Engineering Mechanics

7 Center of Gravity and Centroids

University of Raparin
Civil Engineering Department
First Year (2022-2023)
Engineering Mechanics
Asst. Prof. Dr. Najmadeen Mohammed Saeed
[email protected]
Ch7: Center of Gravity and Centroids
Center of Gravity and Centroids

• Note, center of gravity location = centroid

location for homogenous material
(density or specific weight is constant
throughout the body).

Note: Centroid = CG for homogenous body!!!

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Ch7: Center of Gravity and Centroids

Center of Gravity

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Ch7: Center of Gravity and Centroids

Center of Gravity

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Ch7: Center of Gravity and Centroids
Center of Gravity

– The earth pulls down on each particle of an object

with a gravitational force that we call weight.
Although individual particles throughout an object all
contribute to weight in this way, the net effect is as if
the total weight of the object were concentrated in a
single point - the object's center of gravity.

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Ch7: Center of Gravity and Centroids

Centroid

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Ch7: Center of Gravity and Centroids

Centroid
What is Centroid
• The Centroid of any object refers to the point
within which the downward force of gravity
appears to act.
• On any point along a vertical line that passes
through the centroid, the object remains
balanced.

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Ch7: Center of Gravity and Centroids
Centroid and Centre of gravity

Centre of gravity Centroid

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Ch7: Center of Gravity and Centroids
Composites Body

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Ch7: Center of Gravity and Centroids
Location of Centroid

• By Estimation :
By drawing at least two lines, each of which seems to divide the
area into two parts, each of which appears to have the same
moment about the line. The intersection of these lines should locate
the CENTROID approximately.

Asst. Prof. Dr. Najmadeen 10

 Centroid
Ch7: Center of Gravity and Centroids
Centroid of regular shape
Centroid of regular shapes:

Centroid can be defined as the determination of the center of any one, two
dimensional object from specific axes.

`
𝑀𝑦 `
𝑀𝑥
𝑋 = , 𝑌 =
𝐴 𝐴

𝑊ℎ𝑖𝑙𝑒:

𝐴 = 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑎𝑟𝑒𝑎 𝑜𝑓 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑜𝑏𝑗𝑒𝑐𝑡

𝑀𝑥 = 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑚𝑜𝑚𝑒𝑛𝑡 𝑜𝑓 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑎𝑟𝑒𝑎 𝑎𝑏𝑜𝑢𝑡 𝑥 − 𝑎𝑥𝑖𝑠

𝑀𝑦 = 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑚𝑜𝑚𝑒𝑛𝑡 𝑜𝑓 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑎𝑟𝑒𝑎 𝑎𝑏𝑜𝑢𝑡 𝑦 − 𝑎𝑥𝑖𝑠

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Ch7: Center of Gravity and Centroids

Example 7.1

Examples of the centroid of regular shapes from the main axes:

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Ch7: Center of Gravity and Centroids

Example 7.2 : Centroid of simple area

y

b 6
x= = = 3m
2 2
4.5
m y h 4 .5
y= = = 2.25 m
x 2 2

6m
x

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Ch7: Center of Gravity and Centroids

Example 7.3 : Centroid of simple area

y
x =0

h 4 .5
y= = = 2.25 m
2 2
4.5
m y
x
6m
x

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Ch7: Center of Gravity and Centroids

Example 7.4 : Centroid of simple area

y

x =0

y =0
y
4.5 x
m

6m
x

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Ch7: Center of Gravity and Centroids
Centroids of Common Shapes of Areas

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Ch7: Center of Gravity and Centroids
Centroids of Common Shapes of Areas

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Ch7: Center of Gravity and Centroids
Composite Bodies
• Consists of a series of connected “simpler” shaped
bodies, which may be rectangular, triangular or
semicircular
• A body can be sectioned or divided into its composite
parts
• Accounting for finite number of weights

~
xW ~
yW ~
zW
x= y= z=
W W W

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Ch7: Center of Gravity and Centroids
Composite Bodies

