Lesson No.

Moments of Inertia

7.1 Definition of Moments of Inertia

When forces are distributed continuously over an area upon which they act, it is often
necessary to calculate the moment of these forces about some axis either in or perpendicular to
the plane of the area. The intensity of the force ( pressure or stress ) is proportional to the distance
of the force from the moment axis. The elemental force acting on an element of area is
proportional to distance times differential area, and the elemental moment is proportional to
distance squared times differential area. Therefore, the total moment involves an integral of the
form ∫(𝑑𝑖𝑠𝑡𝑎𝑛𝑐𝑒)2 𝑑(𝑎𝑟𝑒𝑎). This integral is known as the moment of inertia or the second
moment of the area.

The figure shown below illustrates the physical origin of these integrals. In figure a, the
surface area ABCD is subjected to a distributed pressure p whose intensity is proportional to the distance
y from the axis AB. The intensity of pressure p = ky , and the force acting on area dA is pydA and
its moment about AB is equal to pydA(y). Thus the integral is the moment 𝑀 = ∫ 𝑘𝑦 2 𝑑𝐴.
The magnitude M of this couple (bending moment),

𝑀 = ∫ 𝑘𝑦 2 𝑑𝐴 = 𝑘 ∫ 𝑦 2 𝑑𝐴

The last integral is known as the second moment, or moment of inertia, of the beam section with
respect to axis AB. The first moment ydA is multiplied by the moment arm y to obtain the second
moment for the element dA.

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• Rectangular Moment of Inertia.
Consider the area A in the x-y plane as shown. The moments of inertia of the element dA
about the x and y axes are, by definition, 𝑑𝐼𝑥 = 𝑦 2 𝑑𝐴 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑑𝐼𝑦 = 𝑥 2 𝑑𝐴, respectively.
Therefore the moments of inertia about the same axes are:

𝐼𝑥 = ∫ 𝐼𝑥 = ∫ 𝑦 2 𝑑𝐴

𝐼𝑦 = ∫ 𝐼𝑦 = ∫ 𝑥 2 𝑑𝐴

These integrals are known as the rectangular moments of inertia of the area dA.

• Polar Moments of Inertia.

The moments of inertia of dA about the pole O is

𝐽𝑜 = ∫ 𝑟 2 𝑑𝐴
This integral is known as the polar moments of inertia of the area A with respect to the
pole O.
The polar moment of inertia of a given area can be computed from the rectangular
moments of inertia 𝐼𝑥 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝐼𝑦 of the area. Since 𝑟 2 = 𝑥 2 + 𝑦 2 , we write

𝐽0 = ∫ 𝑟 2 𝑑𝐴 = ∫(𝑥 2 + 𝑦 2 ) 𝑑𝐴 = ∫ 𝑦 2 𝑑𝐴 + ∫ 𝑥 2 𝑑𝐴

Or 𝐽𝑜 = 𝐼𝑥 + 𝐼𝑦

• Radius of Gyration.
Consider an area A, as shown, which has rectangular moments of inertia 𝐼𝑥 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝐼𝑦 and a
polar moment of inertia 𝐽𝑜 about O. We now visualize this area to be concentrated into a
long narrow strip of area A a distance 𝑘𝑥 from the x-axis, where 𝑘𝑥 is defined by the relation
y
2
𝐼𝑥 = 𝑘𝑥 𝐴 A
𝑘𝑥
𝐼
𝑘𝑥 = √ 𝑥 O x
𝐴

The distance 𝑘𝑥 is referred to as the radius of gyration of the area with respect to the x axis.
In a similar way, we can define the radii of gyration 𝑘𝑦 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑘𝑜 ; we write
y
𝑦 𝐼
𝐼𝑦 = 𝑘𝑦2 𝐴 → 𝑘𝑦 = √ 𝑘𝑦 A
𝐴
O x
y
𝐽
𝐽𝑜 = 𝑘𝑜2 𝐴 → 𝑘𝑜 = √𝑜 A
𝐴

O x

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7.2 Determination of the Moment of Inertia of an Area by Integration

