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Lecture Notes on Engineering Mechanics Properties of Area, First and Second

Moments of Area or Inertia, Transformation, Mohr's Circle Diagram

Chapter · July 2015

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 Module-4, Unit-4.1
Content: Moments of area.

Unit Objectives: After attending the class a student should be able to

• Define moments of area about any given axes.
• Calculate first and second moment of area of simple geometry.
• Calculate first and second moment of area of complicated geometry.

Unit summary:

While calculating the effects of distributed load with various distributions, one often requires
calculating various moments of area. For example, to calculate the effect of bending moment on
a slender member we need to calculate the second moment of area of cross-section of the beam.
The first moment of an area (a closed set) about an axis d-d is defined as
M d = ∫ Aη dA

where η is the perpendicular distance of an elemental area dA from d-d axis. The elemental area
is expressed as
dA = dx dy
in Cartesian system and
dA = r dr dθ
in polar co-ordinates. The double integral is evaluated using standard method for calculating
multiple integral.
y

d
dA η

d
x

The two first moments are useful for a given co-ordinate system, namely M x and M y . As has

been discussed earlier in Module 1 (Unit 1.5, on distributed forces), first moments are useful in
calculating centre of area. The first moment vanishes if the axis passes through the centroid.
 Three second moments are defined with respect to given axes x-y. They are
I xx = ∫ y 2 dA ,
A

I yy = ∫ x 2 dA,
A

I xy = ∫ xy dA.
A

The third one, known as product moment of area vanishes if either x-axis or y-axis is an axis
of symmetry. In the figure given below, the y-axis is a axis of symmetry. For every elementary
area dA taken at a perpendicular distance of η from the y-axis, there exists another equal area at
a distance of −η from the y-axis. Thus, the product of moment of area, I xy = ∫ xy dA = 0 .
A

y
Axis of
Symmetry

−η η
dA dA
x
I xy = 0

Note that while I xx and I yy are positive quantities, I xy can be positive, negative or zero.

Polar moment of area about a point P is defined as

I P = ∫ r 2 dA .
A

where r is the distance of the elemental area dA from point P.

y
dA
r
P

Polar moment of area is a positive quantity. The distance between an elemental area and the
point P does not change with translation or rotation of the coordinate system. Thus, polar
moment of area about a point is an invariant quantity (independent of coordinate system).
Moreover, if point P is the origin of the coordinate system then r = x 2 + y 2 and

A A
( )
I P = ∫ r 2 dA = ∫ x 2 + y 2 dA = ∫ y 2 dA + ∫ x 2 dA
A A

= I xx + I yy ,

where x and y are orthogonal coordinate axes with point P as origin.

y

y'
dA

r
P x

x'

If x-y and x’-y’ are two coordinate systems having their origin at the same point P then
I xx + I yy = I P , and I x'x' + I y'y' = I P ,

i.e., I xx + I yy = I x'x' + I y'y'

which means that the sum of the two second moments of area is invariant under rotation of the
coordinate system. More such invariants will be discussed in the next unit.

The double integration required in calculating the moments may be difficult for a
complicated shape. For simple shapes, the second moments of area or the polar moment can be
easily calculated. If the more complicated area can be subdivided into a number (say N) of
simple areas then the second moment of the complicated area can be calculated as
N N
(i ) N (i )
I xx = ∑ I xx
(i )
I yy = ∑ I yy I xy = ∑ I xy ,
i =1 i =1 i =1

where the superscript (i) refers to the ith simple area.

y

1
2 3

In the example considered above, one may consider simple areas 1, 2 and 3.
 Module-4, Unit-4.2
Content: Transformation of co-ordinate axes.
Unit Objectives: After attending the class a student should be able to
• Use parallel axes theorem to calculate second moments of area with respect to axes
shifted parallel to the original axes.
• Calculate second moments of area with respect to axes having a different orientation.
• Calculate invariants of transformation.
Unit summary:
Calculation of the first and second moments of area becomes simpler in some co-ordinate
systems compared to others. For example, calculation of I xx , I yy , I xy for a rectangular area is

easiest in coordinate system shown in the left side figure and is more difficult in the coordinate
system depicted in the right side figure.

y y

θ
x O
O

Thus when one needs to calculate moments of area about any given set of axes he/she should
calculate them with respect to a co-ordinate system where the calculation is simplest. Thereafter,
it is required to transform those moments to the original co-ordinate system.
Any given x-y axes can be transformed to another x'-y' axes by means of two independent
operations
• Shifting the origin O of the first system to O' of the second system without changing the
orientation of the axes.
• Rotating the axes with respect to the origin so that the axes x-y become collinear with x'
and y', respectively.

