Calculating Centroids and Moments of Forces

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MOMENTS, CENTER OF GRAVITY, CENTROID, MOMENT OF
INERTIA, RADIUS OF GYRATION

Moment of a force. The concept of the moment of a force comes from the law of the lever,
discovered by Archimedes. It corresponds to the torque exerted on a lever by a force. A lever consists
of a rigid bar which is free to turn about a fixed point called the fulcrum.

Def. Moment of a force. The moment M of a force F about some fixed fulcrum is defined as

M = Fd

where d is the distance from the fulcrum to the
line of action of the force. The torque produced
by a force F is also defined as Fd. The two
terms are synonymous. See Fig. 1a.

In Fig.1b the torque, or moment, produced by
force F
1
is given by F
1
times its distance from
the fulcrum, which is 19 feet. Thus the torque is
equal to F
1
19. If F
1
= 7.2 lbs., the torque is
7.219 = 136.8 ft.-lbs.

Fig. 1b shows a system of five forces acting on
a lever at varying distances from the fulcrum.
Forces F
1
and F
2
produce a counterclockwise
torque and forces F
3
, F
4
and F
5
produce a
clockwise torque. The law of the lever states
that in order to have equilibrium the sum of the counterclockwise torques (or moments) must be equal to
the sum of the clockwise torques. If the sums are not equal there will be rotation. In the figure the sum
of the counterclockwise moments is given by

M
1
= F
1
19 + F
2
16 .

If F
1
= 7.2 lbs. and F
2
= 9 lbs. then

M
1
= 7.219 + 916 = 281 ft-lbs.

The sum of the clockwise moments is given by
Page 1 of 18 Moments; center of gravity, mass; centroid; moment of inertia, product of inertia, parallel ...
14/07/2014 http://www.solitaryroad.com/c375.html

M
2
= F
3
9 + F
4
15 + F
5
19 .

If F
3
= 4 lbs., F
4
= 10 lbs. and F
5
= 5 lbs. then

M
2
= 49 + 1015 + 519 = 281 ft.-lbs.

Computing centers of gravity. We wish now to deal with the problem of computing the
location of the center of gravity, or center of mass, of a body. The center of gravity is the same as the
center of mass since weight and mass are proportional. Because the concept of a center of mass doesnt
presume a gravitational field, many prefer that term. However, in developing the ideas involved we need
to assume a gravitational field and will speak of the center of gravity.

In developing the ideas for computing the location of the center of
gravity we will view a body as an assemblage of individual particles.
The earth exerts an attraction on each individual particle of a body
and the weight of a body is the sum total of all the forces on all the
particles making up the body. Thus we will consider the problem of
finding the location of the center of gravity for assemblages of
particles in space.

Consider a steel rod resting on a pivot as shown in Fig. 2. If the pivot is
directly below the center of gravity, the rod is balanced, and the sum of
all the clockwise moments from particles to the right of the pivot is equal
to the sum of all the counterclockwise moments from the particles to the
left of the pivot. The upward force F exerted by the pivot on the rod, as
shown in Fig. 3, is equal to the weight of the rod.

Now let us consider the situation in which the pivot is at the left end
of the rod as shown in Fig. 4. Suppose an upward force F is exerted
directly below the center of gravity and equal in magnitude to the
weight of the rod. Then the rod will be balanced, no force will be
exerted on the pivot, and the sum of all of the clockwise moments
from the particles of the rod will be equal to the counterclockwise
moment Fd produced by force F (where d is the distance from the
pivot to the center of gravity, as shown in the figure). Thus if we were able to compute the clockwise
moments of the particles of the rod with respect to the pivot point and knew the weight of the rod, we
would then be able to compute the distance d from the pivot to the center of gravity.

Consider now a system of n point masses situated along a
horizontal line, as shown in Fig. 5, conceived of as attached to
a rigid weightless framework with a pivot point at the left end.
Suppose the weights of the masses are w
1
, w
2
, w
3
, ... , w
n
and
their distances from the pivot point are x
1
, x
2
, x
3
, ..., x
n
. Let
M
1
be the sum of the clockwise moments of the n masses with
respect to the pivot point. Then

M
1
= x
1
w
1
+ x
2
w
2
+ x
3
w
3
+ ... + x
n
w
n

Let F be an upward force equal in magnitude to the combined weights of all the masses and located
directly under the center of gravity. Then the counterclockwise moment M
2
due to F is given by Fd
where d is the distance from the pivot to the center of gravity. The system of masses will be balanced
with the counterclockwise moment M
2
equal to the sum of the clockwise moments M
1
so

