarter circle
4 3Q 3Q

6
Reference Table
Component Centroidal Centroidal Area (a) ax ay
distance distance
from the from the
reference reference
y-axis (x) x-axis (y)

Total Sa Sax Say

6ax
x
6a
6ay
y
6a
where Sax = a1x1 + a2x2 + a3x3 + ...
Say = a1y1 + a2y2 + a3y3 + ...
Sa = a1 + a2 + a3 + ...

Derivation of Centroid of Some Important Geometrical Figures

Rectangle
Let us consider a rectangular lamina of area b ´ d as shown in Figure 9.9. Now consider a horizontal
elementary strip of area b ´ dy, which is at a distance y from the reference axis AB.
Moment of area of elementary strip about AB
= b ´ dy ´ y
Sum of moments of such elementary strips about AB is given by
d
Ô0 b – dy – y
d
b Ô y ¹ dy
0
d
Ë y2 Û
b–Ì Ü
ÌÍ 2 ÜÝ0
bd 2
2
Moment of total area about AB = bd ´ y
Apply the principle of moments about AB,
Figure 9.9 Rectangular lamina.
bd 2 d
bd – y or y
2 2

7
 By considering a vertical strip, similarly, we can prove that
b
x
2
Triangle
Consider a triangular lamina of area (1/2) ´ b ´ d as shown in Figure 9.10.

Figure 9.10 Triangular lamina.

Now consider an elementary strip of area b1 ´ dy which is at a distance y from the reference
axis AB.
Using the property of similar triangles, we have
b1 dy
b d

or ( d  y)b
b1
d
(d  y)b ¹ dy
Area of the elementary strip = b1 ´ dy =
d
Moment of area of elementary strip about AB
= area ´ y
( d  y)b ¹ dy ¹ y
=
d
b ¹ dy ¹ d ¹ y by2 ¹ dy
= 
d d
by2 ¹ dy
= by × dy –
d
Sum of moments of such elementary strips is given by
d d by2
Ô0 by ¹ dy  Ô
0 d
¹ dy

8
 d d
Ë y2 Û b Ë y3 Û
b–Ì Ü  Ì Ü
ÌÍ 2 ÜÝ0 d ÌÍ 3 ÜÝ0

bd 2 bd 3

2 3d
bd 2 bd 2

2 3
bd 2
6
1
Moment of total area about AB = bd – y
2
Applying the principle of moments,
bd 2 1
– bd – y
6 2
d
\ y
3
Semicircle

Qr2
Consider a semicircular lamina of area as shown in Figure 9.11. Now consider a triangular
2
1
elementary strip of area ´ R ´ R ´ dq at an angle of q from the x-axis, whose centre of gravity
2
2 È 2Ø
is at a distance of R from O and its projection on the x-axis = É Ù R cos q.
3 Ê 3Ú

Figure 9.11 Semicircular lamina.

9
 1 È 2Ø
Moment of area of elementary strip about the y-axis = ´ R2 × dq × É Ù R cos q
2 Ê 3Ú

R 3 ¹ cos R ¹ dR
3
Sum of moments of such elementary strips about the y-axis
Q /2 R3
ÔQ /2 3
cos R ¹ dR

R3
[sin R ]Q/2
Q /2
3

R3 Ë Q QÛ 2 R3
Ìsin 2  sin 2 Ü
3 Í Ý 3
Moment of total area about the y-axis
Q R2
–x
2
Using the principle of moments
2 R3 Q R2
–x
3 2

\ 2 R3 – 2
x
3R 2Q
4R
or x
3Q
Quarter circle
Q R2
Consider a quarter circular lamina of area as shown
4
in Figure 9.12. Consider a triangular elementary strip of
1
area ´ R ´ R ´ dq at an angle of q from the x-axis,
2
2
whose centre of gravity is at a distance of R from O and
3
2
its projection on x-axis =R cos q.
3
Moment of area of elementary strip about the y-axis
2 1 R 3 ¹ cos R ¹ dR
R cos R – – R 2 ¹ dR Figure 9.12 Quarter
3 2 3 circular lamina.