The rules of transformation of the moments of area are different for those two operations.
 y y y
' ' y
y y y'
≡ + x
x' x x' x x'
O x O O,O'
O' O,O' (Intermediate)

Parallel shift

y' dA y' y
r
x0 P
x0
x
O
O x
y0 y0
x' x'
O’ O’

Let A be the area, ( x0 , y0 ) be the co-ordinate of origin O of x-y system with respect to origin O'

of x'-y' system. Then the parallel axes transformations are as follows:

For first moments,

M x′ = ∫ y ' dA = ∫ ( y + y0 ) dA = ∫ ydA + y0 ∫ dA = M x + Ay0
A A A A

M y′ = ∫ x ' dA = ∫ ( x + x0 ) dA = ∫ xdA + x0 ∫ dA = M y + Ax0

A A A A

M x′ = M x + Ay0
M y′ = M y + Ax0

For second moments,

I x′x′ = ∫ y '2 dA = ∫ ( y + y0 ) dA = ∫ y 2 dA + 2 y0 ∫ ydA + y02 ∫ dA = I xx + 2 y0 M x + Ay02

2

A A A A A

I y′y′ = ∫ x ' dA = ∫ ( x + x0 ) dA = ∫ x dA + 2 x0 ∫ xdA + x ∫ dA = I yy + 2 x0 M y + Ax02

2 2 2 2
0
A A A A A

I x′y′ = ∫ x ' y 'dA = ∫ ( x + x0 )( y + y0 )dA = ∫ xydA + x0 ∫ ydA + y0 ∫ xdA + x0 y0 ∫ dA

A A A A A A

= I xy + x0 M x + y0 M y + Ax0 y0
 I x′x′ = I xx + Ay02 + 2 y0 M x
I y′y′ = I yy + Ax02 + 2 x0 M y
I x′y′ = I xy + Ax0 y0 + x0 M x + y0 M y

If the original coordinate system (of x-y system) is at the centroid of the area, then M x = M y = 0.

In this case, the parallel axis transformation, in its simplified form, is given as
I x′x′ = I xx + Ay02
I y′y′ = I yy + Ax02
I x′y′ = I xy + Ax0 y0

From the above relation, it is clear that the second moments of area ( I xx and I yy ) about

centroidal axes are smaller than the corresponding values ( I x′x′ and I y'y' ) when the axes are

shifted to a parallel location. However, the same cannot be said about the product of areas.

Co-ordinate rotation
When the co-ordinate system x-y is rotated by an angle θ in anticlockwise sense to align with
x'-y' coordinate system then the coordinates of any point in both the systems are related by
⎧x '⎫ ⎧x ⎫ ⎡ cos θ sin θ ⎤
⎨ ⎬ = [ R ] ⎨ ⎬ where [ R ] = ⎢ .
⎩ y '⎭ ⎩ y⎭ ⎣ − sin θ cos θ ⎦⎥
The matrix [R] is called the planar rotation matrix. Naturally,
⎧x ⎫ −1 ⎧ x ' ⎫ ⎡ cos θ − sin θ ⎤
⎨ ⎬ = [R] ⎨ ⎬ = ⎢ .
⎩ y⎭ ⎩ y '⎭ ⎣ sin θ cos θ ⎦⎥

Note that [ R ] is same as putting −θ in place of θ in [R]. In fact, [ R ] = [ R ] because R = 1.

−1 −1 T

y' y

dA

x'
θ x
O

Use of the above transformation equations can be used to determine first and second moments of
areas about the rotated axes.
For first moments,
M x′ = ∫ y ' dA = ∫ ( − x sin θ + y cos θ ) dA = ∫ y cos θ dA − ∫ x sin θ dA = M x cos θ − M y sin θ .
A A A A

M y′ = ∫ x ' dA = ∫ ( x cos θ + y sin θ ) dA = ∫ y sin θ dA + ∫ x cos θ dA = M x sin θ + M y cos θ .

A A A A

M x′ = M x cos θ − M y sin θ
M y′ = M x sin θ + M y cos θ

For second moments,

I x′x′ = ∫ y '2 dA = ∫ ( − x sin θ + y cos θ ) dA = I xx cos 2 θ + I yy sin 2 θ − 2 I xy sin θ cos θ

2

A A

I y′y′ = ∫ x ' dA = ∫ ( x cos θ + y sin θ ) dA = I xx sin 2 θ + I yy cos 2 θ + 2 I xy sin θ cos θ

2 2

A A

I x′y′ = ∫ x ' y 'dA = ∫ ( x cos θ + y sin θ )( − x sin θ + y cos θ ) dA

A A

(
= ( I xx − I yy ) sin θ cos θ + I xy cos 2 θ − sin 2 θ )
By trigonometric manipulations, the above transformation equation can be written as
I xx + I yy I xx − I yy
I x′x′ = + cos 2θ − I xy sin 2θ
2 2
I xx + I yy I xx − I yy
I y′y′ = − cos 2θ + I xy sin 2θ
2 2
I xx − I yy
I x′y′ = + sin 2θ + I xy cos 2θ
2
The polar moment remains unchanged in this (rotational) transformation.

