Applied mechanics (CE 101T)

(centre of gravity)
By:
Poonam Savsani
Department of Mechanical Engineering
School of Technology

1
• Centre of gravity of one dimensional body (e.g. wire) and two
dimensional body (e.g. plate) is known as Centroid.
• Definition--The Point located at an object’s average position o
f the weight.
• In other words…. The center of an object’s weight
• Symmetrical object’s, like a baseball the C.G. would be in the
exact center of object
– However other oddly shaped objects will find COG in any n
umber of positions, depending on weight distribution
COG
C.O.G.

When objects rotate freely they must rotate about

an axis through the COG

Basically treat the object as if all its weight is

concentrated at that one point.
 C.O.G. ---Balancing
• For an object to balance, and not
topple… support must be directly
below C.O.G
 Where C.O.G. is located

Generally found in the middle of all t
he weight…

Does not even have to be within, the
object itself
 Ex. boomerang

Will be located toward one side of a
n object where most of its mass is fo
cused…
 Ex. Weebles

C.G

6
 Centroid
 However, when we deal with merely the geometry of
a body as in the case of volume, area or line, this (cog) is
termed as Centroid.
 Graphically labeled as
APPLICATIONS

To design the struct

ure for supporting a w
ater tank, we will nee
d to know the weights
of the tank and water
as well as the location
s where the resultant f
orces representing th
ese distributed loads
act.

8
How can we determine these weights and their locations?
 APPLICATIONS

One concern about a sport utility vehicle (SUV) is that it mig

ht tip over while taking a sharp turn.
One of the important factors in determining its stability is
the SUV’s center of mass.
Should it be higher or lower to make a SUV more stable?
Methods for the centre of gravity
• by geometric consideration
• by moments
• by Integration
 By geometric shape
The centroid, C, is a point which defines the geometric center of
an object.

For simple shapes, the centroid, C,

can be found by inspection or by using
tables of values provided in the text.
 Centroid of One dimensional Geometrical Shapes(Wire)

12
Centroid Two Dimensional Geometrical Shapes (Plate) (Lamina)
CENTRE OF GRAVITIES OF STANDARD SOLIDS (Solids)
CENTRE OF GRAVITIES OF STANDARD SOLIDS (Hollow)
Theorem of Moments
"The moment of the resultant gravitational force (weight) W about
any axis is equal to the sum of the moments of individual weights a
bout the same axis,"
• Let us consider a flat plate in x – y
plane.
• Plate is divided into (n) number of sta
ndard shapes whose areas and locati
on of centroids are known.
• Let ,
(1) A1, A2, A3 ….., An. are the areas
of the standard shapes.
(2) W1,W2, W3, …..,Wn are the weigh
ts of the standard shapes.
(3) G1,G2, G3,…,Gn are the centroids of the standard shap
es.
(4) (x1,y1), (x2,y2), ….(xn, yn) are the location of co-ordinat 17
es of G1,G2, G3,…,Gn respectively.
 • Resultant W = W1 + W2 +W3 +.…..,+Wn ( )
• To get the position co-ordinates (x, y) of the resultant, apply
Varignon's Principle and equate moments of W1,W2, W3, …..,Wn
about x-axis with the moment of their resultant W about the same
x-axis
W· Y = W1Y1+ W2 Y2 +W3 Y3 + .....+Wn Yn
• Similarly equating the moments about y-axis, we get
W· X = W1 X1 + W2 X2 +W3 X3 + .....+Wn Xn

• If the complete plate is of the same material and if the thickness

of the plate is same through out, the areas A1, A2, A3 …, An can
be written in place of W1,W2, W3, …..,Wn . Hence

A1 y1 + A2 y2 + A3 y3 + ...... + An yn A1 x1 + A2 x2 + A3 x3 + ...... + An xn
Y= X=
A1 + A2 + A3 + .... + An A1 + A2 + A3 + .... + An
• If any area is negative then (-ve) sign is used before that area.
1. Similarly for one dimensional objects (e.g wire)

L1 x1 + L2 x2 + L3 x3 + ......,+ Ln xn
X=
L1 + L2 + L3 + ....,+ Ln
L1 y1 + L2 y2 + L3 y3 + ......,+ Ln yn
Y=
L1 + L2 + L3 + ....,+ Ln
2. Similarly for Solid objects (e.g having 3-dimens
ional)
V1 x1 + V2 x2 + V3 x3 + ......,+Vn xn
X=
V1 + V2 + V3 + ....,+Vn

V1 y1 + V2 y2 + V3 y3 + ......,+Vn yn
Y=
V1 + V2 + V3 + ....,+Vn
 3. For object made of different density materials

