PROBLEM 9.

101
Using Mohr’s circle, determine for the area indicated the orientation of
the principal centroidal axes and the corresponding values of the
moments of inertia.
Area of Problem 9.74

SOLUTION

From Problems 9.74 and 9.83

I x = 0.166 × 106 mm 4 , I y = 0.453 × 106 mm 4 , I xy = −0.1596 × 106 mm 4

Define points X ( 0.166, −0.1596 ) × 106 mm 4 and Y ( 0.453, −0.1596 ) × 106 mm 4

Now I ave =
1
2
( ) 1
I x + I y = ( 0.166 + 0.453) × 106 mm 4
2

= 0.3095 × 106 mm 4

 ( 0.166 − 0.453)106 
2 2
 Ix − I y 
( )
2
and R=   + I xy =
2
  + −0.1596 × 10
6

 2   2 

= 0.21463 × 106 mm 4
 −2 I xy   −2 ( −0.1596 ) 
Also 2θ m = tan −1   = tan −1   = −48.04°
 Ix − I y 
   0.166 − 0.453 

θ m = −24.02°
or θ = −24.0° clockwise

Then I max, min = I ave ± R = ( 0.3095 ± 0.21463) × 106 mm 4

or I max = 0.524 × 106 mm 4

and I min = 0.0949 × 106 mm 4

Note: From the Mohr’s circle it is seen that the a axis corresponds to I min and the b axis corresponds to
I max .
 PROBLEM 9.102
Using Mohr’s circle, determine for the area indicated the orientation of
the principal centroidal axes and the corresponding values of the
moments of inertia.
Area of Problem 9.75

SOLUTION

From Problems 9.75 and 9.82

I x = 0.70134 × 106 mm 4 , I y = 7.728 × 106 mm 4 , I xy = 1.5732 × 106 mm 4

Now I ave =
1
2
( ) 1
I x + I y = ( 0.70134 + 7.728 ) × 106 mm 4 = 4.2147 × 106 mm 4
2

 ( 0.70134 − 7.728 ) × 106 

2 2
 Ix − I y 
( )
2
and R=   + I xy =
2
  + 1.5732 × 10
6

 2   2 

= 3.8495 × 106 mm 4

Define points X ( 0.70134, 15732 ) × 106 mm

Y ( 7.728, − 1.5732 ) × 106 mm

 −2 (1.5732 ) 
Also 2θ m = tan −1   = 24.122°, θ m = 12.06°
 0.70134 − 7.728 
or θ m = 12.06° counterclockwise

Then I max, min = I ave ± R = ( 4.2147 ± 3.8495 ) × 106 mm 4

or I max = 8.06 × 106 mm 4

and I min = 0.365 × 106 mm 4

Note: From the Mohr’s circle it is seen that the a axis corresponds to I min and the b axis corresponds to I max .
 PROBLEM 9.103
Using Mohr’s circle, determine for the area indicated the orientation of
the principal centroidal axes and the corresponding values of the
moments of inertia.
Area of Problem 9.71

SOLUTION

From Problem 9.71 I xy = −11.0 in 4

Compute I x and I y for area of Problem 9.71

5 in. × ( 0.5 in.)

3  ( 0.5 in.)( 4 in.)3 
+ 2 + ( 4 in. × 0.5 in.)(1.0 in.) 
2
Ix =
12  12 

= 9.38542 in 4
 ( 0.5 in.)3 ( 4 in.)  0.5 in. × ( 5 in.)3
Iy = 2 + ( 4 in. × 0.5 in.)( 2.75 in.)  +
2

 12  12

= 35.54167 in 4
Define points X ( 9.38542, − 11) , and Y ( 35.54167, 11)

Ix + I y 9.38542 in 4 + 35.54167 in 4
Now I ave = = = 22.46354 in 4
2 2
2
 Ix − I y   9.38542 − 35.54167 
2
( )  + (11.0 )
2 2
and R=   + I xy = 
 2   2 

= 17.08910 in 4
 −2 ( −11.0 ) 
Also 2θ m = tan −1   = −40.067 or θ m = −20.033° clockwise
 9.38542 − 35.54167 
Then I max, min = I ave ± R = 22.46354 ± 17.08910

= 39.55264, 5.37444 or I max = 39.55 in 4

I min = 5.37 in 4

Note: The a axis corresponds to I min and b axis corresponds to I max .