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Ch7: Center of Gravity and Centroids
Centroid of composite area
• Composite areas are the combination of simple areas.
• The determination of centroid is more easier if calculate in the table.
1st Step: Divide the areas into several parts.
2nd Step: State the reference axis in the
figures.
3rd Step: Find x1, x2 and y1, y2 from the
reference axis that you stated.
4th Step: Find the centroid.
Ax = A1x1 + A2x2
Ay = A1y1 + A2y2
Total area, ΣA = A1 + A2

x=
 Ax , y=
 Ay
A A

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Ch7: Center of Gravity and Centroids
Example 7.5 : Centroid of composite area
y

150 mm Calculation steps:

1. Divide the areas into simple shapes
2 20
2. State the reference axes
mm
3. Find A1, A2, x1, x2, y1 and y2 based
1 120 on the reference axes
mm 4. Find the centroid
x x=  Ai xi
y=  Ai y i

30 mm
 Ai  Ai
x = 75 mm y = 91.82 mm
Section Area A (mm2) x (mm) y (mm) Ax (mm3) Ay (mm3)
1 3600 75 60 270000 216000
2 3000 75 130 225000 390000
 Ai = 6600  Ai xi = 495000  Ai y i = 606000
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Ch7: Center of Gravity and Centroids
Example 7.6 : Centroid of composite area
y
150 mm
x=  Ai xi y=  Ai y i
2 20  Ai  Ai
mm
x = 75 mm y = 93.41 mm
20 mm 3 120
diameter hole mm
1
x
30 mm
Section Area A (mm2) x (mm) y (mm) Ax (mm3) Ay (mm3)
1 3600 75 60 270000 216000
2 3000 75 130 225000 390000
3 −314.16 75 60 − 23561.9 − 18849.6
 Ai = 6285.84  Ai xi = 471438.1  Ai y i = 587150.4
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Ch7: Center of Gravity and Centroids
Example 7.7 : Centroid of composite area
y

150
mm x=  Ai xi y=  Ai y i
2 20  Ai  Ai
mm x
x = 75 mm y = −26.59 mm
20 mm 3 120
diamet mm
er hole 1

Section Area A (mm2)

30xmm
(mm) y (mm) Ax (mm3) Ay (mm3)
1 3600 75 −60 270000 − 216000
2 3000 75 10 225000 30000
3 −314.16 75 −60 − 23561.9 18849.6

 Ai = 6285.84  Ai xi = 471438.1  Ai y i = 167150

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Ch7: Center of Gravity and Centroids
Centroid of line

• for one-dimension object such as rope, wire and cable.

• measured in length only.
• the curve object, the centre of gravity is not located in the
object and can be determined using formula of derivation.
• the centroid can be determined by:

The centroid of line whether straight, curve or composite lines can

only be determined if the elements are connected and made up from
a homogenous material. For the straight line, the centroid lies at a
distance L/2 from reference axis. Normally, the centroid of line is
always coincides with the center of gravity

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Ch7: Center of Gravity and Centroids

Example 7.8 : Centroid of composite line

Determine the centroid of a thin homogeneous wire

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Ch7: Center of Gravity and Centroids
Example 7.9
Example 6.1

1
𝐴1 = ∗3∗2=3
2
𝐴2 = 3 ∗ 2 = 6

𝐴3 = 3 ∗ 3 = 9

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Ch7: Center of Gravity and Centroids

1
𝑀1𝑥 = 3 ∗ 2+2 =8
3
𝑀2𝑥 = 6 ∗ 1 = 6

𝑀3𝑥 = 9 ∗ 1.5 = 13.5

𝑀𝑥 8 + 6 + 13.5
𝑌` = = = 1.52
𝐴 3+6+9
2
𝑀1𝑦 = 3 ∗ − 3 + 3 = −15
3
𝑀2𝑦 = 6 ∗ − 3 + 1.5 = −27

𝑀3𝑦 = 9 ∗ − 1.5 = −13.5

𝑀𝑦 −15 − 27 − 13.5
𝑋` = = = −3.08
𝐴 3+6+9

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Ch7: Center of Gravity and Centroids

Example
Example 6.2
7.10

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Ch7: Center of Gravity and Centroids
Solution:

1. 𝐴𝑟𝑒𝑎 𝑜𝑓 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑟𝑒𝑐𝑡𝑎𝑛𝑔𝑙𝑒 = 9 ∗ 4 = +36

