Chapter 5

Distributed Forces: Centroids

and Centers of Gravity

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 Contents
Introduction Theorems of Pappus-Guldinus

Center of Gravity of a 2D Body Sample Problem 5.7

Centroids and First Moments of Areas Distributed Loads on Beams

and Lines Sample Problem 5.9
Sample Problem 5.4 Three-Dimensional Centers of
Centroids of Common Shapes of Areas Gravity and Centroids

Centroids of Common Shapes of Lines Centroids of Common 3D Shapes

Composite Plates and Areas Composite Bodies

Sample Problem 5.1 Sample Problem 5.12

Determination of Centroids by
Integration

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 Application

There are many examples in engineering analysis of distributed loads. It is

convenient in some cases to represent such loads as a concentrated force
located at the centroid of the distributed load.

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 Introduction
• The earth exerts a gravitational force on each of the particles forming a
body – consider how your weight is distributed throughout your body.
These forces can be replaced by a single equivalent force equal to the
weight of the body and applied at the center of gravity for the body.
• The centroid of an area is analogous to the center of gravity of a body; it is
the “center of area.” The concept of the first moment of an area is used to
locate the centroid.
• By knowing the centroid of a line or area, the determination of the area of a
surface of revolution and the volume of a body of revolution can be
accomplished through the Theorems of Pappus-Guldinus.

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 5.1 Planar Centers of Gravity
and Centroids
• Replace a distributive system of forces by a single
resultant force acting at the center of gravity
• Centroids of areas and lines
• First moments of areas and lines
• Centroids of composite areas and lines - Summation

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 Center of Gravity of a 2D Body 1

• Center of gravity of a plate

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 Center of Gravity of a 2D Body 2

• Center of gravity of a wire

The center of gravity G of a wire is

usually not located on the wire.
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 Centroids and First Moments of Areas
and Lines 1

• Centroid of an area

The centroid C of the area A of the plate

If the plate is not homogeneous, you cannot use

these equations to determine the center of
gravity of the plate; they still define, however,
the centroid of the area.
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 Centroids and First Moments of Areas
and Lines 2

• Centroid of a line

The centroid C of the line L of the plate

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 First Moments of Areas and Lines 1

• Definition of first moment of areas and lines:

• It follows that we can obtain the coordinates of the centroid of an area by

dividing the first moments of that area by the area itself.

• The first moments of the area are also useful in mechanics of materials for
determining the shearing stresses in beams under transverse loadings.

• If the centroid of an area is located on a coordinate axis, the first moment of

the area with respect to that axis is zero. Conversely, if the first moment of
an area with respect to a coordinate axis is zero, the centroid of the area is
located on that axis.

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 First Moments of Areas and Lines 2

• An area is symmetric with respect to an axis

BB’ if for every point P there exists a point
P’ such that PP’ is perpendicular to BB’
and is divided into two equal parts by BB’.
• The first moment of an area with respect
to a line of symmetry is zero.
• If an area possesses a line of symmetry,
its centroid lies on that axis.
• If an area possesses two lines of symmetry,
its centroid lies at their intersection.
• An area is symmetric with respect to a
center O if for every element dA at (x, y)
there exists an area dA’ of equal area at
(−x,−y). The centroid of such an area
coincides with the center of symmetry O.
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 First Moments of Areas and Lines 3

• Note that a figure possessing a center of

symmetry does not necessarily possess an
axis of symmetry.

• Whereas a figure possessing two axes of

symmetry does not necessarily possess a
center of symmetry.

• However, if a figure possesses two axes of

symmetry at right angles to each other, the
point of intersection of these axes is a
center of symmetry.
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 Centroids of Common Shapes of Areas

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 Centroids of Common Shapes of Lines

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 Composite Plates and Areas
• Composite plates

• Composite area

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 First Moments – Positive & Negative
• First moments of areas, like moments of
forces, can be positive or negative.
Thus, you need to take care to assign
the appropriate sign to the moment of
each area.

• An area whose centroid is located to the

left of the y axis has a negative first
moment with respect to that axis. Also,
the area of a hole should be assigned a
negative sign.