The integrals

𝐼𝑥 = ∫ 𝑦 2 𝑑𝐴 𝐼𝑦 = ∫ 𝑥 2 𝑑𝐴

Are known as the rectangular moments of inertia of the area A, can be more easily evaluated
if we choose dA to be a thin strip parallel to one of the coordinate axes. To compute 𝐼𝑥 , the strip
parallel to the x axis is chosen, so that all of the points of the strip are at the same distance y from the
x axis ; the moment of inertia 𝑑𝐼𝑥 of the strip is then evaluated. To compute 𝐼𝑦 , the strip parallel to the
y axis is chosen, so that all points of the strip are at the same distance x from the y axis; the moment of
inertia 𝑑𝐼𝑦 = ∫ 𝑥 2 𝑑𝐴 is then evaluated.

Moment of Inertia of a Rectangular Area. Let us determine the moment of inertia of a rectangle
with respect to its base. Dividing the rectangle into strips parallel to the x axis, we obtain

𝑑𝐴 = 𝑏𝑑𝑦 & 𝑑𝐼𝑥 = 𝑦 2 𝑑𝐴 = 𝑦 2 (𝑏𝑑𝑦 )

ℎ
𝐼𝑥 = ∫0 𝑏𝑦 2 𝑑𝑦 y
1
𝐼𝑥 = 𝑏ℎ3
3

𝑑𝐴 = 𝑏𝑑𝑦
H dy

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 Computing 𝑰𝒙 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝑰𝒚 Using the Same Elemental Strips. The formula just derived can be
used to determine the moment of inertia 𝑑𝐼𝑥 with respect to the x axis of a rectangular strip which is
parallel to the y axis, such as the strip shown. Setting 𝑏 = 𝑑𝑥 𝑎𝑛𝑑 ℎ = 𝑦 in the formula
1 3 1
𝑑𝐼𝑥 = 𝑦 𝑑𝑥 → 𝑑𝐼𝑥 = (𝑏)(ℎ)3
3 3

𝑏ℎ 3
𝐼𝑥 =
3

The same element can be used to compute the moments of

inertia 𝐼𝑥 and 𝐼𝑦 of a given area.

𝐼𝑦 = ∫ 𝑑𝐼𝑦 = ∫ 𝑥 2 𝑦𝑑𝑥

𝐼𝑦 = 𝑦 ∫ 𝑥 2 𝑑𝑥

Sample Problems:

Prob. 1. Determine the moments of inertia of a triangle with respect to its base.

Solution:

From the figure shown, the x axis is chosen to coincide with its base. A differential strip parallel to the x-
axis is chosen to be 𝑑𝐴. Since all portions of the strip are at the same distance from the x axis, we write

𝑑𝐼𝑥 = 𝑦 2 𝑑𝐴, 𝑑𝐴 = 𝑙𝑑𝑦

Using similar triangles, we have
𝑙 ℎ−𝑦 ℎ−𝑦 ℎ−𝑦
= , 𝑙=𝑏 , 𝑑𝐴 = 𝑏 𝑑𝑦
𝑏 ℎ ℎ ℎ

Integrating 𝑑𝐼𝑥 from 𝑦 = 0 𝑡𝑜 𝑦 = ℎ, we obtain

ℎ ℎ−𝑦 𝑏 ℎ
𝐼𝑥 = ∫ 𝑦 2 𝑑𝐴 = ∫0 𝑦 2 𝑏 𝑑𝑦 = ∫0 (ℎ𝑦 2 − 𝑦 3 )𝑑𝑦
ℎ ℎ

𝑏 𝑦3 𝑦4 ℎ 𝒃𝒉𝟑
= [ℎ − ] 𝑰𝒙 =
ℎ 3 4 0 𝟏𝟐

Prob. 2.

a) Determine the centroidal polar moment of inertia of a circular area by direct integration.
b) Using the result in (a), determine the moment of inertia of a circular area with respect to a
diameter.