Invariants of transformation

For any rotational transformation, it may be verified that the following quantities remain
invariant:
I xx + I yy = I x′x′ + I y′y′ = I1 ( a positive constant, in fact I P about common origin ) ,
I xx I yy − I xy
2
= I x′x′ I y′y′ = I x2′y′ = I 2 ( another positive constant ) .

For an area having rotational symmetry (e.g., a circle, a square) and the origin of the initial
coordinate system at its centroid, I xx = I yy and I xy = 0 (which is true for even a single axis of
symmetry). Then, the transformation equations show that I x'x' = I y'y' = I xx = I yy and I x'y' = I xy = 0 .
 Module-4, Unit-4.3
Content: Principal axes, Graphical representation of second moments.
Unit Objectives: After attending the class a student should be able to
• Calculate the directions of principal axes.
• Calculate maximum and minimum values of second moment of area.
• Represent the moment of area on a graph.
Unit summary:
For any given area there are two directions orthogonal to each other, about which the product
moments of area vanishes. The other second moment of area becomes either maximum or
minimum about those axes. Those axes are called ‘principal axes’ and are oriented at an angle
θ 0 and θ 0 + π / 2 with respect to any x-y axes. Those angles are found by differentiating the
second moments with respect to θ (measured in anticlockwise direction from x-axis). If I xx , I yy

and I xy are the moments of area about x-y axes then the orientation of the principal axis is found

from
d d ⎛ I xx + I yy I xx − I yy ⎞
I x′x′ = ⎜ + cos 2θ − I xy sin 2θ ⎟ = 0
dθ dθ ⎝ 2 2 ⎠
⇒ − ( I xx − I yy ) sin 2θ − 2 I xy cos 2θ = 0

2 I xy
⇒ tan 2θ = .
I yy − I xx

The same relation can be derived by taking derivative of I y′y′ with respect to θ .

d d ⎛ I xx + I yy I xx − I yy ⎞
I y'y' = ⎜ − cos 2θ + I xy sin 2θ ⎟ = 0
dθ dθ ⎝ 2 2 ⎠
⇒ ( I xx − I yy ) sin 2θ + 2 I xy cos 2θ = 0
2 I xy
⇒ tan 2θ = .
I yy − I xx

We get two angle by taking 2θ0 = tan −1 2 I xy (I yy − I xx ) . These two angles are separated by 180o

(first and third quadrant, or second and fourth quadrant). Thus, θ 0 and θ 0 + π / 2 are two

solutions. If I x′x′ is maximum at θ = θ 0 then I y'y' (which lies at θ = θ 0 + π / 2 measured

anticlockwise from x-axis) is minimum. This is because the sum of second moments is a constant
described by the invariant relation I xx + I yy = I x'x' + I y'y' = I P . In the same vein, If I x′x′ is minimum

at θ = θ 0 then I y'y' is maximum.

Substitution of the solution tan 2θ = 2I xy (I yy − I xx ) into the equation for product of

areas yields
I xx − I yy
I x′y′ =
2
sin 2θ + I xy cos 2θ = 0 for θ = θ 0 where, tan 2θ 0 = 2I xy (I yy − I xx ) .

Thus, the product of areas is zero when one or both axes of the coordinate system is/are aligned
with the principal axis/axes.
Substitution of the angle of the principal axis to the equations for the second moment of
areas gives the maximum and minimum values of the second moment of areas:
2
I xx + I yy ⎛I −I ⎞
I1 = + ⎜ xx yy ⎟ + I xy
2

2 ⎝ 2 ⎠
2
I xx + I yy ⎛I −I ⎞
I2 = − ⎜ xx yy ⎟ + I xy
2

2 ⎝ 2 ⎠
The maximum value of product of area is likewise determined:
d d ⎛ I xx − I yy ⎞
I x′y′ = ⎜ sin 2θ + I xy cos 2θ ⎟ = 0
dθ dθ ⎝ 2 ⎠
⇒ ( I xx − I yy ) cos 2θ − 2 I xy sin 2θ = 0
I yy − I xx
⇒ tan 2θ = −
2 I xy

( )
Like the orientation of principal axes, tan −1 − ( I yy − I xx ) 2 I xy has two solutions, say α and

α + π . Thus, the maximum (and minimum) values of product of areas lie π / 2 radians apart.
A further closer look shows that
⎛ π⎞ 1
tan 2 ⎜ θ 0 + ⎟ = tan ( 2θ 0 + π 2 ) = − = tan 2α .
⎝ 4⎠ tan 2θ 0
This means that the product of area is maximum (or minimum) about an axis oriented π / 4
radians from the principal axis.
Putting the value of tan 2α into the equation for product of area, the maximum and minimum
values of the product of area are found to be
2
⎛ I xx − I yy ⎞
I x′y′ = ⎜ ⎟ + I xy
2
max
⎝ 2 ⎠
2
⎛ I xx − I yy ⎞
I x′y′ =− ⎜ ⎟ + I xy
2
min
⎝ 2 ⎠

where x' axis makes an angle θ 0 ± π / 4 with x-axis. When the product of area is maximum or

minimum, I x'x' θ =α = I y'y' = ( I xx + I yy ) 2 .

