MASTER´S COURSE IN ARCHITECTURE

STRUCTURAL DESIGN
2023–2024

1. CENTRE OF MASS

2. CENTROID AND MOMENTS OF INERTIA OF PLANE AREAS

PEDRO MARTINS MENDES

MASTER´S COURSE IN ARCHITECTURE

STRUCTURAL DESIGN

1. CENTRE OF MASS
Centre of mass of a system of point masses.
Definition. Physical significance.
Analogy with the "equilibrium point" of a system of parallel forces.
Centre of mass and centre of gravity of a body.

Pedro Martins Mendes

2024
1. CENTRE OF MASS

1.1. CENTRE OF MASS OF A SYSTEM OF POINT MASSES

Consider a system of 𝒏 point masses (𝑚1 , 𝑚2 , … , 𝑚n ) arranged in a line

(whose direction is taken as that of the coordinate axis 𝑂𝑋).

• The CENTRE OF MASS of the system is a point (denoted by 𝑮) whose

position (𝑋G ) corresponds to the weighted average of the positions of
the point masses (𝑋1 , 𝑋2 , … , 𝑋n ) taking as weighting factors the values
of the masses, i.e.:

𝒎𝟏 ∙ 𝑿𝟏 + 𝒎𝟐 ∙ 𝑿𝟐 + . . . . + 𝒎𝐧 ∙ 𝑿𝐧 ∑𝐢=𝟏,𝐧(𝒎𝐢 ∙ 𝑿𝐢 )
𝑿𝐆 = =
𝒎𝟏 + 𝒎𝟐 + . . . . + 𝒎𝐧 ∑𝐢=𝟏,𝐧(𝒎𝐢 )

• In the case of a system consisting of only two masses (i.e., 𝑛 = 2),

𝒎𝟏 ∙ 𝑿𝟏 + 𝒎𝟐 ∙ 𝑿𝟐
𝑿𝐆 =
𝒎𝟏 + 𝒎𝟐

If 𝑚1 = 𝑚2 , the centre of mass is located halfway between the two

masses; if 𝑚1 ≠ 𝑚2 , the centre of mass is closer to the biggest mass
(the highest “weight” in determining the average of the two positions).

(FA.ULisboa) STRUCTURAL DESIGN ‒ p. 1.1 ‒

1. CENTRE OF MASS

Analogy with the "equilibrium point" of a system of parallel forces

Consider a horizontal board (e.g., a plank), of length denoted by 𝐿, placed

on a fixed support located at the midpoint and subjected to two vertical
forces, with the same sense, applied at the ends.

• If 𝐹1 = 𝐹2 , the board will remain horizontal (static equilibrium).

(sum of moments about G) 𝚺𝑴𝐆 = 𝑭𝟏 ∙ 𝒅𝟏 − 𝑭𝟐 ∙ 𝒅𝟐 = 𝟎

• If 𝐹2 > 𝐹1 , the board will rotate (clockwise ↻ ) unless the support is

properly moved ⟶ for the board to remain horizontal, the support
must be placed closer to 𝐹2 (the force with the largest magnitude).

QUESTION: Where should the support be placed (“new” location of G)

so that the board does not rotate under the effect of forces 𝐹1 and 𝐹2 ?

(Σ𝐹vert = 0) 𝑅 = 𝐹1 + 𝐹2 𝑭𝟏 ∙ 𝟎 + 𝑭𝟐 ∙ 𝑳 𝐹2
{ ⟶ 𝒅𝟏 = = ∙𝐿
(Σ𝑀A = 0) 𝐹1 ∙ 0 + 𝐹2 ∙ 𝐿 = 𝑅 ∙ 𝑑1 𝑭𝟏 + 𝑭𝟐 𝐹1 + 𝐹2

(FA.ULisboa) STRUCTURAL DESIGN ‒ p. 1.2 ‒

1. CENTRE OF MASS

Analogy with the case of a system of parallel forces (cont.)

• For 𝐹2 = 2𝐹1 , e.g., we obtain 𝑑1 = 2𝐿/3 (and 𝑑2 = 𝑑1 /2 = 𝐿/3).

NOTE: For 𝐹1 = 𝐹2 (the situation referred to initially), the formula

𝐹2
𝑑1 = ∙ 𝐿 gives (not surprisingly...) 𝑑1 = 𝐿/2.
𝐹1 +𝐹2

• In a more general format, considering the possibility that each force

acts at any point along the board (and taking the origin of the 𝑋 axis
at a generic point 𝑂), the following result is obtained:

(Σ𝑀O = 0) 𝐹1 ∙ 𝑋1 + 𝐹2 ∙ 𝑋2 = (𝐹1 + 𝐹2 ) ∙ 𝑋G
𝑭 𝟏 ∙ 𝑿𝟏 + 𝑭 𝟐 ∙ 𝑿𝟐
⟶ 𝑿𝐆 =
𝑭𝟏 + 𝑭𝟐

• Even more generally, considering 𝑛 applied forces, 𝒙𝐆 is given by:

𝑭 𝟏 ∙ 𝑿𝟏 + 𝑭 𝟐 ∙ 𝑿𝟐 + . . . . + 𝑭 𝐧 ∙ 𝑿𝐧 ∑𝐢=𝟏,𝐧(𝑭𝐢 ∙ 𝑿𝐢 )
𝑿𝐆 = =
𝑭𝟏 + 𝑭𝟐 + . . . . + 𝑭𝐧 ∑𝐢=𝟏,𝐧(𝑭𝐢 )

(vd. the formula for the centre of mass of a system of point masses)

that is, the position of point 𝐺 (that is defined by the coordinate 𝑋G ) corresponds to the weighted average of the positions
of the points of application of the forces, (𝑋1 , 𝑋2 , … , 𝑋n ), evaluated by taking the magnitudes of the forces as weighting factors.

