Seventh Edition

CHAPTER

VECTOR MECHANICS FOR ENGINEERS:

STATICS
Ferdinand P. Beer
E. Russell Johnston, Jr.
Lecture Notes:
J. Walt Oler
Texas Tech University

Distributed Forces:
Moments of Inertia

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Seventh

Vector Mechanics for Engineers: Dynamics

Contents
Introduction
Moments of Inertia of an Area
Moment of Inertia of an Area by Integr
ation
Polar Moment of Inertia
Radius of Gyration of an Area
Sample Problem 9.1
Sample Problem 9.2
Parallel Axis Theorem
Moments of Inertia of Composite Area
s
Sample Problem 9.4
Sample Problem 9.5
Product of Inertia
Principal Axes and Principal Moments
of Inertia

Sample Problem 9.6

Sample Problem 9.7
Mohrs Circle for Moments and Products
of Inertia
Sample Problem 9.8
Moment of Inertia of a Mass
Parallel Axis Theorem
Moment of Inertia of Thin Plates
Moment of Inertia of a 3D Body by
Integration
Moment of Inertia of Common Geometric
Shapes
Sample Problem 9.12
Moment of Inertia With Respect to an
Arbitrary Axis
Ellipsoid of Inertia. Principle Axes of
Axes of Inertia of a Mass

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Seventh

Vector Mechanics for Engineers: Dynamics

Introduction
Previously considered distributed forces which were proportional to
the area or volume over which they act.
- The resultant was obtained by summing or integrating over the
areas or volumes.
- The moment of the resultant about any axis was determined by
computing the first moments of the areas or volumes about that
axis.
Will now consider forces which are proportional to the area or volume
over which they act but also vary linearly with distance from a given
axis.
- It will be shown that the magnitude of the resultant depends on the
first moment of the force distribution with respect to the axis.
- The point of application of the resultant depends on the second
moment of the distribution with respect to the axis.
Current chapter will present methods for computing the moments and
products of inertia for areas and masses.
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Seventh

Vector Mechanics for Engineers: Dynamics

Moment of Inertia of an Area

Consider distributed forces F whose magnitudes are

proportional to the elemental areas A on which they
act and also vary linearly with the distance of A
from a given axis.
Example: Consider a beam subjected to pure bending.
Internal forces vary linearly with distance from the
neutral axis which passes through the section centroid.

F kyA
R k y dA 0

M k y 2 dA

y dA Qx first moment
2
y dA second moment

Example: Consider the net hydrostatic force on a

submerged circular gate.
F pA yA
R y dA
M x y 2 dA
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Seventh

Vector Mechanics for Engineers: Dynamics

Moment of Inertia of an Area by Integration
Second moments or moments of inertia of
an area with respect to the x and y axes,
I x y 2 dA

I y x 2 dA

Evaluation of the integrals is simplified by

choosing dto be a thin strip parallel to
one of the coordinate axes.
For a rectangular area,
2

I x y dA y 2 bdy 13 bh 3
0

The formula for rectangular areas may also

be applied to strips parallel to the axes,
dI x 13 y 3 dx
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dI y x 2 dA x 2 y dx

Seventh

Vector Mechanics for Engineers: Dynamics

Polar Moment of Inertia
The polar moment of inertia is an important
parameter in problems involving torsion of
cylindrical shafts and rotations of slabs.
J 0 r 2 dA
The polar moment of inertia is related to the
rectangular moments of inertia,

J 0 r 2 dA x 2 y 2 dA x 2 dA y 2 dA
I y Ix

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Seventh

Vector Mechanics for Engineers: Dynamics

Radius of Gyration of an Area
Consider area A with moment of inertia
Ix. Imagine that the area is
concentrated in a thin strip parallel to
the x axis with equivalent Ix.
I
I x k x2 A
kx x
A
kx = radius of gyration with respect
to the x axis
Similarly,
Iy

k y2 A

ky

J O kO2 A kO
kO2 k x2 k y2
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Iy
A
JO
A

