3.

CENTROID

Centre of gravity : of a body is the point at which the whole

weight of the body may be assumed to be concentrated.

A body is having only one center of gravity for all

positions of the body.

It is represented by CG. or simply G or C.

Contd. 1
 CENTRE OF GRAVITY

Consider a block of uniform thickness and

having a uniform mass m.

It is possible to support (hold) the

block in stable position by a rod as
shown in the figure provided rod must
be positioned exactly at the point of
W intersection of the diagonals.

Or the rod must be supported

exactly below where the total weight of
R the block act.

Contd. 2
W
CENTRE OF GRAVITY

The block can be supported from any position

provided the support rod and the line of action
of weight are in same line.

This indicates that the whole weight of the

block act through one point. This point is
called as centre of gravity.

Centre of gravity is that point about which

R
the summation of the first moments of the
weights of the elements of the body is zero.

Contd. 3
 W CENTRE OF GRAVITY
x W3
W4
W2 To determine mathematically the
W1
location of the “centre of gravity”

X1
of any body, we apply the
X2 “principle of moments” to the
parallel system of gravitational
forces

The moment of the the algebraic sum of the

resultant gravitational = moments about the same axis
force W, about any axis of the gravitational forces dW
acting on all infinitesimal
elements of the body. Contd. 4
 W CENTRE OF GRAVITY
x dW3
dW4
dW2
dW1

x W   x  dW
X1
X2

x W  dW1  x1  dW2  x2  dW3  x3  ................dWn  xn

Where W =  dW Contd. 5
x

CENTRE OF GRAVITY

where x = x- coordinate of centre of gravity

x
 x  dW
W
x

Similarly, y and z coordinates of the centre of gravity are

y
 y  dW
and z
 z  dW
----(1)
W W
6
x

CENTRE OF MASS

With the substitution of W= m g and dW = g dm

(if ‘g’ is assumed constant for all particles, then )

x
 x  dm
y
 y  dm
z
 z  dm
----(2)
m , m , m

Equation 2 is independent of g and therefore define a unique point in

the body which is a function solely of the distribution of mass. This point
is called the centre of mass and clearly coincides with the centre of
gravity as long as the gravity field is treated as uniform and parallel
Contd. 7
When speaking of an actual physical body, we use the term
“centre of mass”.

The term centroid is used when the calculation concerns a

geometrical shape only.

Calculation of centroid falls within three distinct categories,

depending on whether we can model the shape of the body
involved as a line, an area or a volume.

Contd. 8
 The centroid “C” of the Volume segment,

x
 x  dV
, y
 y  dV
,  z  dV
z
V V V

The centroid “C” of the line segment,

x
 x  dL
y
 y  dL
z
 z  dL
L , L , L

9
 The centroid “C” of the Area segment,

AREA: when the density ρ, is constant and the body

has a small constant thickness t, the body can be
modeled as a surface area.
The mass of an element becomes dm = ρ t dA.

If ρ and t are constant over entire area, the

coordinates of the ‘centre of mass’ also becomes the
coordinates of the centroid, C of the surface area and
which may be written as

x
 x  dA
y
 y  dA
, z
 z  dA
A
, A A

10
Contd.
Centroid of Simple figures: using method of moment ( First
moment of area)

 Centroid of an area may or may not lie on the area in

question.

 It is a unique point for a given area regardless of the

choice of the origin and the orientation of the axes about
which we take the moment.

11
The coordinates of the centroid of the surface area
about any axis can be calculated by using the equn.

(A) x = (a1) x1 + (a2) x2 + (a3) x3 +

……….+(an) xn
= First moment of area

Moment of Total Algebraic Sum of

area ‘A’ about y- moment of elemental
axis
= ‘dA’ about the same axis

12
where (A = a1 + a2 + a3 + a4 + ……..+ an)
AXIS of SYMMETRY:

It is an axis w.r.t. which for an elementary area on one side

of the axis , there is a corresponding elementary area on
the other side of the axis (the first moment of these
elementary areas about the axis balance each other)

If an area has an axis of symmetry, then the centroid must

lie on that axis.
If an area has two axes of symmetry, then the centroid
must lie at the point of intersection of these axes.

