Engg 407: Statics of Rigid Bodies

MODULE 5: Centroids
References:

Beer, F. P., Johnston , E., & Mazurek, D. F. (2016). Vector Mechanics for Engineers: Statics 11th Edition. McGraw-Hill Education.
Singer, F. L. (n.d.). Engineering Mechanics 2nd Ed. Harper & Row, New York, Evanston & London.
Kraige, L.G., & Meriam, J.L. (2012). Engineering Mechanics Statics 7th Edition. John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

Module Introduction:

In future topics on Engineering Mechanics and Mechanics of Deformable Bodies, it is very

significant to know how to locate the centroid of an area. Particularly when there are distributed
loads on a structure or its member, it is a must that its centroid can be located for proper analysis.
Also, when loads are applied over an area, its resultant must coincides with the centroid of the
cross section to have a uniform stress distribution.

Intended Learning Outcomes:

Upon completion of this course, the students should be able to:

ILO 3: Examine the interplay of the attributes of forces in their various applications

Topic Outcomes:
This module aims that the students will be able to learn the following:
• Concept of the centroid
• Determination of the location of the centroid for a system of discrete particles and a body
of arbitrary shape.
• Theorems of Pappus and its application in the calculation of areas and volumes.

Centroid refers to the geometrical center of a plane figure: a curve, area or volume. It is the
average position of all the points of an object.

Looking at the figures shown, a circle and a rectangle, their respective centroids are denoted by
the dots at the intersection of their centroidal axes.

Centroidal Axes are the lines passing through the centroid of the figure. The vertical centroidal
axis is represented by line Y and the horizontal centroidal axis is donoted as line X.

When calculating for the location of the centroid, there are perpendicular lines selected and used
as reference lines. These are called the Reference Axes.

Location of Centroid by Integration

Since the centroid is the average position of the points in a figure, integration is the process used
to sum up the infinite number of points a figure has. Integration is also equivalent to summing up
finite elements. If an area of an element had been expressed as the differential dA, which is a small
portion of the whole area A, the equations to determine the centroid of an area would be:
Engg 407: Statics of Rigid Bodies

𝑨𝒙̄ = ∫ 𝒙𝒅𝑨 , for centroid with respect to x – axis and

𝑨𝒚̄ = ∫ 𝒚𝒅𝑨 , for centroid with respect to y – axis

Moreover, if the centroid of a line is to be determined, the equations to be used are:

𝑳𝒙̄ = ∫ 𝒙𝒅𝑳 , for centroid with respect to x – axis and

𝑳𝒚̄ = ∫ 𝒚𝒅𝑳 , for centroid with respect to y – axis

Illustrative Problems

Example 1: Locate the centroid of a circular arc as shown in the figure.

Solution:
Choosing the axis of symmetry as the x-axis makes 𝑦̄ = 0. A differential element of arc has the
length 𝑑𝐿 = 𝑟𝑑𝛳 expressed in polar coordinates, and the x-coordinate of the element is r cos 𝛳.
Applying the equation for centroid of line with respect to x-axis and substituting = 2𝛼𝑟 :

𝐿𝑥̄ = ∫ 𝑥𝑑𝐿
𝛼
(2𝛼𝑟)𝑥̄ = ∫ (𝑟𝑐𝑜𝑠 𝛳)𝑟𝑑𝛳
−𝛼
2𝛼𝑟𝑥̄ = 2𝑟 2 𝑠𝑖𝑛𝛼
𝑟 𝑠𝑖𝑛𝛼
𝑥̄ = (𝐴𝑛𝑠𝑤𝑒𝑟)
𝛼
2𝑟
For a semicircular arc 2𝛼 = 𝜋 , which gives 𝑥̄ = 𝜋 . By symmetry we see immediately that this
result also applies to the quarter-circular arc when the measurement is made as shown.
Engg 407: Statics of Rigid Bodies

Example 2: Determine the distance ℎ̄ from the base of a triangle of altitude h to the centroid of its
area.

Solution:
The x-axis is taken to coincide with the base. A differential strip of area 𝑑𝐴 = 𝑥𝑑𝑦 is chosen. By
𝑥 𝑏
similar triangles = . Applying the equation for centroid of area with respect to y-axis:
(ℎ−𝑦) ℎ

𝐴𝑦̄ = ∫ 𝑦𝑑𝐴
ℎ
𝑏ℎ 𝑏(ℎ − 𝑦)
𝑦̄ = ∫ 𝑦 𝑑𝑦
2 0 ℎ
𝑏ℎ 𝑏ℎ2
𝑦̄ =
2 6
ℎ
𝑦̄ = (𝐴𝑛𝑠𝑤𝑒𝑟)
3

This same result holds with respect to either of the other two sides of the triangle considered a new
base with corresponding new altitude. Thus, the centroid lies at the intersection of the medians,
since the distance of this point from any side is one-third the altitude of the triangle with that side
considered the base.