Fd = x
1
w
1
+ x
2
w
2
+ x
3
w
3
+ ... + x
n
w
n

and

Let us now go back to the rod of Fig. 4 and write down the
expression for computing the distance d. We lay an x-axis of
a coordinate system along the rod with the origin at the pivot.
We consider the rod to consist of an assemblage of particles
m
1
, m
2
, ..., m
n
. The sum M
1
of the clockwise moments of the
particles of the rod with respect to the pivot is given by

where is the density of an infinitesimal element dx and integration takes place over the length l of the
rod. The weight W of the rod is given by

and

Since mass is proportional to weight, 3) can also be expressed in terms of mass.

In terms of mass it is


where x is the distance of the infinitesimal element of mass dm from the pivot.

We have considered a one-dimensional case where masses are distributed out in a line, as in a rod. The
ideas are easily extended to assemblages of points in two and three-dimensional space.

Consider a system of n point masses m
1
, m
2
, ..., m
n

scattered about on a horizontal plane, as shown in Fig.
7, with an x-y coordinate system superimposed on the
plane. Again the point masses are conceived of as
being attached to a rigid weightless framework. The
masses are located at points (x
1
, y
1
), (x
2
, y
2
), (x
3
, y
3
),
... , (x
n
, y
n
) and have weights w
1
, w
2
, w
3
, ... , w
n
. The
moment of mass m
1
with respect to the y-axis is x
1
w
1
.
Its moment with respect to the x-axis is y
1
w
1
. The sum
of the moments of the n particles about the y axis is

M
y
= x
1
w
1
+ x
2
w
2
+ ... + x
n
w
n
.

The sum of the moments of the n particles about the x axis is

M
x
= y
1
w
1
+ y
2
w
2
+ ... + y
n
w
n
.

The x and y coordinates of the center of gravity of this collection of point masses is then

where W is the combined weight of the n point masses.

For an assemblage of point masses in three-dimensional space as shown in Fig. 8, these formulas
become


where W is the combined weight of the n point
masses.
The x, y and z coordinates of the center of gravity of a body
in space are then given by

where integration takes place over the volume V of the body and is the density of the infinitesimal
element of volume dV. Expressed in terms of mass these formulas become


Def. Moment of mass about a point, line, or plane. The sum of the products of the
mass of each of the particles and its distance from the point, line or plane. Tech. The integral, over the
given mass, of the element of mass times its perpendicular distance from the point, line or plane.
Algebraic (signed) distances are to be used in computing moments. A moment is essentially the sum of
the moments of individual particles (elements of integration).

For a set of particles on a line (the x-axis), the moment M
a
about a point a on the line is

where (x) is the density (mass per unit length) at the point x.

For a set of particles in the plane, the moment M
y
about the y-axis is

where (x, y) is the density (mass per unit area) at the point (x, y) (if is a function of x alone, then dA
may be a strip parallel to the y-axis).

For a set of particles in space, the moment M
xy
with respect to the x-y plane is given by

where (x, y, z) is the density (mass per unit volume) at the point (x, y, z) in the element of volume dV.

James and James. Mathematics Dictionary.

Centroids. The centroid of an area or volume is the same as the center of gravity if the figure or
body is homogeneous. We speak of the centroids of geometric figures and solids such circles, triangles,
spheres, cubes, etc. It is customary to speak of their centroid rather than center of gravity since, being
merely geometrical figures, they are not influenced by gravity.

Centroid of a plane area or figure. The coordinates of the centroid of a plane area or figure are given
by


where A is the area of the figure. See Fig. 9.

Centroid of a volume or solid. The coordinates of the centroid of a volume or solid are given by

where V is the volume.

Finding the centroid of an area or volume when the
centroids of component parts are known. Sometimes we
may wish to find the centroid of a figure or solid consisting of
component parts with known centroids. Suppose, for example, that
an area A consists of two parts A
1
and A
2
, with centroids at
and respectively. See Fig. 10. It follows from 9) above
that

and thus


Similarly, in the case of volumes,

where the volume V consists of two portions, V
1
and V
2
, with centroids at and
respectively.

Example 1. The density of a certain rod a foot long varies directly as the square of the distance from one
end. Find the center of gravity.