13
Contd.
For example:

The rectangular shown in

the figure has two axis of
symmetry, X-X and Y-Y.
Therefore intersection of
da
these two axes gives the da
centroid of the rectangle.
x x

da × x = da × x

Moment of areas,da
about y-axis cancel
each other
da × x + da × x = 0 Contd. 14
AXIS of SYMMETYRY

‘C’ must lie

on the axis
of symmetry
‘C’ must lie on
the axis of
symmetry

‘C’ must lie at the intersection

of the axes of symmetry

15
Q 3.1 Numerical Problems & Solutions

To locate the centroid of simple rectangular

area from first principles

16
 Q 3.1
To locate the centroid w.r.t. the base line x-x

Let the distance of centroid

from the base line x-x be y
D
Then from the Principle of
y Moments
X X

A  y   y  da
Moment of Sum of moment of
Total area A = elemental area dA
about x-axis about the same axis
Contd.
17
 Q 3.1
Consider a elemental area dA at a distance y from the
base line (x-x)
Let the thickness of the element be ‘dy’

Area of small element

B = dA = B .dy
dy
dA
Moment of this elemental area
y about x-x axis
y
= (area) x (distance)
x x
= (B.dy) . (y)

18
Contd.
Q 3.1
Sum of Moment of all such elemental areas
comprising the total area =

  y  da

  B  dy  y
 BD 2 
D
 By 2
   
 2 0  2 
BD 2
Then from the Principle of Moments Ay 
2
BD 2 BD 2 D
y , y , y
2A 2 BD 2 19
Contd.
 Q 3.1
Similarly we can show
B
Y

Y x
dx B
 Dx 
A  x   x  da
2
  x  D  dx    
 2 0

x = B/2 20
Q 3.2

To locate the centroid of simple right angle triangular area

from first principles

21
 Q 3.2
To locate the centroid w.r.t. the base line x-x.
Let the distance of
centroid from the base
line x-x be y
H

x x
Then from the Principle of Moments
A  y   y  da
Moment of Total area Algebraic Sum of moment of
A about = elementary area ‘dA’ about the same
x-axis axis.
22
Contd.
Q 3.2
Consider a small elemental area ‘dA’ at a distance ‘y’
from the base line (x-x)
Let the thickness of the element be ‘dy’

Area of small element

= dA = b .dy
b
dy Moment of this small
dA elemental area about x-
y x axis
y = (area) x (distance)
x x
= (b.dy) . (y)
23
Contd.
Q 3.2
Then from the Principle of Moments
B H  y 
da  b  dy   dy
A  y   y  da H

B H  y 
b
A  y   b  dy  y H

B H  y 
A y    dy  y
H
H/3
y = H/3
H

y
X X
B 24
Contd.
Q 3.2
Similarly we can prove that x = B/3
H B  x 
da  h  dx   dx
A  x   x  da B

A  x   b  dx  x
H B  x 
Y b
H B  x  B
A x    dx  x
B
dx
x = B/3 H
x
b
x
B/3
B 25
Contd.
Y
Q 3.2

The centroid of simple right angled triangle area

from the base
B/3

H Centroid

H/3

26
Q 3.3 X

To locate the centroid of Semi Circular Area w.r.t. the

diameter AB from first principles

Consider a semicircle of
radius R,

A = area = D 2
D = 2R
8

Let ‘G’ be the centroid of the Semicircle, and y is its

distance from the diameter AB.

Contd. 27
dA  r  d  dr

Q 3.3

Consider a small elemental

area da, located at distance y
from the diameter AB,

Let ‘r’ =radial distance of area ‘da’ from centre of the semi
circle.

da  r  d  dr
y  r  sin 

Moment of this elemental area about the diameter AB =

 r 2 sin   dr28 d
Contd.
Q 3.3
Moment of all such elemental
area ‘da’ about the diameter
AB
 R
   r 2  sin   dr.d
OO

 R
r 3
     sin   .d
O
3 O

R3
(cos  O )


3
2.R 3
 Contd. 29
3
Q 3.3
Then from the Principle of Moments

A  y   y  da
y
 R

A y     sin   dr.d
2
r Centroid
OO

2 .R 3
A y  x x
3
R
4R 4R
y y y
3 3
Because of symmetry x=0
30
R
 Q 3.4 X

To locate the centroid of Quarter Circular Area w.r.t. the

boundary radial line AB from first principle

A  y   y  da

2 R
dr A  y    r 2  sin   dr.d
OO
r
y 4R
d
y
A

B 3
R
Contd. 31
Q 3.4
Centroid of Quarter Circular Area w.r.t. the boundary radial
lines

