1. Understand the concept 1.

Discuss the concept of

of CoG, CoM and the CoG, CoM and the
Centroid; Centroid.
2. Locate the location of 2. Determine the location of
CoG, CoM and the CoG, CoM and the
Centroid for a system of Centroid of a body.
discrete particles and a 3. Determine the location of
body; CoG, CoM and the
Centroid of composite
bodies.
 To design the structure for
supporting a water tank, we
will need to know the weight
of the tank and water as well
as the locations where the
resultant forces representing
these distributed loads act.

How can we determine these

resultant weights and their
lines of action?

A water tank
 One concern about a sport
utility vehicle (SUV) is that it
might tip over while taking a
sharp turn.

One of the important factors in determining its stability is the

SUV’s center of mass.

Should it be higher or lower to make a SUV more stable?

How do you determine the location of the SUV’s center of

mass?
 To design the ground support
structure for the goal post, it is
critical to find total weight of the
structure and the center of
gravity’s location.
Integration must be used to
determine total weight of the
goal post due to the curvature of
the supporting member.
How do you determine the
location of overall center of
The goal post gravity?
1. The_________ is the point defining the geometric center of
an object.
A) Center of gravity B) Center of mass
C) Centroid D) None of the above.
1. The_________ is the point defining the geometric center of
an object.
A) Center of gravity B) Center of mass
C) Centroid D) None of the above.

2. To study problems concerned with the motion of matter

under the influence of forces, i.e., dynamics, it is
necessary to locate a point called____________________.
A) Center of gravity B) Center of mass
C) Centroid D) None of the above.
1. The_________ is the point defining the geometric center of
an object.
A) Center of gravity B) Center of mass
C) Centroid D) None of the above.

2. To study problems concerned with the motion of matter

under the influence of forces, i.e., dynamics, it is
necessary to locate a point called____________________.
A) Center of gravity B) Center of mass
C) Centroid D) None of the above.
• A body is composed of an infinite number
of particles.
• If the body is located within a gravitational
field, then each of these particles will have
a weight dW.
• The center of gravity (CoG) is a point,
denoted G, which locates the resultant
weight of a system of particles or a solid
body.
• From the definition of a resultant force, the
sum of moments due to individual
particle’s weights about any point is the
same as the moment due to the
resultant weight located at G.
• [Note that the sum of moments due to the
individual particle’s weights about point G
is equal to zero].
• The location of the CoG, measured from
the y axis, is determined by equating the
moment of W about the y axis to the sum
of the moments of the weights of the
particles about this same axis.
• If dW is located at point 𝑥 , 𝑦, 𝑧 , then
𝒙𝑾 = 𝒙𝒅𝑾

• Similarly; 𝒚𝑾 = 𝒚𝒅𝑾and 𝒛𝑾 = 𝒛𝒅𝑾;

• Therefore, the location of the center of
gravity G with respect to the x, y, z axes
becomes:
By replacing the W with mg in
the equations, the coordinates
of the CoM can be found.

Similarly, the coordinates of

the centroid of volume, area,
or length can be obtained by
replacing W by V, A, or L,
respectively.
• The centroid, C, is a point defining
the geometric center of an object.
• The centroid coincides with the
CoM or the CoG only if the material
of the body is homogenous
(density or specific weight is constant
throughout the body).
• If an object has an axis of symmetry,
then the centroid of object lies on that
axis.
• In some cases, the centroid may not
be located on the object.
 Centroid (Volume)

Centre of Gravity

Centroid (Area)

Centre of Mass

Centroid (Line)
Differential elements
1. Choose an appropriate
differential element dA at a
general point (x,y).
2. Generally, if y is easily
expressed in terms of x
(e.g., y = x2 + 1), use a
vertical rectangular element.
3. If the converse is true, then
use a horizontal rectangular
element.
4. Express dA in terms of the
differentiating element dx
(or dy).
5. Determine coordinates 𝑥 , 𝑦
of the centroid of the
rectangular element in terms
of the general point (x,y).
Integrations
6. Express all the variables
and integral limits in the
formula using either x or y
depending on whether the
differential element is in
terms of dx or dy,
respectively, and integrate.
[Note: Similar steps are used for
determining the CoG or CoM.].
Determine the centroid for the area
shown below.

• Differential elements:
• Horizontal element;
• Vertical element.
to determine 𝒙, 𝒚 .
• Or, consider:
• Horizontal/ vertical
element to solve for 𝒙;
• Vertical/ horizontal
element to solve for 𝒚.
Determine the centroid for the area shown below.

Horizontal element
Determine the centroid for the area shown below.

