CHAPTER 5:

CENTROIDS
AND
CENTER OF
GRAVITY
 Be At the end of this topic, students will be able to:

LEARNING Define Define the center of gravity and centroid of continuum

body. (PLO 1, C1)
OUTCOME

Analyse Analyse and determine the location of the center of

and gravity and centroid for a line, simple area and
determine composites area. (PLO 1, C4)
 5.1 Introduction

5.2 Centroid of a line

CHAPTER
OUTLINE
5.3 Centroid of a simple areas

5.4 Centroid of a composite

areas
 Definition of Center of Gravity, G;
 For a body is a point which locates the gravity or
weight of the body.
 also known as center of mass.
 refers to masses or weights.
 The force acted at the single point of 𝑥,ҧ 𝑦ത and 𝑧ҧ
which the weight could be held and balance in all
5.1
directions.
INTRODUCTION
 Definition of Centroid

found by ignoring weight and considering

only volume.

CONT…
due to different densities of materials.
The center of gravity and centroid do
not always coincide.
but if the weight or object were
homogeneous, the center of gravity and
centroid would be coincide.
CONT…
Three main types of centroid;

(a) Centroid of Lines

 One dimension object. Eg; rope, wire, cable.
 measured in length only.
 the curve object, the center of gravity is not located
in the object and can be determined using formula of
derivation.
CONT…
(b) Centroid of Areas
 Two dimension object.
 measured in length and width which is area A is
considered.
 the centroid of coordinates; 𝑥ҧ and 𝑦.
ത
(c) Centroid of Volumes
 Three dimension object.
 the centroid of coordinates; 𝑥,ҧ 𝑦ത and 𝑧ҧ which is volume,
V is considered.
 Centroid of line, area and volume

Centroid of the shape will lie along that axis

7.2 CENTROID OF A LINE
 Centroid-line as representing the ‘line’ of the structure.
 The centroid of line whether straight, curve or composite
lines can only be determined if the elements are connected
and made up from a homogenous material.
 For the straight line, the centroid lies at a distance L/2
from reference axis.

 Normally, the centroid of line is always coincides with the

center of gravity.
 CONT…
Centroid of line

Shape 𝑥ҧ 𝑦ത 𝐿

Quarter-
2𝑟 2𝑟 𝜋𝑟
circular arc 𝜋 𝜋 2

Semicircular
2𝑟 𝜋𝑟
0
arc 𝜋

C
O
𝑟 sin 𝛼 2𝛼𝑟
Arc of circle 0
𝑥ҧ 𝛼
EXAMPLE 5.1

Determine the centroid of a thin homogeneous wire

EXAMPLE 5.1: SOLUTION

Therefore;

σ 𝑥𝐿 37.5 × 104
𝑥ҧ = = = 250 mm ,
σ𝐿 1500

σ 𝑦𝐿 11.25 × 104
𝑦ത = = = 75 mm
σ𝐿 1500
EXAMPLE 5.2

Located the centroid of the uniform wire bent as shown in the

figure below.
 EXAMPLE 5.2: SOLUTION
The composite figure is divided into 3 simple figures and taking
A as origin coordinates on their centroid noted as shown
below:

AB – straight horizontal line

BC – curve (semicircle)
CD – straight inclined line
 EXAMPLE 5.2: SOLUTION (CONT…)
Segment L (mm) 𝒙 (mm) 𝒚 (mm) 𝒙𝑳 (mm2) 𝒚𝑳 (mm2)
𝐴𝐵 400 200 0 80000.00 0

150𝜋 2𝑟 2 × 150
𝐵𝐶 400 + 150 = 550 = 259182.00 44998.71
= 471.24 𝜋 𝜋
= 95.49
400 + 300
250 125 sin 30 =
𝐶𝐷 250 + cos 30𝑜 202062.50 15625.00
2 62.50
= 808.25

∑ 1121.24 541244.5 60623.71

541244.5
𝑥ҧ = = 482.72 mm
1121.24
60623.71
𝑦ത = = 54.07 mm
1121.24
 EXERCISE 5.3
Locate the centroid of the bent wire shown in figure below. The
wire is homogeneous and of uniform cross-section.