Seventh

Vector Mechanics for Engineers: Dynamics

Sample Problem 9.1
SOLUTION:
A differential strip parallel to the x axis is chosen for
dA.
dI x y 2 dA
dA l dy
For similar triangles,

Determine the moment of

inertia of a triangle with respect
to its base.

l h y

b
h

l b

h y
h

dA b

h y
dy
h

Integrating dIx from y = 0 to y = h,

h

h y
bh 2
I x y dA y b
dy hy y 3 dy
h
h0
0
2

4 h

y
y
h
h 3
4
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bh3
I x
12

Seventh

Vector Mechanics for Engineers: Dynamics

Sample Problem 9.2
SOLUTION:
An annular differential area element is chosen,
dJ O u 2 dA

dA 2 u du
r

J O dJ O u 2 u du 2 u 3du
2

JO
a) Determine the centroidal polar
moment of inertia of a circular
area by direct integration.

4
r
2

From symmetry, Ix = Iy,

JO I x I y 2I x

b) Using the result of part a,

determine the moment of inertia
of a circular area with respect to a
diameter.
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4
r 2I x
2
I diameter I x

4
r
4

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Vector Mechanics for Engineers: Dynamics

Parallel Axis Theorem
Consider moment of inertia I of an area A
with respect to the axis AA
I y 2 dA
The axis BB passes through the area centroid
and is called a centroidal axis.
I y 2 dA y d 2 dA
y 2 dA 2d y dA d 2 dA
I I Ad 2

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parallel axis theorem

Seventh

Vector Mechanics for Engineers: Dynamics

Parallel Axis Theorem
Moment of inertia IT of a circular area with
respect to a tangent to the circle,

I T I Ad 2 14 r 4 r 2 r 2
54 r 4

Moment of inertia of a triangle with respect to a

centroidal axis,
I AA I BB Ad 2
I BB I AA Ad
1 bh 3
36

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1 bh 3
12

2
1
1
2 bh 3 h

Seventh

Vector Mechanics for Engineers: Dynamics

Moments of Inertia of Composite Areas
The moment of inertia of a composite area A about a given axis is
obtained by adding the moments of inertia of the component areas
A1, A2, A3, ... , with respect to the same axis.

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Seventh

Vector Mechanics for Engineers: Dynamics

Moments of Inertia of Composite Areas

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Seventh

Vector Mechanics for Engineers: Dynamics

Sample Problem 9.4
SOLUTION:
Determine location of the centroid of
composite section with respect to a
coordinate system with origin at the
centroid of the beam section.

The strength of a W14x38 rolled steel

beam is increased by attaching a plate
to its upper flange.
Determine the moment of inertia and
radius of gyration with respect to an
axis which is parallel to the plate and
passes through the centroid of the
section.

Apply the parallel axis theorem to

determine moments of inertia of beam
section and plate with respect to
composite section centroidal axis.
Calculate the radius of gyration from the
moment of inertia of the composite
section.

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Seventh

Vector Mechanics for Engineers: Dynamics

Sample Problem 9.4
SOLUTION:
Determine location of the centroid of composite section
with respect to a coordinate system with origin at the
centroid of the beam section.
Section
A, in 2
y , in. yA, in 3
Plate
6.75
7.425 50.12
Beam Section 11.20
0
0
A 17.95
yA 50.12

Y A yA

yA 50.12 in 3

2.792 in.
2
A
17.95 in

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Seventh

Vector Mechanics for Engineers: Dynamics

Sample Problem 9.4
Apply the parallel axis theorem to determine moments of
inertia of beam section and plate with respect to composite
section centroidal axis.
I x, beam section I x AY 2 385 11.20 2.792 2
472.3 in 4
1 9
I x, plate I x Ad 2 12

34 3 6.75 7.425 2.792 2

145.2 in 4
I x I x, beam section I x, plate 472.3 145.2
I x 618 in 4
Calculate the radius of gyration from the moment of inertia
of the composite section.
k x

I x 617.5 in 4

A 17.95 in 2

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k x 5.87 in.