Vertical element
 The centroid of an area is
Determine the centroid for the area
shown below by considering given by:
horizontal differential element.

Define an area dA:

𝒅𝑨 = 𝒙 𝒅𝒚
𝒉
From: 𝒚 = 𝒃−𝒙
𝒃
𝒚
𝒙=𝒃 𝟏−
𝒉
𝒚
Hence, 𝒅𝑨 = 𝒃 𝟏 − 𝒅𝒚
𝒉
 𝑨
𝒙𝒅𝑨
𝒙=
𝑨
𝒅𝑨
𝒉 𝒚
𝒙 𝟐 ∙𝒃 𝟏 − 𝒅𝒚
𝒙=
𝟎 𝒉
𝒉 𝒚
𝒃 𝟏 − 𝒅𝒚
𝟎 𝒉

𝒉𝒃 𝒚 𝒚
𝟎 𝟐
𝟏− ∙𝒃 𝟏− 𝒅𝒚
𝒙= 𝒉 𝒉
𝒃𝒉
𝟐
𝒃𝟐 𝒉
∙ 𝒃
𝒙= 𝟐 𝟑 =
𝒃𝒉 𝟑
𝟐
 𝑨
𝒚𝒅𝑨
𝒚=
𝑨
𝒅𝑨
𝒉 𝒃
𝒚 𝒉 − 𝒚 𝐝𝐲
𝒚=
𝟎 𝒉
𝒉𝒃
𝟎 𝒉
𝒉 − 𝒚 𝐝𝐲
𝟐
𝒃𝒉
𝒚= 𝟔
𝒃𝒉
𝟐
𝒉
𝒚=
𝟑
The centroid of the area is
𝒃 𝒉
,
𝟑 𝟑
 The centroid of an area is
Determine the centroid for the area
shown below by considering vertical given by:
differential element.

Define an area dA:

𝒅𝑨 = 𝒚 𝒅𝒙
𝒉
From: 𝒚 = 𝒃−𝒙
𝒃
Hence,
𝒉
𝒅𝑨 = 𝒃 − 𝒙 𝒅𝒙
𝒃
 𝑨
𝒙𝒅𝑨
𝒙=
𝑨
𝒅𝑨

𝒃 𝒉
𝒙 ∙ 𝒃 − 𝒙 𝒅𝒙
𝒙=
𝟎 𝒃
𝒃𝒉
𝟎 𝒃
𝒃 − 𝒙 𝒅𝒙

𝒉𝒃𝟐
𝟔 𝒃
𝒙= =
𝒉𝒃 𝟑
𝟐
 𝑨
𝒚𝒅𝑨
𝒚=
𝑨
𝒅𝑨

𝒃𝒚 𝒉
𝟎 𝟐
∙ 𝒃 − 𝒙 𝒅𝒙
𝒚= 𝒃
𝒃𝒉
𝟎 𝒃
𝒃 − 𝒙 𝒅𝒙

𝒃 𝒉 𝒉
𝟎 𝟐𝒃
𝒃−𝒙 ∙ 𝒃 − 𝒙 𝒅𝒙
𝒚= 𝒃
𝒉𝒃
𝟐
𝟐
𝒉 𝒃 The centroid of the area is
𝟔 𝒉
𝒚= = 𝒃 𝒉
𝒉𝒃 𝟑 ,
𝟐 𝟑 𝟑
To determine 𝒙, it is easy to To determine 𝒚, it is easy to
consider a vertical element as a consider a horizontal element
differential element. as a differential element.
Determine the centroid for the area
shown below.

• Differential elements,
consider:
• Vertical element to
solve for 𝒙;
• Horizontal element to
solve for 𝒚.
Determine the centroid for the area
shown below. 𝒅𝑨 = 𝒚 𝒅𝒙 = 𝒙𝟐 𝒅𝒙
𝟏
𝟏 𝟐
𝒅𝑨 = 𝒙𝟐 𝒅𝒙 = 𝐦
𝑨 𝟎 𝟑

𝑨
𝒙𝒅𝑨
𝒙=
𝟏
𝟑
𝟏
𝟎
𝒙 ∙ 𝒙𝟐 𝒅𝒙
𝒙=
𝟏
𝟑
𝟏
𝟒 𝟑
𝒙 = = 𝐦 = 𝟎. 𝟕𝟓 𝐦
𝟏 𝟒
𝟑
Determine the centroid for the area
shown below.
𝒅𝑨 = 𝟏 − 𝒙 𝒅𝒚
= 𝟏 − 𝒚 𝒅𝒚
𝟏
𝟏 𝟐
𝒅𝑨 = 𝟏 − 𝒚 𝒅𝒚 = 𝐦
𝑨 𝟎 𝟑

