Chapter 7 - Centroids & Centers of Mass

Engineering
Mechanics:
STATICS
Fifth Edition
in SI Units
Chapter 7: Centroids & Centers of Mass
By: Anthony Bedford and Wallace Fowler
Learning Objective
To be balanced, the womans
center of mass the point at
which her weight effectively acts
must be directly above her
hands.
This chapter introduces the
concept of an average
position, or centroid, and
shows how to locate the
centers of mass of objects.
Chapter 7
Copyright 2008 Pearson Education South Asia Pte Ltd
Engineering Mechanics: STATICS

Fifth Edition
Page 2
Chapter Outline
Centroids of Areas
Composite Areas
Distributed Loads
Centroids of Volumes & Lines
Composite Volumes & Lines
The Pappus-Guldinus Theorems
Center of Mass of Objects
Center of Mass of Composite Objects
Chapter 7

Fifth Edition
Page 3
Centroids of Areas
To determine the average position of a group of students
sitting in a room:
Introduce a coordinate system to specify the position of
each student
E.g. align the axes with the walls of the room
Chapter 7

Fifth Edition
Page 4
Centroids of Areas
Number the students from 1 to N & denote the position
of student 1 by (x1, y1), the position of student 2 by (x2,
y2) & so on
The average x coordinate, which is denoted by x , is
the sum of their x coordinates divided by N:
xi
x1 x2 xN
x
i
N
N
where
(7.1)
means sum over the range of i

i
Chapter 7

Fifth Edition
Page 5
Centroids of Areas
The average y coordinate is:
yi
i
(7.2)
We indicate the average position by the symbol shown:
Chapter 7

Fifth Edition
Page 6
Centroids of Areas
Suppose that we pass out some pennies to the
students:
Let the number of coins given to student 1 be c1, the
number given to student 2 be c2 & so on
The average position of the coins may not be the
same as the average position of the students
E.g. if the students in the front of the classroom have
more coins, the average position of the coins will be
closer to the front of the front than the average
position of the students
Chapter 7

Fifth Edition
Page 7
Centroids of Areas
To determine the x coordinate of the average position
of the coins, we need to sum the x coordinates of the
coins by multiplying the number of coins each
student has by his or her x coordinate & summing
We can obtain the number of the coins by summing
the numbers c1, c2,
Thus, the average x coordinate of the coins is:
xi ci
i
(7.3)
ci
i
Chapter 7

Fifth Edition
Page 8
Centroids of Areas
Determine the average y coordinate of the coins in the
same way:
yi ci
i
ci
(7.4)
By assigning other meanings to c1, c2,, we determine

the average positions of other measures associated
with the students
E.g. we could determine the average position of their
age or the average position of their height
Chapter 7

Fifth Edition
Page 9
Centroids of Areas
More generally, we can use Eqns (7.3) & (7.4) to
determine the average position of any set of quantities
with which we can associate positions
An average position obtained from these equations is
called a weighted average position or centroid
The weight associated with position (x1, y1) is c1, the
weight associated with position (x2, y2) is c2 & so on
Chapter 7

Fifth Edition
Page 10
Centroids of Areas
Consider an arbitrary area A in the x-y plane:
Divide the area into parts A1, A2,, AN & denote the
positions of the parts by (x1, y1), (x2, y2),, (xN, yN)
Chapter 7

Fifth Edition
Page 11
Centroids of Areas
The centroid or average position of the area, by
using Eqns (7.3) & (7.4) with the areas of the parts
as the weights:
xi Ai
i
Ai
i
yi Ai
i
Ai
(7.5)
To reduce the uncertainty in the positions of areas A1,

A2,, AN, divide A into smaller parts:
But we would still obtain only approximate values
of x & y
Chapter 7

Fifth Edition
Page 12
Centroids of Areas
To determine the exact location of the centroid, we
must take the limit as the sizes of the parts approach
zero:
We obtain this limit by replacing Eqns (7.5) by the
integrals:
Chapter 7
A xdA
x
A dA
(7.6)
A ydA
y
A dA
(7.7)