10
 Sum of moments of such elementary strips about the y-axis

Q /2 R3
Ô0 3
cos R ¹ dR

R3 Ë QÛ
Ìsin 2 Ü
3 Í Ý
R3
3
Moment of total area about the y-axis
Q R2
–x
4
Using the principle of moments,
R3 Q R2
–x
3 4
4 R3 – 2
\ x
3 R 2Q
4R
or x
3Q
4R
Similarly, we can prove that y .
3Q
Sector of a circle
Consider a sector of a circular lamina as shown in Figure 9.13.
1
Consider a triangular elementary strip of area ´ R ´ R ´ dq
2
at an angle of q from the x-axis, whose centre of gravity is at a
2 2
distance of from O and its projection on x-axis = R cos q.
3 3
1
Area of strip = ´ R2dq
2
Area of sector is given by Figure 9.13 Sector of a circle.
B1 1
Ô0
2
– R 2 dR
2
– R 2B

Moment of area of elementary strip about y-axis

2 1 R3 ¹ cos R ¹ dR
R cos R – – R 2 dR
3 2 3

11
 Sum of moments of such elementary strips about y-axis
B R3
Ô0 3
cos R ¹ dR

R3
(sin B )
3
Moment of total area about y-axis
R 2B
–x
2
Using the principle of moments,
R3 R 2B
sin B –x
3 2
2R
or x sin B
3
Moment of area of elementary strip about x-axis
2 1 R 3 ¹ sin R ¹ dR
R sin R – – R 2 ¹ dR
3 2 3
Sum of moments of such elementary strips about y-axis
B R3
Ô0 3
sin R ¹ dR

R3 R3
[  cos R ]B0 (1  cos B )
3 3
R 2B
Moment of total area about y-axis = –y
2
Using the principle of moments,
R3 R 2B
(1  cos B ) –y
3 2
2R
or y (1  cos B )
3

Problems on Centroid
Tips to solve problems
1. The centroid always lies on the symmetrical axis.
2. Identify the symmetrical axes, if any. Chose them as the reference axes. If no symmetrical
axis is available, choose the left-hand bottom corner of the given figure as the origin so
that the entire figure lies in the first quadrant (to avoid the negative centroidal values).

12
 3. Sub-divide the given figure into known geometrical shapes and identify their individual
centroids by denoting them with Ci where i is the number of the sub-divided shapes.
4. Enter the values in tabular columns as shown below:
Component Area (a) Centroidal Centroidal ax ay
distance distance
from from
y-axis (x) x-axis (y)
Sum Sa Sax Say

5. Indicate the calculations like enter the x ´ y values for area and then enter the result (do
not enter the result directly). For the centroidal distances, enter the equation with the
4–5
substituted numerical values like 3 + etc. The areas are negative if hollow and the
3Q
centroidal values are negative if they are below the x-axis or left of the y-axis.
6ax 6ay
6. Compute the centroidal values as x and y .
6a 6a
1 2
7. The centroidal value of a triangle is always rd the length from the base and rd the
3 3
height from the apex.
4r
8. The centroidal value of a semicircle is always measured as from the base of the
3Q
semicircle (normal to base) or along the symmetrical axis.
For example, to find the centroid of Figure 9.14, we proceed to tabulate the results as
follows:

Figure 9.14

13
Component Area (mm2) x (mm) y (mm) ax ay
120 100
Rectangle 1 120 ´ 100 = 12,000 = 60 = 50 720,000 600,000
2 2
Q – 50 2 4 – 50 100
Semicircle 2 = 3926.9 120 + = 50 554,569.53 196,349.5
2 3Q 2
1 1 1
Triangle 3 ´ 120 ´ 60 = 360 ´ 120 = 40 100 + ´ 60 144,000 432,000
2 3 3
100
Circle 4 –p ´ 202 = –1256.64 60 = 50 –75,398.4 –62,832
2
Sum 18,270.35 1,343,171.13 1,165,517.5

6ax 1,343,171.13
x 73.52 mm
6a 18,270.35
6ay 1,165,517.5
and y 63.79 mm
6a 18,270.35
Example 9.1 Find the centroid of Figure 9.15.

Figure 9.15 Example 9.1.

Solution
Component Area, a(mm2) Centroidal Centroidal ax ay
(Figure 9.16) distance from distance from
y-axis (x) x-axis (y)
120 10
Rectangle 1 120 ´ 10 = 1200 = 60 60 + = 65 72,000 78,000
2 2
120 60
Rectangle 2 10 ´ 60 = 600 = 60 = 30 36,000 18,000
2 2
Sum Sa = 1800 108,000 96,000
14
 Figure 9.16 Example 9.1.

6ax 108,000
x = 60 mm
6a 1800
6ay 96,000
y = 53.33 m
6a 1800
Ans.
The given figure is symmetrical about the y-axis, so x can be directly written as 60 mm.
Example 9.2 Find the centroid of Figure 9.17.