 PROBLEM 9.104
Using Mohr’s circle, determine for the area indicated the orientation of
the principal centroidal axes and the corresponding values of the
moments of inertia.
Area of Problem 9.77

SOLUTION

From Problems 9.44 and 9.77

I x = 432.59 × 106 mm 4 , I y = 732.97 × 106 mm 4 , I xy = −261.63 × 106 mm 4

Define points X ( 432.59, − 261.63) × 106 mm 4

Y ( 732.97, 261.63) × 106 mm 4

Now I ave =
1
2
( 1
)
I x + I y = ( 432.59 + 732.97 ) × 106 = 582.78 × 106 mm 4
2
2
 Ix − I y  1  432.59 − 732.97
2
6
( )
2
and R=   + I xy =
2
 × 10  + −261.63 × 106
 2  2  2 

= 301.67 × 106 mm 4
2 I xy −2 ( −261.63) × 106
Also tan 2θ m = − = = −60.14°
Ix − I y ( 432.59 − 732.97 ) × 106
or θ m = −30.1° clockwise

Then I max, min = I ave ± R = ( 582.78 ± 301.67 ) × 106 mm 4

or I max = 884 × 106 mm 4

and I min = 281 × 106 mm 4

Note: From the Mohr’s circle it is seen that the a axis corresponds to I min and the b axis corresponds to I max .
 PROBLEM 9.105
The moments and product of inertia for an L102 × 76 × 6.4-mm angle
cross section with respect to two rectangular axes x and y through C are,
respectively, I x = 0.166 × 106 mm 4 , I y = 0.453 × 106 mm 4 , and
I xy < 0 , with the minimum value of the moment of inertia of the area
with respect to any axis through C being I min = 0.051 × 106 mm 4 . Using
Mohr’s circle, determine (a) the product of inertia I xy of the area, (b) the
orientation of the principal axes, (c) the value of I max .

SOLUTION

Given: I x = 0.166 × 106 mm 4 , I y = 0.453 × 106 mm 4 and I xy < 0

Note: A review of a table of rolled-steel shapes reveals that the given values of I x and I y are obtained when
the 102 mm leg of the angle is parallel to the x axis. For I xy < 0 the angle must be oriented as shown.

(a) Now I ave =

1
2
( ) 1
I x + I y = ( 0.166 + 0.453) × 106 mm 4
2

= 0.3095 × 106 mm 4

Now I min = I ave − R or R = I ave − I min

Then R = ( 0.3095 − 0.051) × 106 mm 4

= 0.2585 × 106 mm 4
2
 Ix − I y 
( )
2
R = + I xy
 2 
2
From
 

  0.166 − 0.453  
2
( 0.2585 ) − 
2
I xy =   × 10 mm
6 4

  2  

I xy = ±0.21501 × 106 mm 4

Since I xy < 0, I xy = −0.21501 × 106 mm 4 or I xy = −0.215 × 106 mm 4

 PROBLEM 9.105 CONTINUED

 −2 ( −0.21501) 
(b) 2θ m = tan −1   = −56.28°
 0.166 − 0.453 

or θ m = −28.1 clockwise

(c) I max = I ave + R = ( 0.3095 + 0.2585 ) × 106 mm 4

or I max = 0.568 × 106 mm 4

 PROBLEM 9.106
Using Mohr’s circle, determine for the cross section of the rolled-steel
angle shown the orientation of the principal centroidal axes and the
corresponding values of the moments of inertia. (Properties of the cross
sections are given in Fig. 9.13.)

