Area Moments of Inertia

Parallel Axis Theorem

• Consider moment of inertia I of an area A
with respect to the axis AA’

I = ∫ y 2 dA

• The axis BB’ passes through the area centroid

and is called a centroidal axis.

I = ∫ y 2 dA = ∫ ( y ′ + d )2 dA
= ∫ y ′ 2 dA + 2d ∫ y ′dA + d 2 ∫ dA
Parallel Axis theorem:
MI @ any axis = • Second term = 0 since centroid lies on BB’
MI @ centroidal axis + Ad2 (∫y’dA = ycA, and yc = 0

I = I + Ad 2
The two axes should be Parallel Axis theorem
parallel to each other.
Area Moments of Inertia
Parallel Axis Theorem
• Moment of inertia IT of a circular area with
respect to a tangent to the circle,
( )
I T = I + Ad 2 = 14 π r 4 + π r 2 r 2

= 54 π r 4

• Moment of inertia of a triangle with respect to a

centroidal axis,
I AA′ = I BB′ + Ad 2

I BB′ = I AA′ − Ad 2 = 12 ( )2
1 bh 3 − 1 bh 1 h
2 3
1 bh 3
= 36

• The moment of inertia of a composite area A about a given axis is obtained by adding the
moments of inertia of the component areas A1, A2, A3, ... , with respect to the same axis.
Area Moments of Inertia: Standard MIs
Answer
1
Moment of inertia about
-axis  = ℎ
3
1
Moment of inertia about -axis 
=  ℎ
3
1
Moment of inertia about
 -axis  = ℎ
12
1
Moment of inertia about   -axis 
=  ℎ
12

1
Moment of inertia about -axis passing through C  = ℎ   + ℎ
12
 1
Moment of inertia about
-axis  = ℎ
12

1

Moment of inertia about
-axis  = ℎ
36
 1 
Moment of inertia about
 -axis  = 
4

1 
Moment of inertia about -axis passing through O  = 
2
 1 
Moment of inertia about
 -axis  = 
= 
8

1 
Moment of inertia about -axis passing through O  = 
4
 1
Moment of inertia about
 -axis  = 
=  
16

1 
Moment of inertia about -axis passing through O  = 
8
 1
Moment of inertia about
-axis  = 
4

1
Moment of inertia about -axis 
=  
4

1
Moment of inertia about -axis passing through O  =   +  
4
Area Moments of Inertia
Example:
Determine the moment of inertia of the shaded area with respect to the x axis.

SOLUTION:
• Compute the moments of inertia of the
bounding rectangle and half-circle with
respect to the x axis.
• The moment of inertia of the shaded area is
obtained by subtracting the moment of
inertia of the half-circle from the moment
of inertia of the rectangle.
Area Moments of Inertia
Example: Solution
SOLUTION:
• Compute the moments of inertia of the bounding
rectangle and half-circle with respect to the x axis.
Rectangle:
I x = 13 bh 3 = 1
3
(240)(120)3 = 138.2 ×10 6 mm 4
Half-circle:
4r (4 )(90)
a= = = 38.2 mm moment of inertia with respect to AA’,
3π 3π
I AA′ = 18 πr 4 = 18 π (90)4 = 25.76 × 106 mm4
b = 120 - a = 81.8 mm
Moment of inertia with respect to x’,
A = 12 πr 2 = 12 π (90 )
2

= 12.72 × 10 3 mm 2 ( ) ( )
I x′ = I AA′ − Aa 2 = 25.76 × 10 6 − 12.72 ×10 3 (38.2)
2

= 7.20 × 10 6 mm 4
moment of inertia with respect to x,
( )
I x = I x′ + Ab 2 = 7.20 × 10 6 + 12.72 × 10 3 (81.8)
2

= 92.3 × 10 6 mm 4
Area Moments of Inertia
Example: Solution

• The moment of inertia of the shaded area is obtained by

subtracting the moment of inertia of the half-circle from
the moment of inertia of the rectangle.