Figure 9.17 Example 9.2.

The given figure is symmetrical about the Y–Y axis and hence we consider it as the reference
y-axis.

15
Solution

Component Area, a Centroidal distance from the x-axis (y) a y

(Figure 9.18)
10
Rectangle 1 10 ´ 80 = 800 24 + 40 + = 69 55,200
2
40
Rectangle 2 10 ´ 40 = 400 24 + = 44 17,600
2
24
Rectangle 3 25 ´ 24 = 600 = 12 7200
2
Sum Sa = 1800 Say = 80,000

6ay 80,000 80
y = 44.44 mm; x = 40 mm Ans.
6a 1800 2

Figure 9.18 Example 9.2.

16
Example 9.3 Determine the centroid of Figure 9.19.

Figure 9.19 Example 9.3.

Solution
Component Area, a y ay
20
Rectangle 1 100 ´ 20 = 2000 20 + 100 + = 130 260,000
2
100
Rectangle 2 100 ´ 20 = 2000 20 + = 70 140,000
2
20
Rectangle 3 150 ´ 20 = 3000 = 10 30,000
2
Sum Sa = 7000 Say = 430,000

6ay 430,000 150

y = 61.429 mm; x = 75 mm Ans.
6a 7000 2
Example 9.4 Determine the centroid of Figure 9.20.

Figure 9.20 Example 9.4.

17
Component Area, a x y ax ay
60 12
Rectangle 1 60 ´ 12 = 720 30 10 + 128 + = 144 21,600 103,680
2 2
10 128
Rectangle 2 10 ´ 128 = 1280 =5 10 + = 74 6400 94,720
2 2
75 10
Rectangle 3 10 ´ 75 = 750 = 37.5 =5 28,125 3750
2 2
Sum Sa = 2750 Sax = 56,125 Say = 202,150

6ax 56,125 6ay 202,150

x = 20.409 mm; y = 73.509 mm Ans.
6a 2750 6a 2750
Example 9.5 Determine the centroid of Figure 9.21.

Figure 9.21 Example 9.5.

Solution
Component Area, a x y ax ay
50 300
Rectangle 1 50 ´ 300 = 15,000 = 25 = 150 375,000 2,250,000
2 2
150 150
Rectangle 2 150 ´ 150 = 22,500 50 + = 125 = 75 2,812,500 1,687,500
2 2
100 200
Rectangle 3 200 ´ 100 = 20,000 200 + = 250 = 100 5,000,000 2,000,000
2 2
Sum Sa Sax Say
= 57,500 = 8,187,500 = 5,937,500

6ax 8,187,500 6ay 5,937,500

x 142.391 mm; y = 103.261 mm Ans.
6a 57,500 6a 57,500
18

2
Example 9.6 Determine the centroid of Figure 9.22.

Figure 9.22 Example 9.6.

Solution
Component Area, a x y ax ay

1 2 1
Triangle 1 ´ 80 ´ 80 ´ 80 ´ 80 170,665.6 85,334.4
2 3 3
= 3200 = 53.33 = 26.67
Q – 802 4 – 80 4 – 80
Quarter circle 2 80 + 572,790.224 170,666.384
4 3–Q 3–Q
= 5026.548 = 113.953 = 33.953
Sum Sa Sax Say
= 8226.548 = 743,455.82 = 256,000.78

6ax 743, 455.824 6ay 256,000.784

x = 90.373 mm; y = 31.119 mm Ans.
6a 8226.548 a 8226.548
Example 9.7 Calculate the centroid of Figure 9.23.

Figure 9.23 Example 9.7.

19
Component Area, a x y ax ay
6 4.5
Rectangle 6 ´ 4.5 = 27 =3 = 2.25 81 60.75
2 2
1 1 1
Triangle ´ 3 ´ 4.5 = 6.75 6+ ´3=7 ´ 4.5 = 1.5 47.25 101.25
2 3 3
Q – (2.25)2  4 – 2.25 4.5
Semicircle = 7.95 = –0.955 = 2.25 –7.594 17.892
2 3–Q 2
Sum Sa Sax Say
= 41.702 = 120.65 = 88.767
6ax 120.656 6ay 88.767
x = 2.893 mm; y = 2.129 mm Ans.
6a 41.702 6a 41.702
Example 9.8 Determine the centroid of the shaded area shown in Figure 9.24.

Figure 9.24 Example 9.8.