SOLUTION
From Figure 9.13 I x = 9.45 in 4
I y = 2.58 in 4

From Problem 9.78 I xy = −2.81 in 4

The Mohr’s circle is defined by the diameter XY where

X ( 9.45, − 2.81) in 4

Y ( 2.58, 2.81) in 4

Now I ave =
1
2
(
Ix + I y =
1
2
) (
9.45 in 4 + 2.58 in 4 )
= 6.015 in 4
2
1 
and R=

( 
)
 2 I x − I y  + I xy
2

1
( ) + ( 2.81 in )
2 2
= 9.45 in 4 − 2.58 in 4 4
2

= 5.612 in 4

tan 2θ m =
−2 I xy
=
(
−2 −2.81 in 4 ) = 0.81805
Ix − I y 9.45 in − 2.58 in 4
4

or 2θ m = 32.285°

or θ m = 19.643° counterclockwise
About C.
Now I max, min = I ave ± R = ( 6.015 ± 5.612 ) in 4

or I max = 11.63 in 4

and I min = 0.403 in 4

From the Mohr’s circle it is seen that the a axis corresponds to I max and
the b axis corresponds to I min .
 PROBLEM 9.107
Using Mohr’s circle, determine for the cross section of the rolled-steel
angle shown the orientation of the principal centroidal axes and the
corresponding values of the moments of inertia. (Properties of the cross
sections are given in Fig. 9.13.)

SOLUTION

From Figure 9.13B: I x = 7.20 × 106 mm 4 , I y = 2.64 × 106 mm 4

Have ( )1 + ( I xy )2 ,
I xy = I xy where I xy = I x′y′ + x yA and I x′y′ = 0

102 12.7
Now x1 = − 25.3 = 25.7 mm, y1 = 50.3 − = 43.95 mm
2 2

A1 = 102 × 12.7 = 1295.4 mm 2

12.7 1 
x2 = −25.3 − = −18.95 mm y2 = −  (152 − 12.7 ) − ( 50.3 − 12.7 )  = 32.05 mm
2  2 

A2 = (12.7 )(152 − 12.7 ) = 1769.11 mm 2

Then { ( ) (
I xy = ( 25.7 mm )( 43.95 mm ) 1295.4 mm 2  + ( −18.95 mm )( −32.05 mm ) 1769.11 mm 2  × 106
    )}
= (1.46317 + 1.07446 ) × 106 mm 4 = 2.5376 × 106 mm 4

The Mohr’s circle is defined by points X and Y, where

( ) (
X I x , I xy , Y I y , − I xy )
Now I ave =
1
2
( 1
)
I x + I y = ( 7.20 + 2.64 ) × 106 mm 4 = 4.92 × 106 mm 4
2
 PROBLEM 9.107 CONTINUED

 Ix − I y   1 2
 + I xy =  ( 7.20 − 2.64 ) + 2.5376  × 10 mm
2
and R= 
2 6 4

 2  
 2 


= 3.4114 × 106 mm 4

2 I xy 2 ( 2.5376 )
tan θ m = − =− = −1.11298, 2θ = −48.0607°
Ix − I y ( 7.20 − 2.64 )
or θ = −24.0° clockwise

Now I max, min = I ave ± R = ( 4.92 ± 3.4114 ) × 106 mm 4

or I max = 8.33 × 106 mm 4

and I min = 1.509 × 106 mm 4

Note: From the Mohr’s circle it is seen that the a axis corresponds to I max and the b axis corresponds to I min .
 PROBLEM 9.108
For a given area the moments of inertia with respect to two rectangular
centroidal x and y axes are I x = 640 in 4 and I y = 280 in 4 , respectively.
Knowing that after rotating the x and y axes about the centroid 60°
clockwise the product of inertia relative to the rotated axes is −180 in 4 ,
use Mohr’s circle to determine (a) the orientation of the principal axes,
(b) the centroidal principal moments of inertia.

