Centre of gravity

The plane geometrical figures (such as T-section, I-section, L-section etc.) have only areas but
no mass. The centre of gravity of such figures is found out in the same way as that of solid bodies. The
centre of area of such figures is known as centroid, and coincides with the centre of gravity of the
figure. It is a common practice to use centre of gravity for centroid and vice versa.

Let x and y be the co-ordinates of the centre of gravity with respect to some axis of reference,then

where a1, a2, a3........ etc., are the areas into which the whole figure is divided x1, x2, x3 ..... etc.,
are the respective co-ordinates of the areas a1, a2, a3....... on X-X axis with respect to same axis of
reference.

y1, y2, y3....... etc., are the respective co-ordinates of the areas a1, a2, a3....... on Y-Y axis with
respect to same axis of the reference.

Note. While using the above formula, x1, x2, x3 ..... or y1, y2, y3 or x and y must be measured
from the same axis of reference (or point of reference) and on the same side of it. However, if the
figure is on both sides of the axis of reference, then the distances in one direction are taken as positive
and those in the opposite directions must be taken as negative.

Section Modulus
The ratio I/y is known as section modulus and is denoted by Z.
I = Moment of inertia of the cross-section about the neutral axis,
y = Distance from the neutral axis to the extreme fibre,
Notes :
1. The neutral axis of a section always passes through its centroid.
2. In case of symmetrical sections such as circular, square or rectangular, the neutral axis passes
through its geometrical centre and the distance of extreme fibre from the neutral axis is y = d / 2, where d
is the diameter in case of circular section or depth in case of square or rectangular section.
3. In case of unsymmetrical sections such as L-section or Tsection,the neutral axis does not
pass through its geometrical centre. In such cases, first of all the centroid of the section is calculated and then
the distance of the extreme fibres for both lower and upper side of the
section is obtained. Out of these two values, the bigger value is used in bending equation.
 2, where d

ulated and then