Fifth Edition
Page 13
Centroids of Areas
Where x & y are the coordinates of the differential
element of area dA
The subscript A on the integral sign means the
integration is carried out over the entire area
The centroid of the area is:
Chapter 7

Fifth Edition
Page 14
Centroids of Areas
Keeping in mind that the centroid of an area is its
average position, will often help you locate it:
E.g. the centroid of a circular area or a rectangular
area obviously lies at the center of the area
If an area has mirror image symmetry about an
axis, the centroid lies on the axis
If an area is symmetric about 2 axes, the centroid
lies at their intersection
Chapter 7

Fifth Edition
Page 15
Example 7.1
Centroid of an Area by Integration
Determine the x coordinate of the centroid of the triangular
area.
Chapter 7

Fifth Edition
Page 16
Example 7.1 (continued)

Strategy
Evaluate Eqn (7.6) using an element of area dA in the
form of a vertical strip of width dx.
Chapter 7

Fifth Edition
Page 17

Solution
The height of a strip of width dx at position x is (h/b)x, so its
area is dA (h/b)x dx. Use this expression to evaluate Eqn
(7.6).
h
h
x dx
x
dA
b
0 b

A
x
b
h
dA
A
0 b x dx h
b
b
Chapter 7
3 b
0
2 b
2
b
3

Fifth Edition
Page 18

Practice Problem
Determine the y coordinate of the centroid of the
triangular area. Evaluate Eqn (7.7) by using an element
of area dA in the form of a vertical strip of width dx, and
let y be the height of the midpoint of the strip.
1
Answer: y h
3
Chapter 7

Fifth Edition
Page 19
Example 7.2
Area Defined by Two Equations
(refer to textbook)
Chapter 7

Fifth Edition
Page 20
Composite Areas
Although centroids of areas can be determined by
integration, the process becomes difficult and tedious
for complicated areas.
In this section describe a much easier approach that
can be used if an area consists of a combination of
simple areas, which we call a composite area.
Chapter 7

Fifth Edition
Page 21
Composite Areas
Composite area: an area
consisting of a combination of
simple areas
The centroid of a composite
area can be determined
without integration if the
centroids of its parts are known
The area in the figure consists
of a triangle, a rectangle & a
semicircle, which we call parts
1, 2 & 3
Chapter 7

Fifth Edition
Page 22
Composite Areas
The x coordinate of the centroid of the composite
area is:
x A
AdA
x dA
x dA x dA x dA
A
A2
A3
1
A1dA A2dA A3dA
(7.8)
From the equation for the x coordinate of the centroid

of part 1:
We obtain:
Chapter 7
x dA
A
x1 1
A1dA
A1 x dA x1 A1
Fifth Edition
Page 23
Composite Areas
Using this equation & equivalent equations for parts
2 & 3, we can write Eqn (7.8) as:
x1 A1 x2 A2 x3 A3
x
A1 A2 A3
The coordinates of the centroid of a composite area
with an arbitrary number of parts are:
xi Ai
i
Ai
i
Chapter 7
yi Ai
i
Ai
(7.9)

Fifth Edition
Page 24
Composite Areas
The area in the figure consists of a
triangular area with a circular hole
or cutout:
Designate the triangular area
(without the cutout) as part 1 of
the composite area & the area
of the cutout as part 2
Chapter 7

Fifth Edition
Page 25
Composite Areas
The x coordinate of the centroid of the composite
area is:
x dA x dA
x A x A
A1
A2
x
1 1 2 2
A1 A2
A1dA A2dA
Therefore, we can use Eqn (7.9) to determine the

centroids of composite areas containing cutouts by
treating the cutouts as negative areas
Chapter 7

Fifth Edition
Page 26
Composite Areas
Determining the centroid of a composite area requires 3
steps:
1. Choose the parts try to divide the composite area
into parts whose centroids you know or can easily
determine.
2. Determine the values for the parts determine the
centroid & the area of each part. Watch for instances
of symmetry that can simplify your task.
3. Calculate the centroid use Eqn (7.9) to determine
the centroid of the composite area.
Chapter 7