(FA.ULisboa) STRUCTURAL DESIGN ‒ p. 1.3 ‒

1. CENTRE OF MASS

The description of the “centre of mass” was introduced in the context

of point mass systems arranged in a line. Similarly, in the case of 𝒏 point
masses arranged in a plane, the respective centre of mass is a point,
belonging to that plane, with coordinates 𝑿𝐆 and 𝒀𝐆 given by:

𝒎𝟏 ∙ 𝑿𝟏 + 𝒎𝟐 ∙ 𝑿𝟐 + . . . . + 𝒎𝐧 ∙ 𝑿𝐧 ∑(𝒎𝐢 ∙ 𝑿𝐢 )
𝑿𝐆 = =
𝒎𝟏 + 𝒎𝟐 + . . . . + 𝒎𝐧 ∑(𝒎𝐢 )

𝒎𝟏 ∙ 𝒀𝟏 + 𝒎𝟐 ∙ 𝒀𝟐 + . . . . + 𝒎𝐧 ∙ 𝒀𝐧 ∑(𝒎𝐢 ∙ 𝒀𝐢 )
𝒀𝐆 = =
{ 𝒎𝟏 + 𝒎𝟐 + . . . . + 𝒎𝐧 ∑(𝒎𝐢 )

• The extension to the 3D case is straightforward:

𝒁𝑮 = ∑(𝒎𝒊 ∙ 𝒁𝒊 ) / ∑(𝒎𝒊 )

In general, as stated for point mass systems arranged in a line, the centre of mass of any system of point masses corresponds
to the weighted average of their positions taking the values of the masses as weighting factors. According to the analogy that
was established with a system of parallel forces, this point has the meaning of “equilibrium point” of the set of masses.

Formally, if instead of masses, the respective weights are considered, the aforementioned “equilibrium point” is not called
the centre of mass but rather the centre of gravity (or, also, the barycentre). In current practice, these expressions refer to the
same point, so it is accepted that they are used interchangeably.

(FA.ULisboa) STRUCTURAL DESIGN ‒ p. 1.4 ‒

1. CENTRE OF MASS

1.2. CENTRE OF MASS (CENTRE OF GRAVITY) OF A BODY

Consider a homogeneous plate of constant thickness (𝒕), and, without loss of

generality, admit that it lies on a horizontal plane.

Denoting by 𝜸 the volumic weight of the constituent material (i.e., its weight
per unit volume) and by 𝑨 the area of the plate, the total weight is given by

𝑷 = 𝜸 ∙ (𝑨
⏟ ∙ 𝒕)
volume
The line of action of the force corresponding to the weight of the plate is
located so that this force is statically equivalent to the set of forces that
correspond to the weights of 𝒏 “small” plates (whose areas and weights are
indicated generically by 𝑨𝐢 and 𝑷𝐢 , with 𝑖 = 1, 2, … , 𝑛) into which the original
plate is “exactly” subdivided – CENTRE OF GRAVITY (point 𝑮).

𝑃 ∙ 𝑿𝐆 = 𝑃1 ∙ 𝑋1 + 𝑃2 ∙ 𝑋2 + . . . . + 𝑃n ∙ 𝑋n ∴
Taking moments about the 𝑶𝒀 axis, e.g.,
the following formula for 𝑿𝐆 is obtained: 𝑃1 ∙ 𝑋1 + 𝑃2 ∙ 𝑋2 + . . . . + 𝑃n ∙ 𝑋n (𝛾 ∙ 𝑡) ∙ ∑(𝐴i ∙ 𝑋i ) ∑(𝑨𝐢 ∙ 𝑿𝐢 )
𝑿𝐆 = = =
𝑃1 + 𝑃2 + . . . . + 𝑃n (𝛾 ∙ 𝑡) ∙ ∑(𝐴i ) ∑(𝑨𝐢 )

∑(𝑨𝐢 ∙ 𝒀𝐢 )
Similarly, taking moments about the 𝑶𝑿 axis, we obtain: 𝒀𝐆 =
∑(𝑨𝐢 )

(FA.ULisboa) STRUCTURAL DESIGN ‒ p. 1.5 ‒

MASTER´S COURSE IN ARCHITECTURE

STRUCTURAL DESIGN

2. CENTROID AND MOMENTS OF INERTIA OF PLANE AREAS

Centroid of plane areas
Definition. Centroid of elementary shapes. Centroid of composite shapes.
Moments of inertia of plane areas
Moments of inertia of elementary areas with respect to centroidal axes. Radii of gyration.
Parallel-axis theorem. Moments of inertia of composite shapes.