θ =α

The principal moment of areas can now be written as

I xx + I yy
I1 = + I x'y'
2 max

I xx + I yy
I2 = − I x'y'
2 max

2
⎛ I xx − I yy ⎞
I x'y' = ⎜ ⎟ + I xy
2
max
⎝ 2 ⎠

The transformation procedure discussed so far can be nicely illustrated by means of a diagram
known as Mohr’s circle diagram (originally this diagram was invented for representing stress
transformation which also has similar formula).
If the second moments I xx , I yy , I xy are known for any axes x-y, then a circle is drawn on I d

I xx + I yy
and I z plane with centre at I d = and I z = 0 . ( I d and I z stand for direct moment and
2
product of area) and radius
2
⎛ I xx − I yy ⎞
R= ⎜ ⎟ + I xy = I x'y' max .
2

⎝ 2 ⎠
For any orientation of axes x-y, the values of I d and I P will lie on this circle. If the point P
is plotted on the circle which corresponds to the moment of area about x-y axes then the values
of I d and I P about any other axes x'-y' can be obtained by drawing a diametric line passing
through P and the centre of the circle and then rotating that line by an angle 2θ in the same sense
as that of the rotation of the co-ordinate system, θ being the angle between x and x' axes. The
location of the new point P' gives the value of I x′x′ and I x′y′ . This is shown in the figure below.

Iz

P'
Ix'y' P
Ixy 2θ
(c,0)
Id
O Q
Iyy
R
Iy'y' Q’

Ix'x'

Ixx

In the above figure of Mohr’s circle, c = ( I xx + I yy ) 2 and R = (( I )

− I yy ) 2 + I xy
2
2
xx . Note that

all invariant properties are satisfied by this diagram. At I d = I1 or I 2 (principal axes), I z = 0 . The

figure also shows that ( I xx + I yy ) 2 = ( I x'x' + I y'y' ) 2 , which is the position of the center of the

circle along I d axis. In this particular example, as point P moves along the circle to point P’,

I x ' x ' < I xx and a point Q lying in the opposite quadrant moves to Q’ signifying I y ' y ' > I yy .

Moreover, the Mohr’s circle further shows that when I z = I x' y' or I x ' y ' ,
max min

I d = ( I xx + I yy ) 2 . The angle between I d and I z axes is π / 2 which means the maximum and

minimum product of inertias are about axes oriented at (π / 2 ) 2 = π / 4 from the principal axes.

Note that the angle measured from line PQ to the I d axis (a negative angle in this
example) is twice the angle corresponding to the orientation of the principal axis.
Unit 4.1 problems:

1. Find the second moments of area of the rectangular area shown in the figure about the
given axes.
y 50mm y

150mm

150mm
O x

75mm
O x
100mm 100mm
Solution:
y y x dx

dy dy
h

h
y y
O x x
O
b b

Consider a rectangular area having width b and height h. The second moment of area about
x-axis is found to be
I xx = ∫ y 2 dA .
A
The rectangular strip of width b and height dy may be considered as the elemental area. Then
h
I xx = ∫ y 2 dA = ∫ y 2bdy
A 0

bh3
⇒ I xx =
.
3
Likewise, it can be shown by considering a vertical strip of with dx and height h that
hb3
I yy = .
3
To find the product of area, consider an elemental area of width dx and height dy. Then

(
h b
I xy = ∫ xydA = ∫ ∫ xydx dy
A 0 0
)
b2h
=∫ ydy
0 2

b2h2
= .
4
Substitution of actual geometric data yields the numerical values.
For the second case, where the origin is at the centroid of the area, we only need to change
the limits of integration. Thus,
h2 bh3
I
I xx = ∫ y dA = ∫ y bdy ⇒ xx
2 2 = .
A −h 2 12
b2 hb3
I
I yy = ∫ x dA = ∫ x hdx ⇒ yy
2 2 = .
A −b 2 12
h2
⎛ b2 ⎞
I xy = ∫ xydA = ∫ ⎜ ∫ xydx ⎟ dy = 0.
A −h 2 ⎝ −b 2 ⎠
The last result (product of areas) is expected because at least one (here both) axis is a axis of
symmetry.