Solution

Component Area, a x y ax ay
200 200
Rectangle 200 ´ 200 = 40,000 = 100 = 100 4,000,000.00 4,000,000.00
2 2
Q – (150)2 4 – 150 4 – 150
Quarter circle –1,125,000.00 –397,60.78
4 3–Q 3–Q
= –17,671.459 = 63.662 = 63.662
1 2 2
Triangle ´ 150 ´ 50 ´ 150 + 50 50 + ´ 150 –562,500.00 –5625.00
2 3 3
= –3750 = 150 = 150
Sum Sa Sax Say
= 18,578.54 = 2,312,500.00 = 3,954,614.22
20
 6ax 2,312,500
x = 124.47 mm
6a 18,578.54
3,954,614.22
y = 212.86 mm
18,578.54
Ans.
Example 9.9 Determine the centroid of the shaded area shown in Figure 9.25.

Figure 9.25 Example 9.9.

Solution
Component Area, a x y ax ay

Rectangle 1 30 ´ 60 = 1800 15 30 27,000 54,000

Q – (60)2 4 – 60 4 – 60
Quadrant 2  30 60  156,823.571 97,645.399
4 3Q 3Q
= 2827.43 = 55.465 = 34.535
1 1 1
Triangle 3 – ´ 30 ´ 60 ´ 30 ´ 60 –9000 –18,000
2 3 3
= –900 = 10 = 20
Sum Sa = 3727.433 174,823.571 133,645.399

6ax 174,823.571
x = 46.901 mm
6a 3727.433
6ay 133,645.399
y = 35.854 mm
6a 3727.433
Ans.
21
 Example 9.10 Locate the centre of the shaded area shown in Figure 9.26.
VTU (August 2005)

Figure 9.26 Example 9.10.

Solution

Component Area, a x y ax ay

1200 1000
Rectangle 1200 ´ 100 = 600 = 500 720,000,000 600,000,000
2 2
= 1,200,000
1 2 1
Triangle – ´ 400 ´ 1000 800 + ´ 400 ´ 1000 –100,530,964.8 –42,666,518.1
2 3 3
= –200,000 = 1066.667 = 333.333
Qr2 800 4r
Semicircle  = 400 = 169.765 –213,333,333.33 –66,666,666.667
4 2 3Q
= –251,327.41
Sum Sa = 748,672.59 406,135,701.75 490,666,666.67

6ax 406,135, 701.75

x = 542.474 mm
6a 748, 672.59
6ay 490,666, 666.67
y = 655.382 mm
6a 748, 672.59
Ans.

22
Example 9.11 Determine the centroid of Figure 9.27.

Figure 9.27 Example 9.11.

Solution
Component Area, a x y ax ay
1 2 1
Triangle 1 ´6´2=6 ´ 2 = 1.33 ´6=2 7.98 12
2 3 3
2 7.5
Rectangle 2 2 ´ 7.5 = 15 +2=3 = 3.75 45 56.25
2 2
1 1 1
Triangle 3 ´ 4 ´ 5 = 10 4+ ´ 4 = 5.33 1+ ´ 5 = 2.67 53.33 26.67
2 3 3
5 1
Rectangle 4 5´1=5 + 4 = 6.5 = 0.5 32.5 2.5
2 2
Sum Sa = 36 Sax = 138.81 Say = 97.42

6ax 138.81
x = 3.856 m
6a 36
6ay 97.42
y = 2.706 m
6a 36
Ans.

23
Example 9.12 Determine the centroid of Figure 9.28.

Figure 9.28 Example 9.12.

Solution
Component Area, a x y ax ay

400 500
Rectangle 1 400 ´ 500 = 200 = 250 40,000,000 50,000,000
2 2
= 200,000

Q – (200)2 400 4 – 200

Semicircle 2 = 200 500 + 12,566,370.6 36,749,282.68
2 2 3Q
= 62,831.853 = 84.883

50
Circle 3 p ´ (25)2 150 + 200 –343,611.696 –392,699
2
= –1963.495 = 175
Sum Sa Sax Say
= 260,868.358 = 52,222,758.9 = 86,356,583.68

6ax 52,222,758.9
x = 200.188 mm
6a 260,868.358
6ay 86,356,583.68
y = 331.035 mm
6a 260,868.358
Ans.

24
Example 9.13 Locate the centroid of the shaded area shown in Figure 9.29.

VTU (February 2005)

The given figure is symmetrical about the Y–Y axis and hence x = 0.

Figure 9.29 Example 9.13.