Fifth Edition
Page 27
Example 7.3
Centroid of a Composite Area
Determine the x coordinate of the centroid of the
composite area.
Chapter 7

Fifth Edition
Page 28

Strategy
Divide the area into parts (the parts are obvious in this
example), determine the centroids of the parts & apply
Eqn (7.9).
Chapter 7

Fifth Edition
Page 29

Solution
Choose the Parts:
Divide the area into simple parts. The x coordinates of the
centroids of the parts are shown.
Chapter 7

Fifth Edition
Page 30

Solution
Determine the Values for the Parts:
Tabulate the terms needed to apply Eqn (7.9).
Refer to textbook Appendix B.
xi Ai
Ai
xi
Part 1 (triangle)
Part 2 (rectangle)
Part 3 (semicircle)
Chapter 7
2
b
3
1
b c
2
4R
bc
3
1
b 2R
2
c 2R
1 2
R
2
2 b 1 b 2R

3 2
b 1 c c 2R
b c 4R 1 R2
3 2

Fifth Edition
Page 31

Solution
Calculate the Centroid
Use Eqn (7.9) to determine the x component of the
centroid.
xA x A x A
x 1 1 2 2 3 3
A1 A2 A3
2 b 1 b 2 R b 1 c c 2 R b c 4 R 1 R 2
2
3 2

3 2
1
1
b 2R c 2R R2
2
2
Chapter 7

Fifth Edition
Page 32

Practice Problem
Determine the y coordinate of the centroid of the
composite area.
1
1
1
2
3 2 R 2 b 2 R R c 2 R R 2 R
Answer: y
1
1
b 2R c 2R R 2
2
2
Chapter 7

Fifth Edition
Page 33
Example 7.4
Centroid of an Area with a Cutout
(refer to textbook)
Chapter 7

Fifth Edition
Page 34
Distributed Loads
In many engineering applications, loads are
continuously distributed along lines:
E.g. The load exerted on a beam supporting a floor
of a building is distributed over the beams length
The load exerted by wind on a television
transmission tower is distributed along the towers
height
Chapter 7

Fifth Edition
Page 35
Distributed Loads
The concept of the centroid of an area is useful in the
analysis of objects subjected to such loads
Describing a Distributed Load:
Suppose that we pile bags of sand on a beam:
Chapter 7

Fifth Edition
Page 36
Distributed Loads
It is clear that the load exerted by the bags is
distributed over the length of the beam & that its
magnitude at a given position x depends on how high
the bags are piled at that position
To describe the load, we define a function w such
that the downward force exerted on an infinitesimal
element dx of the beam is w dx
With this function we can
model the varying
magnitude of the load
exerted by the sand bags:
Chapter 7

Fifth Edition
Page 37
Distributed Loads
The arrows in the figure indicate that the load acts in
a downward direction
Loads distributed along lines, from simple examples
such as the beams own weight to complicated ones
such as the lift distributed along the length of an
airplanes wing, are modeled by the function w
Since the product of w & dx is a force, the
dimensions of w are (force)/(length)
w can be expressed in newtons per meter (SI
units)
Chapter 7

Fifth Edition
Page 38
Distributed Loads
Determining Force & Moment:
Assuming that the function w describing a particular
distributed load is known as:
The graph of w is called the loading curve

The force acting on an element dx of the line is w dx
Chapter 7

Fifth Edition
Page 39
Distributed Loads
The total force F exerted by the distributed load is
determined by integrating the loading curve with
respect to x:
F L w dx
(7.10)
We can also integrate to determine the moment

about a point exerted by the distributed load
The moment about the origin due to the force
exerted on the element dx is xw dx
Chapter 7

Fifth Edition
Page 40
Distributed Loads
The total moment about the origin due to the
distributed load:
M L xw dx
(7.11)
When you are concerned

only with the total force &
moment exerted by a
distributed load, you can
represent it by a single
equivalent force F:
Chapter 7

Fifth Edition
Page 41
Distributed Loads
For equivalence, the force must act at a position x
on the x axis such that the moment of F about the
origin is equal to the moment of the distributed load
about the origin:
x F L xw dx
Therefore the force F is equivalent to the distributed
load if we place it at the position:
L xw dx
x
L w dx
Chapter 7
(7.12)