Pedro Martins Mendes

2024
2. CENTROID AND MOMENTS OF INERTIA OF PLANE AREAS

2.1. CENTROID OF PLANE AREAS

The centroid of a plane area corresponds to the centre of mass of an ideally thin (i.e., “with no thickness”) homogeneous plate
with the same shape as the plane area. As with the centre of mass, it is accepted to use the expressions “centre of gravity” and
“barycentre” (which, strictly speaking, refer to the weight of bodies) to also refer to the centroid of a plane area.

CENTROID OF PLANE AREAS – Examples

𝑏 ℎ 𝑏 ℎ 4𝑅 4𝑅
𝑋G = , 𝑌G = 𝑋G = , 𝑌G = 𝑋G = 0 , 𝑌G = 𝑋G = 𝑌G =
2 2 3 3 3𝜋 3𝜋
(centre of
(2 axes of symmetry) (inters. of medians) (centre of symmetry) (axis of symmetry) (axis of symmetry) symmetry)

PROPERTIES (symmetry conditions)

• If a shape is symmetric with respect to an axis, its centroid belongs to that axis.
⟶ If a shape is symmetric with respect to more than one axis, its centroid is the point of intersection of those axes.
• If a shape is symmetric with respect to one point, its centroid is that point (i.e., the centre of symmetry).

(FA.ULisboa) STRUCTURAL DESIGN ‒ p. 2.1 ‒

2. CENTROID AND MOMENTS OF INERTIA OF PLANE AREAS

COMPOSITE SHAPES – Analogously to the centre of mass of a system of point masses, if a given shape is split into 𝒏 simpler
shapes for which the locations of the respective centroids are known in advance – the “elementary shapes” –, the location of
the centroid of the original shape (a “composite shape”) is specified by the following weighted averages,

∑(𝑨𝐢 ∙ 𝑿𝐆𝐢 ) ∑(𝑨𝐢 ∙ 𝒀𝐆𝐢 )

𝑿𝐆 = 𝒀𝐆 =
∑(𝑨𝐢 ) ∑(𝑨𝐢 )

where 𝑨𝐢 is the area of the 𝑖 th elementary shape and (𝑿𝐆𝐢 , 𝒀𝐆𝐢 ) are the coordinates of the corresponding centroid.

EXAMPLE CG.1 Location of the centroid of the displayed T–shape

• From the symmetry condition, 𝑿𝐆 = 𝟒𝟎 + 𝟑𝟎/𝟐 = 𝟓𝟓 cm

• Total area 𝐴 = ∑(𝐴i ) = (30 × 50) + (110 × 20) = 3700 cm2

• 𝒀-coordinate (𝒀𝐆 )
50 20
∑(𝑨𝐢 ∙ 𝒀𝐆𝐢 ) (30 × 50) × ( 2 ) + (110 × 20) × (50 + 2 )
𝒀𝐆 = = = 𝟒𝟓, 𝟖 𝐜𝐦
∑(𝑨𝐢 ) 3700

(FA.ULisboa) STRUCTURAL DESIGN ‒ p. 2.2 ‒

2. CENTROID AND MOMENTS OF INERTIA OF PLANE AREAS

EXAMPLE CG.2 Location of the centroid of the displayed L–shape

Composition 1 (additive)

Component 𝑨𝐢 [cm2] 𝑿𝐆𝐢 [cm] 𝒀𝐆𝐢 𝑨𝐢 ∙ 𝑿𝐆𝐢 [cm3] 𝑨𝐢 ∙ 𝒀𝐆𝐢

1 80 × 15 = 1200 40 7,5 48 000 9 000
2 20 × 40 = 800 10 35 8 000 28 000
Sums ( Σ ) 𝟐𝟎𝟎𝟎 𝟓𝟔 𝟎𝟎𝟎 𝟑𝟕 𝟎𝟎𝟎

∑(𝐴i ∙ 𝑋Gi ) 56 000

𝑋G = = = 𝟐𝟖, 𝟎 𝐜𝐦
∑(𝐴i ) 2000
∑(𝐴i ∙ 𝑌Gi ) 37 000
𝑌G = = = 𝟏𝟖, 𝟓 𝐜𝐦
∑(𝐴i ) 2000

Composition 2 (subtractive)

Component 𝑨𝐢 [cm2] 𝑿𝐆𝐢 [cm] 𝒀𝐆𝐢 𝑨𝐢 ∙ 𝑿𝐆𝐢 [cm3] 𝑨𝐢 ∙ 𝒀𝐆𝐢

1 80 × 55 = 4400 40 27,5 176 000 121 000
2 −60 × 40 = −2400 50 35 −120 000 −84 000
Sums ( Σ ) 𝟐𝟎𝟎𝟎 𝟓𝟔 𝟎𝟎𝟎 𝟑𝟕 𝟎𝟎𝟎

(confirmation of the results 56 000 37 000

𝑋G = = 𝟐𝟖, 𝟎 𝐜𝐦 𝑌G = = 𝟏𝟖, 𝟓 𝐜𝐦
obtained with composition 1) 2000 2000
.