Solution:

a. Polar Moment of Inertia. A ring with a thickness of 𝑑𝑢 is chosen to be

a differential area 𝑑𝐴. Since all portions of the differential area are at the
same distance from the origin, we write

𝒅𝑱𝒐 = 𝒖𝟐 𝒅𝑨, 𝑑𝐴 = 2𝜋𝑢 𝑑𝑢

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 𝑟 𝑟
𝐽0 = ∫ 𝑑𝐽𝑜 = ∫0 𝑢2 (2𝜋𝑢 𝑑𝑢) = 2𝜋 ∫0 𝑢3 𝑑𝑢

𝑢4
= 2𝜋[ ]𝑟0
4
𝝅
𝑱𝒐 = 𝒓𝟒
𝟐

b. Moment of Inertia with Respect to a Diameter. Because of symmetry of the circular area with respect
to a diameter, we have 𝐼𝑥 = 𝐼𝑦 . We write

𝐽𝑜 = 𝐼𝑥 + 𝐼𝑦 = 2𝐼𝑥 𝑜𝑟 2𝐼𝑦
𝜋 𝝅
𝑟 4 = 2𝐼𝑥 𝑰𝒅𝒊𝒂𝒏𝒆𝒕𝒆𝒓 = 𝑰𝒙 = 𝒓𝟒
2 𝟒

Prob. 3. Determine the moment of inertia of the area under the parabola about the x-axis using
integration. Solve by using (a) a horizontal strip of area and (b) a vertical strip of area.

Solution: Solve for the constant from the equation of the curve, by
substituting 𝑥 = 4 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑦 = 3.

𝑥 = 𝑘𝑦 2 → 4 = 𝑘(3)2
𝑘 = 4/9 (constant)

(a) Horizontal Strip. Refer to figure (a). Since all parts of the
horizontal strip are the same distance from the x-axis, so the
moment of inertia about the x-axis:

𝑰𝒙 = ∫ 𝒚𝟐 𝒅𝑨 where 𝑑𝐴 = (4 − 𝑥)𝑑𝑦
𝑦2
𝑑𝐴 = (4 − 𝑘𝑦 2 )𝑑𝑦 = 4 (1 − ) 𝑑𝑦
9

3 𝑦2 72
𝐼𝑥 = ∫0 4𝑦 2 (1 − ) 𝑑𝑦 = = 𝟏𝟒. 𝟒 (𝒖𝒏𝒊𝒕𝒔)𝟒
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(b) Vertical Strip. Refer to figure (b). Here all parts of the element
are at different distances from the x-axis, so we have to use correct
formula for the moment of inertia of the elemental rectangle about
its base, which is:
𝑏ℎ 3
𝐼𝑥 = . For which the width 𝑏 = 𝑑𝑥 and the height ℎ = 𝑦.
3
So the expression becomes
1 1
𝑑𝐼𝑥 = (𝑑𝑥)𝑦 3, 𝐼𝑥 = ∫ 𝑑𝐼𝑥 = ∫ 𝑦 3 𝑑𝑥 where 𝑦 = √𝑥/𝑘
3 3

𝑥
𝑦=√ = 3/2√𝑥
4/9

1 4 3√𝑥 3 72
𝐼𝑥 = ∫0 ( ) 𝑑𝑥 = = 𝟏𝟒. 𝟒 (𝒖𝒏𝒊𝒕𝒔)𝟒
3 2 5

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7.3 Parallel Axis Theorem

Consider the moment of inertia 𝐼 of an area A with respect to an axis AA’ , we write

𝐼 = ∫ 𝑦 2 𝑑𝐴

Let us draw through the centroid C of the area an axis BB’ parallel to AA’ ; this axis is called the centroidal
axis. Denoting by y’ the distance from the element dA to BB’ , we write 𝑦 = 𝑦 ′ + 𝑑 , where 𝑑 is the
distance between the axes AA’ and BB’ . Substituting for y in the above integral, we write

𝐼 = ∫ 𝑦 2 𝑑𝐴 = ∫(𝑦 ′ + 𝑑)2 𝑑𝐴

𝐼 = ∫ 𝑦′2 𝑑𝐴 + 2𝑑 ∫ 𝑦 ′ 𝑑𝐴 + 𝑑 2 ∫ 𝑑𝐴

The first integral represents the moment of inertia 𝐼 ̅ of the area with respect to the centroidal axis BB’.
The second integral represents the first moment of the area with respect to BB’; since the centroid C
of the area is located on the axis, the second integral must be zero. Finally, we observe that the last
integral is equal to the total area A. Therefore, we have

𝐼 = 𝐼̅ + 𝐴𝑑 2
This formula expresses that the moment of inertia I of an area with respect to any given axis
AA’ is equal to the moment of inertia 𝐼 ̅ of the area with respect to a centroidal axis BB’ parallel to
AA’ plus the product of the area and the square of the distance d between the two axes. This
theorem is known as the parallel-axis theorem.