Seventh

Vector Mechanics for Engineers: Dynamics

Sample Problem 9.5
SOLUTION:
Compute the moments of inertia of the
bounding rectangle and half-circle with
respect to the x axis.

Determine the moment of inertia

of the shaded area with respect to
the x axis.

The moment of inertia of the shaded area is

obtained by subtracting the moment of
inertia of the half-circle from the moment
of inertia of the rectangle.

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Seventh

Vector Mechanics for Engineers: Dynamics

Sample Problem 9.5
SOLUTION:
Compute the moments of inertia of the bounding
rectangle and half-circle with respect to the x axis.
Rectangle:
I x 13 bh3 13 240 120 138.2 106 mm 4
Half-circle:
moment of inertia with respect to AA,
I AA 18 r 4 18 90 4 25.76 106 mm 4
moment of inertia with respect to x,
4r 4 90
a

38.2 mm
3
3
b 120 - a 81.8 mm
A 12 r 12 90
2

12.72 103 mm2

I x I AA Aa 2 25.76 106 12.72 103

7.20 106 mm 4
moment of inertia with respect to x,

I x I x Ab 2 7.20 106 12.72 103 81.8 2

92.3 106 mm 4

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Seventh

Vector Mechanics for Engineers: Dynamics

Sample Problem 9.5
The moment of inertia of the shaded area is obtained by
subtracting the moment of inertia of the half-circle from
the moment of inertia of the rectangle.

Ix

138.2 106 mm4

I x 45.9 106 mm 4

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92.3 106 mm 4

Seventh

Vector Mechanics for Engineers: Dynamics

Product of Inertia
Product of Inertia:
I xy xy dA

When the x axis, the y axis, or both are an

axis of symmetry, the product of inertia is
zero.

Parallel axis theorem for products of inertia:

I xy I xy x yA

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Seventh

Vector Mechanics for Engineers: Dynamics

Principal Axes and Principal Moments of Inertia
The change of axes yields
Ix I y Ix I y
I x

cos 2 I xy sin 2
2
2
Ix I y Ix I y
I y

cos 2 I xy sin 2
2
2
Ix Iy
I xy
sin 2 I xy cos 2
2
Given I x y 2 dA I y x 2 dA
I xy xy dA
we wish to determine moments
and product of inertia with
respect to new axes x and y.
Note: x x cos y sin
y y cos x sin

The equations for Ix and Ixy are the

parametric equations for a circle,

I x I ave 2 I x2y R 2
I ave

Ix I y
2

Ix I y
2
I xy
R
2

The equations for Iy and Ixy lead to the

same circle.

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Seventh

Vector Mechanics for Engineers: Dynamics

Principal Axes and Principal Moments of Inertia
At the points A and B, Ixy = 0 and Ix is
a maximum and minimum, respectively.
I max,min I ave R
tan 2 m

2 I xy
Ix Iy

The equation for m defines two

angles, 90o apart which correspond to
the principal axes of the area about O.

I x I ave 2 I x2y R 2
I ave

Ix I y
2

Ix Iy
2
I xy
R
2

Imax and Imin are the principal moments

of inertia of the area about O.

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Seventh

Vector Mechanics for Engineers: Dynamics

Sample Problem 9.6
SOLUTION:
Determine the product of inertia using
direct integration with the parallel axis
theorem on vertical differential area strips
Apply the parallel axis theorem to
evaluate the product of inertia with respect
to the centroidal axes.