(FA.ULisboa) STRUCTURAL DESIGN ‒ p. 2.3 ‒

2. CENTROID AND MOMENTS OF INERTIA OF PLANE AREAS

EXAMPLE CG.3 Location of the centroid of the displayed composite shape

Component 𝑨𝐢 [cm2] 𝑿𝐆𝐢 [cm] 𝒀𝐆𝐢 [cm] 𝑨𝐢 ∙ 𝑿𝐆𝐢 [cm3] 𝑨𝐢 ∙ 𝒀𝐆𝐢 [cm3]
1 20 × 100 = 2000 20/2 = 10 100/2 = 50 20 000 100 000
2 1/2 × 60 × 30 = 900 20 + 1/3 × 60 = 40 50 + 2/3 × 30 = 70 36 000 63 000
3 60 × 20 = 1200 20 + 60/2 = 50 80 + 20/2 = 90 60 000 108 000
Sums ( Σ ) 𝟒𝟏𝟎𝟎 𝟏𝟏𝟔 𝟎𝟎𝟎 𝟐𝟕𝟏 𝟎𝟎𝟎

∑(𝐴i ∙ 𝑋Gi ) 116 000 ∑(𝐴i ∙ 𝑌Gi ) 271 000

𝑿𝐆 = = = 𝟐𝟖, 𝟑 𝐜𝐦 𝒀𝐆 = = = 𝟔𝟔, 𝟏 𝐜𝐦
∑(𝐴i ) 4100 ∑(𝐴i ) 4100

(FA.ULisboa) STRUCTURAL DESIGN ‒ p. 2.4 ‒

2. CENTROID AND MOMENTS OF INERTIA OF PLANE AREAS

EXAMPLE CG.4 Location of the centroid of the displayed composite shape

Componente 𝑨𝐢 [cm2] 𝑿𝐆𝐢 [cm] 𝒀𝐆𝐢 [cm] 𝑨𝐢 ∙ 𝑿𝐆𝐢 [cm3] 𝑨𝐢 ∙ 𝒀𝐆𝐢 [cm3]
1 10 × 50 = 500 10/2 = 5 50/2 = 25 2 500 12 500
2 60 × 30 = 1800 10 + 60/2 = 40 30/2 = 15 72 000 27 000
3 −𝜋 ∙ 202 /2 = −628 10 + 20 = 30 30 − 4 × 20/(3𝜋) = 21,5 −18 850 −13 516
Somas ( Σ ) 𝟏𝟔𝟕𝟐 𝟓𝟓 𝟔𝟓𝟎 𝟐𝟓 𝟗𝟖𝟒

∑(𝐴i ∙ 𝑋Gi ) 55 650 ∑(𝐴i ∙ 𝑌Gi ) 25 984

𝑿𝐆 = = = 𝟑𝟑, 𝟑 𝐜𝐦 𝒀𝐆 = = = 𝟏𝟓, 𝟓 𝐜𝐦
∑(𝐴i ) 1672 ∑(𝐴i ) 1672

(FA.ULisboa) STRUCTURAL DESIGN ‒ p. 2.5 ‒

2. CENTROID AND MOMENTS OF INERTIA OF PLANE AREAS

2.2. MOMENTS OF INERTIA OF PLANE AREAS

The MOMENT OF INERTIA of a plane area with respect to an AXIS is a geometric property, whose value is directly proportional
to the moment that it is necessary to apply, about that axis, to a homogeneous plate of constant thickness and with the shape
of the plane area in order to produce a rotational motion of the plate (about the same axis) with a given angular acceleration.

For a rectangle 𝒃 × 𝒉 , e.g., the moment of inertia with respect to the centroidal axis parallel to the 𝒉𝟐 𝒃 ∙ 𝒉𝟑
𝑰𝐱 = 𝑨 ∙ =
side with length 𝒃 (the 𝒙 axis) is given by: 𝟏𝟐 𝟏𝟐
𝒉𝟐
NOTE: For a homogeneous rectangular plate of constant thickness and total mass 𝒎 (vd. ANNEX 2.1), 𝑰𝐱 = 𝒎 ∙
𝟏𝟐

𝑨 𝑏∙ℎ 𝑏 ∙ ℎ/2 𝜋 ∙ 𝑅2 𝜋 ∙ 𝑅2 /2 𝜋 ∙ (𝑅e2 − 𝑅i2 )

𝑏 ∙ ℎ3 𝑏 ∙ ℎ3
𝑰𝐱 ≈ 0,110 ∙ 𝑅4
12 36 𝜋∙𝑅 4
𝜋 ∙ (𝑅e4 − 𝑅i4 )
ℎ ∙ 𝑏3 ℎ ∙ 𝑏3 4 𝜋 ∙ 𝑅4 4
𝑰𝐲
12 36 8

(FA.ULisboa) STRUCTURAL DESIGN ‒ p. 2.6 ‒

2. CENTROID AND MOMENTS OF INERTIA OF PLANE AREAS

EXAMPLE MI.1 Evaluation of 𝑰𝐱 relative to the four rectangles as shown

(𝐢) (𝐢) (𝟒)

Figure (𝒊) 𝒃 [m] 𝒉 [m] 𝑨 [m2] 𝑰𝐱 [m4] 𝑰𝐱 /𝑰𝐱
1 0,20 0,80 0,160 0,20 × 0,803 /12 = 8,533 × 10−3 16,0
2 0,25 0,64 ” “ 0,25 × 0,643 /12 = 5,461 × 10−3 10,2
3 0,40 0,40 ” “ 0,404 /12 = 2,133 × 10−3 4,0
4 0,80 0,20 ” “ 0,80 × 0,203 /12 = 0,533 × 10−3 1,0

CONCLUSION: Although the four rectangles have the same area, there are substantial differences between the values of 𝐼x
– in particular, the value of 𝑰𝐱 relative to rectangle 1 is sixteen times higher than the value relative to rectangle 4
(as will be detailed later, this issue is important, e.g., regarding the definition of the cross-section of beams and columns).

