Greens Theorem Part 1

Green's Theorem Part 1: A Step-
by-Step Guide to Calculating

Section Properties in Structural
Design
Table of Contents
1. Green's theorem
(2) “Green’s Theorem”
(3) Example #1
(4) Example #2
Sources and References
1. Green's theorem
Generally, the theory of section properties is covered in part of Statics or
Mechanics of Materials. However, it is widely used in almost all fields, not only in
solid mechanics but also in structural dynamics and other areas. If you are an
engineer, you will know how important and frequently section properties are used in
structural design.
This content is not about the actual theoretical background of section properties
but about the technical skills for calculating section properties. One may wonder why
"Green's theorem" is used to calculate section properties. However, we will share our
know-how on why it is necessary and how to apply it in practical applications.
In practice, section properties are often calculated on Excel spreadsheets for

various reasons.
Concrete is divided into rectangular or triangular sections and calculated by
assigning numbers to each section while steel is calculated by naming each plate.
This is based on the parallel axis theorem.
Green's Theorem Part 1: A Step-by-Step Guide to Calculating Section Properties in Structural Design 1
Since it is a symmetrical section like below, there is not much of a problem with
calculation as it is not difficult.
Figure 1-1. Section Calculation Examples
Figure 1-2. Section Calculation Examples
What if the contractor demands the use of wide-flange prestressed concrete (PSC)
beams for the construction of a bridge, to showcase their construction capabilities? In
any case, the cross-sectional shape is in the range of a typical PSC beam, and the
flange width is only slightly asymmetric, which can be ignored at an acceptable level.
Figure 2. Typical Sections of Prestressed Concrete Beams
What about cases like this? It can be solved with the "massprop" command in CAD
or using a similar method. It is an open section and is asymmetric, which can lead to
difficulties in design.
Figure 3. An Asymmetric Section Example
Doing the same work over and over made me feel like something new was needed.
So, after thinking and searching,
Figure 4. Thinking Process
There is a method called "Green's theorem" which can calculate section properties
using continuous coordinates of a section.
(2) “Green’s Theorem”

Green's theorem in vector calculus establishes the relationship between a line
integral around a simple closed curve C and a double integral over the plane region
D bounded by C. It is a special case of the more general Stokes' theorem, which
applies to higher dimensions.
Figure 5. Green’s Theorem
If P and Q are continuously differentiable functions of (x,y) defined on an open

region containing D, then the following equation holds and C is oriented
counterclockwise:
Calculation formula 1.
To calculate section properties, one cannot simply study vector calculus, as it is not
an easy topic that can be studied easily.
As we move on to the relevant content, we can confirm that we can calculate six
properties (area, centroid, second moment of area, and section moduli) from
continuous coordinates of a section.
Calculation formula 2.
Now that we know the formulas, let's apply them to an example.
(3) Example #1
Here is a hypothetical asymmetrical section created for the example. The
coordinate system for the section is set to the Y-Z plane for comparison with a
program (MIDAS CIVIL) later on.
Figure 6. Example Section
When listing the coordinates of the section, it is important to note that:
The outer contour is listed in a counterclockwise direction, and the inner contour
is listed in a clockwise direction.
The section is closed and formed by connecting the starting coordinate and the
ending coordinate.
Table 1.
Let's first find the centroid coordinates of the section!
Table 2.
Now that we have found the centroid of the section, let's move the origin of the
current section coordinate system to the centroid so that we can find the second
moment of area and the section modulus with respect to the centroidal axis.
Figure 7. Coordinate Translation
Let's calculate the second moment of area and the section modulus using the
updated coordinate values.
Table 3.
Now, for verification, we compared the results obtained from manual calculation
with those obtained from the MIDAS Civil software, and we confirmed that the values
match exactly. (Unfortunately, MIDAS Civil does not provide the value for the shear
area.)
Table 4.
(4) Example #2
Let's discuss how to apply it when using curves in a cross-section, as curves are
often used to consider aesthetic factors. A circular cross-section with a diameter of
3m was divided by angle to create a polygon shape, and the result when calculated
using "Green's theorem" is shown in the table above.
Table 5.
As shown in the table, differences of less than 1% are observed after 10 degrees,
and of course, as the angle is divided, the result approaches the exact value.
However, most civil engineering cross-sections use units up to m or cm, so even if
the angle is finely divided, it may not produce a dramatic result.
These curves are usually applied to holes or fillet welds, and because the
proportion of the curve to the overall size of the cross-section is low, there should be
no problem using it even if it is applied with a large angle.
#SectionProperties #Green'sTheorem #CrossSectionalArea #Centroid

#SecondMomentOfArea #SectionModulus #Asymmetry #NormalStress
Sources and References
Green’s theorem and section properties - All this (leancrew.com)

Green's theorem - Wikipedia
Barray J. Goodno, James M. Gere, Mechanics of materials, Ninth
Edition, SI, CENGAGE Learning, 2016

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Green's Theorem Part 1: A Step-

by-Step Guide to Calculating

In practice, section properties are often calculated on Excel spreadsheets for

Figure 1-1. Section Calculation Examples

Figure 4. Thinking Process

(2) “Green’s Theorem”

Figure 5. Green’s Theorem

If P and Q are continuously differentiable functions of (x,y) defined on an open

Figure 6. Example Section

When listing the coordinates of the section, it is important to note that:

Let's first find the centroid coordinates of the section!

#SectionProperties #Green'sTheorem #CrossSectionalArea #Centroid

Sources and References

Green’s theorem and section properties - All this (leancrew.com)

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