Fifth Edition
Page 42
Distributed Loads
The Area Analogy:
Notice that the term w dx is equal to an element of
area dA between the loading curve & the x axis
(w dx is actually a force & not an area)
Chapter 7

Fifth Edition
Page 43
Distributed Loads
Interpreted in this way, Eqn (7.10) states that the
total force exerted by the distributed load is equal to
the area A between the loading curve & the x axis:
F L w dx A dA A
(7.13)
Substituting w dx = dA into Eqn (7.12):
L xw dx A x dA
x
L w dx
A dA
Chapter 7
(7.14)

Fifth Edition
Page 44
Distributed Loads
The force F is equivalent to the distributed load if it acts
at the centroid of the area between the loading & the x
axis
Chapter 7

Fifth Edition
Page 45
Example 7.5
Beam with a Distributed Load
The beam is subjected to a triangular distributed load
whose value at B is 100 N/m. (That is, the function w
increases linearly from w = 0 at A to w = 100 N/m at B.)
Determine the reactions on the beam at A and B.
Chapter 7

Fifth Edition
Page 46

Strategy
Use the area analogy to represent the distributed load by
an equivalent force. Then we can apply the equilibrium
equations to determine the reactions at A and B.
Chapter 7

Fifth Edition
Page 47

Solution
The area of the triangular distributed load is one-half its
base times its height or
1
12 m 100 N/m 600 N
2
The centroid of the triangular area is located at:
2
x 12 m 8 m
3
Chapter 7

Fifth Edition
Page 48

Solution
We can therefore represent the distributed load by an
equivalent downward force of 600-N magnitude acting at
x = 8 m:
Chapter 7

Fifth Edition
Page 49

Solution
From the equilibrium equations:
Fx = Ax = 0
Fy = Ay + B 600 N = 0
Mpoint A = (12 m) B (8 m)(600 N) = 0
we obtain Ax = 0, Ay = 200 N & B = 400 N
Chapter 7

Fifth Edition
Page 50

Practice Problem
(a)Determine w as a function of x for the triangular
distributed load in this example.
(b)Use Eqns (7.10) and (7.11) to determine the total
downward force and the total clockwise moment about
the left end of the beam due to the triangular distributed
load.
100
x N/m (b) F 600 N, M 4800 N m
Answer: (a) w
12
Chapter 7

Fifth Edition
Page 51
Example 7.6
Beam Subjected to Distributed Loads
(refer to textbook)
Example 7.7
Beam with a Distributed Load
(refer to textbook)
Chapter 7

Fifth Edition
Page 52
Centroids of Volumes and Lines

Definitions:
Volumes:
Consider a volume V & let dV
be a differential element of V
with coordinates x, y & z:
By analogy with Eqns (7.6) &
(7.7), the coordinates of the
centroid V are:
V xdV
x
,
V dV
Chapter 7
V ydV
V zdV
y
, z
V dV
V dV
(7.15)

Fifth Edition
Page 53

The subscript V on the integral sign means that
the integration is carried out over the entire
volume
If a volume has the form of a plate with uniform
thickness & cross-sectional area A, its centroid
coincides with the centroid of A & lies at the
midpoint between the 2 faces
Chapter 7

Fifth Edition
Page 54

To show that this is true, we obtain a volume
element dV by projecting an element dA of the
cross-sectional area through the thickness T of
the volume, so that dV = T dA
The x & y coordinates of the centroid of the
volume are:
Chapter 7

Fifth Edition
Page 55

V x dV A xT dA A x dA
x
V dV
A T dA
A dA
V y dV A yT dA A y dA
y
V dV
A T dA
A dA
The coordinate z 0 by symmetry
Thus you know the centroid of this type of volume
if you know (or can determine) the centroid of its
cross-sectional area
Chapter 7

Fifth Edition
Page 56

Lines:
The coordinates of the centroid of a line L are:
L xdL
x
,
L dL
L ydL
L zdL
y
, z
L dL
L dL
(7.16)
where dL is a differential
length of the line with the
coordinates x, y & z.
Chapter 7