NOTE: The moments of inertia of areas are expressed in [length unit]4 (in the table above, the unit is m4).

(FA.ULisboa) STRUCTURAL DESIGN ‒ p. 2.7 ‒

2. CENTROID AND MOMENTS OF INERTIA OF PLANE AREAS

The moment of inertia of a plane area with respect to a POINT in the plane of the area is equal to the sum of the moments of
inertia with respect to any two perpendicular axes, contained in the plane, that intersect at the given point.

𝑨 𝑏∙ℎ 𝜋 ∙ 𝑅2 ≈ 2𝜋 ∙ 𝑅 ∙ 𝑡
𝑏 ∙ ℎ3 ℎ2 ℎ ∙ 𝑏3 𝑏2 𝜋 ∙ 𝑅4 𝑅2
𝑰𝐱 , 𝑰𝐲 𝐼x = =𝐴∙ 𝐼y = =𝐴∙ 𝐼x = 𝐼y = =𝐴∙ 𝐼x = 𝐼y = 𝐼G /2 ≈ 𝜋 ∙ 𝑅3 ∙ 𝑡
12 12 12 12 4 4
2 2
𝑏 +𝑏 𝑏 + 𝑏2
2
𝜋 ∙ 𝑅4 𝑅2
𝑰𝐆 = 𝑰𝐱 + 𝑰y (𝑏 ∙ ℎ ) ∙ =𝐴∙ =𝐴∙ ≈ 𝐴 ∙ 𝑅2 ≈ 2𝜋 ∙ 𝑅3 ∙ 𝑡
12 12 2 2

In general, the moments of inertia of an area can be expressed through 𝑰 = 𝑨 ∙ 𝒊𝟐 , where 𝒊 = √ 𝑰/𝑨 corresponds to a length
that is called the RADIUS OF GYRATION (with respect to the given axis or point).

ℎ 𝑏
• rectangle of sides 𝑏 × ℎ 𝑖x = √ 𝐼x /𝐴 = 𝑖y = √ 𝐼y /𝐴 =
√12 √12
𝑅
• circle of radius 𝑅 𝑖x = 𝑖𝑦 =
2
• thin circular ring (𝑡 << 𝑅) 𝑖G = 𝑅

(FA.ULisboa) STRUCTURAL DESIGN ‒ p. 2.8 ‒

2. CENTROID AND MOMENTS OF INERTIA OF PLANE AREAS

PARALLEL-AXIS THEOREM – The moment of inertia of a plane area with respect to any given axis EF (𝑰𝐄𝐅 ) is equal to the
moment of inertia of the given area with respect to a centroidal axis parallel to EF (𝑰𝐆∥ ) plus the product of the total area 𝑨
and the square of the distance 𝒅 between the two axes (𝑨 ∙ 𝒅𝟐 ), i.e.,

𝑰𝐄𝐅 = 𝑰𝐆∥ + 𝑨 ∙ 𝒅𝟐

COROLLARY: Since the term (𝑨 ∙ 𝒅𝟐 ) is always non-negative, if follows that, for each direction, the line that passes through the
centroid of the plane area is the line for which that area presents the minimum moment of inertia.

EXAMPLE MI.2 Evaluation of the moment of inertia of the rectangle shown below with respect to the axes
that contain the smaller sides (only the “lower” axis, 𝐵𝐵′, is indicated in the figure)

• moment of inertia with respect to the centroidal axis parallel to 𝐵𝐵′ (axis 𝐺𝑥)
0,25 × 0,503
𝐼x = = 2,60 × 10−3 m4
12

• distance between the two axes 𝑑 = 0,50/2 = 0,25 m

• moment of inertia with respect to the axis 𝐵𝐵′

𝐼BB´ = 𝐼x + 𝐴 ∙ 𝑑 2 = 2,60 × 10−3 + (0,25 × 0,50) × 0,252 = 10,42 × 10−3 m4

NOTE: Generically, the moment of inertia of a rectangle 𝑏 × ℎ 2

𝑏 ∙ ℎ3 ℎ 2 𝒃 ∙ 𝒉𝟑
𝐼x + 𝐴 ∙ 𝑑 = + (𝑏 ∙ ℎ ) ∙ ( ) = (= 4 𝐼x )
“with respect to the sides” of length 𝑏 (parallel to 𝐺𝑥) is given by: 12 2 𝟑

(FA.ULisboa) STRUCTURAL DESIGN ‒ p. 2.9 ‒

2. CENTROID AND MOMENTS OF INERTIA OF PLANE AREAS

EXAMPLE MI.3 Evaluation of the radii of gyration 𝒊𝐱 and 𝒊𝐲 of the semicircle shown in the figure

• area 𝑨 = 𝜋 × 802 /2 = 10,05 × 103 mm2

𝐼x
𝑰𝐱 ≈ 0,110 × 804 = 4,51 × 106 mm4 → 𝒊𝐱 = √ = 21,2 mm
𝐴
• moments of inertia
and radii of gyration
𝜋 × 804 𝐼y
𝑰𝐲 = = 16,08 × 106 mm4 → 𝒊𝐲 = √ = 40,0 mm (= R/2)
{ 8 𝐴

