Level – 2/Term – 1 ME 231 Engineering Mechanics – I (Statics)
Chapter 5: Centroids and Centers of gravity
CHAPTER 5 Edited by: Dr. Mostafizur Rahman Dept. of Mechanical Engineering 1
Level – 2/Term – 1 ME 231 Engineering Mechanics – I (Statics)
Centroid → It is the geometric center of a volume or an area or a line
such that the first moment about any axis through that point
is zero. Calculated for two dimensional object.
Center of Gravity → It is the point of a rigid body through which the
force of gravity is applied. Calculated for three
dimension object
ΔW5
W ΔW1 ΔW3
ΔW7
ΔW2 ΔW4 ΔW6
G =
W = ΔW1 + ΔW2 + ΔW3 +…………+ ΔWn = ∑ ΔW
= ∫dW
CHAPTER 5 Edited by: Dr. Mostafizur Rahman Dept. of Mechanical Engineering 2
Level – 2/Term – 1 ME 231 Engineering Mechanics – I (Statics)
z z
y y
ΔW5
ΔW1 ΔW3
ΔW7
W
ΔW2 ΔW4 ΔW6
x1 =
x
y1 G
y
O O
x x
M y : x1ΔW1 + x2 W2 + x3W3 + .......... ..... + xn Wn = x W
x ΔW = x W
x dW = x W x W = x dW
Again, M x : y1ΔW1 + y2 W2 + y3W3 + .......... ..... + yn Wn = y W
y ΔW = y W
y dW = y W y W = y dW
CHAPTER 5 Edited by: Dr. Mostafizur Rahman Dept. of Mechanical Engineering 3
Level – 2/Term – 1 ME 231 Engineering Mechanics – I (Statics)
Therefore, W = dW xW = x dW yW = y dW
Here,W is the weight of the plate and
x and y are the coordinates for the center of gravity (G) of the flat plate
Now, W = mg Here, ρ = Material Density
= ( g ) (t ) ( A) t = Thickness
Similarly, W = ( g ) (t ) (A) A = Area
Considering a flat plate of uniform density and uniform thickness, the above
set of equations becomes
A= dA xA = x dA yA = y dA
Here, A is the area of the plate and
x and y are the coordinates for the center of gravity of the
hom ogeneous plate
CHAPTER 5 Edited by: Dr. Mostafizur Rahman Dept. of Mechanical Engineering 4
Level – 2/Term – 1 ME 231 Engineering Mechanics – I (Statics)
y y
A
ΔA
x x1
C
y1
y
x x
O O
This point C (of coordinates x and y) is known as the Centroid of the area A
of the plate
Similarly, in case of a homogeneous wire of
Here, ρ = Material Density
uniform cross-section : W = (ρg) (a) (L)
a = X-sectional Area
and ΔW = (ρg) (a) (Δ L) L = Length
Therefore, the above set of equations become :
L = dL xL = x dL yL = y dL
CHAPTER 5 Edited by: Dr. Mostafizur Rahman Dept. of Mechanical Engineering 5
Level – 2/Term – 1 ME 231 Engineering Mechanics – I (Statics)
y y
L
x
C = x1
ΔL
y
y1
x x
O O
Here, L is the length of the wire and
x and y are the coordinates for the center of gravity of the
hom ogeneous wire
This point C (of coordinates x and y) is known as the Centroid of the line L
defining the shape of the wire
Note: If the material is homogeneous, the center of gravity of an area or a
line coincides with the centroid (coordinates x and y); Otherwise, this point
(of coordinates x and y) is only centroid but not the center of gravity
CHAPTER 5 Edited by: Dr. Mostafizur Rahman Dept. of Mechanical Engineering 6
Level – 2/Term – 1 ME 231 Engineering Mechanics – I (Statics)
First Moments of Areas and Lines:
Qx = y dA