Location of Centroid of Composite Figures

In engineering, numerous figures are composed of different geometric figures combined to create
a composite section. There are structural elements with predetermined location of centroids which
are available on different references. In some cases, these figures can be divided into finite shapes,
in which respective centroid is known. The moment of the total area is equal to the summation of
the moments of each part along a reference axis. This is very similar to that of Varignon’s
Theorem, only this time, we are dealing with the component regular shapes instead of the
component forces. The centroid of composite figure is determined using the following equations:

𝑨𝒙̄ = ∑ 𝒂𝒙 , for centroid with respect to x – axis and

𝑨𝒚̄ = ∑ 𝒂𝒚 , for centroid with respect to y – axis
Engg 407: Statics of Rigid Bodies

Additionally, if the centroid of a line is to be determined, the equations to be used are:

𝑳𝒙̄ = ∑ 𝒍𝒙 , for centroid with respect to x – axis and

𝑳𝒚̄ = ∑ 𝒍𝒙 , for centroid with respect to y – axis

The table next shows the centroids for common geometric shapes.

Source: http://sknlazoce.blogspot.com/2019/04/90-centroids-and-center-of-gravity.html
Engg 407: Statics of Rigid Bodies

Illustrative Problems

Example 3: Locate the centroid of the shaded area.

Solution:
The composite area is divided into the four elementary shapes shown in the figure. The centroid
locations of all these shapes may be obtained from table of centroids for common geometric
shapes. Note that the areas of the “holes” (parts 3 and 4) are taken as negative in the following
table:

Part a x y ax ay
(in2) (in) (in) (in3) (in3)
1 120 6 5 720 600
2 30 14 10/3 420 100
3 -14.14 6 1.273 -84.8 -18
4 -8 12 4 -96 -32
Total 127.9 959 650

∑ 𝑎𝑥 ∑ 𝑎𝑦
𝑥̄ = 𝑦̄ =
𝐴 𝐴

959 650
𝑥̄ = 𝑦̄ =
127.9 127.9

𝑥̄ = 7.50 𝑖𝑛 (Answer) 𝑦̄ = 5.08 𝑖𝑛 (Answer)

Exercises:

Problem No. 1: Determine the x and y-coordinate of the centroid of the shaded area.
Engg 407: Statics of Rigid Bodies

Problem No. 2: Determine the x and y-coordinate of the centroid of the shaded area.

Problem No. 3: Calculate the coordinates of the centroid of the segment of the circular area.

Problem No. 4: Determine the x and y-coordinate of the centroid of the shaded area.

Problem No. 5: Determine the x and y-coordinate of the centroid of the shaded area.
Engg 407: Statics of Rigid Bodies

Exercises Key:

1. 𝑥̄ = 1.549, 𝑦̄ = 0.756
7𝑎 𝑎
2. 𝑥̄ = 6(𝜋−1), 𝑦̄ = (𝜋−1) 4. 𝑥̄ = 132.1 𝑚𝑚, 𝑦̄ = 75.8 𝑚𝑚
2𝑎
3. 𝑥̄ = 𝑦̄ = 3(𝜋−2) 5. 𝑥̄ = 244 𝑚𝑚, 𝑦̄ = 117.7 𝑚𝑚

Exercise Problems:

Determine the locations of the centroids of the following shapes.

For letter “A” above, all radii = 1unit; for other letters, outer radii = 2; inner radii = 1
For letters below, all radii = 1unit.

Theorems of Pappus

Pappus of Alexandria, a Greek geometrician who lived in the 3rd century A.D. discovered two
theorems for determining the surface area or volume generated by revolving a plane curve or a
plane area about an imaginary axis in the plane. The name of Guldinus (Paul Guldin, 1577-1643)
was also associated in these theorems after the Swiss mathematician claimed its authorship.

The First Theorem of Pappus provides a way for computing the surface area of a surface of
revolution: it says that the area of a surface of revolution is equal to the product of the length of
the revolving curve and the distance travelled by its centroid in this revolution.

Consider the figure shown where in a line segment of length L in the plane x-y is rotated about the
x-axis. It generates a surface area with a ring element formed by multiplying dL to the distance
travelled by its centroid rotated about the reference axis.
Engg 407: Statics of Rigid Bodies

Therefore, the total area can be expressed as:

𝑑𝐴 = 2𝜋𝑦𝑑𝐿
𝐴 = 2𝜋 ∫ 𝑦𝑑𝐿

Since 𝑦̄ 𝐿 = ∫ 𝑦𝑑𝐿, the area can be calculated as:

𝑨 = 𝟐𝝅𝒚̄ 𝑳

Likewise, the Second Theorem of Pappus is for computing the volume of a body of revolution:
this says that the volume of a body of revolution is equal to the area of the revolving plane
multiplied by the distance travelled by its centroid in this revolution.