Composite Areas

It is frequently necessary to calculate the moment of inertia of an area composed of a number of

distinct parts of simple and calculable geometric shape. Since a moment of inertia is the integral or sum
of the products of distance squared times element of area, it follows that the moment of inertia of a
positive area is always a positive quantity. Therefore the moments of inertia of a composite area about a
particular axis is simply the sum of the moments of inertia of its component parts about the same axis.

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Sample Problem:

Calculate the moment of inertia and radius of gyration about the x-axis for the shaded area shown.

Solution. The composite area is composed of the positive area of the

rectangle (1) and the negative areas of the quarter circle (2) and the
triangle (3). For the rectangle the moment of inertia about the x-axis,
from the table below is
𝑏ℎ3 (80)(60)3
𝐼𝑟𝑥 = = = 5.76 × 106 𝑚𝑚4
3 3

The moment of inertia of the quarter-circular area , ( to be subtracted

from the moment of the rectangular area about the x-axis) about its
base axis x’ axis as shown is
1 𝜋𝑟 4 𝜋
𝐼𝑥′ = ( )= (30)4 = 0.159 × 106 𝑚𝑚4
4 4 16

We now transfer this result through the centroid of the area (2) by
the transfer-of-axis theorem or parallel axis theorem to get the
centroidal moment of inertia of the quarter circular area about it centroidal axis 𝑥𝑜 . From the parallel
axis theorem, we get
𝜋(30)2
𝐼𝑥′ = 𝐼𝑥𝑜 + 𝐴𝑑 2 , 𝐼𝑥𝑜 = 𝐼𝑥′ − 𝐴𝑑 2 = 0.159 × 106 − [ (12.73)2 ] = 44.452 × 103 𝑚𝑚4
4

4𝑟 4(30)
Where 𝑑 = 𝑟̅ and 𝑟̅ = = = 12.73 𝑚𝑚 (location of the centroid of quarter circular area)
3𝜋 3𝜋

The moment of inertia of the quarter circular area about the x-axis is now

𝐼𝑞𝑥 = 𝐼𝑥𝑜 + 𝐴𝑑 2 where 𝑑 = 60 − 12.73 = 47.27 𝑚𝑚

𝜋(30)2
𝐼𝑞𝑥 = 44.452 × 103 + (47.27)2 = 1.624 × 106 𝑚𝑚4
4

Finally, the moments of inertia of the triangular area (3) about its base (to be subtracted), from the table
𝑏ℎ3 (40)(30)3
𝐼𝑡𝑥 = = = 90 × 103 𝑚𝑚4
12 12

The total moment of inertia of the shaded composite area about the x-axis is

𝐼𝑥,𝑡𝑜𝑡𝑎𝑙 = 𝐼𝑟𝑥 − 𝐼𝑞𝑥 − 𝐼𝑡𝑥 = 5.76 × 106 − 1.624 × 106 − 90 × 103

𝑰𝒙,𝒕𝒐𝒕𝒂𝒍 = 𝟒. 𝟎𝟒𝟔 × 𝟏𝟎𝟔 𝒎𝒎𝟒

1 1
The net shaded area 𝐴 = 60(80) − 𝜋(30)2 − (40)(30) = 3493 𝑚𝑚2
4 2

So the radius of gyration about the x-axis is

𝑘𝑥 = √𝐼𝑥 /𝐴 = √4.046 × 106 /3493 = 34.0 𝑚𝑚

𝒌𝒙 = 𝟑𝟒 𝒎𝒎

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Moments of Inertia of Common Geometric Shapes

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