NOTES: The moment of inertia 𝑰𝐲 of the semicircle corresponds to half the moment of inertia of a circle, with the same radius,
with respect to a diametrical axis, i.e.: 𝑰𝐲 = (1/2) ∙ (𝜋 ∙ 𝑹𝟒 /4) = 𝜋 ∙ 𝑹𝟒 /8

Regarding the moment of inertia 𝑰𝐱 , the formula 𝑰𝐱 ≈ 0,110 ∙ 𝑹𝟒 can be obtained by considering the formula for the
moment of inertia of a circle of radius 𝑅 with respect to a diametrical axis and the parallel-axis theorem.

𝜋 ∙ 𝑅4 (= half the moment of inertia of a circle of radius 𝑅

𝐼OX = = 𝐼y
8 with respect to a diametrical axis)

𝜋 ∙ 𝑅4 𝜋 ∙ 𝑅2 4𝑅 2 𝜋 8
𝐼OX = 𝑰𝐱 + 𝐴 ∙ 𝑑 2 ⟹ 𝑰𝐱 = − ∙ ( ) = ( − ) ∙ 𝑅4 ≈ 0,110 ∙ 𝑹𝟒
8 2 3𝜋 8 9𝜋

(FA.ULisboa) STRUCTURAL DESIGN ‒ p. 2.10 ‒

2. CENTROID AND MOMENTS OF INERTIA OF PLANE AREAS

COMPOSITE SHAPES
The moment of inertia with respect to an axis (or a point) of a “composite” shape is
equal to the sum of the moments of inertia with respect to the same axis (or point)
of the 𝑛 component shapes into which it is split – the “elementary” shapes.

As an example, consider the shown T–shape and suppose that its smallest moment
of inertia with respect to a horizontal axis is to be determined.

STEP 1 – The axis we have in view is necessarily a centroidal axis (according to the
aforementioned corollary of the “Parallel-Axis Theorem”). Thus, the first step is to
locate the centroid of the T–shape (point indicated by 𝐺). 𝒔𝐱 = ? 𝒔𝐲 = ?

STEP 2 – Determine the moment of inertia of the given T–shape with respect to the
centroidal horizontal axis (𝐺𝑥 ) by summing the moments of inertia, with respect to
the same axis, of the 𝑛 elementary shapes considered (in this case, 𝑛 = 2), i.e.,

𝑰𝐆𝐱 = ∑ (𝑰𝐆∥,𝐢 + 𝑨𝐢 ∙ 𝒅𝟐𝐢 )

𝒊=𝟏,𝒏

where 𝑨𝐢 is the area of the 𝑖 th elementary shape (𝑖 = 1, … , 𝑛) and 𝒅𝐢 is the distance,

measured normally to the 𝐺𝑥 axis (i.e., vertically in this case), between the centroid
of that elementary shape (point indicated by 𝐺i ) and the centroid of the T–shape (𝐺 ).

(FA.ULisboa) STRUCTURAL DESIGN ‒ p. 2.11 ‒

2. CENTROID AND MOMENTS OF INERTIA OF PLANE AREAS

EXAMPLE MI.4 Consider the cross-section of a steel profile HEA 280 (vd. figure).

PURPOSE ‒ By assimilating the flanges and the web of the HEA profile to rectangular plates, estimate the
cross-sectional area, moments of inertia 𝑰𝐱 and 𝑰𝐲 , and the corresponding radii of gyration.

• area 𝐴 ≈ 2 × (280 × 13) + 244 × 8 = 9,232 × 103 mm2

280 × 2703 136 × 2443

𝐼x ≈ −2×( ) = 130,0 × 106 mm4
12 12
• moments
of inertia
13 × 2803 244 × 83
𝐼y ≈ 2 × ( )+ = 47,6 × 106 mm4
{ 12 12

𝐼x 130,0 × 106
𝑖x = √ ≈√ = 118,7 mm
𝐴 9,232 × 103
• radii of
gyration
𝐼y 47,6 × 106
𝑖y = √ ≈√ = 71,8 mm
{ 𝐴 9,232 × 103

• (Complementary note) Estimative of the weight per unit length (𝑔) of the steel profile (HEA 280)

Volumic weight of steel 𝛾steel = 77 kN/m3 → 𝑔 = (𝛾steel ∙ 𝐴) ≈ 77 [kN/m3 ] × 9,232 × 10−3 [m2 ] = 0,71 kN/m
(exact value = 0,75 kN/m)

(FA.ULisboa) STRUCTURAL DESIGN ‒ p. 2.12 ‒

2. CENTROID AND MOMENTS OF INERTIA OF PLANE AREAS

EXAMPLE MI.5 Evaluation of the moments of inertia 𝑰𝐱 and 𝑰𝐲 relative to

the displayed T–shape (equal to that of Example CG.1)

STEP 1 – Locate the centroid of the T–shape

If there is an axis of symmetry, as is the case, the centroid belongs to that line.
According to the resolution of Example CG.1, 𝒔𝐲,𝐆 = 𝟒𝟓, 𝟖 cm.