2. 𝐴𝑟𝑒𝑎 𝑜𝑓 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑡𝑟𝑖𝑎𝑛𝑔𝑙𝑒 = 0.5 ∗ 9 ∗ 6 = +27

3. 𝐴𝑟𝑒𝑎 𝑜𝑓 𝑡ℎ𝑒 ℎ𝑎𝑙𝑓 − 𝑐𝑖𝑟𝑐𝑙𝑒 𝑟𝑖𝑔ℎ𝑡 = 0.5 ∗ 𝑟 2 𝜋 = 0.5 ∗ 22 𝜋 = −6.283

4. 𝐴𝑟𝑒𝑎 𝑜𝑓 𝑡ℎ𝑒 ℎ𝑎𝑙𝑓 − 𝑐𝑖𝑟𝑐𝑙𝑒 𝑙𝑒𝑓𝑡 = 0.5 ∗ 𝑟 2 𝜋 = 0.5 ∗ 22 𝜋 = −6.283

𝑀1𝑥 = 36 ∗ 2 = 72
6
𝑀2𝑥 = 27 ∗ −(-3) = −54

𝑀3𝑥 = −6.283 ∗ 2 = −12.556

𝑀4𝑥 = −6.283 ∗ 2 = −12.556

𝑀𝑥 72 − 54 − 12.556 − 12.556 −7.112

𝑌` = = = = −0.141
𝐴 36 + 27 − 6.285 − 6.285 50.434

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Ch7: Center of Gravity and Centroids

𝑀1𝑦 = 36 ∗ 0 = 0
9
𝑀2𝑦 = 27 ∗ −(4.5-(- )) = −40.5
3

4∗2
𝑀3𝑦 = −6.283 ∗ 4.5 − ( = −22.94
3∗𝜋
4∗2
𝑀4𝑦 = −6.283 ∗ − 4.5 − ( = +22.94
3∗𝜋
𝑀𝑦 0 − 40.5 − 22.94 + 22.94 −40.5
𝑋` = = = = −0.8
𝐴 36 + 27 − 6.285 − 6.285 50.434

Asst. Prof. Dr. Najmadeen 30

Ch7: Center of Gravity and Centroids
Example 7.11

Locate the centroid of the plate area.

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Ch7: Center of Gravity and Centroids
Solution

Composite Parts
Plate divided into 3 segments.
Area of small rectangle considered “negative”.

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Ch7: Center of Gravity and Centroids
Solution
Moment Arm
Location of the centroid for each piece is determined and
indicated in the diagram.

Summations
~
xA − 4
x= = = −0.348mm
 A 11.5
~
y A 14
y= = = 1.22mm
 A 11.5

Asst. Prof. Dr. Najmadeen 33

Ch7: Center of Gravity and Centroids
Example 7.12

For the plane area shown, determine the first moments

with respect to the x and y axes and the location of the
centroid.

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Ch7: Center of Gravity and Centroids
SOLUTION:

• Find the total area and first moments of the Qx = +506.2  103 mm 3
triangle, rectangle, and semicircle. Subtract the
Q y = +757.7  103 mm 3
area and first moment of the circular cutout.
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Ch7: Center of Gravity and Centroids
SOLUTION:

• Compute the coordinates of the area centroid

by dividing the first moments by the total area.

X =  x A + 757.7  103 mm 3
=
 A 13.828 103 mm 2
X = 54.8 mm

Y =  y A + 506.2  103 mm 3
=
 A 13.828 103 mm 2
Y = 36.6 mm
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Ch7: Center of Gravity and Centroids
Example 7.13

Given: The part shown.

Find: The centroid of a
the part. c
b
Plan: Follow the steps
for analysis.
d

Solution:
1. This body can be divided into the following pieces:
rectangle (a) + triangle (b) + quarter circular (c) –
semicircular area (d)
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Ch7: Center of Gravity and Centroids
EXAMPLE (continued)
a
Steps 2 & 3: Make up and fill the c b
table using parts a, b,
c, and d. d

Segment Area A x y A x A y
(in2) (in) (in) ( in3) ( in3)
Rectangle 18 3 1.5 54 27
Triangle 4.5 7 1 31.5 4.5
Q. Circle 9/4 – 4(3) / (3 ) 4(3) / (3 ) –9 9
Semi-Circle –/2 0 4(1) / (3 ) 0 - 2/3