2. The area given in the figure has two straight edges parallel to x and y axes and another
curved edge described by relation y = 0.01x 2 where both x and y are measured in
millimeters. Find the second moments of area about the given axes.
y
y = 0.01x 2

O x
100mm
To determine the second moment of area about x axis, consider an infinitesimal rectangular
strip of height dy at a distance of y from the x-axis. The width of that strip is
w = 100 − y 0.01 . Again, at x = 100 , y = 100 . Thus the second moment about x-axis is

100 y w = 100 − 10 y
I xx = ∫ y 2 dA = ∫ y 2 w( y )dy
A 0
1 5
100 100
= ∫ y 2 (100 − 10 y 2 )dy = ∫ (100 y 2 − 10 y 2 )dy
0 0 dy
100 y
⎡ y 3
2 ⎤ 7
x
= ⎢100 − 10 × y ⎥ = 476.19 ×104 mm 4 = 476.19cm 4 .
2 O
⎣ 3 7 ⎦0
100mm
Likewise,
100
I yy = ∫ x 2 dA = ∫ x 2 ( ydx )
A 0
100
100
4 x5
= ∫ 0.01x dx = 0.01 = 2000 ×104 mm 4 = 2000cm 4
0 5 0
and
 100 ⎛ 0.01 x ⎞
2

I xy = ∫ xydA = ∫ xydxdy = ∫ ⎜ x ∫ ydy ⎟dx

A A 0 ⎝ 0 ⎠
100 ⎛ y 2 ⎞
2
0.01 x 5
⎟ dx = ∫ x dx
100
= ∫ x⎜
0 ⎜ 2 0 ⎟ 0 2 × 10
4
⎝ ⎠
100
x6
= = 833.33 × 104 mm 4 = 833.3cm 4 .
12 × 104 0

3. Find the centroid of the semicircular area shown in the figure. Find the second moments of
area about the given axes and polar moment of area about the origin.
y

x
O
200mm
Solution:
From symmetry, we find xc = 0 (the centroid position may also be denoted as x ). To find
the centroid position along y-axis, one can use the Pappus-Guldinus theorem.
Revolving the semicircular area about the generating axis x, one gets a sphere whose
4
volume is V = π r 3 , where r is the radius of the semicircle. Thus, by Pappus-Guldinus
3
theorem
V = 2π yc A
4 π r2
⇒ π r 3 = 2π yc ×
3 2
4r
⇒ yc = .
3π
Using the given numerical values, the centroid is at (0, 42.44) mm.

To calculate second moments, we use cylindrical coordinate y

system as shown in the figure. Then

A
r

ρ =0 θ =0
π 2 r

ρ =0
(
I xx = ∫ y 2 dA = ∫ ∫ ( ρ sin θ ) ρ dθ d ρ = ∫ ρ 3 ∫ sin 2 θ dθ d ρ
π

θ =0
) ρ
dθ dρ
π r πr 4
θ x
= ∫ ρ 3d ρ = . O
2 ρ =0 8
 r π π r4
Likewise, I yy = ∫ x 2 dA = ∫ ∫ ( ρ cos θ ) ρ dθ d ρ =
2
.
A ρ =0 θ =0 8
r π r
I P = ∫ ρ 2 dA = ∫ ρ 2 ∫ ρ dθ d ρ = ∫ ρ 3 ∫ dθ d ρ =
A ρ =0 θ =0 ρ =0
( π

θ =0
) π r4
4
.

π r4 π r4
Alternatively, I P = I xx + I yy = 2 × . =
8 4
For the given data, I xx = I yy = 0.392 × 108 mm 4 = 3927cm 4 and I P = 7854cm 4 .

Note that for a full circular area, the inner integration y

should be performed from θ = 0 to θ = 2π . The second
moments about the origin (centroid of the circle) are then
given as
R
x
π r4 ⎛ π D4 ⎞ O
I xx = I yy = ⎜ or ⎟,
4 ⎝ 64 ⎠
π r4 ⎛ π D4 ⎞
IP = ⎜ or ⎟
2 ⎝ 32 ⎠
Unit 4.2 problems:
y
100mm
1. Find the centroid of the T-section shown in the figure. Find

20mm
the second moment of area about two axes of a coordinate
system which is parallel to the original coordinate system and

80mm
has its origin at the centroid of the area.

20mm
x
O
Solution: 100mm
From the symmetry itself, the horizontal position of

20mm
the centroid is easily determined. Let the new 2
coordinate system be defined as shown in the figure. y

80mm
1
In this new coordinate system, xc = 0 . Now, break yc 2
the T-section into two rectangles (1 and 2) as shown yc1
O x
in the figure. The y position of the centroid is then
calculated as follows: 20mm

i Ai (mm2) yci (mm) Ai yci (mm3)

1 1600 40 64000
2 2000 90 180000
∑ Ai = 3600 ∑ Ai yci = 244000

yci = ∑ Ai yci ∑ Ai = 67.78mm .