= The first moment of the area A with respect to the x axis
Qy = x dA
= The first moment of the area A with respect to the y axis
Qy Qx
Therefore, x= and y=
A A
Similarly,
Qx = y dL = The first moment of the line L with respect to the x axis
Qy = x dL = The first moment of the line L with respect to the y axis
Qy Qx
Therefore, x= and y=
L L
CHAPTER 5 Edited by: Dr. Mostafizur Rahman Dept. of Mechanical Engineering 7
Level – 2/Term – 1 ME 231 Engineering Mechanics – I (Statics)
Now, if the plate is homogeneous and of uniform thickness, the center of
gravity coincides with the centroid C of its area
y y
A2
C2
∑A
C = A1
C1 A3
X
Y C3
x x
O O
Qy = X ( A1 + A2 + .......... ..... + An ) = x1 A1 + x2 A2 + .......... ..... + xn An
QX = Y ( A1 + A2 + .......... ..... + An ) = y1 A1 + y2 A2 + .......... ..... + yn An
For Short, Qy = X A =x A and Qx = Y A =y A
These equations yield the first moments of the composite area
Thus, they can be used to obtain the coordinates X and Y of its centroid
CHAPTER 5 Edited by: Dr. Mostafizur Rahman Dept. of Mechanical Engineering 8
Level – 2/Term – 1 ME 231 Engineering Mechanics – I (Statics)
Calculating First Moment & Center of gravity for a Composite Area:
y
A1 A2 A3
x
x2
x1 x3
Sl No. Area xn An xn An
1 A1 (Semicircle) − x1 +A1 − x1 A1
2 A2 (Full Rectangle) + x2 +A2 + x2 A2
3 A3 (Circular Hole) + x3 −A3 − x3 A3
∑An = A1 +A2 − A3 ∑xn An = − x1 A1 + x2 A2 − x3 A3
Therefore, x =
x A n n
=
− x1 A1 + x2 A2 − x3 A3
A n A1 + A2 − A3
CHAPTER 5 Edited by: Dr. Mostafizur Rahman Dept. of Mechanical Engineering 9
Level – 2/Term – 1 ME 231 Engineering Mechanics – I (Statics)
Centroids of Common Shapes of Areas
CHAPTER 5 Edited by: Dr. Mostafizur Rahman Dept. of Mechanical Engineering 10
Level – 2/Term – 1 ME 231 Engineering Mechanics – I (Statics)
Centroids of Common Shapes of Areas
CHAPTER 5 Edited by: Dr. Mostafizur Rahman Dept. of Mechanical Engineering 11
Level – 2/Term – 1 ME 231 Engineering Mechanics – I (Statics)
Centroids of Common Shapes of Areas
CHAPTER 5 Edited by: Dr. Mostafizur Rahman Dept. of Mechanical Engineering 12
Level – 2/Term – 1 ME 231 Engineering Mechanics – I (Statics)
Example: 01
Locate the centroid of the plane area also determine first moments.
Chapter 5 Edited by: Dr. Mostafizur Rahman Dept. of Mechanical Engineering 13
Level – 2/Term – 1 ME 231 Engineering Mechanics – I (Statics)
Example: 02
Chapter 5 Edited by: Dr. Mostafizur Rahman Dept. of Mechanical Engineering 14
Level – 2/Term – 1 ME 231 Engineering Mechanics – I (Statics)
Chapter 5 Edited by: Dr. Mostafizur Rahman Dept. of Mechanical Engineering 15
Level – 2/Term – 1 ME 231 Engineering Mechanics – I (Statics)
Example: 03
Chapter 5 Edited by: Dr. Mostafizur Rahman Dept. of Mechanical Engineering 16
Level – 2/Term – 1 ME 231 Engineering Mechanics – I (Statics)
Determination of First Moments and Centroids by Integration:
A = dA Qy = X A = x dA Qx = Y A = y dA
y y y
dA = (b − x )(dy)
dA = ( y )(dx)
y = kx
x
h dy
y b–x
y
O x O x O
dx x
b
x b
Now, A = dA Similarly, A = dA
Here, y = kx