4R Centroid
x
3

4R
y
3

4R
y
3

32
 Q 3.5 X
To locate the centroid of Circular Sector w.r.t. the y-axis
shown from first principle

y Consider a triangle of
Xc=(2/3)Rcos
differential area = da =
da
1
  base  height
2
1
  R  d  R
2
Distance of the differential area
‘da’, from y-axis = xc =

2
  R  cos  33
3 Contd.
Q 3.5
To locate the centroid of Circular Sector w.r.t. the y-axis
shown from first principle

Consider a triangle of
differential area = da =
1
  base  height
2
1
  R  d  R
2
Distance of the differential area
‘da’, from y-axis = xc =

2
  R  cos  34
3 Contd.
 wer
Q 3.5
Then from the Principle of Moments

 A  x   da  xc
A 1
R  d  R  R  
2
 2

  2 1 2
R   x    R cos   R d
2

3 2


 2

R   x   R  sin 
2

3
3

2 R  sin 
x
3 
35
Q 3.5

2 R  sin 
x
3 

For a semicircular area 2α = π, if we use

this value in the above formula we get

4R
y 
3

36
Q 3.6 X
To locate the centroid of area under the curve x = k y3 from
x = 0 to x = a from first principle

37
 Q 3.6

Consider a vertical element of

area da = y dx at a distance x
from the y-axis.
da

To find x- coordinate,

x x X A  x   da  x

a At x = a, y = b,
A   y  dx
0 i.e. a = k b3, k = a/b3
38
Contd.
Q 3.6
Substituting y = (x/k)1/3 and k = a/b3

a a
x  ydx   xydx
0 0

1 1
 x  x
a a
3 3
x    dx   x  dx
0
k 0 
k

3ab 3a 2b
x
4 7
4
x a 39
Contd.
7
Q 3.6

To find y, Coordinate of centroid of the rectangular

element is yc = y/2

A  y   yc  dA

 y
a a
y  ydx     ydx 
0
0
2
Substituting, y = b( x/a)1/3

3ab 3ab 2
y
4 10
2
y b 40
5
Q 3.7 To Locate centroids of composite area

Locate the centroid of the shaded area shown in the figure

below
100
12

150

10

41
 Q 3.7 Solution:

First check for axis of symmetry. The area is symmetrically

distributed about the axis y-y. Hence the centroid must lie on y-y
axis as shown in figure

Y
100
12

50
150
Y = ?

Y 10 42
Contd.
Q 3.7

To locate the centroid along the y-y axis

Select a reference line AB

Now it is required to find the

distance y

A B

43
Contd.
 Q 3.7
To find the distance y , we divide the total shaded area
into smaller simple areas

like -- rectangles, triangles, circles,

semicircles, etc.,

because for these simple areas we

know locations of respective
centroids
y

A B in this case ‘TWO’

rectangles,

44
Contd.
Q 3.7

a1= 100x12 +1200

a2= 150x10 +1500
A= Total 2700
a1

y a2

A B

45
Contd.
Q 3.7 From the principle of moments of area,

A y   y  da
A  y  a1  y1  a2  y2
a1

a1

y a2
y1=150+6
a2
A B y2=150/2

A B
46
Contd.
Q 3.7

From the principle of moments of area,

a1
A  y   y  da

A  y  a1  y1  a2  y2

A .y = a1 x 156 + a2 x 75
y a2

Y = 111
A B

47
 Q 3.7
we can also divide the total shaded area in to smaller
areas as shown
100
Total shaded area =
a1 A = a1 -2(a2)
45 45
= (100x162) –
172 -a2 -a2
2(150x45)
y1=162 / 2 y
150
y2=150 / 2 = 2700

A B

A  y  a1  y1  a2  y2         an  yn
A . y = a1 x 81 + (-a2) x 75 x 2
y = 111 48
 Q 3.8
Locate centroid of the shaded area shown the figure.
y
120

100

100

20
y
First check for axis of symmetry. The area is symmetrically
distributed about the axis y-y. Hence the centroid must lie on y-y
axis as shown in figure 49
 Q 3.8 To locate the centroid along y-y axis , take a
reference line x-x