SOLUTION

Have I ave =
1
2
(
Ix + I y =
1
2
) (
640 in 4 + 280 in 4 = 460 in 4 )
1
2
(
Ix − I y =
1
2
) (
640 in 4 − 280 in 4 = 180 in 4 )
Also have I x′y′ = −180 in 4 , 2θ = −120°, Ix > I y

( ) ( )
Letting the points I x , I xy and I x′ , I x′y′ be denoted by X an X ′, respectively, three possible Mohr’s
circles can be constructed

Assume the first case applies

Ix − I y
Then = R cos 2θ m or R cos 2θ m = 180 in 4
2

Also I x′y′ = R cos α or R cos α = 180 in 4

∴ α = ±2θ m

Also have 120° = 2θ m + ( 90° − α ) or 2θ m − α = 30°

∴ α = −2θ m and 2 ( 2θ m ) = 30° or 2θ m = α = 15°

2θ m > 0 
Note  implies case 2 applies
α < 0
 PROBLEM 9.108 CONTINUED
(a) Therefore, θ m = 7.5° clockwise

(b) Have R cos15° = 180 or R = 186.35 in 4

Then I max, min = I ave ± R = 460 ± 186.350

or I max = 646 in 4

and I min = 274 in 4

Note: From the Mohr’s circle it is seen that the a axis corresponds to I max and the b axis corresponds to I min .
 PROBLEM 9.109
It is known that for a given area I y = 300 in 4 and I xy = −125 in 4 ,
where the x and y axes are rectangular centroidal axes. If the axis
corresponding to the maximum product of inertia is obtained by rotating
the x axis 67.5o counterclockwise about C, use Mohr’s circle to
determine (a) the moment of inertia I x of the area, (b) the principal
centroidal moments of inertia.

SOLUTION

First assume Ix > I y

(Note: Assuming I x < I y is not consistent with the requirement that the axis corresponding to the I xy ( )max is
obtained by rotating the x axis through 67.5° counterclockwise)
From Mohr’s circle have 2θ m = 2 ( 67.5° ) − 90° = 45°

2 I xy
(a) From tan 2θ m =
Ix − I y

I xy 125 in 4
Have Ix = I y + 2 = 300 in 4 + 2 = 550 in 4
tan 2θ m tan 45°

or I x = 550 in 4

550 + 300 4
(b) Now I ave =
1
2
(
Ix + I y = )
2
in = 425 in 4

I xy 125 in 4
and R= = = 176.78 in 4
sin 2θ m sin 45°

I max, min = I ave ± R = ( 425 ± 176.76 ) in 4

Then
= ( 601.78, 248.22 ) in 4

or I max = 602 in 4

and I min = 248 in 4

 PROBLEM 9.110
Using Mohr’s circle, show that for any regular polygon (such as a
pentagon) (a) the moment of inertia with respect to every axis through the
centroid is the same, (b) the product of inertia with respect to every pair
of rectangular axes through the centroid is zero.

SOLUTION
Consider the regular pentagon shown, with centroidal axes x and y.

Because the y axis is an axis of symmetry, it follows that I xy = 0. Since

I xy = 0, the x and y axes must be principal axes. Assuming
I x = I max and I y = I min , the Mohr’s circle is then drawn as shown.

Now rotate the coordinate axes through an angle α as shown; the

resulting moments of inertia, I x′ and I y′ , and product of inertia, I x′y′ , are
indicated on the Mohr’s circle. However, the x′ axis is an axis of
symmetry, which implies I x′y′ = 0. For this to be possible on the Mohr’s
circle, the radius R must be equal to zero (thus, the circle degenerates into
a point). With R = 0, it immediately follows that

(a) I x = I y = I x′ = I y′ = I ave (for all moments of

inertia with respect to an axis through C)

(b) I xy = I x′y′ = 0 (for all products of inertia with respect to

all pairs of rectangular axes with origin at C)