h = ( y )(dx) = (b − x)(dy)
At x = b, y = h k = x =b y =h
h b
b = x (dx) = b − y (dy )
h x =0
b y =0
h
Therefore, y = x
b = 1 bh = 1 bh
2 2
CHAPTER 5 Edited by: Dr. Mostafizur Rahman Dept. of Mechanical Engineering 17
Level – 2/Term – 1 ME 231 Engineering Mechanics – I (Statics)
y
b
dA Here, dA = ( y )(dx)
h For the rectangular strip, x = x
x y
y = y
y 2
O x
x dx
Qy = x dA
Qx = y dA
y ( y )(dx)
= x ( y )(dx)
= 2
2
h 1 x =b h
= x (dx)
x =b
= x x (dx)
x =0
b 2 x =0 b
Qy = 1 b 2 h Qx = 1 bh2
3 6
Qy 13 b h 1 bh2
2
Qx
X = = = 2 b
3 Y = = 6 = 1 h
A 1 bh A 1 bh 3
2 2
CHAPTER 5 Edited by: Dr. Mostafizur Rahman Dept. of Mechanical Engineering 18
Level – 2/Term – 1 ME 231 Engineering Mechanics – I (Statics)
y
b
b–x
x
Here, dA = (b − x )(dy)
dy h b−x
For the rectangular strip, x = x +
2
dA y y
y = y
O x
x
Qy = x dA Qx = y dA
= x +
b−x
(b − x )(dy )
= y (b − x )(dy)
2 y =h b
= y b − y (dy )
1
2
(
= b 2 − x 2 (dy ) ) y =0
h
Qx = 1 bh2
1 y = h 2 b 2 2 6
= b − 2 y (dy )
2 y =0 h 1 bh2
Qx
1 Q (1 / 3)b 2
h 2 Y = = 6 = 1 h
Qy = 2
b h X =
y
= = b A 1 bh 3
3 3 2
A (1 / 2)bh
CHAPTER 5 Edited by: Dr. Mostafizur Rahman Dept. of Mechanical Engineering 19
Level – 2/Term – 1 ME 231 Engineering Mechanics – I (Statics)
y 1 1 2
dA Here, dA = (r )(rd ) = r d
2 2
2r
For the triangular strip, x = cos θ
2r 3
3 y 2r
r y = sin
θ 3
O x Qx = y dA
x Q y = x dA
2r 1 2
2r 1 2 = sin θ r d
Now, A = dA = cos θ r d 3 2
3 2 r 3 = 2
1 2 = sin θd
= r d
3
r = 2
2 = cos θd 3 = 0
3 =0 Qx
1 2 = 2
= r d Q y = r 3 r 3
2 = 0 3 =
3
1 2 r 3
r 3
A = r Qy 3 4r Qx 3 4r
4 X = = = Y = = =
A 1 r 2
3 A 1 r 2 3
4 4
CHAPTER 5 Edited by: Dr. Mostafizur Rahman Dept. of Mechanical Engineering 20
Level – 2/Term – 1 ME 231 Engineering Mechanics – I (Statics)
Example: 04 Determine first moment & centroid by direct integration method.
Fig. 1
Fig. 2
x3
Fig. 3 (similar to RAT)
Fig. 4
Chapter 5 Edited by: Dr. Mostafizur Rahman Dept. of Mechanical Engineering 21
Level – 2/Term – 1 ME 231 Engineering Mechanics – I (Statics)
1 2
First moment calculation
Area calculation
Chapter 5 Edited by: Dr. Mostafizur Rahman Dept. of Mechanical Engineering
Level – 2/Term – 1 ME 231 Engineering Mechanics – I (Statics)
First moment calculation
Chapter 5 Edited by: Dr. Mostafizur Rahman Dept. of Mechanical Engineering 23
Level – 2/Term – 1 ME 231 Engineering Mechanics – I (Statics)
Theorems of Pappus-Guldinus:
Theorem I:
The area of a surface of revolution is equal to the length of the generating
curve times the distance traveled by the centroid of the curve while the surface
is being generated.
Area = (Length of the generating curve) × (Distance traveled by the
centroid of the curve)
L
Area = (L )
L 2 2
L
2 C L2
2 =
4
L L
Line Quarter Circular
Area
CHAPTER 5 Edited by: Dr. Mostafizur Rahman Dept. of Mechanical Engineering 24
Level – 2/Term – 1 ME 231 Engineering Mechanics – I (Statics)
Theorem II:
The volume of a body of revolution is equal to the generating area times the
distance traveled by the centroid of the area while the body is being
generated.