Solution. Place the rod on the x-axis, one end at the origin so that = kx
2
.

where a is the length of the rod.

Example 2. Find the center of gravity of that area cut from the parabola y
2
=
4px by the latus rectum. See Fig. 11.

Solution. Because of symmetry = 0.


Example 3. Find the center of gravity of a homogeneous hemisphere of
radius r.

Solution. The center of gravity will lie on the diameter perpendicular to
the base at a distance above the base. See Fig. 12.

Moment of inertia. The term moment of inertia is applied to different quantities in physics and
engineering which are mathematically similar but different in nature. In some cases the term is
inappropriate because the quantity has nothing to do with inertia. The quantity that is most appropriately
called the moment of inertia is encountered in dynamics in connection with rotating bodies. In various
engineering problems, in particular in the analysis of the distribution of stress over the cross-sectional
areas of beams, columns, machine parts, etc. a quantity called the moment of inertia of an area is
encountered which has nothing to do with mass or inertia and would be more appropriately called
something else. Because of this situation one cannot give a single definition of moment of inertia. The
quantities called moments of inertia fall into two groups: 1. the areal moments of inertia connected with
computing stresses over cross-sectional areas. 2. the mass moment of inertia connected with the analysis
of rotating bodies. We will treat the group concerned with finding cross-sectional stresses first. It is
concerned with areas, plane figures.

I Areal moments of inertia.

Moment of inertia of an area. The moment of inertia of
an area A is given by

where a is the distance of a differential element dA from an axis
L about which the moment of inertia is desired. See Fig. 13. The
axis can be a line in the plane of area A or it can be a line
perpendicular to the plane. See Fig. 14. If it is perpendicular to
the plane the moment of inertia is called the polar moment of
inertia.

Rectangular Moments of Inertia. If an area A is referred to an x-y coordinate system the moments of
inertia with respect to the x and y axes are

where the element dA corresponds to the point (x, y). These are called
the rectangular moments of inertia. See Fig. 15.

Polar Moment of Inertia. The moment of inertia about the pole O (i.e.
z-axis of an x-y-z coordinate system) is

where r is a radius vector from the pole O to the element dA [which
corresponds to point (x, y)]. See Fig. 15. Since x
2
+ y
2
= r
2
it can be
seen that

16) J
z
= I
x
+ I
y

The moment of inertia of an area is a purely mathematical
property of the area and in itself has no physical
significance.

Radius of gyration. The radius of gyration k
L
about
some axis L is defined by

where I
L
is the moment of inertia about L. Similarly, the radius
of gyration k
z
about some pole z is defined by

If the entire area were concentrated at a point whose distance from the axis (or pole) is equal to the
radius of gyration k, the moment of inertia of the concentrated area would be equal to that of the original
area. It is a mathematical quantity used in connection with studying the strength of columns, beams, etc.
Page 10 of 18 Moments; center of gravity, mass; centroid; moment of inertia, product of inertia, parall...

Parallel-Axis theorem. If I
c
is the moment of inertia of an area A with respect to a line through its
centroid and I
s
is the moment of inertia with respect to a line S parallel to this line, then

18) I
s
= I
c
+ Ad
2

where d is the distance between the two lines.

Equation 18) also holds for polar moments of inertia i.e.

J
s
= J
g
+ Ad
2
.

Composite areas. When a composite area can be divided into a group of simple areas, such as
rectangles, triangles, and circles, the moment of inertia of the composite area about a particular axis is
the sum of the moments of inertia of the simple areas, each about this same axis. If a composite area has
a hole in it, the moment of inertia of the net composite area is equal to the moment of inertia of the
gross area including the hole minus the moment of inertia of the hole, each moment of inertia being
taken about the same axis.
Faires & Chambers. Analytic Mechanics. p. 213

Example 1. Compute the moment of inertia of the area of a rectangle with
respect to one side.

Solution. Choosing axes as shown in Fig. 16, we have

dA = b dy
y
2
dA = y
2
b dy

Example 2. Compute the moment of inertia of the area of a circle with
respect to a diameter.