Ix = 138.2 × 106 mm4 − 92.3 × 106 mm4

I x = 45.9 × 106 mm 4
Consider area (1)
1 1
 = ℎ = × 80 × 60 = 5.76 × 10 ""
3 3
Consider area (2)
1    
 = = 30 = 0.1590 × 10 ""
4 4 16

$ = 0.1590 × 10 − 30 
× 12.73 
= 0.0445 × 10 ""
4
 
 = 0.0445 × 10 + 30 60 − 12.73 = 1.624 × 10 ""
4
Consider area (3)
1 1
 = ℎ = × 40 × 30 = 0.09 × 10 ""
12 12
 = 5.76 × 10 − 1.624 × 10 − 0.09 × 10 = &. '( × )'* ++&
 4.05 × 10
1 1 - = = = .&. ''++
, = 60 × 80 −  30  − 40 × 30 = 3490"" , 3490
4 2
Determine the moment of inertia and the radius of gyration of
the area shown in the fig.

1
1
1  /   24  6  432 ""
12 12
1 1
2  /   8  48  73728 ""
12 12
1
1
3  /   48  6  864 ""
12 12

1  1  ,  432  24  6  24  3   105408 ""

3  3  ,  864  48  6  24  3   210816 ""

  105408  73728  210816  390  10 ""  390  10

-    0). 1 ++
, 816
Area Moments of Inertia
Products of Inertia: for problems involving unsymmetrical cross-sections
and in calculation of MI about rotated axes. It may be +ve, -ve, or zero
• Product of Inertia of area A w.r.t. x-y axes:
I xy = ∫ xy dA
x and y are the coordinates of the element of area dA=xy

• When the x axis, the y axis, or both are an

axis of symmetry, the product of inertia is
zero.
• Parallel axis theorem for products of inertia:
I xy = I xy + x yA
- Ixy
+ Ixy

Quadrants
+ Ixy
- Ixy
Area Moments of Inertia
Rotation of Axes
Product of inertia is useful in calculating MI @ inclined axes.

Determination of axes about which the MI is a maximum and a minimum
I x ' = ∫ y ' 2 dA = ∫ ( y cos θ − x sin θ ) dA
2

I y ' = ∫ x' 2 dA = ∫ (x cos θ + y sin θ ) dA

2

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

1 − cos 2θ 1 + cos 2θ
sin 2 θ = cos 2 θ =
2 2
sin θ cos θ = 1 / 2 sin 2θ cos θ − sin 2 θ = cos 2θ
2

I x = ∫ y 2 dA I y = ∫ x 2 dA Ix + I y Ix − Iy
I x′ = + cos 2θ − I xy sin 2θ
I xy = ∫ xy dA 2 2
Moments and product of inertia Ix + I y Ix − Iy
I y′ = − cos 2θ + I xy sin 2θ
w.r.t. new axes x’ and y’ ? 2 2
Note: x′ = x cosθ + y sin θ Ix − Iy
I x′y ' = sin 2θ + I xy cos 2θ
y ′ = y cosθ − x sin θ 2
Area Moments of Inertia
Rotation of Axes Adding first two eqns:
Ix’ + Iy’ = Ix + Iy = Iz
The Polar MI @ O

Angle which makes Ix’ and Iy’ either max or

min can be found by setting the derivative
of either Ix’ or Iy’ w.r.t. θ equal to zero:
dI x'
I x′ =
Ix + Iy
+
Ix − Iy
cos 2θ − I xy sin 2θ dθ
( )
= I y − I x sin 2θ − 2 I xy cos 2θ = 0
2 2
Ix + I y Ix − Iy Denoting this critical angle by α
I y′ = − cos 2θ + I xy sin 2θ
2 2 2 I xy
Ix − I y tan 2α =
I x′y ' = sin 2θ + I xy cos 2θ Iy − Ix
2

two values of 2α which differ by π since tan2α = tan(2α+π)

two solutions for α will differ by π/2

one value of α will define the axis of maximum MI and the other defines the
axis of minimum MI

These two rectangular axes are called the principal axes of inertia
Area Moments of Inertia
Rotation of Axes 2 I xy 2 I xy
tan 2α = ⇒ sin 2α = cos 2α
Iy − Ix Iy − Ix
Substituting in the third eqn for critical value
of 2θ: Ix’y’ = 0