 28.0 76.5 39.83

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Ch7: Center of Gravity and Centroids
EXAMPLE (continued)

·C

4. Now use the table data and these formulas to find the coordinates
of the centroid.
x = (  x A) / (  A ) = 76.5 in3/ 28.0 in2 = 2.73 in
y = (  y A) / ( A ) = 39.83 in3 / 28.0 in2 = 1.42 in
Asst. Prof. Dr. Najmadeen 39
Ch7: Center of Gravity and Centroids
Example 7.14

Locate the centroid C of the cross-sectional area

for the T-beam
Solution I
The y axis is placed along the axis of symmetry so
that x = 0 To obtain y we will establish the x
axis (reference axis) thought the base of the area.
The area is segmented into two rectangles and the
centroidal location for each is established.
y

y=
 yA 5in. (10 in.) (2 in.) + 11.5 in  (3 in.)(8 in.)
=
A (10 in.) (2 in.) + (3 in.)(8 in.)
= 8.55in.

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Ch7: Center of Gravity and Centroids
EXAMPLE (continued)

Solution II
Using the same two segments, the x axis can be located at the top
of the area. Here
y=
 yA  −1.5in. (3 in.) (8 in.) +  -8 in  (10 in.)(2 in.)
=
A (3 in.) (8 in.) + (10 in.)(2 in.)
= − 4.45in.
The negative sign indicates that C is located
below the origin, which is to be expected.
Also note that from the two answers
8.55 in + 4.45 in =13.0 in., which is the depth
of the beam as expected

Asst. Prof. Dr. Najmadeen 41

Ch7: Center of Gravity and Centroids
EXAMPLE (continued)

Solution III
It is also possible to consider the cross-
sectional area to be one large rectangle less
two small rectangles. Hence we have

y=
 yA  6.5in. (13 in.) (8 in.) - 2 5 in  (10 in.)(3 in.)
=
A (13 in.) (8 in.) − 2(10 in.)(3 in.)
= 8.55in.

Asst. Prof. Dr. Najmadeen 42

Ch7: Center of Gravity and Centroids
Centroids of Common 3D Shapes

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Ch7: Center of Gravity and Centroids
Example 7.15

Given: Two blocks of

different materials are assembled
as shown. The weight densities of
the materials are
A = 86.8 kN / m3 and
B = 260.4 kN / m3.
Find: The center of gravity of this
assembly.
Plan: Follow the steps for analysis
Solution 1. In this problem, the blocks A and B can be
considered as two segments.

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Ch7: Center of Gravity and Centroids
EXAMPLE (continued)

Weight = w =  (Volume in cm3)

wA = 86.8 (0.5) (6) (6) (2) / (10)3 = 3.125 N
wB = 260.4 (6) (6) (2) / (10)3 = 18.75 N

Segment w (N) x (cm) y (cm) z(cm) w x w y w z

(N.cm) (N.cm) (N.cm
A 3.125 4 1 2 12.5 3.125 6.25)
B 18.75 1 3 3 18.75 56.25 56.25

 21.88 31.25 59.38 62.5

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Ch7: Center of Gravity and Centroids
EXAMPLE (continued)

x = ( ~x w) / ( w ) = 31.25/21.88 = 1.47 cm
y = ( ~y w) / ( w ) = 59.38/21.88 = 2.68 cm
z = ( ~z w) / ( w ) = 62.5 /21.88 = 2.82 cm

Asst. Prof. Dr. Najmadeen 46

Ch7: Center of Gravity and Centroids
Centroid of irregular shape

▪ First of you are dealing with the co-ordinates of the

points:
• A co-ordinate system with reference point should be
included in the problem.
• are co-ordinates which means they are signed
number.