W x + W2 x2 + W3 x3 + ......,+Wn xn W1 y1 + W2 y2 + W3 y3 + ......, +Wn yn

X= 1 1 Y=
W1 + W2 + W3 + ....,+Wn W1 + W2 + W3 + ....,+Wn

• CENTROID & CENTRE OF GRAVITY

X =
∑ dLx
Y=
∑ dLy
(centroid)
∑ dL ∑ dL
X=
∑ Ax i i
Y=
∑ Ay i i
(centroid)
∑A i ∑A i

X =
∑ Vρx
Y=
∑ Vρy
(centre of Gravity)
∑Vρ ∑Vρ 20
Determine the centroid of the wire shown in Fig

segment X Y
G1 AB 300 0
G2 BC 600 100
G3 CD 600-150cos45 150sin45+200
segment X Y
G1 AB 300 0
G2 BC 600 100
G3 CD 600-150cos45 150sin45+200
• Locate the centroid of the uniform wire bent as shown in Fig.

X Y
G1 200 0
G2 150+400 2*150/pi
G2 400+300+250C0S30/2 250SIN30/2
Centroid Location Complex Shapes

2
1

1. Divide the shape into simple shapes.

2. Determine a reference axis.

 Centroid Location Complex Shapes
Review: Calculating area of simple shapes

Area of a s
quare = Area of a rectangle =

Side2 Width * Height

Area of a triangle =
Area of
a circle =
πr2 ½ (base)(height)
25
 Centroid Location Complex Shapes
3. Calculate the area of each simple shape.
Assume measurements have 3 digits.
Area of shape #1 =
width x height
3.00in. x 6.00in. = 18.0in.2
18in.2 4.5in.2 Area of shape #2 =
2
9in.2 ½ base x height
½x3.00in.x3.00in. = 4.50in.2
Area of shape #3 =
side2
26 (3.00in.)2 = 9.00in.2
 Centroid Location Complex Shapes
4. Determine the centroid of each simple shape.
Shape #1 Centroid Location
Centroid is located at the
intersection of the lines o
1/3 h f symmetry.
1/3 b Shape #2 Centroid Location
Centroid is located at the
intersection of 1/3 its hei
ght and 1/3 its base.
Shape #3 Centroid Location
Centroid is located at the
intersection of the lines o
27
f symmetry.
 Centroid Location Complex Shapes
5. Determine the distance from each simple shape’s ce
ntroid to the reference axis (x and y).

4in.

1.5in.

4in.
4.5in.
3in.

1.5in.
Centroid Location Complex Shapes
6. Multiply each simple shape’s area by its distance f
rom centroid to reference axis.
Shape Area (A) xi Axi
1 18.0in.2 x 1.50in.27.0in.3
2 4.50in.2 x 4.00in. 18.0in.3
3 9.00in.2 x 4.50in.40.5in.3

Shape Area (A) yi Ayi

1 18.0in.2 x 3.00in. 54.0in.3
2 4.50in.2 x 4.00in.18.0in.3
3 9.00in.2 x 1.50in.13.5in.3
 Centroid Location Complex Shapes
7. Sum the products of each simple shape’s area and th
eir distances from the centroid to the reference axis.

Shape Axi ∑ Ax
= 27.0in.3
+ 18.0in.3
i

1 27.0in.3
2 18.0in.3 + 40.5in.3
3 40.5in.3 85.5in.3
Shape Ayi ∑ Ay i
= 54.0in.3
1 54.0in.3 + 18.0in.3
2 18.0in.3 + 13.5in.3
3 13.5in.3
85.5in.3
 Centroid Location Complex Shapes
8. Sum the individual simple shape’s area to dete
rmine total shape area.
Shape A
1 18in.2 ∑ A
= 18.0in.2
2 4.5in.2 + 4.5in.2
3 9in.2 + 9.0in.2

31.5in.2
4.5in.2
18in.2

9in.2
 Centroid Location Complex Shapes
9. Divide the summed product of areas and distances
by the summed object total area.

∑ Ay i
= 85.5in.3 2.7in.

∑ Ax i
= 85.5in.3
∑ A
= 31.5in.2

85.5in.3
= = 2.71in.
2.7in.
31.5in.2

85.5in.3
= = 2.71in.
Does this shape have any lines o

31.5in.2 f symmetry?
Use of Axis of Symmetry

Centroid of an area lies on the axis of symmetry if it exits.

This is useful theorem to locate the centroid of an area.
Locate the centroid of the I-section shown in Fig.

Selecting the coordinate system as shown in Fig, due to symmetry centroid must
lie on y axis,
i.e., x = 0
 1

AREA X Y
RECT1 100*20 0 20/2+100+30
RECT2 20*100 0 100/2+30
RECT3 150*30 0 30/2
 2

1
3

AREA X Y
RECT1 100*200 100 50
TRI2 20*100 200-200/3 100+50/3
CIR3 π R2 /2 150 4*50/3*п
Steps to determine the centroid by integration

1. Choose an appropriate differential element dA at a general point (x,y).

Hint: Generally, if y is easily expressed in terms of x (e.g., y = x2 + 1), use a
vertical rectangular element. If the converse is true, then use a horizontal
rectangular element.