STEP 2.1 – Moment of inertia 𝑰𝐱

• Component (elementary shape) 1
30 × 503
𝐼x,1 = +⏟
(30 × 50) × ( 50/2
⏟ ⏟ )2 = 962 × 103 cm4
− 45,8
12 𝑠
area (𝐴1 ) 𝑠y,1 y,G

• Component (elementary shape) 2

110 × 203
𝐼x,2 = +⏟
(110 × 20) × ( ⏟ ⏟ )2
(50 + 20/2) − 45,8
12 𝑠
area (𝐴2 ) 𝑠y,2 y,G

= 516 × 103 cm4

• Total value 𝐼x = 𝐼x,1 + 𝐼x,2 = 1,478 × 106 cm4

STEP 2.2 – Moment of inertia 𝑰𝐲

50 × 303 20 × 1103
NOTE: The centroids of both components belong to the centroidal 𝐼y = 𝐼y,1 + 𝐼y,2 = + = 2,331 × 106 cm4
⏟ 12 ⏟ 12
axis , so the corresponding summands (𝐴i ∙ 𝑑i2 ) are null. component 1 component 2

(FA.ULisboa) STRUCTURAL DESIGN ‒ p. 2.13 ‒

2. CENTROID AND MOMENTS OF INERTIA OF PLANE AREAS

EXAMPLE MI.6 Evaluation of the moments of inertia 𝑰𝐱 and 𝑰𝐲 of the plane shape shown in the figure
• From the symmetry condition, we have that 𝑿𝐆 = 𝟒𝟎 cm. Regarding 𝒀𝐆 :
Component 𝑨𝐢 [cm2] 𝒀𝐆𝐢 [cm] 𝑨𝐢 ∙ 𝒀𝐆𝐢 [cm3]
1 80 × 60 = 4800 60/2 = 30 144 000
4 × 30
2 −(𝜋 × 302 )/2 = −1414 60 − = 47,27 −66 823
3×𝜋
Sum ( Σ ) 3386 77 177
∑(𝐴i ∙ 𝑌Gi ) 77 177
𝒀𝐆 = = = 22,79 cm
∑(𝐴i ) 3386

Component 𝑰𝐱∥,𝐢 [cm4] 𝒅𝐢 = 𝒀𝐆𝐢 − 𝒀𝐆 [cm] (𝑨𝐢 ∙ 𝒅𝟐𝐢 ) [cm4] 𝑰𝐱,𝐢 = 𝑰𝐱∥,𝐢 + 𝑨𝐢 ∙ 𝒅𝟐𝐢 [cm4]
80 × 603
Regarding the 1 = 1,440 × 106 7,21 249 × 103 1,689 × 106
moments of 12
inertia 𝑰𝐱 , 𝑰𝐲 : 2 −0,110 × 304 = −89 × 103 24,48 −847 × 103 −936 × 103

60 × 803 𝜋 × 304 𝑰𝐱 = 753 × 103

6 4
𝑰𝐲 = − = 2,242 × 10 cm
12 8

(FA.ULisboa) STRUCTURAL DESIGN ‒ p. 2.14 ‒

MASTER´S COURSE IN ARCHITECTURE

STRUCTURAL DESIGN

ANNEX

Mass moments of inertia ‒ Point masses and

rectangular plates with uniformly distributed mass ‒

Pedro Martins Mendes

2024
ANNEX 2.1. MASS MOMENTS OF INERTIA

a) POINT MASS

Consider a point mass (𝒎) connected by a rod of negligible mass to an axis of rotation
located at a distance 𝒓 (point 𝑂), and that a constant moment (𝑴) is applied about that axis.
Under these conditions, the mass follows a circular path of radius equal to 𝑟.

At each instant, the moment equilibrium condition is satisfied considering the effect of the
inertia force that develops from the motion of the mass – a force tangent to the trajectory
and with magnitude given by 𝑭𝐈 = 𝒎 ∙ 𝒂𝐭 (where 𝒂𝐭 is the tangential acceleration of the
mass); the moment equilibrium condition is expressed by 𝑴 = 𝑭𝐈 ∙ 𝒓 .

On the other hand, denoting the angular acceleration by , we have that 𝒂𝐭 = 𝒓 ∙ 𝜶 (in the
same way that the length of a circular arc, 𝑠 , is related to the corresponding central angle, 𝜃 ,
through the formula 𝑠 = 𝑟 ∙ 𝜃). Combining these two “simple” formulas, we have that:

𝑴 = 𝐹I ∙ 𝑟 = (𝑚 ∙ 𝑎t ) ∙ 𝑟 = (𝒎 ∙ 𝒓𝟐 ) ∙ 𝜶

Thus, if the applied moment 𝑀 is constant (along with 𝑚 and 𝑟), so is the angular acceleration 𝛼 (i.e., the rotational motion is
uniformly accelerated). From the previous formula we also conclude that the value of 𝜶 caused by a given moment 𝑴 is
inversely proportional to factor (𝒎 ∙ 𝒓𝟐 ). This factor, denoted by 𝑰𝐎 , is called the MOMENT OF INERTIA of mass 𝑚 with
respect to the axis of rotation (and, more generally, with respect to any point 𝑂 located at a distance 𝑟 from the mass 𝑚).