Product of Inertia Ix’y’ is zero for the
Ix + Iy Ix − Iy Principal Axes of inertia
I x′ = + cos 2θ − I xy sin 2θ
2 2
Ix + I y Ix − Iy
Substituting sin2α and cos2α in first two eqns
I y′ = − cos 2θ + I xy sin 2θ for Principal Moments of Inertia:
2 2
Ix − I y
I x′y ' = sin 2θ + I xy cos 2θ Ix + Iy 1
2
I max =
2 2
+ (I x − I y )2 + 4I xy2
Ix + I y 1
I min =
2
−
2
(I x − I y )2 + 4I xy2
I xy @ α = 0
  + 
 − 
 + 
 − 

 = + 23425 − 
46725  − = 23425 − 
46725
2 2 2 2
 − 


= 46725 + 
23425
2

Squaring both the equation and adding

  
 + 
  − 
 − 

 − + 
= 23425 − 
46725 + 46725 + 
23425
2 2 2

89 :8;   89 <8;  89 <8; 

 − + 
= 234  25 − 2 
2342546725 + 
467 25
  

89 <8;  89 <8; 
+ 467 25 + 2 
2342546725 + 
467 25
 

 
 + 
  − 

 − + 
= + 

2 2
  
 + 
  − 

 − + 
= + 

2 2

 + 
 − 

Defining = =>? And @= + 

2
2
 
 − =>? + 
= @ Which is a equation of circle with center =>? , 0 and radius @



@
25

=>?
Area Moments of Inertia
Mohr’s Circle of Inertia: Following relations can be represented
graphically by a diagram called Mohr’s Circle
For given values of Ix, Iy, & Ixy, corresponding values of Ix’, Iy’, & Ix’y’ may be
determined from the diagram for any desired angle θ.
Ix + Iy Ix − Iy 2 I xy
I x′ = + cos 2θ − I xy sin 2θ tan 2α = Ixy
2 2 Iy − Ix
Ix + Iy Ix − Iy
I y′ = − cos 2θ + I xy sin 2θ
2 2
Ix − Iy
I x′y ' = sin 2θ + I xy cos 2θ
2
Ix + Iy 1
I max =
2
+
2
( )
I x − I y 2 + 4 I xy
2
I
Ix + Iy 1
I min =
2
−
2
( )
I x − I y 2 + 4 I xy
2

I xy @ α = 0

(I x′ − I ave )2 + I x2′y′ = R 2 • At the points A and B, Ix’y’ = 0 and Ix’ is

2
a maximum and minimum, respectively.
Ix + Iy  Ix − Iy 
I ave = R =   + I xy
2
I max,min = I ave ± R
2  2 
 Ix + Iy Ix − Iy

Area Moments of Inertia I x′ =

I y′ =
2
Ix + Iy
−
+
2
Ix − Iy
cos 2θ − I xy sin 2θ

cos 2θ + I xy sin 2θ
2 I xy 2 2
Mohr’s Circle of Inertia: Construction tan 2α =
Iy − Ix
I x′y ' =
Ix − Iy
sin 2θ + I xy cos 2θ
2
Ix + Iy
1
I max =
2 2
+ (I x − I y )2 + 4I xy2
Ix + Iy 1
I min =
2
−
2
(I x − I y )2 + 4I xy2
I xy @α = 0

Choose horz axis
MI

Choose vert axis
PI
Point A – known {Ix, Ixy}
Point B – known {Iy, -Ixy}
Circle with dia AB
Angle α for Area

Angle 2α to horz (same
sense)
Imax, Imin
Angle x to x’ = θ

Angle OA to OC = 2θ

Same sense
Point C
Ix’, Ix’y’
Point D
Iy’
Area Moments of Inertia
Example: Product of Inertia
SOLUTION:
• Determine the product of inertia using
direct integration with the parallel axis
theorem on vertical differential area strips
• Apply the parallel axis theorem to
evaluate the product of inertia with respect
to the centroidal axes.

