VECTOR MECHANICS FOR ENGINEERS:

STATICS
Ninth Edition
Ferdinand P. Beer
E. Russell Johnston, Jr.

Lecture Notes:
J. Walt Oler
Texas Tech University
CHAPTER
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9
Distributed Forces:
Moments of Inertia
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Contents
9 - 2
Introduction
Moments of Inertia of an Area
Moment of Inertia of an Area by
Integration
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
Areas
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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Introduction
9 - 3
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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Moment of Inertia of an Area
9 - 4
Consider distributed forces whose magnitudes are
proportional to the elemental areas on which they
act and also vary linearly with the distance of
from a given axis.
F

A
A A
A A
Example: Consider a beam subjected to pure bending.
Internal forces vary linearly with distance from the
neutral axis which passes through the section centroid.
moment second
moment first 0
2 2
= =
= = = =
A = A
} }
} }
dA y dA y k M
Q dA y dA y k R
A ky F
x

Example: Consider the net hydrostatic force on a

submerged circular gate.
}
}
=
=
A = A = A
dA y M
dA y R
A y A p F
x
2

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Moment of Inertia of an Area by Integration
9 - 5
Second moments or moments of inertia of
an area with respect to the x and y axes,
} }
= = dA x I dA y I
y x
2 2
Evaluation of the integrals is simplified by
choosing dA to be a thin strip parallel to
one of the coordinate axes.
For a rectangular area,
3
3
1
0
2 2
bh bdy y dA y I
h
x
= = =
} }
The formula for rectangular areas may also
be applied to strips parallel to the axes,
dx y x dA x dI dx y dI
y x
2 2 3
3
1
= = =
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Polar Moment of Inertia
9 - 6
The polar moment of inertia is an important
parameter in problems involving torsion of
cylindrical shafts and rotations of slabs.
}
= dA r J
2
0
The polar moment of inertia is related to the
rectangular moments of inertia,
( )
x y
I I
dA y dA x dA y x dA r J
+ =
+ = + = =
} } } }
2 2 2 2 2
0
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Radius of Gyration of an Area
9 - 7
Consider area A with moment of inertia
I
x
. Imagine that the area is
concentrated in a thin strip parallel to
the x axis with equivalent I
x
.
A
I
k A k I
x
x x x
= =
2
k
x
= radius of gyration with respect
to the x axis
Similarly,
A
J
k A k J
A
I
k A k I
O
O O O
y
y y y
= =
= =
2
2
2 2 2
y x O
k k k + =
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Sample Problem 9.1
9 - 8
Determine the moment of
inertia of a triangle with respect
to its base.
SOLUTION:
A differential strip parallel to the x axis is chosen for
dA.
dy l dA dA y dI
x
= =
2
For similar triangles,
dy
h
y h
b dA
h
y h
b l
h
y h
b
l
=

=
Integrating dI
x
from y = 0 to y = h,
( )
h
h h
x
y y
h
h
b
dy y hy
h
b
dy
h
y h
b y dA y I
0
4 3
0
3 2
0
2 2
4 3
(

=
=

= =
} } }
12
3
bh
I
x
=
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Sample Problem 9.2
9 - 9
a) Determine the centroidal polar
moment of inertia of a circular
area by direct integration.
b) Using the result of part a,
determine the moment of inertia
of a circular area with respect to a
diameter.
SOLUTION:
An annular differential area element is chosen,
( )
} } }
= = =
= =
r r
O O
O
du u du u u dJ J
du u dA dA u dJ
0
3
0
2
2
2 2
2
t t
t
4
2
r J
O
t
=
From symmetry, I
x
= I
y
,
x x y x O
I r I I I J 2
2
2
4
= = + =
t
4
4
r I I
x diameter
t
= =
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Parallel Axis Theorem
9 - 10
Consider moment of inertia I of an area A
with respect to the axis AA
}
= dA y I
2
The axis BB passes through the area centroid
and is called a centroidal axis.
( )
} } }
} }
+
'
+
'
=
+
'
= =
dA d dA y d dA y
dA d y dA y I
2 2
2 2
2
2
Ad I I + =
parallel axis theorem
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Parallel Axis Theorem
9 - 11
Moment of inertia I
T
of a circular area with
respect to a tangent to the circle,
( )
4
4
5
2 2 4
4
1
2
r
r r r Ad I I
T
t
t t
=
+ = + =
Moment of inertia of a triangle with respect to a
centroidal axis,
( )
3
36
1
2
3
1
2
1
3
12
1
2
2
bh
h bh bh Ad I I
Ad I I
A A B B
B B A A
=
= =
+ =
' '
' '
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Moments of Inertia of Composite Areas
9 - 12
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
A
1
, A
2
, A
3
, ... , with respect to the same axis.
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Moments of Inertia of Composite Areas
9 - 13
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Sample Problem 9.4
9 - 14
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.
SOLUTION:
Determine location of the centroid of
composite section with respect to a
coordinate system with origin at the
centroid of the beam 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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Sample Problem 9.4
9 - 15
SOLUTION:
Determine location of the centroid of composite section
with respect to a coordinate system with origin at the
centroid of the beam section.
12 . 50 95 . 17
0 0 11.20 Section Beam
12 . 50 425 . 7 6.75 Plate
in , in. , in , Section
3 2
= =