Let the centroid of total shaded area A be

located at a distance y from the reference
line x-x
x x
y
x x
y

Divide the total area into three smaller areas as a1, a2, a3
whose centroid is known
A= a1 + (- a2) + a3. a1= area of circle, =120mm
-a2 = area of circle,  =100mm
50
Contd.
 Q 3.8

a1 -a2

100+60 a3 100+60

50
x x
2
a1 = πd /4 = πx 1202/4 11309.73
a2 (-ve) = π x 1002/4 (-)7853.98

a3 = 100 x 20 2000
A = 5455.75
51
Contd.
Q 3.8 From the principle of moments of area,

Ay   yda
5455.75 x y = a1 x 160 + (-a2) x 160 + a3 x 50

Y = 119.68
Y

If x and y are coordinate

axes, then the coordinates
of the centroid is ( 0,
119.68) 119.68
X
52
Q 3.9

150
Locate the y
centroid of
shaded area
w.r.t. the 100
coordinate
axes shown

x
200
53
 Divide the geometry into three parts as shown
Q 3.9 below

Let us divide the geometry as a1,

a2 a2 and a3

a3
So that total shaded area A =
a1
A = a1 + a2 + (-a3)

a1 0.5x50x200 = 5,000
a2 150x200 = 30,000
-a3 0.5 (πd2/4) = (-)15707.96
Total Shaded A = 19292.04
54
Contd.
Q 3.9
To locate the x- coordinate of the centroid
First select any reference line.
Let us take this reference line as y-y axis itself

A = a1 + a2 + (-a3)
a
2
a
a 1
3
y 55
Contd.
 Distance of centroids of smaller areas w.r.t. reference
line (y-y axis)
Q 3.9
y
75

H/3

B/3
50/3 B/2
4r/3π
4r/3π
H/2
y
(150 - 4r/3π) D/2

56
Contd.
 Q 3.9
Using the principle of moments
A.x = a1. x1 + a2 . x2 + -a3. x3
19292.04 . x = 5,000 x 50/3 + 30,000 x (-75) +
(-15,707.96) x (- (150 - 4r/3π))

y
x = -65.44

Negative sign indicates that

centroid is located to the left x
of y-y axis 57
Contd.
y
Q 3.9
a2
a3
a1
y2
Y3=200
y1=200/3

Using the principle of moments

A . y = a1. y1 + a2 . y2 + a3. y3

19292.04 . y = 5,000 x 200/3 + 30,000 x (100)

+ ( - 15,707.96 )x (100 )

+ ve sign indictes that

y = + 91.36 centroid is located above the
58
x-x axis Contd.
Q 3.9

150 Y
The coordinates
100 of the centroid of
shaded area are
( -65.44 , 91.36 )

65.44 91.36

200 X

59
Q 3.10

Locate the centroid of shaded area shown in Figure

100
100

60
 First divide the given geometry into simpler figures as
shown in figure such that total shaded area does not
change
Q 3.10
a1=100 x 100
a2=πR2/4= π x 1002/4
a1 a2 a3 a3=πR2/4= π x 1002/4

A = a1 + (- a2) + a3 = 10,000+( - 7854)+7854

= 10,000

a1 a2

61
Contd.
 Q 3.10 To find x,

Select a reference line y-y, as shown

Y a1
Y

50

4R/3π
Y
4R/3π
a2

Y
62
Contd.
Q 3.10

4R/3π=42.44
a2 A x = a1.x1+ -a2.x2 + a3.x3
a3 A x = a1.50 + -a2.42.44 +
a3.(100+42.44)
a1 x =128.54
50

100 + 4R/3π
=100+42.44

Y
63
Contd.
 Q 3.10 To find y, from the reference axis x-x shown

4R/3π=42.44 A y = a1.y1+ -a2.y2 + a3.y3

a2
A y = a1.50 + -a2.(100+42.44)+
a3
a3.(42.44)
y2
y1 y =38.125
a1 y3
X X
Y1=50
Y2= 100 - 4R/3π = 100 – 42.44
Y3 = 42.44