Solution. See Fig. 17.

dA = 2y dx


II Moments of inertia of masses (i.e. mass moment of inertia)

The moment of inertia of a body with respect to some particular line or axis is
a property of the body associated with rotational movement about that line or
axis. Consider the body shown in Fig. 18 rotating about axis L. Any torque M
applied to the body causes rotational acceleration. The moment of inertia of a
body is a measure of the resistance that the body offers to any change in its
angular velocity in the same way that the mass of the body is a measure of the
resistance that the body offers to any change in its linear velocity. In fact, the
moment of inertia, I, plays the very same role in angular motion that mass
plays in linear motion. For example, the angular momentum of a rotating body
is given by I, (where is the angular velocity) while, in analogy, linear
momentum is given by mv. A rotating body maintains a constant angular
momentum unless acted upon by a torque just as in linear motion a moving body maintains a constant
linear momentum unless acted upon by some force. In angular motion the relationship between torque
M, moment of inertia I, and angular acceleration , is M = I in analogy to the formula F = ma for linear
motion. The formula for the kinetic energy in angular motion is K.E = I
2
in analogy to the formula
K.E. = mv
2
for linear motion.

Def. Moment of inertia with respect to an axis. The moment of inertia of a body with
respect to an axis is given by

where r is the distance of a differential element of mass dm from the axis and integration takes place
over the entire body. See Fig. 18.

Example. Find the moment of inertia of a solid circular cylinder of radius r,
height h, and density about its axis of revolution.

Solution. A solid cylinder can be generated by revolving a rectangle about one
side as shown in Fig. 19. The value of I can be computed by the cylindrical
shell method. The strip shown in the figure generates a cylindrical shell for
which

dm = 2xh dx .


This can be conveniently expressed in terms of the mass m of the cylinder. Since m = r
2
h, we have

I = mr
2
.

Another quantity called a moment of inertia is the following:

Def. Moment of inertia with respect to a plane. The moment of inertia of a body with
respect to a plane is given by

where r is the distance of a differential element of mass dm from the plane and integration takes place
over the entire body.

This quantity has no physical significance. It is useful in some problems primarily as an aid to the
calculation of the moment of inertia with respect to an axis.

Connection between the moment of inertia with respect to an axis and the moment of
inertia with respect to a plane. The moment of inertia of a body with respect to the y-z plane is
given by

The moment of inertia of a body with respect to the x-z plane is given by

The moment of inertia of a body with respect to the z axis is given by

where r is the distance from dm to the z-axis. Since r
2
= x
2
+ y
2

Similar expressions can be written for the other two axes i.e.

I
x
= I
xy
+ I
xz

I
y
= I
xy
+ I
yz
.

Stated in words: The sum of the moments of inertia of a mass with respect to two planes at right
angles to each other is equal to the moment of inertia of the mass with respect to the axis formed
by the intersection of the planes.

Product of inertia. In a few problems of advanced mechanics the integrals

are useful. These integrals are called the products of inertia of the mass m. They may be either positive
or negative. In general, a three-dimensional body has three moments of inertia about the three mutually
perpendicular axes and three products of inertia about the three coordinate planes. For an unsymmetrical
body of any shape it is found that for a given origin of coordinates there is one orientation of axes for
which the products of inertia vanish. These axes are called the principal axes of inertia. The
corresponding moments of inertia about these axes are known as the principal moments of inertia and
include the maximum possible value and the minimum possible value.
Meriam. Mechanics. Vol. 1 (Statics). p.318

Radius of gyration. The radius of gyration k of a mass m about some axis is defined by

If the entire mass were concentrated at a point whose distance from the axis is equal to the radius of
gyration k, the moment of inertia of the concentrated mass would be equal to that of the original mass.

Transfer of Axes. If the moment of inertia of a body is known about a centroidal axis, it may be
determined easily about any parallel axis using the Parallel-Axis theorem.

Parallel-Axis theorem. If I
c
is the moment of inertia of a body of mass m with respect to a line
through its centroid and I
s
is the moment of inertia with respect to a line S parallel to this line, then

18) I
s
= I
c
+ md
2

where d is the distance between the two lines.

Composite bodies. The moment of inertia of a composite body is the sum of the moments of
inertia of the parts of the body, the same axis of reference being used for each part. If a body has a hole
drilled in it, the moment of inertia of the drilled body is equal to the moment of inertia of the original
body minus the moment of inertia of the removed material, each moment of inertia being about the same
axis.
Faires & Chambers. Analytic Mechanics. p. 234



References.
Middlemiss. Differential and
Integral Calculus.
Oakley. The Calculus.
Faires & Chambers. Analytic
Mechanics.
Meriam. Mechanics. Vol. 1
(Statics).

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