Determine the product of inertia of

the right triangle (a) with respect
to the x and y axes and
(b) with respect to centroidal axes
parallel to the x and y axes.
Area Moments of Inertia
Examples SOLUTION:
• Determine the product of inertia using direct integration
with the parallel axis theorem on vertical differential
area strips
 x  x
y = h1 −  dA = y dx = h1 − dx
 b  b
 x
xel = x yel = 12 y = 12 h1 − 
 b

Integrating dIx from x = 0 to x = b,

b 2
2x
I xy = ∫ dI xy = ∫ xel yel dA = ∫ x ()
1
2
h 1 −  dx
0  b
b 2 b

2 x x 2 x3   x 2 x3 x 4 
=h ∫ − + dx = h  − + 2 
 2 b 2b 2 
0   4 3b 8b  0

I xy = 1 b 2h 2
24
Area Moments of Inertia
Examples SOLUTION

• Apply the parallel axis theorem to evaluate the

product of inertia with respect to the centroidal axes.
x = 13 b y = 13 h

With the results from part a,

I xy = I x′′y′′ + x yA
I x′′y ′′ = 1 b 2h 2
24
( )(13 h)(12 bh)
− 13 b

1 b 2h2
I x′′y ′′ = − 72
Area Moments of Inertia
Example: Mohr’s Circle of Inertia
SOLUTION:
• Plot the points (Ix , Ixy) and (Iy ,-Ixy).
Construct Mohr’s circle based on the
circle diameter between the points.
• Based on the circle, determine the
orientation of the principal axes and the
The moments and product of inertia principal moments of inertia.
with respect to the x and y axes are Ix = • Based on the circle, evaluate the
7.24x106 mm4, Iy = 2.61x106 mm4, and moments and product of inertia with
Ixy = -2.54x106 mm4. respect to the x’y’ axes.
Using Mohr’s circle, determine (a) the
principal axes about O, (b) the values of
the principal moments about O, and (c)
the values of the moments and product
of inertia about the x’ and y’ axes
Area Moments of Inertia
Example: Mohr’s Circle of Inertia
SOLUTION:
• Plot the points (Ix , Ixy) and (Iy ,-Ixy). Construct Mohr’s
circle based on the circle diameter between the points.
( )
OC = I ave = 12 I x + I y = 4.925 × 106 mm 4
( )
CD = 12 I x − I y = 2.315 × 106 mm 4

R= (CD )2 + (DX )2 = 3.437 × 106 mm4

I x = 7.24 × 106 mm4 • Based on the circle, determine the orientation of the
principal axes and the principal moments of inertia.
I y = 2.61 × 106 mm4
DX
6
I xy = −2.54 × 10 mm 4 tan 2θ m = = 1.097 2θ m = 47.6° θ m = 23.8°
CD
Area Moments of Inertia OC = I ave = 4.925 × 106 mm 4
R = 3.437 × 106 mm4
Example: Mohr’s Circle of Inertia
• Based on the circle, evaluate the moments and product
of inertia with respect to the x’y’ axes.
The points X’ and Y’ corresponding to the x’ and y’ axes
are obtained by rotating CX and CY counterclockwise
through an angle θ= 2(60o) = 120o. The angle that CX’
forms with the horz is φ = 120o - 47.6o = 72.4o.

I x ' = OF = OC + CX ′ cos ϕ = I ave + R cos 72.4o

I x′ = 5.96 × 106 mm 4

I y ' = OG = OC − CY ′ cos ϕ = I ave − R cos 72.4o

I y ′ = 3.89 × 106 mm4

I x′y ' = FX ′ = CY ′ sin ϕ = R sin 72.4o

I x′y ′ = 3.28 × 106 mm 4

Determine the product of the inertia of the shaded area shown below about the x-y axes.
Solution:
Parallel axis theorem: Ixy = Īxy +dx dy A
Both areas (1) and (2) are symmetric @ their
centroidal

Axis
Īxy = 0 for both area.