Determine the product of inertia of

the right triangle (a) with respect
to the x and y axes and
(b) with respect to centroidal axes
parallel to the x and y axes.
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Seventh

Vector Mechanics for Engineers: Dynamics

Sample Problem 9.6
SOLUTION:
Determine the product of inertia using direct integration
with the parallel axis theorem on vertical differential
area strips
x
x

y h 1 dA y dx h 1 dx
b
b

xel x
yel 12 y 12 h 1
b

Integrating dIx from x = 0 to x = b,

b

I xy dI xy xel yel dA x
0

12

x
h 1 dx
b

x 2 x3 x 4
x
2 x x
h
2 dx h
2
2
b
4
3b 8b
2b
0

I xy
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b
0

1 b 2h 2
24

Seventh

Vector Mechanics for Engineers: Dynamics

Sample Problem 9.6
Apply the parallel axis theorem to evaluate the
product of inertia with respect to the centroidal axes.
x 13 b

y 13 h

With the results from part a,

I xy I xy x yA
I xy

1 b2h2
24

13 h 12 bh

13 b

1 b 2h 2
I xy 72

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Seventh

Vector Mechanics for Engineers: Dynamics

Sample Problem 9.7
SOLUTION:
Compute the product of inertia with
respect to the xy axes by dividing the
section into three rectangles and applying
the parallel axis theorem to each.
Determine the orientation of the
principal axes (Eq. 9.25) and the
principal moments of inertia (Eq. 9. 27).
For the section shown, the moments of
inertia with respect to the x and y axes
are Ix = 10.38 in4 and Iy = 6.97 in4.
Determine (a) the orientation of the
principal axes of the section about O,
and (b) the values of the principal
moments of inertia about O.
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Seventh

Vector Mechanics for Engineers: Dynamics

Sample Problem 9.7
SOLUTION:
Compute the product of inertia with respect to the xy axes
by dividing the section into three rectangles.
Apply the parallel axis theorem to each rectangle,

I xy I xy x yA

Note that the product of inertia with respect to centroidal

axes parallel to the xy axes is zero for each rectangle.
Rectangle Area, in 2
x , in. y , in.
I
1.5 1.25 1.75
II
1.5
0
0
III
1.5 1.25 1.75

x yA, in 4
3.28
0
3.28
x yA 6.56

I xy x yA 6.56 in 4
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Seventh

Vector Mechanics for Engineers: Dynamics

Sample Problem 9.7
Determine the orientation of the principal axes (Eq. 9.25)
and the principal moments of inertia (Eq. 9. 27).
tan 2 m

2 I xy
Ix I y

2 6.56
3.85
10.38 6.97

2 m 75.4 and 255.4

m 37.7 and m 127.7

I x 10.38 in

I y 6.97 in 4
I xy 6.56 in

I max,min

Ix I y
2

Ix I y

2
I xy

10.38 6.97
10.38 6.97

2
2

I a I max 15.45 in 4
I b I min 1.897 in 4
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6.56 2

Seventh

Vector Mechanics for Engineers: Dynamics

Mohrs Circle for Moments and Products of Inertia
The moments and product of inertia for an area
are plotted as shown and used to construct
Mohrs circle,
I ave

Ix I y
2

Ix I y
2
I xy
R
2

Mohrs circle may be used to graphically or

analytically determine the moments and product of
inertia for any other rectangular axes including the
principal axes and principal moments and products
of inertia.

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Seventh

Vector Mechanics for Engineers: Dynamics

Sample Problem 9.8
SOLUTION:
Plot the points (Ix , Ixy) and (Iy ,-Ixy).
Construct Mohrs circle based on the
circle diameter between the points.
Based on the circle, determine the
orientation of the principal axes and the
principal moments of inertia.
The moments and product of inertia
with respect to the x and y axes are Ix =
7.24x106 mm4, Iy = 2.61x106 mm4, and
Ixy = -2.54x106 mm4.

Based on the circle, evaluate the

moments and product of inertia with
respect to the xy axes.