2. Express dA in terms of the differentiating element dx (or dy).

3. Determine coordinates ( ~x, ~ y ) of the centroid of the rectangular element in

terms of the general point (x,y).

4. Express all the variables and integral limits in the formula using either x or y
depending on whether the differential element is in terms of dx or dy, respectively,
and integrate.
Example: Determining a centroid using integration

Given: The area as shown.

Find: The centroid location (x , y)
Plan: Follow the steps.

Solution
1. Since y is given in terms of x, choo
se dA as a vertical rectangular stri
p.

2. dA = y dx = x3 dx
~
3. x = x and y~ = y / 2 = x3 / 2
4. x = ( ∫A ~x dA ) / ( ∫A dA )
1
0 ∫ x (x 3 ) d x 1/5 [ x5 ]1
0
= =
0 ∫1
(x 3 ) d x 1/4 [ x40 ]1
= ( 1/5) / ( 1/4) = 0.8 m
Theorems of Pappus-Guldinus

• Surface of revolution is generated by rotating a pla

ne curve about a fixed axis.

• Area of a surface of revolution is equa

l to the length of the generating curve
times the distance traveled by the cen
troid through the rotation.

A = 2π yL
Theorems of Pappus-Guldinus2

• Body of revolution is generated by rotating a plane

area about a fixed axis.

• Volume of a body of revolution is equ

al to the generating area times the di
stance traveled by the centroid throug
h the rotation.

V = 2π y A
The outside diameter of a pulley is 0.8
m, and the cross section of its rim is as
shown. Knowing that the pulley is mad
e of steel and that the density of steel is
determine the mass and weight of the ri
ρ = 7.85 ×103 kg m 3
m.
SOLUTION:
• Apply the theorem of Pappus-Guldinus to
evaluate the volumes or revolution for the
rectangular rim section and the inner cuto
ut section.
• Multiply by density and acceleration to g
et the mass and acceleration.

( 3 3
)(  −9 3
6 3
3
)
m = ρV = 7.85 × 10 kg m 7.65 × 10 mm 10 m mm  m = 60.0 kg
 
(
W = mg = (60.0 kg ) 9.81 m s 2 ) W = 589 N
 Moment of intertia
• Defn:
• The second moment of area, also known as the area moment
of inertia, moment of inertia of plane area, or second mome
nt of inertia is a property of a cross section that can be used to
predict the resistance of beams to bending and deflection, aroun
d an axis that lies in the cross-sectional plane.

Whenever distributed loading acts

perpendicular to an area and its
intensity varies linearly, the
computation of the moment of the
loading distribution about an axis
will involve a quantity called moment
of inertia.
• M.I is directly related to the area of material in the cross-section
and the displacement of that area from the centroid.
• The second moment of area is a measure of the 'efficiency' of a
shape to resist bending caused by loading.
• A beam tends to change its shape when loaded. The second mo
ment of area is a measure of a shape's resistance to change.
 The radius of gyration
• The radius of gyration of an area is defined as the i
maginary radius from the reference axis where the w
hole area is assumed to be concentrated.
 Polar Moment of Inertia
Polar moment of inertia is a quantity used to predict an object's
ability to resist torsion.

The larger the Polar Moment of Inertia the less the beam will twist.

∫ dA
2
Ip = ρ
A

∫ (x )
2
Ip = + y 2 dA
A

∫ dA + ∫
2
Ip = x y 2 dA
A A

I p = I xx + I yy
Theorem of Perpendicular Axis

• "If Ixx and Iyy be the moments of inertia of a plane secti

on about two perpendicular axes meeting at o, the mo
ment of inertia Izz about the z-z axis, perpendicular to
the plane and passing through the intersection of x-x
and y-y axes is given by:
• Izz = Ixx + Iyy ”
Theorem of Parallel Axes /Theorem of Transfer of Axes

Moment of inertia about any axis in the plane of an area is equal to the sum of
moment of inertia about a parallel centroidal axis and the product of area and
square of the distance between the two parallel axis.
 MOMENT OF INERTIA FROM FIRST PRINCIPLES

Moment of Inertia of a Rectangle about the Centroidal Axis:

Consider an elemental strip of width dy at a distance
y from the axis. Moment of inertia of the
elemental strip about the centroidal axis xx is:
61
MOMENT OF INERTIA OF COMPOSITE SECTIONS

64
65
Determine the moment of inertia of the section shown in Fig about an axis passi
ng through the centroid and parallel to the top most fibre of the section. Also dete
rmine moment of inertia about the axis of symmetry. Hence find radii
of gyration.
 = 108.79 mm

AREA X Y
RECT1 150*10 0 5+140
RECT2 140*10 0 140/2=70
 145-108.79

108.79-70

108.79
Determine the moments of inertia and the radius of gyration of the
shaded area with respect to the x and y axes.