A y A
A y y A
in. 792 . 2
in 17.95
in 12 . 50
2
3
= = = =

A
A y
Y A y A Y
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Sample Problem 9.4
9 - 16
Apply the parallel axis theorem to determine moments of
inertia of beam section and plate with respect to composite
section centroidal axis.
( )( )
( )( ) ( )( )
4
2
3
4
3
12
1
2
plate ,
4
2 2
section beam ,
in 2 . 145
792 . 2 425 . 7 75 . 6 9
in 3 . 472
792 . 2 20 . 11 385
=
+ = + =
=
+ = + =
'
'
Ad I I
Y A I I
x x
x x
Calculate the radius of gyration from the moment of inertia
of the composite section.
2
4
in 17.95
in 5 . 617
= =
'
'
A
I
k
x
x
in. 87 . 5 =
' x
k
2 . 145 3 . 472
plate , section beam ,
+ = + =
' ' ' x x x
I I I
4
in 618 =
' x
I
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Sample Problem 9.5
9 - 17
Determine the moment of inertia
of the shaded area with respect to
the x axis.
SOLUTION:
Compute the moments of inertia of the
bounding rectangle and half-circle 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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Sample Problem 9.5
9 - 18
SOLUTION:
Compute the moments of inertia of the bounding
rectangle and half-circle with respect to the x axis.
Rectangle:
( )( )
4 6
3
1
3
3
1
mm 10 2 . 138 120 240 = = = bh I
x
Half-circle:
moment of inertia with respect to AA,
( )
4 6 4
8
1
4
8
1
mm 10 76 . 25 90 = = =
'
t tr I
A A
( )( )
( )
2 3
2
2
1
2
2
1
mm 10 72 . 12
90
mm 81.8 a - 120 b
mm 2 . 38
3
90 4
3
4
=
= =
= =
= = =
t t
t t
r A
r
a
moment of inertia with respect to x,
( )( )
4 6
3 6 2
mm 10 20 . 7
10 72 . 12 10 76 . 25
=
= =
' '
Aa I I
A A x
moment of inertia with respect to x,
( )( )
4 6
2 3 6 2
mm 10 3 . 92
8 . 81 10 72 . 12 10 20 . 7
=
+ = + =
'
Ab I I
x x
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Sample Problem 9.5
9 - 19
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.
4 6
mm 10 9 . 45 =
x
I
x
I =
4 6
mm 10 2 . 138

4 6
mm 10 3 . 92
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Product of Inertia
9 - 20
Product of Inertia:
}
= dA xy I
xy
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:
A y x I I
xy xy
+ =
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Principal Axes and Principal Moments of Inertia
9 - 21
Given
}
} }
=
= =
dA xy I
dA x I dA y I
xy
y x
2 2
we wish to determine moments
and product of inertia with
respect to new axes x and y.
u u
u u
u u
2 cos 2 sin
2
2 sin 2 cos
2 2
2 sin 2 cos
2 2
xy
y x
y x
xy
y x y x
y
xy
y x y x
x
I
I I
I
I
I I I I
I
I
I I I I
I
+

=
+

+
=

+
+
=
' '
'
'
The change of axes yields
The equations for I
x
and I
xy
are the
parametric equations for a circle,
( )
2
2 2 2
2 2
xy
y x y x
ave
y x ave x
I
I I
R
I I
I
R I I I
+
|
|
.
|

