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Centroid and Moment of Inertia

The document explains the concepts of center of gravity (C.G.) and centroid, highlighting their differences and methods for calculation. It provides formulas for determining the C.G. of both symmetrical and unsymmetrical plane figures, along with examples for clarity. The document also discusses the importance of reference axes in these calculations.

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sirbeiry01
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22 views5 pages

Centroid and Moment of Inertia

The document explains the concepts of center of gravity (C.G.) and centroid, highlighting their differences and methods for calculation. It provides formulas for determining the C.G. of both symmetrical and unsymmetrical plane figures, along with examples for clarity. The document also discusses the importance of reference axes in these calculations.

Uploaded by

sirbeiry01
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Centroid and Moment of Inertia

CENTER OF GRAVITY
The point, through which the whole weight of the body acts, irrespective of its position, is known
as center of gravity (briefly written as C.G.). It may be noted that everybody has one and only one
center of gravity.
CENTROID
Plane figures (like triangles, quadrilaterals, circles etc.) have only areas, but no mass. The center
of area of such figures is known as the centroid. The method of finding out the centroid of a figure
is the same as that of finding out the center of gravity of a body.
It should be noted that the center of gravity applies to bodies with mass and weight whereas the
centroid applies to plane areas (without mass)
Axis of Reference
The center of gravity of a body is calculated with reference to some assumed axis known as the
axis of reference. The axis of reference of plane figures is generally taken as the lowest line of
the figure for calculating y̅ and the left line of the figure for calculating x̅.

Center of Gravity of Plane Figures


Let x̅ and y̅ be the coordinates of the center of gravity with respect to some axis of reference.
Then,
𝑎1 𝑥1 +𝑎2 𝑥2 +𝑎3 𝑥3 +⋯
x̅ = and
𝑎1 +𝑎2 +𝑎3 +⋯

𝑎1 𝑦1 +𝑎2 𝑦2 +𝑎3 𝑦3 +⋯
y̅ = 𝑎1 +𝑎2 +𝑎3 +⋯

Where,
𝑎1 , 𝑎2 , 𝑎3 … etc. are the areas into which the whole figure is divided. 𝑥1 , 𝑥2 , 𝑥3 … are the
respective the respective coordinates of the areas 𝑎1 , 𝑎2 , 𝑎3 … on X-X axis with reference to the
same axis of reference.
𝑦1 , 𝑦2 , 𝑦3 … are the respective the respective coordinates of the areas 𝑎1 , 𝑎2 , 𝑎3 … on Y-Y axis
with reference to the same axis of reference.
Center of Gravity of Symmetrical Sections
Sometimes, the given section whose center of gravity is required to be found out is symmetrical
about the X-X or Y-Y axis. In such cases the procedure for calculating the center of gravity is
simplified as have only to calculate either x̅ or y̅. This is so because the center of gravity of the
figure will lie on the axis of symmetry.
Example 1
Find the center of gravity of a 100 mm x 150 mm x 30 mm T-section.
Solution
As the section is symmetrical about Y-Y axis, bisecting the web, its center of gravity will lie on
this axis. Split up the section into two rectangles ABCH and DEFG as below:

Let the bottom of the section, FE be the axis of reference.


From rectangle ABCH
a1 = 100 x 30 = 3000 mm2
30
and y1 = 150 − = 135 mm
2

From rectangle DEFG


a2 = 120 x 30 = 3600 mm
150−30
and y2 = = 60 mm
2

diagram showing the determination of y1 and y2.


The distance between the center of gravity of the section and the bottom of the flange FE is
𝑎1 𝑦1 +𝑎2 𝑦2 (3000×135)+(3600×60)
y̅ = = = 94.1 mm
𝑎1 +𝑎2 3000+3600

Example 2
Find the center of gravity of a channel section 100 mm x 50 mm x 15 mm.
Solution
The section is symmetrical about X-X axis, therefore its center of gravity will lie on this axis. Divide
the section into three rectangles ABCJ, EGKJ and CDHK as shown below.

Let the face AC be the axis of reference.


From triangle ABFJ
a1 = 50 x 15 =750 mm
50
x1 = = 25 mm
2

from triangle EGKJ


a2 = (100-15-15) x 15 = 1050 mm
15
x2 = = 7.5 mm
2

from triangle CDHK


a3 = 50 x 15 = 750 mm
50
x3 = = 25 mm
2

The distance between the center of gravity of the section and left face of the section AC is
𝑎1 𝑥1 +𝑎2 𝑥2 +𝑎3 𝑥3
x̅ = 𝑎1 +𝑎2 +𝑎3

(750 × 25) + (1050 × 7.5) + (750 × 25)


= = 17.8 mm
750 + 1050 + 750

Determination of x1, x2 and x3 from the section


Exercise

Determine the position of the center of gravity of the I-section above. [Answer: 160.7 mm]
Center of Gravity of Unsymmetrical Sections
Sometimes, the given section whose center of gravity is about to be found is not symmetrical
either about the X-X or Y-Y axis. In such cases, we have to find out both the value of x̅ and y̅.
Example 3
Find the centroid of an unequal angle section 100 mm x 80 mm x 20 mm.
Solution

As the section is not symmetrical about any axis, therefore we have to find out the values of x̅
and y̅. split up the section into sections as shown in the diagram.
Let the left face of the vertical section (rectangle 1) and the bottom face of the horizontal section
(rectangle 2) be the axes of reference.
From rectangle 1
a1 = 100 x 20 = 2000 mm2
20
x1 = = 10 mm
2
100
y1 = = 50 mm
2

From rectangle 2
a2 = (80 – 20) x 20 = 1200 mm
80−20
x2 = 20 + = 50 mm
2
20
y2 = = 10 mm
2

The distance between the center of gravity of the section from the left face
𝑎1 𝑥1 +𝑎2 𝑥2 (2000 ×10)+(1200×50)
x̅ = = = 25 mm
𝑎1 +𝑎2 2000+1200

Similarly, distance between the center of gravity of the section and the bottom face
𝑎1 𝑦1 + 𝑎2 𝑦2 (2000 × 50) + (1200 × 10)
y̅ = = = 35 mm
𝑎1 + 𝑎2 2000 + 1200

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