𝑨
𝒚𝒅𝑨
𝒚=
𝟏
𝟑
𝟏
𝟎
𝒚 ∙ 𝟏 − 𝒚 𝒅𝒚
𝒚=
𝟏
𝟑
𝟏
𝟏𝟎 𝟑
𝒚= = 𝐦 = 𝟎. 𝟑 𝐦
𝟏 𝟏𝟎
𝟑
1. The steel plate with known weight, non-
uniform thickness and density is supported
as shown. Of the three parameters (CoG,
CoM, and Centroid), which one is needed for
determining the support reactions? Are all
three parameters located at the same point?
A) (Center of gravity, Yes)
B) (Center of gravity, No)
C) (Centroid, Yes)
D) (Centroid, No)
 1. The steel plate with known weight, non-
uniform thickness and density is supported
as shown. Of the three parameters (CoG,
CoM, and Centroid), which one is needed for
determining the support reactions? Are all
three parameters located at the same point?
A) (Center of gravity, Yes)
B) (Center of gravity, No)
C) (Centroid, Yes)
D) (Centroid, No)

2. When determining the centroid of the area above, which type of

differential area element requires the least computational work?
A) Vertical B) Horizontal
C) Polar D) Any one of the above
 1. The steel plate with known weight, non-
uniform thickness and density is supported
as shown. Of the three parameters (CoG,
CoM, and Centroid), which one is needed for
determining the support reactions? Are all
three parameters located at the same point?
A) (Center of gravity, Yes)
B) (Center of gravity, No)
C) (Centroid, Yes)
D) (Centroid, No)

2. When determining the centroid of the area above, which type of

differential area element requires the least computational work?
A) Vertical B) Horizontal
C) Polar D) Any one of the above
Given :The steel plate is 0.3 m thick and
has a density of 7850 kg/m3.
Find : The location of its center of
mass. Also compute the reactions
at A and B.
Plan : Follow the solution steps to find
the CoM by integration. Then use
2-dimensional equations of
equilibrium to solve for the
external reactions.
Solution for CoM:
1. Choose dA as a vertical rectangular strip.
2. 𝑑𝐴 = 𝑦2 − 𝑦1 𝑑𝑥 = 2𝑥 − −𝑥 𝑑𝑥

3. 𝑥=𝑥
𝑦2 +𝑦1 2𝑥−𝑥
4. 𝑦= =
2 2
 Solution for Support Reactions:
1. Place the weight of the plate at the
centroid C.
2. Area, A = 4.667 m2;
3. Weight, W = (7850) (9.81) (4.667) 0.3 =
107.8 kN
4. Applying Equations of Equilibrium

+   FX = – Ax + 47.92 sin 45 = 0
AX = 33.9 kN

FBD to find the reactions +   FY = Ay + 47.92 cos 45 – 107.8 = 0

at A and B. AY = 73.9 kN
1. If a vertical rectangular strip is
chosen as the differential element,
then all the variables, including the
integral limit, should be in terms of
_____ .
A) x B) y
C) z D) Any of the above.
 1. If a vertical rectangular strip is
chosen as the differential element,
then all the variables, including the
integral limit, should be in terms of
_____ .
A) x B) y
C) z D) Any of the above.

2. If a vertical rectangular strip is chosen, then what are the

values of 𝑥 and 𝑦?
𝑥 𝑦
A) 𝑥, 𝑦 B) ,
2 2

𝑦
C) 𝑥, 0 D) 𝑥,
2
 1. If a vertical rectangular strip is
chosen as the differential element,
then all the variables, including the
integral limit, should be in terms of
_____ .
A) x B) y
C) z D) Any of the above.

2. If a vertical rectangular strip is chosen, then what are the

values of 𝑥 and 𝑦?
𝑥 𝑦
A) 𝑥, 𝑦 B) ,
2 2

𝑦
C) 𝒙, 𝟎 D) 𝑥,
2
• A composite body consists of a series of connected “simpler”
shaped bodies.
• Such a body can often be sectioned or divided into its
composite parts.
• To determine the CoG for the entire body:
 The gravity wall is made of
concrete. Determine the
location 𝑥 , 𝑦 of the CoG for the
wall

Composite parts:

3
1 4
2
 3

1 4
2

Sec. A
1 9 2.1 1.9 18.9 17.1
2 1.44 1.8 0.2 2.592 0.288 𝑥 = 2.22 m
3 -2.7 1.2 2.4 -3.24 -6.48 𝑦 = 1.41 m
4 -0.9 3.4 1.4 -3.06 -1.26
Total 6.84 15.192 9.648