Fifth Edition
Page 57
Example 7.8
Centroid of a Cone by Integration
Determine the centroid of the cone.
Chapter 7

Fifth Edition
Page 58

Strategy
Because of the axial symmetry of the cone, the centroid
must lie on the x axis. We will determine the x coordinate
of the centroid by applying Eqn (7.15), using an element of
volume dV in the form of a disk of thickness dx.
Chapter 7

Fifth Edition
Page 59

Solution
An element of volume in the form of a disk.
The radius of the disk at position x is (R/h)x. The volume

of the disk is the product of the area of the disk and its
thickness:
Chapter 7

Fifth Edition
Page 60

Solution
2
R
dV x dx
h
Apply Eqn (7.15)
R2 2
x 2 x dA
x
dV
3
0
h
V
x
h
2
h
4
R
dV
2
V
0 h2 x dA
h
Chapter 7

Fifth Edition
Page 61

Practice Problem
The radius in metres of the circular cross section of the
1
r
1
x.
truncated cone is given as a function of x by
4
Determine the x coordinate of its centroid.
Answer: 2.43 m
Chapter 7

Fifth Edition
Page 62
Example 7.9
Centroid of a Line by Integration
(refer to textbook)
Example 7.10
Centroid of a Semicircular Line by
Integration
(refer to textbook)
Chapter 7

Fifth Edition
Page 63
Refer To Textbook Chapter 7

For
Further Details
Chapter 7

Fifth Edition
Page 64

Chapter 7 - Centroids &amp; Centers of Mass

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Chapter 7 - Centroids &amp; Centers of Mass

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Engineering

By: Anthony Bedford and Wallace Fowler

Engineering Mechanics: STATICS

Engineering Mechanics: STATICS

Engineering Mechanics: STATICS

means sum over the range of i

Engineering Mechanics: STATICS

We indicate the average position by the symbol shown:

Engineering Mechanics: STATICS

Engineering Mechanics: STATICS

Engineering Mechanics: STATICS

By assigning other meanings to c1, c2,, we determine

Engineering Mechanics: STATICS

Engineering Mechanics: STATICS

Engineering Mechanics: STATICS

To reduce the uncertainty in the positions of areas A1,

Engineering Mechanics: STATICS

Engineering Mechanics: STATICS

Engineering Mechanics: STATICS

Engineering Mechanics: STATICS

Engineering Mechanics: STATICS

Example 7.1 (continued)

Engineering Mechanics: STATICS

Example 7.1 (continued)

Engineering Mechanics: STATICS

Example 7.1 (continued)

Engineering Mechanics: STATICS

Engineering Mechanics: STATICS

Engineering Mechanics: STATICS

Engineering Mechanics: STATICS

From the equation for the x coordinate of the centroid

Engineering Mechanics: STATICS

Engineering Mechanics: STATICS

Therefore, we can use Eqn (7.9) to determine the

Engineering Mechanics: STATICS

Engineering Mechanics: STATICS

Engineering Mechanics: STATICS

Example 7.3 (continued)

Engineering Mechanics: STATICS

Example 7.3 (continued)

Engineering Mechanics: STATICS

Example 7.3 (continued)

Engineering Mechanics: STATICS

Example 7.3 (continued)

Engineering Mechanics: STATICS

Example 7.3 (continued)

Engineering Mechanics: STATICS

Engineering Mechanics: STATICS

Engineering Mechanics: STATICS

Engineering Mechanics: STATICS

Engineering Mechanics: STATICS

Engineering Mechanics: STATICS

The graph of w is called the loading curve

Engineering Mechanics: STATICS

We can also integrate to determine the moment

Engineering Mechanics: STATICS

When you are concerned

Engineering Mechanics: STATICS

Engineering Mechanics: STATICS

Engineering Mechanics: STATICS

Substituting w dx = dA into Eqn (7.12):

Engineering Mechanics: STATICS

Engineering Mechanics: STATICS

Engineering Mechanics: STATICS

Chapter 7 - Centroids & Centers of Mass

Chapter 7 - Centroids & Centers of Mass