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Ch7: Center of Gravity and Centroids
Center of Gravity

• Locates the resultant weight of a system of particles

• Consider system of n particles fixed within a region of
space
• The weights of the particles can be replaced by a single
(equivalent) resultant weight having defined point G of
application

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Ch7: Center of Gravity and Centroids
Center Mass

• A rigid body is composed of an infinite number of particles

• Consider arbitrary particle having a weight of dW

x=  ~x dW
;y =  ~ydW
;z =  ~z dW

 dW  dW  dW

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Ch7: Center of Gravity and Centroids
Centroid of a Volume

• Consider an object subdivided into volume elements dV,

for location of the centroid,

 ~x dV
 ~ydV
 ~z dV
x =V ;y =V ;z = V
 dV  dV  dV
V V V

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Ch7: Center of Gravity and Centroids
Centroid of an Area

• For centroid for surface area of an object, such as plate

and shell, subdivide the area into differential elements dA

 ~x dA
 ~ydA
 ~z dA
x=A ;y = A ;z = A
 dA  dA  dA
A A A

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Ch7: Center of Gravity and Centroids
Centroid of a Line

• If the geometry of the object takes the form of a line, the

balance of moments of differential elements dL about each
of the coordinate system yields

 xdL
~
 ~y dL
 ~z dL
x=L ;y = L ;z = L
 dL  dL  dL
L L L

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Ch7: Center of Gravity and Centroids
Determination of Centroids by Integration

x A =  xdA =  x dxdy =  xel dA • Double integration to find the first moment

may be avoided by defining dA as a thin
yA =  ydA =  y dxdy =  yel dA
rectangle or strip.

x A =  xel dA x A =  xel dA x A =  xel dA

=  x ( ydx ) a+x 2r 1 2 
=  (a − x )dx =  cos   r d 
yA =  yel dA 2 3 2 
yA =  yel dA yA =  yel dA
y
=  ( ydx ) =  y (a − x )dx  2r 1 
2 = sin   r 2 d 
Asst. Prof. Dr. Najmadeen 3 2  53
Ch7: Center of Gravity and Centroids
Example 7.16
Solution I
Integrations. integrating with respect to x yields

1 1

x=
A 
x dA
= = 0 xy dx
=
0.250
0
x 3dx
= 0.75

1 1
dA
  0.333 2
A
y dx x dx
0 0
1 1
 y dA  ( y / 2) y dx  ( x / 2) x dx 0.100
2 2

y= A
= 0
= 0
= = 0.3m
 dA
1 1
 y dx  x dx 0.3332
A 0 0

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Ch7: Center of Gravity and Centroids
EXAMPLE (continued)

Solution II
• Integrations. integrating with respect to y, we obtain

1 1
x dA   (1 + x) / 2 (1 − x) dy  (1 − y ) dy
1

x=
A
= 0 2
= 1
0
=
0.250
0.75m
A dA
1
 (1
0
− x ) dy 0
(1 − y ) dy 0.333
1 1
  
y (1 − x) dy
− 3/ 2
y dA ( y y ) dy 0.100
y= A
= 1
0
= 1
0
= = 0.3m
A dA  (1 − x) dy  (1 − y ) dy 0.333
0 0

Asst. Prof. Dr. Najmadeen 55

Ch7: Center of Gravity and Centroids
Example 7.17

Locate the centroid of the rod bent into the shape of a

parabolic arc.

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Ch7: Center of Gravity and Centroids
EXAMPLE (continued)

Differential element
Located on the curve at the arbitrary point (x, y)
Area and Moment Arms
For differential length of the element dL
2
 dx 
dL = ( dx ) + ( dy ) = (   + 1) dy
2 2

 dy 
Since x = y2 and then dx/dy = 2y
dL = ( (2y) + 1)dy
2

The centroid is located at

x = x, y = y

Asst. Prof. Dr. Najmadeen 57

Ch7: Center of Gravity and Centroids
EXAMPLE (continued)
Integrations

 x dL
~ 1
0 x 4 y + 1 dy
2 1 2
 y 4 y 2 + 1 dy
x= L = = 0

 dL
1 1

L
0 4 y 2 + 1 dy 0 4 y 2 + 1 dy

0.6063
= = 0.410m
1.479
 ydL 1 y 4 y 2 + 1 dy
~
y=L = 01
 dL  4 y 2 + 1 dy
0
L
0.8484
= = 0.574m
1.479

Asst. Prof. Dr. Najmadeen 58

Ch7: Center of Gravity and Centroids
Example 7.18

Determine the location (x’,y’) of

the centroid of the shaded area.
Solution:
Area of the differential element dA = ydx = (1/x)dx and xc = x, yc= y/2 = 1/(2x)
2

x
  1
 xc d A  dx

  x
 0.5
xc = xc = xc = 1.08 in
 2
 1
 1 dA  dx
  x

0.5
2
 1 1
   dx
 yc d A  2x x
 
0.5
yc = yc =  in yc = 0.541in
 2
 1
 1 dA  dx
  x

0.5

Asst. Prof. Dr. Najmadeen 59

Ch7: Center of Gravity and Centroids
Example 7.19

Given: The area as shown.