(FA.ULisboa) STRUCTURES I ‒ (Annex) p. 1 ‒

ANNEX 2.1. MASS MOMENTS OF INERTIA

b) RECTANGULAR PLATE WITH UNIFORMLY DISTRIBUTED MASS

Consider a rectangular plate (𝒃 × 𝒉) with constant thickness (𝒕), made of a material

with volumic mass denoted by ; the plate can rotate about the centroidal axis
parallel to the sides of length 𝑏 (the 𝑮𝒙 axis).

By applying a moment with constant magnitude (𝑴) about the 𝑮𝒙 axis, the plate
exhibits a rotational motion with constant angular acceleration (an uniformly
accelerated motion) – each point of the plate describes a circular path of radius
equal to its distance from the axis of rotation (in this case, that distance is the 𝑦
coordinate); denoting by 𝜶 the angular acceleration of the rotational motion, the
Distribution of tangential accelerations (𝑎t ) –
rotation about 𝐺𝑥 with angular acceleration 𝛼 tangential acceleration at a point (with coordinates 𝑥, 𝑦) is given by 𝒂𝐭 = 𝒚 ∙ 𝜶 .

At any point on the plate, the inertia force that develops with the rotational motion is tangent to the trajectory, and the
corresponding magnitude, per unit volume, is given by 𝒇𝐈 = 𝝆 ∙ 𝒂𝐭 . From the moment equilibrium condition, the moment,
about the axis of rotation, that results from these inertia forces must equal, at each instant, the applied moment 𝑴.

Therefore, if the plate surface is split “exactly” into numerous (𝑛) elementary surfaces of “small” area, the following formula is
obtained (where 𝐴i is the area of the 𝑖 th elementary surface and 𝑦i is the 𝑦-coordinate of the corresponding “central” point):

2
(𝜌 ∙ 𝑦i ∙ 𝛼) ∙ (𝐴i ∙ 𝑡) ∙ (𝑦
𝑴= ∑ ⏟ ⏟ i ) = (𝜌 ∙ 𝑡 ∙ 𝛼) ∙ ∑ (𝐴i ∙ 𝑦i )
𝑖=1,𝑛 𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐮𝐥𝐭𝐚𝐧𝐭 𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐜𝐞 𝐚𝐫𝐦 𝑖=1,𝑛

(FA.ULisboa) STRUCTURES I ‒ (Annex) p. 2 ‒

ANNEX 2.1. MASS MOMENTS OF INERTIA

Under the described conditions, the distributed load 𝒑𝐈 = (𝑓I ∙ 𝑏 ∙ 𝑡), which corresponds to the resultant of the inertia forces per
unit of length along the direction of the 𝐺𝑦 axis, is a linear function of the 𝑦-coordinate , given by: 𝒑𝐈 (𝒚) = (𝝆 ∙ 𝒃 ∙ 𝒕) ∙ 𝒚 ∙ 𝜶 .

As illustrated in the figure, this distributed load is statically equivalent to a couple consisting
of two forces 𝑭 perpendicular to the plate and with an arm equal to /𝟑 . .

Since the resulting moment of the distributed load 𝑝I (𝑦) must equal the applied moment 𝑀,
(equilibrium condition), it follows that:
2ℎ 1 ℎ 2ℎ ℎ2 𝒉𝟐
𝑴=𝐹∙ = [ ∙ (𝜌
⏟ ∙ 𝑏 ∙ 𝑡) ∙ (ℎ/2 ∙ 𝛼) ∙ ] ∙ = (𝜌
⏟ ∙ 𝑏 ∙ ℎ ∙ 𝑡) ∙ ∙ 𝛼 = (𝒎 ∙ )∙𝜶
3 2 2 3 12 ⏟ 𝟏𝟐
|𝒑𝐈 (𝒚=±𝒉/𝟐)| 𝐭𝐨𝐭𝐚𝐥 𝐦𝐚𝐬𝐬,𝒎
= 𝑰𝐱

So, the value of 𝜶 produced by a given moment 𝑴 is inversely proportional to the factor (𝒎 ∙ 𝒉𝟐 /𝟏𝟐), where 𝒎 is the total
mass of the plate – given by 𝑚 = 𝜌 ∙ (𝑏 ∙ ℎ ∙ 𝑡) – and 𝒉 is the dimension of the plate perpendicular to the axis of rotation.
This factor, denoted by 𝑰𝐱 , is called the MOMENT OF INERTIA of the plate with respect to the 𝐺𝑥 axis. 𝑰𝐱 = 𝒎 ∙ 𝒉𝟐 /𝟏𝟐

QUESTION: If all the mass of the plate is concentrated at a point, at what distance from the 𝐺𝑥 axis must that point be
positioned so that the moments of inertia of the point mass and the plate, with respect to that axis, become equal?
𝒉𝟐 𝑰𝐱 𝒉
Denoting the aforementioned distance by 𝒊𝐱 , we have that: 𝑰𝐱 = 𝒎 ∙ = 𝒎 ∙ 𝒊𝟐𝐱 ∴ 𝒊𝐱 = √ =
𝟏𝟐 𝒎 √𝟏𝟐

The distance (length) given by 𝒊𝐱 = √𝑰𝐱 /𝒎 is called the RADIUS OF GYRATION of the plate with respect to the 𝐺𝑥 axis.

(FA.ULisboa) STRUCTURES I ‒ (Annex) p. 3 ‒