The second moment of areas of the two areas about centroidal axes parallel to the given
coordinate system are given by
20 × 803 80 × 203
I x1x1 = , I y1 y 1 = and I x1 y1 = 0.
100mm 12 12
20mm

y 100 × 203 20 ×1003

I x2x2 = , I y2 y2 = and I x 2 y 2 = 0.
12 12
80mm

These second moments may now be shifted from axes at centroid

67.8
mm

of respective areas to parallel axes at centroid of the composite

O x area. The vertical distances are ( 40 − 67.78 ) mm and
20mm
( 90 − 67.78) mm . The horizontal shift is zero for both the areas.
Thus,
I xx = I x1x1 + A1 ( yc − yc1 ) + I x 2 x 2 + A2 ( yc − yc 2 ) ,
2 2

I yy = I y1 y1 + A1 ( xc − xc1 ) + I y 2 y 2 + A2 ( xc − xc 2 ) = I y1 y1 + I y 2 y 2 ,
2 2

I xy = I x1 y1 + A1 ( xc − xc1 )( yc − yc1 ) + I x 2 y 2 + A2 ( xc − xc 2 )( yc − yc 2 ) = 0.
Putting numerical values, we get I xx = 314.222 cm 4 , I yy = 172 cm 4 , and I xy = 0.
2. Find the second moments of the area shown in the figure about the coordinate axes. The
center of the circular whole is exactly at the centroid of the inclined rectangular part. Hint:
first of all, find the second moments of area of a triangle about any of its base.

Y
50mm

80mm 50mm
150mm

X
O
50mm
Solution:

We divide the whole area into three simple areas: a straight rectangle, a triangle and an
inclined rectangle with a central hole.
For the triangular part, the second moments about its bases may be derived in general form as
follows:
y h
I xx = ∫ y 2 dA = ∫ y 2 w( y )dy
w A 0
h
hb b ⎡ y3 y 4 ⎤
dy = ∫ y ( h − y ) dy = ⎢ h − ⎥
2
h 0 h h⎣ 3 4 ⎦0
y
x bh3
O = .
b 12

Likewise,
b h hb3
I yy = ∫ x 2 dA = ∫ x 2 ( b − x ) dy = .
A 0 b 12

(
b h
and I xy = ∫ xydA = ∫ ∫ xy ( b − x )( h − y ) dy dx =
A 0 0
) b2h2
24
.

Transferring these results to the X-Y axes by parallel axis theorem (with x0 = 0 ), we get
50 × 503 ⎛1 50 ⎞ 1
I x1x1 = + 2 × 80 × ⎜ × 50 × 50 × ⎟ + × 50 × 50 × 802 = 1.1854 ×107 mm 4 ,
12  ⎝ 2  3
⎠ 
2 

2 y0 M x = 2 y0 Ah / 3 Ay02

50 × 503
I y1 y1 = =5.2083 × 105 mm 4
12
 502 × 502 ⎛1 50 ⎞
and I x1 y1 = + 80 × ⎜ 50 × 50 × ⎟ = 1.9271× 106 mm 4 .
24  ⎝ 2  3
⎠
y0 M y = y0 Ab /3

For the straight rectangular part, the second moments about given coordinate axes are
50 × 803
I x2x2 = = 8.5333 × 106 mm 4 ,
3
80 × 503
I y2 y2 = = 3.3333 × 106 mm 4
3
502 × 802
And I x 2 y 2 = = 4 × 106 mm 4 .
4
Now, for the third segment, consider the following y'' y'
initial coordinate system configuration. First of all, y
we find the second moments with respect to x’-y’
coordinate system. Then we transform it to x”-y”
coordinate system and finally parallel axis theorem O’ x''
is used to refer those second moments to x-y
coordinate system. 45o
105 +
The second moments about x’-y’ axes system are 75 2 25 + x'

50 2 ×1503 π × 504 75 2
I x'x' = − = 1.9581×107 mm 4 , x
12 64 O
( )
3
150 × 50 2 π × 504
I y' y' = − = 4.1126 ×106 mm 4
12 64
I x ' y ' = 0 (due to symmetric axis).

where the second moments due to the circular whole have been deducted from those of the
full rectangular part.

The first moments about centroidal x’-y’ axes are zero ( M x ' = M y ' = 0 ) . Thus, in the rotated
frame, M x′′ = M y′′ = 0 .
The second moments about x′′ − y′′ axes are
I x′x′ + I y′y′ I x′x′ − I y′y′ I x′x′ + I y′y′
I x′′x′′ = + cos 90o − I x′y′ sin 90o =
2 2 2
+ −
I x′x′ I y′y′ I x′x′ I y′y′ +
I x′x′ I y′y′
I y′′y′′ = − cos 90o + I x′y′ sin 90o =
2 2 2
I x′x′ − I y′y′ I x′x′ − I y′y′
I x′′y′′ = sin 90o + I x′y′ cos 90o =
2 2
Putting numerical values, I x′′x′′ = I y′′y′′ = 1.1847 ×10 mm 4 and I x′′y′′ = 7.7340 × 106 mm 4 .
7
Applying parallel axis theorem with M x′′ = M y′′ = 0 , the second moments of the third area
about X-Y axes are