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

Solution

x,y 1. Since y is given in terms of x, choose

• ~ ~ dA as a vertical rectangular strip.
x,y
•
2. dA = y dx = (9 – x2) dx
3. ~
x = x and ~
y = y/2
Asst. Prof. Dr. Najmadeen 60
Ch7: Center of Gravity and Centroids
EXAMPLE (continued)

~
4. x = ( A x dA ) / ( A dA )
3
0  x ( 9 – x 2) d x [ 9 (x2)/2 – (x4) / 4] 03
= =
3
0  ( 9 – x 2) d x [ 9 x – (x3) / 3 ] 3
0
= ( 9 ( 9 ) / 2 – 81 / 4 ) / ( 9 ( 3 ) – ( 27 / 3 ) )
= 1.13 ft
~ 3
A y dA ½ 0  ( 9 – x2) ( 9 – x2) dx
y = = 3
= 3.60 ft
A dA 0  ( 9 – x 2) d x

Asst. Prof. Dr. Najmadeen 61

Ch7: Center of Gravity and Centroids
Example 7.20

Given: The area as shown.

Find: The x of the centroid.
Plan: Follow the steps.
Solution
1. Choose dA as a horizontal
(x1,,y) (x2,y) rectangular strip.
2. dA = ( x2 – x1) dy
= ((2 – y) – y2) dy
3. x = ( x1 + x2) / 2
= 0.5 (( 2 – y) + y2 )
Asst. Prof. Dr. Najmadeen 62
Ch7: Center of Gravity and Centroids
EXAMPLE (continued)

~
4. x = ( A x dA ) / ( A dA )
1
A dA = 0 ( 2 – y – y2) dy
[ 2 y – y2 / 2 – y3 / 3] 01 = 1.167 m2

~ 1
A x dA = 0 0.5 ( 2 – y + y2 ) ( 2 – y – y2 ) dy
1
= 0.5 0 ( 4 – 4 y + y2 – y4 ) dy
= 0.5 [ 4 y – 4 y2 / 2 + y3 / 3 – y5 / 5 ] 1
0
= 1.067 m3

x = 1.067 / 1.167 = 0.914 m

Asst. Prof. Dr. Najmadeen 63
Ch7: Center of Gravity and Centroids
Example 7.21

SOLUTION:
• Determine the constant k.
• Evaluate the total area.
• Using either vertical or horizontal
strips, perform a single integration to
find the first moments.
Determine by direct integration the
location of the centroid of a parabolic • Evaluate the centroid coordinates.
spandrel.

Asst. Prof. Dr. Najmadeen 64

Ch7: Center of Gravity and Centroids
EXAMPLE (continued)
SOLUTION:
• Determine the constant k.
y = k x2
b
b = k a2  k =
a2
b a
y= x2 or x= y1 2
a2 b1 2

• Evaluate the total area.

A =  dA
a
a
b 2  b x3 
=  y dx =  2 x dx =  2 
0a  a 3  0
ab
=
Asst. Prof. Dr. Najmadeen 3 65
Ch7: Center of Gravity and Centroids
EXAMPLE (continued)

• Using vertical strips, perform a single integration

to find the first moments.
a
 b 
Q y =  xel dA =  xy dx =  x 2 x 2 dx
0 a 
a
 b x4  a 2b
= 2  =
 a 4  0 4
a 2
y 1 b 
Q x =  yel dA =  ydx =   2 x 2  dx
2 02a 
a
 b2 x5  ab 2
= 4  =
 2a 5  0 10

Asst. Prof. Dr. Najmadeen 66

Ch7: Center of Gravity and Centroids
EXAMPLE (continued)

• Or, using horizontal strips, perform a single

integration to find the first moments.