\
|

=
+
=
= +
' ' '
The equations for I
y
and I
xy
lead to the
same circle.
u u
u u
sin cos
sin cos
x y y
y x x
=
'
+ =
' Note:
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Principal Axes and Principal Moments of Inertia
9 - 22
( )
2
2 2 2
2 2
xy
y x y x
ave
y x ave x
I
I I
R
I I
I
R I I I
+
|
|
.
|

\
|

=
+
=
= +
' ' '
At the points A and B, I
xy
= 0 and I
x
is
a maximum and minimum, respectively.
R I I
ave
=
min max,
y x
xy
m
I I
I

=
2
2 tan u
I
max
and I
min
are the principal moments
of inertia of the area about O.
The equation for O
m
defines two
angles, 90
o
apart which correspond to
the principal axes of the area about O.
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Sample Problem 9.6
9 - 23
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.
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.
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Sample Problem 9.6
9 - 24
SOLUTION:
Determine the product of inertia using direct integration
with the parallel axis theorem on vertical differential
area strips
|
.
|

\
|
= = =
|
.
|

\
|
= =
|
.
|

\
|
=
b
x
h y y x x
dx
b
x
h dx y dA
b
x
h y
el el
1
1 1
2
1
2
1
Integrating dI
x
from x = 0 to x = b,
( )
b
b
b
el el xy xy
b
x
b
x x
h dx
b
x
b
x x
h
dx
b
x
h x dA y x dI I
0
2
4 3 2
2
0
2
3 2
2
0
2
2
2
1
8
3 4
2
2
1
(

+ =
|
|
.
|

\
|
+ =
|
.
|

\
|
= = =
}
} } }
2 2
24
1
h b I
xy
=
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Sample Problem 9.6
9 - 25
Apply the parallel axis theorem to evaluate the
product of inertia with respect to the centroidal axes.
h y b x
3
1
3
1
= =
With the results from part a,
( )( )( ) bh h b h b I
A y x I I
y x
y x xy
2
1
3
1
3
1
2 2
24
1
=
+ =
' ' ' '
' ' ' '
2 2
72
1
h b I
y x
=
' ' ' '
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Sample Problem 9.7
9 - 26
For the section shown, the moments of
inertia with respect to the x and y axes
are I
x
= 10.38 in
4
and I
y
= 6.97 in
4
.
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.
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).
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Sample Problem 9.7
9 - 27
SOLUTION:
Compute the product of inertia with respect to the xy axes
by dividing the section into three rectangles.
56 . 6
28 . 3 75 . 1 25 . 1 5 . 1
0 0 0 5 . 1
28 . 3 75 . 1 25 . 1 5 . 1
in , in. , in. , in Area, Rectangle
4 2
=
+
+

A y x
III
II
I
A y x y x
Apply the parallel axis theorem to each rectangle,
( )

+ =
' '
A y x I I
y x xy
Note that the product of inertia with respect to centroidal
axes parallel to the xy axes is zero for each rectangle.
4
in 56 . 6 = =

A y x I
xy
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Sample Problem 9.7
9 - 28
Determine the orientation of the principal axes (Eq. 9.25)
and the principal moments of inertia (Eq. 9. 27).
4
4
4
in 56 . 6
in 97 . 6
in 38 . 10
=
=
=
xy
y
x
I
I
I
( )
=
+ =

=
255.4 and 4 . 75 2
85 . 3
97 . 6 38 . 10
56 . 6 2
2
2 tan
m
y x
xy
m
I I
I
u
u
= = 7 . 127 and 7 . 37
m m
u u
( )
2
2
2
2
min max,
56 . 6
2
97 . 6 38 . 10
2
97 . 6 38 . 10
2 2
+
|
.
|

\
|

+
=
+
|
|
.
|

\
|

+
=
xy
y x y x
I
I I I I
I
4
min
4
max
in 897 . 1
in 45 . 15
= =
= =
I I
I I
b
a
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Mohrs Circle for Moments and Products of Inertia
9 - 29
2
2 2
xy
y x y x
ave
I
I I
R
I I
I +
|
|
.
|

