11/26/2013

1
Centroids and Centre of Gravity
There are many examples in engineering analysis
of distributed loads. It is convenient in some
cases to represent such loads as a concentrated
force located at the centroid of the distributed
load.
Engineers Mechanics- Distributed Forces
The earth exerts a gravitational force on
each of the particles forming a body
consider how your weight is distributed
throughout your body. These forces can
be replaced by a single equivalent force
equal to the weight of the body and
applied at the center of gravity for the
body.
The centroid of an area is analogous to the center
of gravity of a body; it is the center of area.
The concept of the first moment of an area is used
to locate the centroid.
Center of Gravity of a 2D Body
Center of gravity of a plate
}

}

=
=
=
=
dW y
W y W y M
dW x
W x W x M
x
y

:
:
Center of gravity of a wire
Engineers Mechanics- Distributed Forces
11/26/2013
2
Centroids and First Moments of Areas and Lines
( ) ( )
x
Q dA y A y
y
Q dA x A x
dA t x At x
dW x W x
x
y
spect to nt with re first mome
spect to nt with re first mome
=
= =
=
= =
=
=
}
}
}
}

Centroid of an area
( ) ( )
}
}
}
}
=
=
=
=
dL y L y
dL x L x
dL a x La x
dW x W x

Centroid of a line
Engineers Mechanics- Distributed Forces
First Moments of Areas and Lines
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).
The centroid of the area coincides with the
center of symmetry.
Engineers Mechanics- Distributed Forces
11/26/2013
3
Determination of Centroids by Integration
( )
( ) ydx
y
dA y A y
ydx x
dA x A x
el
el
}
}
}
}
=
=
=
=
2
( ) | |
( ) | | dy x a y
dA y A y
dy x a
x a
dA x A x
el
el
=
=

+
=
=
}
}
}
}
2
|
.
|

\
|
=
=
|
.
|

\
|
=
=
}
}
}
}


d r
r
dA y A y
d r
r
dA x A x
el
el
2
2
2
1
sin
3
2
2
1
cos
3
2
} }} }
} }} }
= = =
= = =
dA y dy dx y dA y A y
dA x dy dx x dA x A x
el
el
Double integration to find the first moment
may be avoided by defining dA as a thin
rectangle or strip.
Engineers Mechanics- Distributed Forces
Determine by direct integration the
distance of the centroid from the
base b of the triangle of height h.
h
b
SOLUTION:
Evaluate the total area.
Using horizontal element, perform a
single integration to find the first
moment about base.
Evaluate the centroidcoordinate from
base.
Engineers Mechanics- Distributed Forces
Sample Problem
11/26/2013
4
h
b
Sample Problem
x
y
y
dy
w
Evaluate the total area.
0
2
h
A dA
b(h y) bh
wdy dy
h
=

= = =
}
} }
2
0
6
h
x el
b(h y) bh
Q y dA ywdy y dy
h

= = = =
} } }
perform a single integration to find
the first moments.
2
2 6
x
yA Q
bh bh
y
=
=
Evaluate the centroid
y
3
h
y =
Engineers Mechanics- Distributed Forces
Sample Problem
Determine by direct integration the
location of the centroidof a parabolic
spandrel.
SOLUTION:
Determine the constant k.
Evaluate the total area.
Using either vertical or horizontal
element, perform a single integration
to find the first moments.
Evaluate the centroid coordinates.
Engineers Mechanics- Distributed Forces
11/26/2013
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SOLUTION:
Determine the constant k.
2 1
2 1
2
2
2
2
2
y
b
a
x or x
a
b
y
a
b
k a k b
x k y
= =
= =
=
Evaluate the total area.
3
3
0
3
2
0
2
2
ab
x
a
b
dx x
a
b
dx y
dA A
a
a
=
(
(

= = =
=
} }
}
Sample Problem
Engineers Mechanics- Distributed Forces
Using vertical element, perform a single
integration to find the first moments.
Q
y
= x
el
dA } = xydx } = x
b
a
2
x
2
|
\

|
.
|
dx
0
a
}
=
b
a
2
x
4
4



(

(
0
a
=
a
2
b
4
Q
x
= y
el
dA } =
y
2
ydx } =
1
2
b
a
2
x
2
|
\

|
.
|
2
dx
0
a
}
=
b
2
2a
4
x
5
5



(

(
0
a
=
ab
2
10
Engineers Mechanics- Distributed Forces
Sample Problem
11/26/2013
6
Sample Problem
Or, using horizontal element, perform a single
integration to find the first moments. Try
calculating Q
y
or Q
x
by this method, and confirm
that you get the same value as before.
( )
( )
10
4 2
1
2 2
2
0
2 3
2 1
2 1
2 1
2
0
2
2
0
2 2
ab
dy y
b
a
ay
dy y
b
a
a y dy x a y dA y Q
b a
dy y
b
a
a
dy
x a
dy x a
x a
dA x Q
b
el x
b
b
el y
=
|
.
|

\
|
=
|
.
|

\
|
= = =
=
|
|
.
|

\
|
=

=
+
= =
}
} } }
}
} } }
Engineers Mechanics- Distributed Forces
Sample Problem
Evaluate the centroid coordinates.
4 3
2
b a ab
x
Q A x
y
=
=
a x
4
3
=
10 3
2
ab ab
y
Q A y
x
=
=
b y
10
3
=
Engineers Mechanics- Distributed Forces
11/26/2013
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Sample Problem
Engineers Mechanics- Distributed Forces
Sample Problem
Engineers Mechanics- Distributed Forces
11/26/2013
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Sample Problem
Engineers Mechanics- Distributed Forces
2 2
1
2
A dA r d r

| |
= == =
|
\ .
} }
Engineers Mechanics- Distributed Forces
Sample Problem
11/26/2013
9
Engineers Mechanics- Distributed Forces
Sample Problem
Centroids of Common Shapes of Areas
Engineers Mechanics- Distributed Forces
11/26/2013
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Centroids of Common Shapes of Areas
Engineers Mechanics- Distributed Forces
Composite Plates and Areas
Composite plates
i i i
i i i
X W x W
Y W y W
=
=


Composite area
i i
i
i i i
X A x A
Y A y A
=
=


Engineers Mechanics- Distributed Forces
11/26/2013
11
Sample Problem
For the plane area shown, determine
the first moments with respect to the
x and y axes and the location of the
centroid.
SOLUTION:
Divide the area into a triangle, rectangle,
and semicircle with a circular cutout.
Compute the coordinates of the area
centroid by dividing the first moments by
the total area.
Find the total area and first moments of
the triangle, rectangle, and semicircle.
Subtract the area and first moment of the
circular cutout.
Calculate the first moments of each area
with respect to the axes.
Engineers Mechanics- Distributed Forces
Sample Problem
3 3
3 3
mm 10 7 757
mm 10 2 506
+ =
+ =
. Q
. Q
y
x
Find the total area and first moments of the
triangle, rectangle, and semicircle. Subtract the
area and first moment of the circular cutout.
Engineers Mechanics- Distributed Forces
11/26/2013
12
Sample Problem
2 3
3 3
mm 10 13.828
mm 10 7 . 757

+
= =

A
A x
X
mm 8 . 54 = X
2 3
3 3
mm 10 13.828
mm 10 2 . 506

+
= =

A
A y
Y
mm 6 . 36 = Y
Compute the coordinates of the area centroid by dividing the first
moments by the total area.
Engineers Mechanics- Distributed Forces