( 2 ) = I + (150 × 50 2 − π × 50 4 ) × ( 80 + 25 + 75 2 ) ,
2 2
2
I x3x3 = I x′′x′′ + A × 80 + 25 + 75 x ′′x ′′

+ A × ( 25 + 75 2 ) = I + (150 × 50 2 − π × 50 4 ) × ( 25 + 75 2 )
2 2
2
I y3y3 = I y′′y′′ y′′y′′

I x3y3 = I x′′y′′ + A × ( 25 + 75 2 ) × (105 + 75 2 )

= I x′′y′′ + (150 × 50 2 − π × 50 4 ) × ( 25 + 75 2 ) × (105 + 75 2 )

2

Putting numerical values,

I x 3 x 3 = 2.2770 ×108 mm 4 , I y 3 y 3 = 6.4476 × 107 mm 4 and I x 3 y 3 = 1.1432 ×108 mm 4 .

Thus, for the whole area,

I XX = I x1x1 + I x 2 x 2 + I x 3 x 3 = 2.4809 ×108 mm 4 ,
IYY = I y1 y1 +I y 2 y 2 +I y 3 y 3 = 6.8330 × 107 mm 4
and I XY = I x1 y1 + I x 2 y 2 + I x 3 y 3 = 1.2025 × 108 mm 4 .
Unit 4.3 problems:

1. Find the principal moments of area and the orientation of the principal axes for the area
shown in the figure.
y

50 mm

200 mm

50 mm
x
200 mm

Solution:
The whole area is first divided into two simpler areas.
y

50 mm 50 mm

150 mm 200 mm

200 mm
50 mm

I II
50 mm
x
200 mm

The centroid of these areas are located with respect to x-y axes at
50 150
x1 = = 25 mm , y1 = 50 + = 125 mm
2 2
200 50
x2 = = 100 mm , y2 = = 25 mm
2 2

The second moments of area about their respective centroidal axes are given as following
 1
I x( 1Ix) 1 = × 50 ×1503 mm 4 = 14.062 ×106 mm 4
12
1
I y(1Iy) 1 = ×150 × 503 mm 4 = 1.562 × 106 mm 4
12
I x1y1 = 0 [ Because x1 - y1 are axes of symmetry.]

1
I x( II2 x)2 = × 200 × 503 mm 4 = 2.0833 ×106 mm 4
12
1
I y( II2 y)2 = × 50 × 2003 mm 4 = 33.33 ×106 mm 4
12
I x 2 y2 = 0 [Because x2 - y2 are axes of symmetry.]

The moments of area about x-y axes can be obtained by

1. Applying parallel axes theorem and
2. Adding the moments due to individual area
as

( ) ( )
I xx = I x1x1 + A1 y12 + I x 2 x 2 + A2 y22 = 139.58 ×106 mm 4

( ) ( )
I yy = I y1y1 + A1 x12 + I y2 y2 + A2 x22 = 139.58 ×106 mm 4

and I xy = A1 x1 y1 + A2 x2 y2 = 48.44 × 106 mm 4

The principal moments of area are

2
I xx + I yy ⎛ I xx − I yy ⎞ 2 6 4
I1 = + ⎜ ⎟ + I xy = 188 × 10 mm
2 ⎝ 2 ⎠
2
I xx + I yy ⎛ I xx − I yy ⎞ 2 6 4
and I 2 = + ⎜ ⎟ + I xy = 91.15 ×10 mm
2 ⎝ 2 ⎠ Axis of
symmetry
The orientation of the principal axes are
⎡ I ⎤ Centroid
1
θ = tan −1 ⎢ xy ⎥ = 45D and 135D with the x-axis.
2 ⎣⎢ I yy − I xx ⎦⎥
We know that θ = 45D is an axis of symmetry which has to be one of the principal axes
because the product of inertia (area) about this axis is zero. The centroid also lies on this axis
of symmetry and the other principal axis is perpendicular to the axis of symmetry.
2. Find the principal moments of area and the orientation of the principal axes of the area
shown in the figure by constructing a Mohr’s circle.
y
150 mm

50 mm

250 mm

O
x
50 mm
350 mm

Solution:
The area is first divided into three simpler areas.
50 mm
y

( x1 , y1 ) 100 mm
150 mm
50 mm ( x2 , y2 )
50 mm I
300 mm ( x3 , y3 )
300 mm

250 mm 50 mm
III
O II
x
50 mm
350 mm

with areas A1 = 50 × 100 = 5000 mm 2 , A2 = 15000 mm 2 , A3 = 15000 mm 2 . The centroids of

the corresponding areas are located at

Area xi ( mm ) yi ( mm )