Volume = (Generating area) × (Distance traveled by the centroid of the area)
r 2 4r
Volume =
2
4 3
4r
2 3
3
= r
3
r
Quarter Circular Hemisphere
Area
CHAPTER 5 Edited by: Dr. Mostafizur Rahman Dept. of Mechanical Engineering 25
Level – 2/Term – 1 ME 231 Engineering Mechanics – I (Statics)
Example: 05 Determine the surface area A and volume V of the solid generated
by revolving the shaded area as shown, through an angle of 360o
about y-axis
Volume calculation Area calculation
Chapter 5 Edited by: Dr. Mostafizur Rahman Dept. of Mechanical Engineering 26
Level – 2/Term – 1 ME 231 Engineering Mechanics – I (Statics)
Example: 06 Determine the surface area A and volume V of the solid generated
by revolving the shaded area as shown in Fig. 1, through an angle
of 360o about z-axis
Front cross sectional view
Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Chapter 5 Edited by: Dr. Mostafizur Rahman Dept. of Mechanical Engineering 27
Level – 2/Term – 1 ME 231 Engineering Mechanics – I (Statics)
Example: 07
(Fig. 1)
(Fig. 2)
Fig. 2
Fig. 1
Chapter 5 Edited by: Dr. Mostafizur Rahman Dept. of Mechanical Engineering 28
Level – 2/Term – 1 ME 231 Engineering Mechanics – I (Statics)
Center of Gravity of a Three-Dimensional Body:
y y
ΔW5
ΔW1 ΔW3
ΔW7
ΔW4 ΔW6
ΔW2
=
y y1
O W O
x z1 x
z x1
x
z z
W = dW xW = x dW yW = y dW zW = z dW
CHAPTER 5 Edited by: Dr. Mostafizur Rahman Dept. of Mechanical Engineering 29
Level – 2/Term – 1 ME 231 Engineering Mechanics – I (Statics)
Centroid of a Volume:
Now, W = mg Here, ρ = Material Density
= ( g ) (V ) V = Volume
Similarly, dW = ( g ) (dV )
Considering a rigid body of uniform density, the above set of equations becomes
V = dV xV = x dV yV = y dV zV = z dV
In discrete form,
V = V xV = x V yV = y V zV = z V
where, V = V = V + V + V
1 2 3 + .......... ......... + Vn
Qyz = x V = x V + x V 1 1 2 2 + x3V3 + .......... ......... + xnVn
Qzx = y V = y V + y V 1 1 2 2 + y3V3 + .......... ......... + ynVn
Qxy = z V = z V + z V 1 1 2 2 + z3V3 + .......... ......... + znVn
CHAPTER 5 Edited by: Dr. Mostafizur Rahman Dept. of Mechanical Engineering 30
Level – 2/Term – 1 ME 231 Engineering Mechanics – I (Statics)
Example: 08
Chapter 5 Edited by: Dr. Mostafizur Rahman Dept. of Mechanical Engineering 31
Level – 2/Term – 1 ME 231 Engineering Mechanics – I (Statics)
Example: 09
Locate the center of gravity of the machine part with respect to x, y,
z co-ordinate system as shown below.
Chapter 5 Edited by: Dr. Mostafizur Rahman Dept. of Mechanical Engineering 32
Level – 2/Term – 1 ME 231 Engineering Mechanics – I (Statics)
Example: 10
Locate the center of gravity of the machine parts with respect to x, y,
z co-ordinate system as shown below.
Fig. 1 Fig. 2
Chapter 5 Edited by: Dr. Mostafizur Rahman Dept. of Mechanical Engineering 33
Level – 2/Term – 1 ME 231 Engineering Mechanics – I (Statics)
Example: 11
Determine the center of gravity with respect to x, y, z co-ordinate
system of the rigid bodies as shown below.
Fig. 1 Fig. 2
Chapter 5 Edited by: Dr. Mostafizur Rahman Dept. of Mechanical Engineering 34
Level – 2/Term – 1 ME 231 Engineering Mechanics – I (Statics)
Example: 12
Chapter 5 Edited by: Dr. Mostafizur Rahman Dept. of Mechanical Engineering 35