Therefore, for Area (1): Ixy1 = dx1 dy1 A1

Ixy1 = 20×140×70×70 = 13.72×106 mm 4

Similarly, for Area (2): Ixy2 = dx2 dy2 A2

Ixy2 = 60×20×130×30 = 4.68×106 mm 4

Total Ixy = Ixy1 + Ixy2 = 18.40×106 mm 4

Ix < Iy , Ixy (+)

Ix >Iy , Ixy (+)

Ix > Iy , Ixy (-)

Ix < Iy , Ixy (-)

Area Moments of Inertia
Mass Moments of Inertia (I): Important in Rigid Body Dynamics
- I is a measure of distribution of mass of a rigid body w.r.t. the
axis in question (constant property for that axis).
- Units are (mass)(length)2
kg.m2

Consider a three dimensional body of mass m

Mass moment of inertia of this body about axis O-O:

I = ∫ r2 dm
Integration is over the entire body.

r = perpendicular distance of the mass element dm

from the axis O-O
Area Moments of Inertia
Moments of Inertia of Thin Plates
• For a thin plate of uniform thickness t and homogeneous
material of density ρ, the mass moment of inertia with
respect to axis AA’ contained in the plate is
I AA′ = ∫ r 2 dm = ρt ∫ r 2 dA
= ρ t I AA′,area

• Similarly, for perpendicular axis BB’

which is also contained in the plate,
I BB′ = ρ t I BB′,area

• For the axis CC’ which is perpendicular to the plate,

I CC ′ = ρ t J C ,area = ρ t (I AA′,area + I BB′,area )
= I AA′ + I BB′
Area Moments of Inertia
Moments of Inertia of Thin Plates
• For the principal centroidal axes on a rectangular plate,

I AA′ = ρ t I AA′,area = ρ t (121 a3b) = 121 ma 2

I BB′ = ρ t I BB′,area = ρ t (12
1 ab 3 ) = 1 mb 2
12

I CC ′ = I AA′,mass + I BB′,mass = 12 1 m (a 2 + b 2 )

• For centroidal axes on a circular plate,

( )
I AA′ = I BB′ = ρ t I AA′,area = ρ t 14 π r 4 = 14 mr 2
Area Moments of Inertia
Moments of Inertia of a 3D Body by Integration
• Moment of inertia of a homogeneous body
is obtained from double or triple
integrations of the form
I = ρ ∫ r 2 dV

• For bodies with two planes of symmetry,

the moment of inertia may be obtained
from a single integration by choosing thin
slabs perpendicular to the planes of
symmetry for dm.

• The moment of inertia with respect to a

particular axis for a composite body may
be obtained by adding the moments of
inertia with respect to the same axis of the
components.
Q. No. Determine the moment of inertia of a slender rod of
length L and mass m with respect to an axis which is
perpendicular to the rod and passes through one end of the rod.

Solution
Q. No. For the homogeneous rectangular prism shown,
determine the moment of inertia with respect to z axis

Solution
Area Moments of Inertia
MI of some common geometric shapes
Q. Determine the angle α which locates the principal axes of inertia through point O for the
rectangular area (Figure 5). Construct the Mohr’s circle of inertia and specify the
corresponding values of Imax and Imin.

y b

y’
2b

x’
α
x
O
 B E 
Ix =
(2) 

B 
Iy = 2()  
F
Ixy = 2 ()()  

With this data, plot the Mohr’s circle, and using trigonometry
calculate the angle 2 α
2 α =tan-1(b4/b4) = 45o
Therefore, α =22.5o (clockwise w.r.t. x)

From Mohr’s Circle:

G 
Imax =  +  2  3.08

G  
Imin =
 −  2  0.252
Q. No. Determine the moments and product of inertia of the area of the square with respect to the x'- y' axes.

B B  B 
Ix =
  =
 ; Iy =

F F B 
Ixy = 0 + ( ×  ×  ) = 

With θ = 30o, using the equation of moment of inertia about any inclined axes

 + 
 − 

 = 2
+
2
H34 25 − 
I67 25
 + 
 − 


 = − H34 25 + 
I67 25
2 2
 − 


 = I67 25 + 
H34 25
2
we get,
FJ B  B 

Ix' =
+0− 
 I67 60° = ( − E
) = 0.1168 Alternatively, Mohr’s Circle may be
FJ B  B 
used to determine the three

Iy' =
+0+ 
 I67 60° = ( + E
) = 0.5498 quantities.
B B B

Ixy' = 0 + (  ×  ) = ( E ×  ) = 0.1250