Notes for Strength of Materials, ET 200

Moment of Inertia of Simple and Compound Shapes

Moment of Inertia
Definition
In everyday speech, the word moment refers to a short amount
of time. In physics and engineering mechanics, moment is the
product of a quantity and the distance from that quantity to a given
point or axis. For example, in Statics, a force acting on a wrench
handle produces a torque, or moment, about the axis of a bolt:
M = P ! L . This is the moment of a force.
We can also describe moments of areas. Consider a beam with a
rectangular cross-section. The horizontal neutral axis of this beam
is the x-x axis in the drawing. Take a small area a within the
cross-section at a distance y from the x-x neutral axis of the
beam. The first moment of this area is a ! y . The second moment
of this area is Ix = ( a ! y ) ! y = ay 2 . In Strength of Materials, second moment of area is usually abbreviated moment of inertia.
If we divide the total area into many little areas, then the moment
of inertia of the entire cross-section is the sum of the moments of
inertia of all of the little areas.
We can calculate the moment of inertia about the vertical y-y neutral axis: Iy = ( a ! x ) ! x = ax 2 . The x and y in Ix and Iy refer
to the neutral axis.

This beam has a depth of 16 cm and a width of 5 cm. We can divide the beam into 8 equal segments 2 cm deep, 5 cm wide, so that
each segment has an area a = 2 cm ! 5 cm = 10 cm 2 . The centroid
of segment #1 is 7 cm from the x-x axis ( y1 = 7 cm ) ; the centroid
of segment #2 is 5 cm from the x-x axis ( y 2 = 5 cm ) ; and so on.
We can estimate the moment of inertia for the entire area as the
sum of the moments of inertia of the segments, written as
n

Ix = ! a i y 2i where n = the total number of segments, and i = the

1

number of each segment (from 1 to n), or:

Ix = a1y12 + a 2 y 22 + a 3 y 23 + a 4 y 24 + a 5 y 25 + a 6 y 26 + a 7 y 27 + a 8 y 28
= 10 cm 2 ! ( 7 cm ) +10 cm 2 ! ( 5 cm ) +10 cm 2 ! ( 3 cm )
2

+10 cm 2 ! (1 cm ) +10 cm 2 ! (1 cm ) +10 cm 2 ! ( 3 cm )

2

+10 cm 2 ! ( 5 cm ) +10 cm 2 ! ( 7 cm )
2

= 1680 cm 4

2011 Barry Dupen

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Notes for Strength of Materials, ET 200

Moment of Inertia of Simple and Compound Shapes

We can take the same beam and split it into 16 segments 1 cm

deep.

Ix = a1y12 + a 2 y 22 + a 3 y 23 + a 4 y 24 + a 5 y 25 + a 6 y 26 + a 7 y 27 + a 8 y 28
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
+a 9 y 29 + a10 y10
+ a11y11
+ a12 y12
+ a13 y13
+ a14 y14
+ a15 y15
+ a16 y16

We can estimate the moment of inertia as:

Ix = 5 cm 2 ( 7.5 cm ) + 5 cm 2 ( 6.5 cm ) + 5 cm 2 ( 5.5 cm )

+5 cm 2 ( 4.5 cm ) + 5 cm 2 ( 3.5 cm ) + 5 cm 2 ( 2.5 cm )

+5 cm 2 (1.5 cm ) + 5 cm 2 ( 0.5 cm ) + 5 cm 2 ( 0.5 cm )

+5 cm 2 (1.5 cm ) + 5 cm 2 ( 2.5 cm ) + 5 cm 2 ( 3.5 cm )

+5 cm 2 ( 4.5 cm ) + 5 cm 2 ( 5.5 cm ) + 5 cm 2 ( 6.5 cm )

2

+5 cm 2 ( 7.5 cm )