Using Mohrs circle, determine (a) the

principal axes about O, (b) the values of
the principal moments about O, and (c)
the values of the moments and product
of inertia about the x and y axes
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Seventh

Vector Mechanics for Engineers: Dynamics

Sample Problem 9.8
SOLUTION:
Plot the points (Ix , Ixy) and (Iy ,-Ixy). Construct Mohrs
circle based on the circle diameter between the points.
OC I ave 12 I x I y 4.925 106 mm4

CD 12 I x I y 2.315 106 mm 4
R
I x 7.24 106 mm 4
I y 2.61 106 mm 4
I xy 2.54 106 mm4

CD 2 DX 2 3.437 106 mm4

Based on the circle, determine the orientation of the

principal axes and the principal moments of inertia.
tan 2 m

DX
1.097 2 m 47.6
CD

m 23.8

I max OA I ave R

I max 8.36 106 mm4

I min OB I ave R

I min 1.49 106 mm4

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Seventh

Vector Mechanics for Engineers: Dynamics

Sample Problem 9.8
Based on the circle, evaluate the moments and product
of inertia with respect to the xy axes.
The points X and Y corresponding to the x and y axes
are obtained by rotating CX and CY counterclockwise
through an angle 2(60o) = 120o. The angle that CX
forms with the x axes is = 120o - 47.6o = 72.4o.
I x ' OF OC CX cos I ave R cos 72.4o
I x 5.96 106 mm 4
I y ' OG OC CY cos I ave R cos 72.4o
I y 3.89 106 mm 4
I xy ' FX CY sin R sin 72.4o
OC I ave 4.925 106 mm 4
R 3.437 106 mm4
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I xy 3.28 106 mm 4

Seventh

Vector Mechanics for Engineers: Dynamics

Moment of Inertia of a Mass
Angular acceleration about the axis AA of the
small mass m due to the application of a
couple is proportional to r2m.
r2m = moment of inertia of the
mass m with respect to the
axis AA
For a body of mass m the resistance to
rotation about the axis AA is
I r12 m r22 m r32 m
r 2 dm mass moment of inertia
The radius of gyration for a concentrated
mass with equivalent mass moment of inertia
is
I
I k 2m
k
m
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Seventh

Vector Mechanics for Engineers: Dynamics

Moment of Inertia of a Mass
Moment of inertia with respect to the y coordinate
axis is

I y r 2 dm z 2 x 2 dm
Similarly, for the moment of inertia with respect to
the x and z axes,

I z x 2 y 2 dm
I x y 2 z 2 dm

In SI units,

I r 2 dm kg m 2

In U.S. customary units,

lb s 2 2
2
I slug ft
ft lb ft s 2
ft

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Seventh

Vector Mechanics for Engineers: Dynamics

Parallel Axis Theorem
For the rectangular axes with origin at O and parallel
centroidal axes,

y 2 z 2 dm 2 y y dm 2 z z dm y 2 z 2 dm
I x I x m y 2 z 2
I y I y m z 2 x 2
I z I z m x 2 y 2
I x y 2 z 2 dm y y 2 z z 2 dm

Generalizing for any axis AA and a parallel centroidal

axis,
I I md 2

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Seventh

Vector Mechanics for Engineers: Dynamics

Moments of Inertia of Thin Plates
For a thin plate of uniform thickness t and homogeneous
material of density , the mass moment of inertia with
respect to axis AA contained in the plate is
I AA r 2 dm t r 2 dA
t I AA,area

Similarly, for perpendicular axis BB which is also

contained in the plate,
I BB t I BB,area

For the axis CC which is perpendicular to the plate,

I CC t J C ,area t I AA,area I BB,area
I AA I BB
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Seventh

Vector Mechanics for Engineers: Dynamics

Moments of Inertia of Thin Plates
For the principal centroidal axes on a rectangular plate,

121 a 3b 121 ma 2
1 ab 3 1 mb 2
I BB t I BB,area t 12
12
1 m a 2 b 2
I CC I AA,mass I BB,mass 12
I AA t I AA,area t