\
|

=
+
=
The moments and product of inertia for an area
are plotted as shown and used to construct Mohrs
circle,
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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Sample Problem 9.8
9 - 30
The moments and product of inertia
with respect to the x and y axes are I
x
=
7.24x106 mm
4
, I
y
= 2.61x106 mm
4
, and
I
xy
= -2.54x10
6
mm
4
.
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
SOLUTION:
Plot the points (I
x
, I
xy
) and (I
y
,-I
xy
).
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.
Based on the circle, evaluate the
moments and product of inertia with
respect to the xy axes.
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Sample Problem 9.8
9 - 31
4 6
4 6
4 6
mm 10 54 . 2
mm 10 61 . 2
mm 10 24 . 7
=
=
=
xy
y
x
I
I
I
SOLUTION:
Plot the points (I
x
, I
xy
) and (I
y
,-I
xy
). Construct Mohrs
circle based on the circle diameter between the points.
( )
( )
( ) ( )
4 6 2 2
4 6
2
1
4 6
2
1
mm 10 437 . 3
mm 10 315 . 2
mm 10 925 . 4
= + =
= =
= + = =
DX CD R
I I CD
I I I OC
y x
y x ave
Based on the circle, determine the orientation of the
principal axes and the principal moments of inertia.
= = = 6 . 47 2 097 . 1 2 tan
m m
CD
DX
u u = 8 . 23
m
u
R I OA I
ave
+ = =
max
4 6
max
mm 10 36 . 8 = I
R I OB I
ave
= =
min
4 6
min
mm 10 49 . 1 = I
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Sample Problem 9.8
9 - 32
4 6
4 6
mm 10 437 . 3
mm 10 925 . 4
=
= =
R
I OC
ave
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 O = 2(60
o
) = 120
o
. The angle that CX
forms with the x axes is | = 120
o
- 47.6
o
= 72.4
o
.
o
ave y
R I Y C OC OG I 4 . 72 cos cos
'
= ' = =
4 6
mm 10 89 . 3 =
' y
I
o
ave x
R I X C OC OF I 4 . 72 cos cos
'
+ = ' + = =
4 6
mm 10 96 . 5 =
' x
I
o
y x
R Y C X F I 4 . 72 sin sin
'
= ' = ' =
'

4 6
mm 10 28 . 3 =
' 'y x
I
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Moment of Inertia of a Mass
9 - 33
Angular acceleration about the axis AA of the
small mass Am due to the application of a
couple is proportional to r
2
Am.
r
2
Am = moment of inertia of the
mass Am with respect to the
axis AA
For a body of mass m the resistance to rotation
about the axis AA is
inertia of moment mass dm r
m r m r m r I
= =
+ A + A + A =
}
2
2
3
2
2
2
1

The radius of gyration for a concentrated mass
with equivalent mass moment of inertia is
m
I
k m k I = =
2
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Moment of Inertia of a Mass
9 - 34
Moment of inertia with respect to the y coordinate
axis is
( )
} }
+ = = dm x z dm r I
y
2 2 2
Similarly, for the moment of inertia with respect to
the x and z axes,
( )
( )
}
}
+ =
+ =
dm y x I
dm z y I
z
x
2 2
2 2
In SI units,
( )
2 2
m kg = =
}
dm r I
In U.S. customary units,
( ) ( )
2 2
2
2
s ft lb ft
ft
s lb
ft slug I =
|
|
.
|

\
|

= =
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Parallel Axis Theorem
9 - 35
For the rectangular axes with origin at O and parallel
centroidal axes,
( ) ( ) ( ) | |
( ) ( )
} } } }
} }
+ + ' + ' + ' + ' =
+ ' + + ' = + =
dm z y dm z z dm y y dm z y
dm z z y y dm z y I
x
2 2 2 2
2 2 2 2
2 2
( )
2 2
z y m I I
x x
+ + =
'
( )
( )
2 2
2 2
y x m I I
x z m I I
z z
y y
+ + =
+ + =
'
'
Generalizing for any axis AA and a parallel centroidal
axis,
2
md I I + =
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Moments of Inertia of Thin Plates
9 - 36
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
area A A
A A
I t
dA r t dm r I
,
2 2
'
'
=
= =
} }

Similarly, for perpendicular axis BB which is also
contained in the plate,
area B B B B
I t I
, ' '
=
For the axis CC which is perpendicular to the plate,
( )
B B A A
area B B area A A area C C C
I I
I I t J t I
' '
' ' '
+ =
+ = =
, , ,