= 1704.525 cm 4
As the size of the segments drops, the estimates get closer to the
actual solution. If we split the beam into an infinite number of
infinitely-small segments, well get the actual solution, derived
bh 3
from calculus: Ix =
, where b is the width and h is the depth.
12
The exact solution for the moment of inertia of a 5 cm wide, 16
cm deep rectangular beam is

bh 3 5 cm (16 cm )
=
= 1706.7 cm 4 .
12
12
3

Ix =

Compound Beams Sharing a Neutral Axis

Now take the same beam and glue it side-by-side to an identical
beam. The base is twice as wide; the depth is the same. The mo-

bh 3 10 cm (16 cm )
=
= 3413.3 cm 4 , twice
12
12
the moment of inertia of a single beam. Therefore, we can add the
moment of inertia of two cross-sections as long as they share the
same neutral axis.
3

ment of inertia is Ix =

These glued beams share the same neutral axis, so the moment of
inertia is

Ix = Ix1 + Ix2 =

b1h13 b 2 h 23 b1h13 + b 2 h 23
+
=
12
12
12

5 cm (16 cm ) + 3 cm ( 8 cm )
3

12

2011 Barry Dupen

= 1834.7 cm 4

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Notes for Strength of Materials, ET 200

Moment of Inertia of Simple and Compound Shapes

This compound beam can be divided into rectangular segments

which share a common neutral axis, so:

Ix = Ix1 + Ix2 + Ix 3 =

b1h13 + b 2 h 23 + b 3 h 33
12

Hollow Beams Sharing a Neutral Axis

If a beam is hollow, and the hollow space shares the same neutral
axis as the beam, then we can subtract the moment of inertia of the
hollow from the moment of inertia of an equivalent solid beam.

Ix = Ix1 ! Ix2
b1h13 b 2 h 23
!
12
12
3
b h ! b 2 h 23
= 1 1
12
=

9 cm (16 cm ) ! 7 cm (14 cm )
12
= 1471 cm 4
3

We can use the same technique for finding the moment of inertia
of a hollow tube. From calculus, the moment of inertia of a circle
!d 4
is Ix =
, therefore the moment of inertia of a hollow circle is
64

Ix = Ix1 ! Ix2 =

4
4
"d14 "d 24 " ( d1 ! d 2 )
.
!
=
64
64
64

A standard 2" steel pipe has dimensions d1 = 2.375 in. and

d 2 = 2.067 in. , so:

Ix =

! ( 2.375 in.) " ( 2.067 in.)

4

64

) = 0.6657 in.

The Transfer Formula

The moments of inertia calculated in the previous examples were
evaluated about the neutral axis of each shape. Sometimes we
need to calculate the moment of inertia of a beam about a different, noncentroidal axis. The Transfer Formula is I = Io + ad 2 ,
where Io = moment of inertia about the x-x neutral axis, I = moment of inertia about a parallel x'-x' axis, a = the area of the shape,
and d = the distance between the x-x neutral axis and the parallel
x'-x' axis (the transfer distance). Note: the symbol d is also used
for the diameter of a circle; these quantities are different, even
though they share the same symbol.

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Notes for Strength of Materials, ET 200

Moment of Inertia of Simple and Compound Shapes

For example, this beam has a width of 5 inches and a depth of 6

inches. The moment of inertia about the x-x neutral axis is

bh 3 5 in. ( 6 in.)
=
= 90 in.4 and the cross sectional area
12
12
a = 5 in. ! 6 in. = 30 in.2 If we want to find the moment of inertia
about the x'-x' axis at the base of the beam, then d = 3 in. Using
the Transfer Formula,
3

Io =

I = I o + ad 2 = 90 in.4 + 30 in.2 ( 3 in.) = 360 in.4 The practical

2

application of the Transfer Formula comes with calculating the

moment of inertia of compound beams.
Compound Beams With Different Neutral Axes
Some compound cross-sections are made of segments which do
not share the same neutral axis. As long as the neutral axes are
parallel, we can use the Transfer Formula to find the moment of
inertia of the compound beam. For example, this beam crosssection consists of two rectangular segments, and the x-x neutral
axis of the beam is different from the x1-x1 and x2-x2 neutral axes
of segments 1 and 2. Using the Transfer Formula, we can calculate
the moment of inertia of each segment about the x-x neutral axis
of the compound shape, then add the results to obtain the total
moment of inertia.
Using a 10-step process, we can calculate the moment of inertia of
the compound beam.
Step 1 Divide the compound beam into simple shapes, and label

the segments. This compound beam can be divided into two segments, but this method also works for complex shapes made up of
many simple shapes.

Step 2 Calculate the area, a, of each segment. Enter the areas and

their sum into a table. Be sure to list the units, because in some
problems, you may need to include a conversion factor in the calculation.