1 3

(ns: 𝑥ҧ = 0, 𝑦ത = 10.87𝑐𝑚)
 EXAMPLE 5.3: SOLUTION
Segment L (cm) 𝒙 (cm) 𝒚 (cm) 𝒙𝑳 (cm2) 𝒚𝑳 (cm2)
2𝑎𝑟 = 10 + r − z cos 30𝑜 z sin𝑎 - 478.21 450.54
1 2 0.524 30 =10 + 30 – 28.63cos 30o =14.33
= 31.44 = -15.21
2 =20 0 0 0 0
2𝑎𝑟 10 + r − z cos𝑎 z sin𝑎 478.21 450.54
3 2 0.524 30 = 15.21 =14.33
=31.44
෍𝑥 82.88 0 901.08

𝑥ҧ = 0

901.08
𝑦ത = = 10.87 cm
82.88
EXERCISE 5.1
A slender homogeneous wire of uniform cross section is bent
into the shape shown in figure below. Determine the
coordinates of the centroid.

(ans: 𝑥ҧ = 1.34𝑖𝑛, 𝑦ത = 2.48 𝑖𝑛)

 EXERCISE 5.2

Determine the centroid of the wire shown in figure below.

(ans: 𝑥ҧ = 407 mm, yത = 101.66 mm)

5.3 CENTROID A SIMPLE AREAS

In this sub-topic, two types of areas are discussed here;

1) Centroid of simple areas.
2) Centroid of composite areas.
Centroid of areas
EXAMPLE 5.3
Determine the centroid of rectangular shape with size 50mm x
40mm if the reference axis is located at the coordinate as shown
in the figure below.
EXAMPLE 5.3: SOLUTION
The most important in determining the centroid is the location
of reference axis.
 a) The location of centroid is the center of object, thus:
EXAMPLE 5.5: SOLUTION (CONT…)
b) The location of centroid is the center of object, thus:

The values of 𝑥ҧ and 𝑦ത for problems a) and b) are different, the

location of centroid of the object is same.
EXERCISE 5.3
The most important in determining the centroid is the location
of reference axis. These three locations will be discussed here.
EXERCISE 5.3: SOLUTION
The location of centroid is the center of object, thus:

5
5×4
2
𝑥ҧ = = 2.5cm
5×4

4
5×4
2
yത = = 2cm
5×4
 EXERCISE 5.3: SOLUTION (CONT…)
The location of centroid is the center of object, thus:

0
5×4
2
𝑥ҧ = =0
5×4

4
5×4
2
yത = = 2cm
5×4
 EXERCISE 5.3: SOLUTION (CONT…)
The location of centroid is the center of object, thus:

0
5×4
2
𝑥ҧ = =0
5×4

0
5×4
2
yത = =0
5×4
EXAMPLE 5.5
The beam is subjected to the parabolic loading.
(a) Determine the centroid of parabolic load on the
beam AB if w = 6x + 0.4x2 kN/m2 and 𝑦ത = 0.
 EXAMPLE 5.5: SOLUTION
Solve problem using simple integration.
The area of distributed load is:
𝑑𝐴 = 𝑤 𝑑𝑥 6
𝐴 = න 6𝑥 + 0.4𝑥 2 𝑑𝑥
0
6
6 2 0.4 3
𝐴= 𝑥 + 𝑥
2 3 0

x
= 108 + 28.8

= 136.8 (kN/m)m
w = 6x + o.4x2
 EXAMPLE 5.5: SOLUTION (CONT…)
Using the area analogy, the point of application of the equivalent
concentrated force, F is located at:
𝟔 6
‫׬ 𝑨𝒅 𝒙 𝟎׬‬0 𝑥 . 𝑤 𝑑𝑥
ഥ= 𝟔
𝒙 = 6
‫𝑨𝒅 𝟎׬‬ ‫׬‬0 𝑤 𝑑𝑥
6 2 6
‫׬‬0 𝑥 6𝑥 + 0.4𝑥 𝑑𝑥 ‫׬‬0 6𝑥 2 + 0.4𝑥 3 𝑑𝑥
= =
136.8 136.8
6
6 3 0.4 4 6 3 0.4 4
𝑥 + 𝑥 6 + 4 6
3 4 0 3 432 + 129.6
𝑥ҧ = = = = 𝟒. 𝟏𝟏𝐦
136.8 136.8 136.8
Therefore, the centroid of uniform parabolic distribution load is
(𝑥ҧ , 𝑦)
ത = 4.11 mm, 0 and the load now acts as point load.
 EXAMPLE 5.5: SOLUTION (CONT…)
(b) Find distribution load on Beam MA = 0

FT (4.11) – FBy(4) = 0
(136.8)(0.11) = FBy(4)
FBy = 3.76 kN

∑Fy = 0
4.11m FAy + FBy – 136.8 = 0
FAx FAy + 3.76 -136.8 = 0
FAy = 133.04kN
4m
FAy FBy
∑Fx = FAx = 0
EXERCISE 5.4
(a) Determine the centroid of parabolic load on beam AB if w =
25x2 + 900kN/m2 and 𝑦ത = 0.