a+x a − x2
b 2
Q y =  xel dA =  (a − x )dy =  dy
2 0 2

1 b  2 a 2  a 2
b
=  a − y dy =
2 0  b 
 4
 a 
Qx =  yel dA =  y (a − x )dy =  y a − 1 2 y1 2 dy
 b 
b
 a 3 2 ab 2
=   ay − 1 2 y dy =
0 b  10

Asst. Prof. Dr. Najmadeen 67

Ch7: Center of Gravity and Centroids
EXAMPLE (continued)

• Evaluate the centroid coordinates.

xA = Q y
ab a 2b 3
x = x= a
3 4 4

yA = Q x
ab ab 2 3
y = y= b
3 10 10

Asst. Prof. Dr. Najmadeen 68

Ch7: Center of Gravity and Centroids
Example 7.22
y h
x Use symmetry to help locate the
dx
centroid. Symmetry implies

y=0 z=0
z x
r a Identify an element of volume dV
which produces a single or
y = kx1/3 double integral.

Choose as the element of volume a disk or radius r and

thickness dx. Then

dV =  r2 dx xel = x
Asst. Prof. Dr. Najmadeen 69
Ch7: Center of Gravity and Centroids
EXAMPLE (continued)
y
x dx Identify an element of volume dV
which produces a single or
double integral.

dV =  r2 dx xel = x
z x
r Now r = kx 1/3 so that

y = kx1/3 dV =  k2 x2/3dx

At x = h, y = a : a = kh1/3 or k = a/h1/3
a2 2/3
Then dV =  h2/3
x dx
Asst. Prof. Dr. Najmadeen 70
Ch7: Center of Gravity and Centroids
EXAMPLE (continued)
y
x Integrate and determine the centroid.
dx
a2 2/3
dV =  h2/3
x dx
h
V= 
a2 2/3
h2/3
x dx
z x 0
r
h
a2
=  h2/3 [ 35 x5/3] 0
y = kx1/3
 a 2h
3
= 5
h
a2 2/3 a2 3 8/3
Also  xel dV =  x (
0
h2/3 x dx) =  2/3 [ 8 x ]
h
 a2h2
3
Asst. Prof. Dr. Najmadeen = 8 71
Ch7: Center of Gravity and Centroids
EXAMPLE (continued)
y
x Integrate and determine the centroid.
dx
 a2h
3
V= 5

 xel dV =  a2h2
3
z x 8
r

y = kx1/3

xV =  xdV:   a 2h 2
3 3
Now x( 5 a2h) = 8

5
y=0 z=0 x= 8 h
Asst. Prof. Dr. Najmadeen 72
Ch7: Center of Gravity and Centroids
Distributed Loads on Beams

L • A distributed load is represented by plotting the load

W =  wdx =  dA = A per unit length, w (N/m) . The total load is equal to
0
the area under the load curve (dW = wdx).

(OP )W =  xdW • A distributed load can be replace by a concentrated

L load with a magnitude equal to the area under the
(OP ) A =  xdA = x A load curve and a line of action passing through the
0 area centroid.

Asst. Prof. Dr. Najmadeen 73

Ch7: Center of Gravity and Centroids
Example 7.23

SOLUTION:
• The magnitude of the concentrated load
is equal to the total load or the area under
the curve.
• The line of action of the concentrated
load passes through the centroid of the
area under the curve.
• Determine the support reactions by
A beam supports a distributed load as summing moments about the beam
shown. Determine the equivalent ends.
concentrated load and the reactions at
the supports.

Asst. Prof. Dr. Najmadeen 74

Ch7: Center of Gravity and Centroids

EXAMPLE (continued)
SOLUTION:
• The magnitude of the concentrated load is equal to
the total load or the area under the curve.
F = 18.0 kN

• The line of action of the concentrated load passes

through the centroid of the area under the curve.
63 kN  m
X= X = 3.5 m
18 kN

Asst. Prof. Dr. Najmadeen 75

Ch7: Center of Gravity and Centroids

EXAMPLE (continued)

• Determine the support reactions by summing

moments about the beam ends.