Segment
#1
#2
Sum

a
(in.2)
24
48
72

a1 = 8 in.! 3 in. = 24 in.2

a 2 = 4 in.!12 in. = 48 in.2

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Notes for Strength of Materials, ET 200

Moment of Inertia of Simple and Compound Shapes

Step 3 Pick a Reference Axis, and label it on the diagram. In the-

ory, you can select any axis, but in practice, the math is usually
easier if you pick an axis along the top or bottom of the complex
shape, or along the centroidal axis of one of the segments.

Step 4 Draw the distance from the Reference Axis to the centroi-

dal axes of the segments, x1-x1 and x2-x2. Label these distances y1,
y2, etc. Enter these values into the table.

Step 5 Calculate the product a ! y for each component area. Enter

these values and their sum into the table.

Segment
#1
#2
Sum

a
(in.2)
24
48
72

y
(in.)
13.5
6

Segment
#1
#2
Sum

a
(in.2)
24
48
72

y
(in.)
13.5
6

ay
(in.3)
324
288
612

Step 6 Draw the distance from the Reference Axis to the x-x cen-

troidal axis of the complex shape. Calculate this distance as

y=

!ay 612 in.3

=
= 8.5 in.
!a
72 in.2

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Notes for Strength of Materials, ET 200

Moment of Inertia of Simple and Compound Shapes

Step 7 Draw the Transfer Distance, d, for each segment. This is

the distance from the centroidal axis of the segment to the centroidal axis of the complex shape. Given the way this beam is drawn,
d1 = y1 ! y and d 2 = y ! y 2 . For other compound beams, you will
have to figure out the formulas for d1, d2, d3, etc. based on the
drawing.
Enter the results into the table.

Step 8 Calculate the product a ! d for each segment, and enter

2

the results and their sum in the table. Be sure to calculate a ! d ,

not a ! d ...its an easy error to make.
2

Segment 1: a ! d 2 = 24 in.2 ( 5 in.) = 600 in.4

2

Segment
#1
#2
Sum

a
(in.2)
24
48
72

y
(in.)
13.5
6

ay
(in.3)
324
288
612

d
(in.)
5.0
2.5

Segment
#1
#2
Sum

a
(in.2)
24
48
72

y
(in.)
13.5
6

ay
(in.3)
324
288
612

d
(in.)
5.0
2.5

ad2
(in.4)
600
300
900

Segment
#1
#2
Sum

a
(in.2)
24
48
72

y
(in.)
13.5
6

ay
(in.3)
324
288
612

d
(in.)
5.0
2.5

ad2
(in.4)
600
300
900

Segment 2: a ! d 2 = 48 in.2 ( 2.5 in.) = 300 in.4

2

Step 9 Calculate I for each segment about its centroidal axis:

bh 3 8 in. ( 3 in.)
=
= 18 in.4
12
12
3

Io1 =

bh 3 4 in. (12 in.)

Io2 =
=
= 576 in.4
12
12
3

Io
(in.4)
18
576
594

Enter these values and their sum into the table.

Step 10 Use the Transfer Formula to calculate I for the compound

shape.

I = !I o + !ad 2 = 594 in.4 + 900 in.4 = 1494 in.4

Hollow Beams with Different Neutral Axes
If the beam is hollow and the cavity does not share the same neutral axis as the outline of the solid shape, then we need the Transfer Formula. Let Segment #1 be the solid shape (with no hole), and
Segment #2 be the hole. In all calculations, the area of the hole
and the moment of inertia of the hole are negative numbers. Thus
a1, a1y1, a1d12, and I1 are positive numbers; a2, a2y2, a2d12, and I2
are negative numbers.

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Notes for Strength of Materials, ET 200

Moment of Inertia of Simple and Compound Shapes

Step 1 Divide the compound beam into simple shapes, and label

the segments. Segment #1 is a solid rectangle measuring 8 cm

wide by 6 cm deep; Segment #2 is a hole measuring 6 cm wide by
2 cm deep.

Step 2 Calculate the area, a, of each segment.

a1 = 8 cm ! 6 cm = 48 cm 2

a 2 = " ( 6 cm ! 2 cm ) = "12 cm 2

Segment
#1
#2
Sum

a
(cm2)
48
-12
36

Segment
#1
#2
Sum

a
(cm2)
48
-12
36

y
(cm)
3
4.5

Segment
#1
#2
Sum

a
(cm2)
48
-12
36

y
(cm)
3
4.5

Step 3 Pick a Reference Axis, and label it on the diagram.