For centroidal axes on a circular plate,

I AA I BB t I AA,area t 14 r 4 14 mr 2
I CC I AA I BB 12 mr 2

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Seventh

Vector Mechanics for Engineers: Dynamics

Moments of Inertia of a 3D Body by Integration
Moment of inertia of a homogeneous body
is obtained from double or triple
integrations of the form
I r 2 dV
For bodies with two planes of symmetry,
the moment of inertia may be obtained
from a single integration by choosing thin
slabs perpendicular to the planes of
symmetry for dm.
The moment of inertia with respect to a
particular axis for a composite body may
be obtained by adding the moments of
inertia with respect to the same axis of the
components.
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Seventh

Vector Mechanics for Engineers: Dynamics

Moments of Inertia of Common Geometric Shapes

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Seventh

Vector Mechanics for Engineers: Dynamics

Sample Problem 9.12
SOLUTION:
With the forging divided into a prism and
two cylinders, compute the mass and
moments of inertia of each component
with respect to the xyz axes using the
parallel axis theorem.
Add the moments of inertia from the
components to determine the total moments
of inertia for the forging.
Determine the moments of inertia
of the steel forging with respect to
the xyz coordinate axes, knowing
that the specific weight of steel is
490 lb/ft3.
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Seventh

Vector Mechanics for Engineers: Dynamics

Sample Problem 9.12
cylinders a 1in., L 3in., x 2.5in., y 2in. :

SOLUTION:
Compute the moments of inertia
of each component with respect
to the xyz axes.

I x 12 ma 2 my 2
12 0.0829

121 2 0.0829 122 2

2.59 103 lb ft s 2

1 m 3a 2 L2 mx 2
I y 12

2 123 2

1 0.0829 3 1
12
12

0.0829

212.5 2

4.17 103 lb ft s 2
each cylinder :

V 490 lb/ft 1 3 in
m

g
1728 in 3 ft 3 32.2 ft s 2
m 0.0829 lb s 2 ft

1 m 3a 2 L2 m x 2 y 2
I y 12

2 123 2

1 0.0829 3 1
12
12

6.48 103 lb ft s 2

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212.5 2 122 2

0.0829

Seventh

Vector Mechanics for Engineers: Dynamics

Sample Problem 9.12
prism (a = 2 in., b = 6 in., c = 2 in.):

126 2 122 2

1 m b 2 c 2 1 0.211
I x I z 12
12

4.88 103 lb ft s 2

122 2 122 2

1 m c 2 a 2 1 0.211
I y 12
12

0.977 103 lb ft s 2
Add the moments of inertia from the
components to determine the total moments of
inertia.
I x 4.88 103 2 2.59 103

prism :

V
490 lb/ft 3 2 2 6 in 3
m

g
1728 in 3 ft 3 32.2 ft s 2
m 0.211 lb s 2 ft

I x 10.06 103 lb ft s 2

I y 0.977 103 2 4.17 103

I y 9.32 103 lb ft s 2

I z 4.88 103 2 6.48 103

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I z 17.84 103 lb ft s 2

Seventh

Vector Mechanics for Engineers: Dynamics

Moment of Inertia With Respect to an Arbitrary Axis
IOL = moment of inertia with respect to axis OL
2
2
I OL p dm r dm

Expressing and r in terms of the vector

components and expanding yields
I OL I x 2x I y 2y I z 2z
2 I xy x y 2 I yz y z 2 I zx z x
The definition of the mass products of inertia of a
mass is an extension of the definition of product of
inertia of an area
I xy xy dm I xy mx y
I yz yz dm I yz myz
I zx zx dm I zx mz x
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Seventh

Vector Mechanics for Engineers: Dynamics

Ellipsoid of Inertia. Principal Axes of Inertia of a Mass
Assume the moment of inertia of a body has been
computed for a large number of axes OL and that point
Q is plotted on each axis at a distance OQ 1 I OL
The locus of points Q forms a surface known as the
ellipsoid of inertia which defines the moment of inertia
of the body for any axis through O.
x,y,z axes may be chosen which are the principal
axes of inertia for which the products of inertia are
zero and the moments of inertia are the principal
moments of inertia.

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