Notes in Engineering Mechanics

Module 5 Title: Centroids and Center of Gravity

Module Introduction/Rationale:

In this module, we will discuss centroids and center of gravity of composite areas and how to
locate the coordinates of the centroids using moment of area.

Module Outcomes:
CO5: Compute the geometric properties (centroids and moments) of lines, areas, and volumes.

Lesson 1 Title: Centroids and Center of Gravity

Lesson Outcomes:
At the end of this topic the learner should be able to:
1. define centroid and center of gravity
2. determine the centroids of common geometric shapes
3. solve the coordinates of the centroid using moment of area

CENTROID

The term centroid is used when referring to the center of gravity of a weightless figure such as a
line, an area, or a volume.

Centroidal Axis – it is an axis passing through the centroid of an area.

CENTER OF GRAVITY

The center of gravity of a body is the point through which the line of action of the weight always
passes.

Moment of Area – is defined as the product of the area multiplied by the perpendicular distance
from the center of area to the axis of moments.

A T X = ∑AX A T Y = ∑ AY

Where:
AT = Area total
A = area
X = X-coordinates of the centroid of an area
Y = Y-coordinates of the centroid of an area
X = X-coordinate of the total area
Y = Y-coordinate of the total area

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 Notes in Engineering Mechanics

Centroids for Common Geometric Shapes

Y Y
b b

Rectangle Triangle
⅔d
d d
A = bd A = ½bd
½d ⅓d
X X
½b ⅓b ⅔b

Y Y
d r

Circle Quarter Circle

d r
A = π r2 A = ¼ π r2
r 0.424 r
X X
r
0.424 r

Y Y
r
Semicircle Semicircle
d
d
A = ½ π r2 A = ½ π r2
r r
0.424 r
X X
r
0.424 r

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 Notes in Engineering Mechanics

Sample Problem:
1. Determine the coordinates of the centroid of the area shown in the figure with respect to the given
axes.

Y Y
6 in 5 in 6 in 5 in

2 in 2 in

A2
A1 A3
6 in 6 in

X X
0 0

Y
Solution:

Area of the shaded part

2
A1 = ½ (6)(8) = 24.00 in
A2 = (5)(8) = 40.00 in
2 A2
2
A3 = ½ π(3) = – 14.14 in
2 A1 A3
2 Y2
AT = 24 + 40 – 14.14 = 49.86 in Y3
Y1
X1 = ⅔ (6 in) = 4.00 in X
0
X2 = ½ (5 in) + 6 in = 8.50 in X1
X3 = (5 in + 6 in) – 0.424(3 in) = 9.73 in
X2
Y1 = ⅓ (8 in) = 2.67 in X3
Y2 = ½ (8 in) = 4.00 in
Y3 = r = 3.00 in YO
Y
A T X = ∑AX

(49.86) X = 24(4) + 40(8.50) – 14.14(9.73)

X = 5.99 in answer
C.G.
XO
A T Y = ∑ AY
(49.86) Y = 24(2.67) + 40(4.00) – 14.14(3.00) 3.64 in
Y = 3.64 in answer
X
0
5.99 in

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 Notes in Engineering Mechanics

2. Locate the centroid of the shaded area shown in the figure.

Y Y

A1

A2
7 in 7 in
A3

X X
0 0
4 in 4 in 4 in 4 in

Y X1

Solution:
A1
Area of the shaded part
2 2
A1 = ½ π(4) = 25.13 in
2
A2 = (8)(7) = 56.00 in
2 2
A3 = ¼ π(4) = – 12.57 in
A2 Y1
2
AT = 25.13 + 56 – 12.57 = 68.56 in
A3 Y2
X1 = 4.00 in Y3
X2 = ½ (8 in) = 4.00 in X
X3 = (4 in + 4 in) – 0.424(4 in) = 6.30 in 0
X2
Y1 = 0.424(4 in) + 7 in = 8.70 in
X3
Y2 = ½ (7 in) = 3.50 in
Y3 = 0.424(4 in) = 1.70 in
Y YO

A T X = ∑AX

(68.56) X = 25.13(4) + 56(4.00) – 12.57(6.30)

X = 3.58 in answer
C.G.
A T Y = ∑ AY XO
(68.56) Y = 25.13(8.70) + 56(3.50) – 12.57(1.70)
Y = 5.74 in answer
5.74 in

X
0
3.58 in 4
 Notes in Engineering Mechanics

3. Determine the coordinates of the centroid of the area shown in the figure with respect to the given
axes.

Y Y

A2

A1
8 in 8 in

X X
0 0
2 in 5 in 2 in 2 in 5 in 2 in

Y
Solution: X2

Area of the shaded part

2 A2
A1 = ½ (9((8) = 36.00 in
2 2
A2 = ½ π (2.50) = – 9.82 in
A1
2
AT = 36 – 9.82 = 26.18 in Y2
Y1
X1 = 4.50 in
X2 = 4.50 in
X
Y1 = ⅔ (8 in) = 5.33 in 0
Y2 = 8 in – 0.424 (2.50 in) = 6.94 in X1

A T X = ∑AX
Y YO
(26.18) X = 36(4.50) – 9.82(4.50)
X = 4.50 in answer

A T Y = ∑ AY
(26.18) Y = 36(5.33) – 9.82(6.94) C.G.
XO
Y = 4.73 in answer

4.73 in

X
0
4.50 in

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 Notes in Engineering Mechanics

Problem Set – Module 5

Determine the coordinates of the centroid of the areas shown in the figure with respect to the given axes.

1. Y 2. Y

3 in

6 in
3 in

X X
0 0

1 in 4 in 1 in 2 in 1 in 2 in 3 in

3. Y 4. Y

4 in
7 in

3 in

X X
0 0
2 in 2 in 2 in 5 in 4 in

5. Y
6.
Y

100 mm

175 mm 100 mm

100 mm
X X
0 0
125 mm 100 mm 100 mm 125 mm 100 mm

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 Notes in Engineering Mechanics

7. 8.

Y Y

7 cm 12 cm 7 cm

250 mm
15 cm

X X
0 0
175 mm 125 mm 5 cm 16 cm 5 cm

9. 10.
Y Y

10 cm

24 cm

12 cm

X X
0 0
30 cm 12 cm 8 cm 8 cm