Step 4 Draw the distance from the Reference Axis to the centroi-

dal axes of the segments, x1-x1 and x2-x2. Label these distances y1,
y2, etc. Enter these values into the table.

Step 5 Calculate the product a ! y for each component area. Enter

these values and their sum into the table.

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ay
(cm3)
144
-54
90

Revised 3 May 2011

Notes for Strength of Materials, ET 200

Moment of Inertia of Simple and Compound Shapes

Step 6 Draw the distance from the Reference Axis to the x-x cen-

troidal axis of the complex shape. Calculate this distance as

y=

!ay 90 cm 3
=
= 2.5 cm
!a 36 cm 2

Step 7 Draw the Transfer Distance, d, for each segment. This is

the distance from the centroidal axis of the segment to the centroidal axis of the complex shape. Enter the results into the table.
Placing a hole in the upper part of this beam shifts the centroidal
axis downward, to where more of the material lies. Since
d1 = 0.5 cm , the centroidal axis of this hollow beam is 0.5 cm
below the centroidal axis of a solid 6 cm 8 cm solid beam.

Step 8 Calculate the product a ! d for each segment, and enter

2

the results and their sum in the table. Be sure to calculate a ! d 2 ,

not a ! d ...its an easy error to make.

Segment 1: a ! d 2 = 48 cm 2 ( 0.5 cm ) = 12 cm 4
2

Segment
#1
#2
Sum

a
(cm2)
48
-12
36

y
(cm)
3
4.5

ay
(cm3)
144
-54
90

d
(cm)
0.5
2

ad2
(cm4)
12
-48
-36

Segment
#1
#2
Sum

a
(cm2)
48
-12
36

y
(cm)
3
4.5

ay
(cm3)
144
-54
90

d
(cm)
0.5
2

ad2
(cm4)
12
-48
-36

Segment 2: a ! d 2 = "12 cm 2 ( 2 cm ) = "48 cm 4

2

Step 9 Calculate I for each segment about its centroidal axis:

bh 3 8 cm ( 6 cm )
=
= 144 cm 4
12
12
3

I1 =

6 cm ( 2 cm )
bh 3
=!
= !4 cm 4
12
12
3

I2 = !

Io
(cm4)
144
-4
140

Enter these values and their sum into the table.

Step 10 Use the Transfer Formula to calculate I for the compound

shape.

I = !I o + !ad 2 = 140 cm 4 " 36 cm 4 = 104 cm 4

Some problems have more than two segments; the 10-step procedure is the same, with more rows in the table.

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Notes for Strength of Materials, ET 200

Moment of Inertia of Simple and Compound Shapes

When is the Transfer Formula Not Needed?

Some shapes may look like they require the Transfer Formula, but
creative segment choices can make the problem very easy to solve.
Consider a beam with two hollow sections. The moment of inertia
could be calculated using the 10-step Transfer Formula method
with segments #1 (large rectangle), #2 (upper cavity), and #3
(lower cavity), but it is easier to break it into rectangles which
share the same centroidal axis.
Calculate the moment of inertia of segment A (large rectangle),
subtract the moment of inertia of segment B (two cavities joined
together) and add the moment of inertia of segment C (material
between the two cavities).
The moment of inertia of a wide-flange beam made of welded
rectangular plates is easy to solve by adding and subtracting the
moments of inertia of rectangular segments. Subtract the moments
of inertia of the spaces to the left and right of the web from the
moment of inertia of a large rectangle.
Symbols, Terminology, & Typical Units
a
b
d
h
I
L
M
P
y

Area
Width of the base of a rectangle
Transfer distance (in the transfer formula); diameter of a circle
Height of a rectangle
Moment of inertia
Length
Moment
Point load
Distance from the x-x neutral axis to the centroid of a segment

2011 Barry Dupen

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in.2
in.
in.
in.
in.4
ft., in.
ft.lb., ft.kips
lb., kips
in.

mm2
mm
mm
mm
mm4
m, mm
kNm
N, kN
mm

Revised 3 May 2011