1800kN/m
900kN/m
 EXERCISE 5.4 (SOLUTION)
(a) Determine the centroid of parabolic load on beam AB if w =
25x2 + 900 N/m2 and 𝑦ത = 0.
6

𝑑𝐴 = 𝑤 𝑑𝑥
𝐴 = න 25𝑥 2 + 900 𝑑𝑥
0
6
1800kN/m 25 3
𝐴= 𝑥 + 900𝑥
900kN/m 3 0

𝐴 = 7200 (kN/m)m
 EXERCISE 5.4 : SOLUTION (CONT…)
Using the area analogy, the point of application of the equivalent
concentrated force, F is located at:
𝟔 6
‫׬ 𝑨𝒅 𝒙 𝟎׬‬0 𝑥 . 𝑤 𝑑𝑥
ഥ= 𝟔
𝒙 = 6
‫𝑨𝒅 𝟎׬‬ ‫׬‬0 𝑤 𝑑𝑥
6 6
‫׬‬0 𝑥 25𝑥 + 900 𝑑𝑥 ‫׬‬0 25𝑥 3 + 900𝑥
2 𝑑𝑥
= 6 =
‫׬‬0 25𝑥 2 + 900 𝑑𝑥 7200
25 4 900 2 6
𝑥 + 𝑥
4 2 0 8100 + 16200
𝑥ҧ = = = 𝟑. 𝟑𝟖𝐦
5640 7200
Therefore, the centroid of uniform parabolic distribution load is
(𝑥ҧ , 𝑦)
ത = 3.38 mm, 0 and the load now acts as point load.
 EXERCISE 5.4: SOLUTION (CONT…)
(b) Find distribution load on Beam MA = 0
1800kN/m
FT (2.62) – FBy(6) = 0
900kN/m
(7200)(2.62) = FBy(6)
FBy = 3144kN

3.38m ∑Fy = 0
FAx FAy + FBy – 7200 = 0
FAy + 3144 – 7200 = 0
6m FAy = 4056kN
FAy FBy
 5.4 CENTROID OF A COMPOSITE AREAS
Composite areas are the combination of simple areas.

Procedures to determine the centroid of composite area:

1. Divide the composite body or areas into several parts.
2. State the reference axis in the figure.
3. Identify the centroid of each parts.
4. Find 𝑥1, 𝑥2 until 𝑥𝑛, and 𝑦1, 𝑦2 until 𝑦𝑛 from the reference axis
that you stated.
5. Tabulate and write these coordinates of the centroid in the table.
6. Determine the area of each parts and multiple area with its
respective centroid 𝑥 and 𝑦.
7. To find the centroid:
𝑥ҧ ෍ 𝐴 = 𝑥1 𝐴1 + 𝑥2 𝐴2

𝑦ത ෍ 𝐴 = 𝑦1 𝐴1 + 𝑦2 𝐴2

where,

Total area, σ 𝐴 = 𝐴1 + 𝐴2

σ 𝑥𝐴 σ 𝑦𝐴
∴ 𝑥ҧ = , 𝑦ത =
σ𝐴 σ𝐴
EXAMPLE 5.6

Determine the centroid of composite areas as shown in the

figure.
 EXAMPLE
st
7.6: SOLUTION
1 Case:
- If there are no reference axis in the figure, please stated the
reference axis.
PART AREA(mm2) y(mm) x(mm) Ay (103)(mm3) Ax (103) (mm3)
20
20 × 70 + 60 70
𝐴1 2 = 35 98 49
= 1400 2
= 70
30
60 × 30 60 + 20
𝐴2 = 30 2 54 63
= 1800 2 = 35
Σ 3200 152 112

σ 𝑥𝐴 112000
𝑥ҧ = = = 35mm
σ𝐴 3200

σ 𝑦𝐴 152000
𝑦ത = = = 47.5 mm
σ𝐴 3200
EXAMPLE 5. 6: SOLUTION (CONT…)

𝑪
centroid is also known as
𝑦ത neutral axis (N.A)

𝑥ҧ
 EXAMPLE 5.6: SOLUTION
2nd Case:
- if the symmetrical line is considered and takes as reference line,
this problem can also be solved as:
PART AREA(mm2) y(mm) x(mm) Ay (103)(mm3) Ax (103)
(mm3)
20 × 70 20
𝐴1 + 60 = 70 0 98000 0
= 1400 2
60 × 30 60
𝐴2 = 30 0 54000 0
= 1800 2
Σ 3200 152000 0