64
Q 3.11

Locate the centroid of shaded area shown in Figure

60
R=50

40

35

65
Q 3.11

To locate centroidal y-distance from the reference line

‘x-x’ shown

x x

66
Contd.
 Q 3.11
Divide the shaded area into smaller simple area such that
total shaded area remains the same
Draw a line AB
F
A Now consider the area ABCDEF
In the area ABCDEF if we remove
the area Triangle ABC
E
We get the required shaded area

B D
x C x

67
Contd.
 Q 3.11

A F
a1= Rectangle- ABHF

a2= Rectangle- GHDE

G E
a3= Quarter of circle- GEF
-a4= Triangle- ABC
xB H C D x

Now the total shaded area = a1+a2+a3+(-a4)

68
Contd.
 Q 3.11
a1= Rectangle- 60x90=5400
a2= Rectangle- 40x50=2000
a3= Quarter of circle- (¼)πr2=1963.5

60 -a4= Triangle- ½ (75x90)= (-3375)

F
A

G E Total shaded area=5988.5

40
B H C D x
x 35

69
Contd.
Q 3.11

To find y apply the principle of moments about the

reference line ‘xx’
4r/3π
y4=90/3
a1 a3
a4
a2
y y1=45 40
x x
y2=20 y3=40+4r/3π

A y = a1.y1 + a2. y2 + a3.y3 + (- a4. y4)

y = 50.42
70
Contd.
 Q 3.11

To find x apply the principle of moments about the

reference line ‘yy’ shown
4r/3π 75/3
y y
a1 a3
a4
a2
x1=30

x
y y x2=60+25

x3=60+4r/3π

A y = a1.x1 + a2. x2 + a3.x3 + (- a4. x4) x4=75/3

x = 67.98 71
Contd.
 EXERCISE PROBLEMS
3. Centroid of plane area

Problem No.1:

Locate the centroid of the shaded area shown

10
50

10
40

Ans: x=12.5, y=17.5

72
 EXERCISE PROBLEMS
3. Centroid of plane area

Problem No.2:
Locate the centroid of the shaded area shown

500 300

300
1000 mm

r=600
D=600

500

1000 mm
73
Ans: x=474mm, y=474mm
 EXERCISE PROBLEMS
3. Centroid of plane area

Problem No.3:
Locate the centroid of the shaded area w.r.t. to the axes
shown
y-axis
90

20
120

r=40

20
x-axis
60

74
Ans: x=34.4, y=40.3
 EXERCISE PROBLEMS
3. Centroid of plane area

Problem No.4:

Locate the centroid of the shaded area w.r.t. to the axes

shown
y-axis

250 mm
20
10

10 380

10
200 mm x-axis
75
Ans: x= -5mm, y=282mm
 EXERCISE PROBLEMS
3. Centroid of plane area

Problem No.5

Locate the centroid of the shaded area w.r.t. to the axes

shown

y 30
50
30
40

40
x
20 20
r=20

76
Ans:x =38.94, y=31.46
 EXERCISE PROBLEMS
3. Centroid of plane area

Problem No.6
Locate the centroid of the shaded area w.r.t. to the axes
shown

2.4 m
1.0

r=0.6
x
1.0
1.0
1.5

1.5

77
Ans: x=0.817, y=0.24
 EXERCISE PROBLEMS
3. Centroid of plane area

Problem No.7
Locate the centroid of the shaded area w.r.t. to the axes
shown

78
Ans: x= -30.43, y= +9.58
 EXERCISE PROBLEMS
3. Centroid of plane area

Problem No.8
Locate the centroid of the shaded area.

20

Ans: x= 0, y= 67.22(about base)

79
 EXERCISE PROBLEMS
3. Centroid of plane area

Problem No.9
Locate the centroid of the shaded area w.r.t. to the base
line.

Ans: x=5.9, y= 8.17 80

 EXERCISE PROBLEMS
3. Centroid of plane area

Problem No.10
Locate the centroid of the shaded area w.r.t. to the axes
shown

Ans: x=21.11, y= 21.11 81

 EXERCISE PROBLEMS
3. Centroid of plane area

Problem No.11
Locate the centroid of the shaded area w.r.t. to the axes
shown

82
Ans: x= y= 22.22
 EXERCISE PROBLEMS
3. Centroid of plane area

Problem No.12
Locate the centroid of the shaded area w.r.t. to the axes
shown

Y
R=25
R=25

80

50

50 75

83
Ans: x= 24.33 y= 4.723