EXAMPLE 1: MASS MOMENT OF INERTIA

y
x
Calculate the mass moment of inertia of the cone about the z-axis. Assume the cone is
made of a uniform material of density (mass per unit volume).

Solution:

The mass moment of inertia about the z-axis is given by

I zz r 2 dm r 2 dV
B V
The element of volume in a cylindrical coordinate system is given by

dV rdrd dz

The domain of the cone in cylindrical coordinates is defined by

a
a
z
h r
h
z z z

Therefore, the mass moment of inertia about the z-axis can be written as
 a
r z
z h 2 h
I zz r 2 dV r drd dz
3

V z 0 0 r 0
z h 2
a4 4
4h 4
z d dz
z 0 0
z h
a4 4 a 4 h
2h 4
z dz
10
z 0

For a uniform cone the density can be calculated using the total mass and total volume of
the cone so that
m m

V 1 a 2h
3
Therefore, the moment of inertia in terms of the total mass of the cone can be written as
a 4 h 3 a 2 m
I zz
10 10