As presented in the next figure, the area A in the plane x-y is rotated about the x-axis. It generates
a volume with a ring element formed by multiplying its cross section dA to the distance travelled
by its centroid rotated about the reference axis.

Therefore, the total volume can be expressed as:

𝑑𝑉 = 2𝜋𝑦𝑑𝐴
𝑉 = 2𝜋 ∫ 𝑦𝑑𝐴

Since 𝑦̄ 𝐴 = ∫ 𝑦𝑑𝐴, the volume can be calculated as:

𝑽 = 𝟐𝝅𝒚̄ 𝑨
Engg 407: Statics of Rigid Bodies

Illustrative Problems

Example 4: Compute the surface area of the cone generated by revolving the line shown about the
y-axis.

Solution:
Two cones can be generated by revolving the lines AB and AD about the y-axis.
1
The x-coordinate of the centroid for each segment of the line is given by 𝑥̄ = 2 𝐿 sin 30°;
Hence 𝑥̄ 1 = 1 in and 𝑥̄ 2 = 1.5 in

Using First Theorem of Pappus:

𝑨 = 𝟐𝝅𝒙̄ 𝑳

4-in. Segment:
𝐴1 =2π 𝑥̄ 1L1
𝐴1 = (2π) (1) (4)
𝐴1 = 25.1 in2

6-in. Segment:
𝐴2 =2π 𝑥̄ 2L2
𝐴2 = (2π) (1.5) (6)
𝐴2 = 56.5 in2

𝑇𝑜𝑡𝑎𝑙 𝑆𝑢𝑟𝑓𝑎𝑐𝑒 𝐴𝑟𝑒𝑎 = 𝐴1 + 𝐴2

𝑇𝑜𝑡𝑎𝑙 𝑆𝑢𝑟𝑓𝑎𝑐𝑒 𝐴𝑟𝑒𝑎 = 25.1 in2 + 56.5 in2

𝑇𝑜𝑡𝑎𝑙 𝑆𝑢𝑟𝑓𝑎𝑐𝑒 𝐴𝑟𝑒𝑎 = 81.6 in2 (Answer)

Example 5: Calculate the volume V of the solid generated by revolving the 60-mm right triangular
area through 180° about the z-axis
Engg 407: Statics of Rigid Bodies

Solution:
With the angle of revolution 𝛳 = 180°.

Using Second Theorem of Pappus:

𝑽 = 𝜭𝒙̄ 𝑨

1 1
𝑉 = 𝜋 [30 + (60)] [ (60)(60)]
3 2

𝑉 = 2.83 (105 )mm3 (Answer)

Problem No. 6: The circular arc is rotated through 360° about the y-axis. Determine the outer
surface area S of the resulting body, which is a portion of a spherical shell

Problem No. 7: Using Theorems of Pappus, determine the surface area A and volume V of the
body formed by revolving the rectangular area through 360° about the z-axis.

Problem No. 8: Determine the volume V and total surface area A of the solid generated by
revolving the area shown through 180° about the z-axis.
Engg 407: Statics of Rigid Bodies

Problem No. 9: Calculate the volume V of the large neoprene washer in the form of the complete
ring of section shown. Also compute the overall surface area A.

Problem No. 10: Calculate the mass m of concrete required to construct the arched dam shown.
Concrete has a density of 2.40 Mg/m3.

Problem No. 11: Determine the volume and the surface

area of the chain link shown, which is made from a 6-
mm-diameter bar, if R 5 10 mm and L 5 30 mm.

Problem No. 12: Determine the volume and weight of the solid
brass knob shown, knowing that the specific weight of brass is
0.306 lb/in3.
Engg 407: Statics of Rigid Bodies

Problem No. 13: The aluminum shade for the small high-intensity lamp shown has a uniform
thickness of 1 mm. Knowing that the density of aluminum is 2800 kg/m3, determine the mass of
the shade.

Problem No. 14: Knowing that two equal caps have been
removed from a 10-in.-diameter wooden sphere, determine the
total surface area of the remaining portion.

Problem No. 15: Determine

the capacity, in liters, of the
punch bowl shown if R = 250
mm.

Answers:

6. 𝐴 = 2√2𝜋𝑎2 11. 𝑉 = 3470 𝑚𝑚3 , 𝐴 = 2320 𝑚𝑚2

7. 𝐴 = 10,300 𝑚𝑚2, 𝑉 = 24,700 𝑚𝑚3 12. 𝑉 = 3.96 𝑖𝑛3 , W = 1.211 lbs
8. 𝐴 = 105,800 𝑚𝑚2 , 𝑉 = 1.775𝑥106 𝑚𝑚3 13. m = 0.0305 kg
9. 𝐴 = 89.3 𝑖𝑛2 , 𝑉 = 33.1 𝑖𝑛3 14. 𝐴 = 308 𝑖𝑛2
10. 𝑚 = 1.126𝑥106 𝑀𝑔 15. V = 31.9 liters