Solution

Component Area, a (mm2) y ay

80
Rectangle 1 160 ´ 80 = 12,800 = 40 512,000
2
4 – 30
Semicircle 2 p ´ (30)2 80 – –95,097.848
3Q
= –1413.716 = 67.268

1 1
Triangle 3 – ´ 40 ´ 20 10 + ´ 20 –6666.8
2 3
= –400 = 16.667
Sum Sa = 10,986.284 Say = 410,235.35

6ay 410,235.352
y = 37.341 mm
6a 10,986.284
Ans.

25
Example 9.14 Locate the centroid of the shaded area shown in Figure 9.30.

VTU (August 2004)

Figure 9.30 Example 9.14.

Solution

Component Area, a x y ax ay

10 9
Rectangle 1 10 ´ 9 = 90 =5 = 4.5 450 405
2 2

1 1 2
Triangle 2 ´3´6=9 10 + ´ 3 = 11 3+ ´6=7 99 63
2 3 3

Q – (2)2 4 4–2
Semicircle 3 =2 9– –12.566 –51.213
2 2 3Q
= –6.283 = 8.151

Q (3)2 4–3 4–3

Quadrant 4 10 – –61.682 –8.998
4 3Q 3–Q
= –7.068 = 8.727 = 1.273

Sum Sa Sax Say

= 85.649 = 474.752 = 407.789

6ax
x = 5.543 mm
6a
6ay
y = 4.761 mm
6a
Ans.

26
Example 9.15 Determine the centroid of Figure 9.31.

Figure 9.31 Example 9.15.

Solution

Component Area, a x y ax ay

160 60
Rectangle 1 160 ´ 60 = 9600 = 80 = 30 768,000 288,000
2 2

Q – (20)2 40 4 – 20
Semicircle 2  = 20 60 – –12,566.38 –32,365.968
2 2 3–Q
= –628.319
1 2 2
Triangle 3 – ´ 40 ´ 20 120 + ´ 40 40 + ´ 20 –58,666.8 –21,333.2
2 3 3
= –400 =146.667 = 53.333
40 40
Rectangle 4 –40 ´ 40 = –1600 60 + = 80 = 20 –128,000 –32,000
2 2
Sum Sa Sax Say
= 6971.681 = 568,766.82 = 202,300.832

6ax 568,766.96
x = 81.58 mm
6a 6971.68
6ay 202,300.89
y = 29.02 mm
6a 6971.68
Ans.

27
Example 9.16 Determine the position of the centroid for the lamina with a circular cut-out shown
in Figure 9.32.

Figure 9.32 Example 9.16.

Solution
Component Area, a x y ax ay
120 100
Rectangle 1 120 ´ 100 = 60 = 50 720,000 600,000
2 2
= 12,000
È 1Ø 1 1
Triangle 3 120 ´ 60 ´ É Ù ´ 120 100 + ´ 60 144,000 432,000
Ê 2Ú 3 3
= 3600 = 40 = 120
Q – (50)2 4 – 50 100
Semicircle 2 120 + = 50 554,573.6 196,349.6
2 3Q 2
= 3926.991 = 141.22
100
Circle 4 –p ´ (20)2 60 = 50 –75,398.22 –62,831.9
2
–1256.637
Sum Sa Sax Say
= 182,70.354 = 1,343,175.4 = 1,165,517

6ax 1,343,175.376
x = 73.517 mm
6a 18,270.354
6ay 1,165,517.7
y = 63.793 mm
6a 18,270.354
Ans.
28
Example 9.17 Determine the centroid of the shaded area shown in Figure 9.33.

VTU (August 2005)

Figure 9.33 Example 9.17.

Solution In the above figure, the centroidal axis is not coinciding with the reference y-axis as the
figure is not symmetrical about y-axis.

Component Area, a x y ax ay

30 30
Rectangle 1 30 ´ 30 = 900  = –15 = 15 –13,500 13,500
2 2

Quadrant 2
Q – (30)2 4 – 30 4 – 10 8999.716 8999.716
4 3Q 3Q
= 706.858 = 12.732 = 12.732

Q – (30)2 È 4 – 30 Ø È 4 – 30 Ø
Quadrant 3 –  É 30  ÉÊ 30  Q ÙÚ –12,206.02 12,206.02
4 Ê Q ÙÚ
= –706.858 = –17.268 = 17.268
Sum Sa Sax Say
= 900 = 7705.74 = 10,291.692

6ax 7705.74
x = 8.56 mm
6a 900
6ay 10,291.692
y = 11.435 mm
6a 900
Ans.