𝑥ҧ = 0

σ 𝑦𝐴 152000
𝑦ത = = = 47.5 mm
σ𝐴 3200
EXAMPLE 5. 6: SOLUTION (CONT…)

N.A.
EXERCISE 5.4
Determine the centroid of composite areas as shown in the
figure.
 EXERCISE 5.4 : SOLUTION
1st Case:
- If there are no reference axis in the figure, please stated the
reference axis. PART AREA(mm ) y(mm) x(mm) Ay (10 )(mm ) Ax (10 ) (mm )
2 3 3 3 3

120 x 24 = 24/2 + 100

1 120/2 = 60 322.56 172.8
2880 = 112
24 x 100 = 48 + 24/2
2 100/2 = 50 120 144
2400 = 60
Σ: 5280 Σ: 442.56 x 103 Σ: 316.8 x 103
EXERCISE 5.4: SOLUTION (CONT…)

centroid is also known as

neutral axis (N.A)
 EXERCISE
nd
7.4: SOLUTION
2 Case:
- If the reference axis is stated in the figure, determine the
centroid from the reference axis given.

PART AREA(mm2) y(mm) x(mm) Ay (103)(mm3) Ax (103)

(mm3)
1 120 x 24= 24/2 + 100 = 0 322.56 0
2880 112
2 24 x 100 = 100/2 = 50 0 120 0
2400
Σ: 5280 Σ: 442.56 x 103 0
EXERCISE 5.4: SOLUTION (CONT…)
EXAMPLE 5.7

Determine the centroid of composite areas as shown in the

figure below.
EXAMPLE 5.7: SOLUTION

- -
-
EXAMPLE 5.7: SOLUTION
EXAMPLE 5.8
Determine the centroid of the shaded areas as shown in the
figure below.

All unit in meter

EXAMPLE 7.8: SOLUTION
 EXAMPLE 5.9

The cross sectional area of beam with semi-circle hollow at top

and bottom of flange is shown in the figure below. Prove that the
centroid of the beam (shaded area) coincides its neutral axis.
Use the reference axis as provided at the bottom and left sides
of the beam.
EXAMPLE 5.9: SOLUTION

Since the beam is symmetric in x and y axes, thus the neutral axis
of the beam is 6m, 6.5m.
To prove that the centroid of the beam is at the same point of
neutral axis, divide the figure to five areas:
A1

A3
CONT…
CONT…
EXAMPLE 5.10
Determine the centroid of the shaded area shown in the figure.
EXAMPLE 5.10: SOLUTION
EXAMPLE 5.10: SOLUTION
 GROUP
PRESENTATION
GROUP 1
Locate the centroids of the plane curves shown.

Ans: 𝑥ҧ = −3.6 mm , 𝑦ത = 50.90 mm

GROUP 2
Determine the location of the centroid of the
figure below.
 GROUP 3
Determine the centroidal coordinate of the wire in
the figure below.

Ans: 𝑥ҧ = 407.00 mm , 𝑦ത = 101.66 mm

 GROUP 4 the centroidal coordinates of the
Determine
shaded area in figure below.

Ans.: 𝑥ҧ = −0.61 m , yത = 0.96 m

GROUP 5
Determine the location of the centroid of the
shaded area shown in figure below.

Ans.: 𝑥ҧ = 66.6 mm , yത = 308 mm

GROUP 6
Locate the centroids of the plane curves shown.

3 cm

4 cm

5 cm
GROUP 7
Determine the centroid of the shaded area.
𝑦
120mm

𝑟1

𝑟2 𝑟1 = 60mm
80mm
𝑟2 = 40mm
𝑥
60mm

Ans: 𝑥ҧ = 54.8 mm , 𝑦ത = 36.6 mm

GROUP 8
Locate the centroid of the I-section shown in

Ans: 𝑥ҧ = 0 mm , 𝑦ത = 59.71
GROUP 9
Determine the centroid of the shaded area.
y
200

10 500

200
𝑥 All unit in mm
150
400

Ans: 𝑥ҧ = 250.10 mm , 𝑦ത = 317.39 mm

GROUP 10the centroid of the shaded area.
Determine

Ans: 𝑥ҧ = 30.34 mm , 𝑦ത = 33.68 mm

GROUP 11
Determine the centroid of the composite area.

1 in. 1 in.

5 in.

2 in. C y‾
x
3 in. 3 in.

Ans: 𝑥ҧ = 0 in , 𝑦ത = 1.833 in