I -100 175
II -25 100
III 150 -25
The second moments of areas of the sections about their respective centroidal axes (which
are also the axes of symmetry) are given below:
1 1
I x1x1 = ×100 × 503 mm 4 , I y1y1 = × 50 ×1003 mm 4 , I x1y1 = 0
12 12
1 1
I x2x2 = × 50 × 3003 mm 4 , I y2 y2 = × 300 × 503 mm 4 , I x 2 y2 = 0
12 12
1 1
I x3x3 = × 300 × 503 mm 4 , I y3 y3 = × 50 × 3003 mm 4 , I x3 y3 = 0
12 12
Applying parallel axes theorem and using the results for composite sections one finally gets

( )
3
I xx = ∑ I xi xi + Ai yi2 = 429.17 × 106 mm 4
i =1
I xy (I , − I xy )
( )
3 yy
I yy = ∑ I yi yi + Ai xi2 = 516.67 ×106 mm 4
i =1
R
3
I xy = ∑ Ai xi yi = −181.25 ×106 mm 4 I min
i =1
Ix
( c , 0) I max
Drawing the Mohr’s circle with centre at 2θ
⎛ I xx + I yy ⎞
⎜c =
⎝ 2
, 0 ⎟ and radius
⎠
(I xx , I xy )

2
⎛ I xx − I yy ⎞ 2 6 4
R= ⎜ ⎟ + I xy = 186.46 ×10 mm
⎝ 2 ⎠

(see figure) we get the principal moments of area as I max = 659.37 ×106 mm 4 and

I min = 286.46 ×106 mm 4 . y

y'
The minimum and maximum values of
moments of area occurs in axes in axes x and y', '

respectively and the principal axes make angle

1 ⎡ 2 I xy ⎤
of θ = tan −1 ⎢ D
⎥ = −38.21 and 51.79
D

2 I − I
⎢⎣ yy xx ⎥⎦ O x
θ
with the x-axis. x'
Module 4 Problems

1. Find the polar moment of area of the shaded area about the origin of the coordinate axes.
Y

R R/2
O X

Solution:

4
π 4 π ⎛R⎞ 15π 4
I xx = R −
⎜ ⎟ = R .
4 4⎝2⎠ 64
⎧ 4 2 2
⎫
π 4 ⎪π ⎛ R ⎞ ⎛ R ⎞ ⎛ R ⎞ ⎪ 11π 4
I yy = R − ⎨ ⎜ ⎟ + π ⎜ ⎟ ⎜ ⎟ ⎬ = R .
4 ⎪ 4 ⎝ 2 ⎠  ⎝ 2 
⎠ ⎝ 2
⎠ ⎪ 64
⎩ Parallel axis theorem ⎭

We know that I zz = I xx + I yy .
13π 4
So, I zz = R .
32

2. Find the second moment about x-axis of the shaded area bounded by two circular arcs of
radius R and two straight lines as shown in the figure.
R

X X
R R
Solution:
Let us decompose the shades area into three simpler areas as shown in the figure.

II
I III
X X
From geometry it is clear that the bounding areas have including angle I zz = π 3.
 For area I:
π 3 R
= ∫ y 2 dA = ∫ ∫ ( r sin θ ) rdrdθ
(I) 2
I xx
θ =0 r =0
θ =π 3
R 4 π 3
R 4 ⎛ θ sin 2θ ⎞
= ∫ sin 2
θ dθ = ⎜ − ⎟
4 θ =0 4 ⎝2 4 ⎠ θ =0
R4 ⎛ π 3⎞
= ⎜⎜ − ⎟.
8 ⎝ 3 4 ⎟⎠
For area II:
3
' ' 1 ⎛ 3R ⎞
In an equilateral triangle, I about centroidal axis is given as I = R⎜ ⎟ . Thus, for
36 ⎜⎝ 2 ⎟⎠
xx xx

the given axis

(II) '
⎛ 1 ⎛ 3R ⎞ ⎞ ⎛ R ⎞ 2
I = I + ⎜ R ⎜⎜ ⎟⎟ ⎟⎟ ⎜ ⎟
xx xx
⎜2 2
⎝ ⎝ ⎠⎠⎝ 3 ⎠
3
1 ⎛ 3R ⎞ ⎛ 1 ⎛ 3R ⎞ ⎞ ⎛ R ⎞
2

= R⎜ ⎟ +⎜ R⎜ ⎟⎟
36 ⎝⎜ 2 ⎠⎟ ⎝⎜ 2 ⎝⎜ 2 ⎠⎟ ⎟⎠ ⎝⎜ 3 ⎠⎟
⎛ 3 3⎞ 3 3 4
= R 4 ⎜⎜ + ⎟⎟ = R .
⎝ 96 12 ⎠ 32

For area III, the results are the same as that for area I.

Thus, for the total area

(I) (II) (III)

I xx = I xx + I xx + I xx
⎛1⎛π 3⎞ 3 3⎞
= R 4 ⎜ ⎜⎜ − + ⎟
⎜ 4 3 4 ⎟⎟ 32 ⎟
⎝ ⎝ ⎠ ⎠
⎛π 3⎞
= R 4 ⎜⎜ + ⎟⎟ .
⎝ 12 32 ⎠

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