 M A = 0 : B y (6 m ) − (18 kN )(3.5 m ) = 0
B y = 10.5 kN

 M B = 0 : − Ay (6 m ) + (18 kN )(6 m − 3.5 m ) = 0

Ay = 7.5 kN

Asst. Prof. Dr. Najmadeen 76

Ch7: Center of Gravity and Centroids
Example 7.24

The beam AB supports two

a 24 kN 30 kN 0.3 m
concentrated loads and

A B rests on soil which exerts a

wA
wB linearly distributed upward
load as shown. Determine
1.8 m (a) the distance a for which
wA = 20 kN/m, (b) the
corresponding value wB.

Asst. Prof. Dr. Najmadeen 77

Ch7: Center of Gravity and Centroids
EXAMPLE (continued)

a 24 kN 30 kN 0.3 m
Replace the distributed
C load by a pair of
A B equivalent forces.
20 kN/m
wB

0.6 m 0.6 m
RI RII

1
We have RI = 2 (1.8 m)(20 kN/m) = 18 kN

RII = 1 (1.8 m)(wB kN/m) = 0.9 wB kN

2
Asst. Prof. Dr. Najmadeen 78
Ch7: Center of Gravity and Centroids
EXAMPLE (continued)
a 24 kN 30 kN 0.3 m

C
A B

wB

0.6 m 0.6 m
RI = 18 kN RII = 0.9 wB kN

(a) + MC = 0: (1.2 - a)m x 24 kN - 0.6 m x 18 kN

- 0.3m x 30 kN = 0
or a = 0.375 m
(b) + F = 0: -24 kN + 18 kN + (0.9 w ) kN - 30 kN= 0
y B
or wB = 40 kN/m
Asst. Prof. Dr. Najmadeen 79
Ch7: Center of Gravity and Centroids
Fluid Pressure

Flat Plate of Constant Width

• As pressure varies linearly with depth, the distribution of
pressure over the plate’s surface is represented by a
trapezoidal volume having an intensity of ρ1= γz1 at depth
z1 and ρ2 = γz2 at depth z2
• Magnitude of the resultant force FR
= volume of this loading diagram

Asst. Prof. Dr. Najmadeen 80

Ch7: Center of Gravity and Centroids
Example 7.25
Determine the magnitude and location of the resultant
hydrostatic force acting on the submerged rectangular
plate AB. The plate has a width of 1.5m; ρw = 1000kg/m3.

Asst. Prof. Dr. Najmadeen 81

Ch7: Center of Gravity and Centroids
Solution
The water pressures at depth A and B are

 A =  w gz A = (1000kg / m3 )(9.81m / s 2 )(2m) = 19.62kPa

 B =  w gz B = (1000kg / m3 )(9.81m / s 2 )(5m) = 49.05kPa
For intensities of the load at A and B,

wA = b A = (1.5m)(19.62kPa ) = 29.43kN / m
wB = b B = (1.5m)(49.05kPa ) = 73.58kN / m

Asst. Prof. Dr. Najmadeen 82

Ch7: Center of Gravity and Centroids
Solution
For magnitude of the resultant force FR created by the
distributed load.
FR = area of trapezoid
1
= (3)(29.4 + 73.6) = 154.5 N
2
This force acts through the centroid of the area,
1 1 1
*3* (29.43*3) + *3* ( * 44.15*3)
h= 2 3 2
1
(29.43*3) + ( * 44.15*3)
2
132.435 + 66.225 198.66
= = = 1.29m
88.29 + 66.225 154.515
measured upwards from B
Asst. Prof. Dr. Najmadeen 83
Ch7: Center of Gravity and Centroids
Solution

Same results can be obtained by considering two

components of FR defined by the triangle and rectangle.
Each force acts through its associated centroid and has a
magnitude of

FRe = (29.43kN / m)(3m) = 88.3kN

1
Ft = (44.15kN / m)(3m) = 66.2kN
2
Hence

FR = FRe + FR = 88.3kN + 66.2kN = 154.5kN

Asst. Prof. Dr. Najmadeen 84

Ch7: Center of Gravity and Centroids
Solution

Location of FR is determined by summing moments about

B
(M R )B =  M B ;
(154.5)h = 88.3(1.5) + 66.2(1)
h = 1.29m

Asst. Prof. Dr. Najmadeen 85