29
Example 9.18 Determine the coordinates xc and yc of the centre of a 100 mm diameter circular
hole cut in a thin plate so that this point will be the centroid of the remaining shaded area shown in
Figure 9.34.

Figure 9.34 Example 9.18.

C.G. of the circular hole = C.G. of the shaded area

a1 x1  a2 x2  a3 x3
x =
a1  a2  a3
1 È  Ø
200 – 150 – 100  – 100 – 75 – É 100  – 100Ù  Q (50)2 – xc
2 Ê 3 Ú
xc =
1
200 – 150  – 100 – 75  Q (50)2
2

3,000,000  25,000  7853.982 xc

=
18,396.018

or 18,396.018 xc = 2,375,000 – 7853.982 xc

2,375,000
or xc = 90.476 mm Ans.
26, 250
a y  a2 y2  a3 y3
y = 1 1
a1  a2  a3
1 È 2 Ø
200 – 150 – 75  – 75 – 100 É 75  – 75Ù  Q (50)2 – yc
2 Ê 3 Ú
yc =
18,396.018

2,250,000  468,750  7853.982 yc

or yc =
18,396.018

30
or 18,396.018 yc = 1,781,250 – 7853.982 yc
or 26250 yc = 1,781,250
1,781,250
\ yc = 67857 mm Ans.
26,250
Example 9.19 Determine the centroid of the shaded area with reference to apex, as shown in
Figure 9.35.

Figure 9.35 Example 9.19.

Solution

Component Area, a Centroidal distance from apex, y ay

1 2
Triangle 1 – 160 – 240 19,200 – 240 160 3.072 ´ 106
2 3
20
Circle 2 –p (20)2 = –1256.637  40 50 –62.831 ´ 103
2
40
Rectangle 3 –60 ´ 40 = – 2400 120  140 – 3.36 ´ 105
2

Q – 40 2 4 – 40
Semicircle 4   2514.285 240  223.023 – 5.605 ´ 105
2 3Q

Sum Sa = 13030.088 Say = 2.113 ´ 106

ay 2.113  10 6
y  = 162.137 mm
a 13030.088
and x =0
Ans.
31
Example 9.20 Determine the position of the centroid of the area shown in Figure 9.36.

Figure 9.36 Example 9.20.

Solution
Component Area, a x y ax ay

1  1
Triangle 1 – 50 – 60 – 50 – 60 20 49,999.5 30,000
2 3 3
=1500 =33.333

200 60
Rectangle 2 200 ´ 60  50 30 1,800,000 360,000
2 2
= 12,000 =150

1 200 80
Triangle 3 – 200 – 80  50 60  1,200,000 693,336
2 2 3
= 8000 = 150 = 86.667

Q – 60 2 4 – 60 4 – 60
Quarter circle 4  250 778,858.831 72,000.581
4 3Q 3Q
= 2827.433 = 275.465 = 25.465

Q – 50 2 100 4 – 50
Semi circle 5   100 – 589,048.65 – 83,334.676
2 2 3Q
= –3926.991 = 150 = 21.22
Sum Sa = 20,400.442 Sax = 3,239,809.68 Say = 1,072,001.905

6ax 3, 239,809.681
x = 158.81 mm
6a 20, 400.442
6ay 1,072,001.905
y = 52.548 mm
6a 20, 400.442
Ans.
32
Example 9.21 Locate the centroid of the plane shown in Figure 9.37 with respect to O.

Figure 9.37 Example 9.21.

Solution

Component Area, a x y ax ay

8 10
Rectangle 1 8 ´ 10 = 80  4 5 –320 – 400
2 2

Q – 52 È4–5
É
Ø 10
Semicircle 2 39.269  8Ù 5 –397.483 –196.345
2 Ê 3Q Ú 2

1 È1 Ø È1 Ø
Triangle 3 –6–3 9  É – 6  2Ù  É – 3Ù –36 –9
2 Ê3 Ú Ê3 Ú

10
Circle 4 – p (1)2 = –3.142 –8 5 25.136 – 15.71
2

Q – 22 È 4 – 2Ø È 4 – 2Ø
 É
Quarter circle 5
4 Ê 3Q ÙÚ ÉÊ 3Q ÙÚ 2.676 –2.667

= –3.142 = 0.849 = 0.84

Sum Sa Sax Say
= 121.985 = –725.671 = 568.968

6ax 725.671
x  5.95 mm
6a 121.985
6ay 568.968
y 4.67 mm
6a 121.985
Ans.

33