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Moments of Inertia of Thin Plates
9 - 37
For the principal centroidal axes on a rectangular plate,
( )
2
12
1
3
12
1
,
ma b a t I t I
area A A A A
= = =
' '

( )
2
12
1
3
12
1
,
mb ab t I t I
area B B B B
= = =
' '

( )
2 2
12
1
, ,
b a m I I I
mass B B mass A A C C
+ = + =
' ' '
For centroidal axes on a circular plate,
( )
2
4
1
4
4
1
,
mr r t I t I I
area A A B B A A
= = = =
' ' '
t
2
2
1
mr I I I
B B A A C C
= + =
' ' '
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Moments of Inertia of a 3D Body by Integration
9 - 38
Moment of inertia of a homogeneous body
is obtained from double or triple
integrations of the form
}
= dV r I
2

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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Moments of Inertia of Common Geometric Shapes
9 - 39
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Sample Problem 9.12
9 - 40
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.
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.
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Sample Problem 9.12
9 - 41
( )( )
( )( )
ft s lb 0829 . 0
s ft 2 . 32 ft in 1728
in 3 1 lb/ft 490
: cylinder each
2
2 3 3
3 2 3
=

= =
m
g
V
m
t
| |
( ) ( ) ( ) ( )( )
2 3
2
12
5 . 2
2
12
3
2
12
1
12
1
2 2 2
12
1
s ft lb 10 17 . 4
0829 . 0 3 0829 . 0
3
=
+
(

+ =
+ + =

x m L a m I
y
| | | |
( ) ( ) ( ) ( ) ( ) ( )
2 3
2
12
2
2
12
5 . 2
2
12
3
2
12
1
12
1
2 2 2 2
12
1
s ft lb 10 48 . 6
0829 . 0 3 0829 . 0
3
=
(

+ +
(

+ =
+ + + =

y x m L a m I
y
( )( ) ( )( )
2 3
2
12
2
2
12
1
2
1
2 2
2
1
s ft lb 10 59 . 2
0829 . 0 0829 . 0
=
+ =
+ =

y m ma I
x
cylinders ( ): in. 2 ., in 5 . 2 ., in 3 , . in 1 = = = = y x L a
SOLUTION:
Compute the moments of inertia
of each component with respect
to the xyz axes.
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Sample Problem 9.12
9 - 42
( )( )
( )( )
ft s lb 211 . 0
s ft 2 . 32 ft in 1728
in 6 2 2 lb/ft 490
: prism
2
2 3 3
3 3
=

= =
m
g
V
m

prism (a = 2 in., b = 6 in., c = 2 in.):
| | ( ) ( ) ( )
2 3
2
12
2
2
12
6
12
1
2 2
12
1
s ft lb 10 88 . 4
211 . 0
=
(

+ = + = =

c b m I I
z x
| | ( ) ( ) ( )
2 3
2
12
2
2
12
2
12
1
2 2
12
1
s ft lb 10 977 . 0
211 . 0
=
(

+ = + =

a c m I
y
Add the moments of inertia from the components
to determine the total moments of inertia.
( )
3 3
10 59 . 2 2 10 88 . 4

+ =
x
I
2 3
s ft lb 10 06 . 10 =

x
I
( )
3 3
10 17 . 4 2 10 977 . 0

+ =
y
I
2 3
s ft lb 10 32 . 9 =

y
I
( )
3 3
10 48 . 6 2 10 88 . 4

+ =
z
I
2 3
s ft lb 10 84 . 17 =

z
I
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Moment of Inertia With Respect to an Arbitrary Axis
9 - 43
I
OL
= moment of inertia with respect to axis OL
dm r dm p I
OL
2
2
} }
= =

Expressing in terms of the vector

components and expanding yields
r

and
x z zx z y yz y x xy
z z y y x x OL
I I I
I I I I


2 2 2
2 2 2

+ + =
The definition of the mass products of inertia of a
mass is an extension of the definition of product of
inertia of an area
x z m I dm zx I
z y m I dm yz I
y x m I dm xy I
x z zx
z y yz
y x xy
+ = =
+ = =
+ = =
' '
' '
' '
}
}
}
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Ellipsoid of Inertia. Principal Axes of Inertia of a Mass
9 - 44
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
OL
I OQ 1 =
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.