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 Sample Problem 5.1
For the plane area shown,
determine the first moments with
respect to the x and y axes and the
location of the centroid.
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1
Strategy:
• Divide the area into a triangle,
rectangle, and semicircle with a
circular cutout.
• Determine the centroid of each
smaller area with respect to the axes.
• Find the total area and first moments
of the triangle, rectangle, and
semicircle. Subtract the area and first
moment of the circular cutout.
• Compute the coordinates of the area
centroid by dividing the first
moments by the total area.
 Sample Problem 5.1 2

Modeling:

• Find the total area and first moments of the

triangle, rectangle, and semicircle. Subtract the
area and first moment of the circular cutout.
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 Sample Problem 5.1 3

Analysis:
Compute the coordinates of the
area’s centroid by dividing the first
moments by the total area.

Reflect and Think: Given that the

lower portion of the shape has more area
to the left and that the upper portion has
a hole, the location of the centroid seems
reasonable upon visual inspection.

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 Sample Problem 5.2 1

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 Sample Problem 5.2 2

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 Sample Problem 5.3 1

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 Sample Problem 5.3 2

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 5.2 Further Considerations
of Centroids
• Determination of centroids - Integration
• Theorems of Pappus-Guldinus

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 Determination of Centroids by
Integration 1

• Double integration to find the first moment

may be avoided by defining dA as a thin
rectangle or strip.

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 Sample Problem 5.4 1

Strategy:
• Determine the constant k.
• Evaluate the total area.
• Using either vertical or horizontal
strips, perform a single integration
to find the first moments.
• Evaluate the centroid coordinates.
Determine by direct integration the
location of the centroid of a parabolic
spandrel.
First, estimate the location of the centroid
by inspection. Discuss with a neighbor
where it is located, roughly, and justify
your answer.

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 Sample Problem 5.4 2

Modeling:
• Determine the constant k.

Analysis: Evaluate the total area.

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 Sample Problem 5.4 3

• Using vertical strips, perform a single

integration to find the first moments.

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 Sample Problem 5.4 4

• Or, using horizontal strips, perform a

single integration to find the first moments.
Try calculating Qy or Qx by this method,
and confirm that you get the same value as
before.

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 Sample Problem 5.4 5

• Evaluate the centroid coordinates.

Is this “center of area” close to

where you estimated it would be?

Reflect and Think:

You obtain the same results whether you choose a vertical or a horizontal
element of area, as you should. In general, both methods can be used as a
check against making a mistake in your calculations.

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 Determination of Centroids by
Integration 2

Often, the choice between using a vertical or horizontal strip is equally good,
but in some cases, one choice is much better than the other. For example, for
the area shown below, is a vertical or horizontal strip a better choice, and why?
Think about this and discuss your choice with a neighbor.

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 Determination of Centroids by
Integration 3

• When a line is defined by an algebraic equation, its centroid can be

determined by evaluating the integrals:

2
 dy 
dL  1    dx
 dx 

2
 dx 
dL  1    dy
 dy 

2
 dr 
dL  r 2    d
 d 
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 Sample Problem 5.5

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 Theorems of Pappus-Guldinus 1

These two theorems, which were first

formulated by the Greek geometer
Pappus during the third century C.E.
and later restated by the Swiss
mathematician Guldinus or Guldin
(1577–1643), deal with surfaces and
bodies of revolution.

• Surface of revolution is generated by

rotating a plane curve about a fixed axis.

• Area of a surface of revolution is

equal to the length of the generating
curve times the distance traveled by
the centroid through the rotation.

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 Theorems of Pappus-Guldinus 2

• Body of revolution is generated by

rotating a plane area about a fixed axis.

• Volume of a body of revolution is

equal to the generating area times
the distance traveled by the centroid
through the rotation.

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 Sample Problem 5.6

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 Sample Problem 5.7 1

Strategy:
• Apply the theorem of Pappus-
Guldinus to evaluate the volume of
revolution of the pulley, which we
will form as a large rectangle with
an inner rectangular cutout.
• Multiply the volume by density and
acceleration due to gravity to
The outside diameter of a pulley is obtain the mass and weight.
0.8 m, and the cross section of its
rim is as shown. Knowing that the
pulley is made of steel and that the
density of steel is   7.85 103 kg/m3 ,
determine the mass and weight of
the rim.
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 Sample Problem 5.7 2

Modeling:
• Apply the theorem of Pappus-Guldinus
to evaluate the volumes of revolution
for the larger rectangular section and
the inner cutout section.
• Multiply by density and acceleration due
to gravity to get the mass and weight.

Analysis:
m = 60.0 kg

W = 589 N
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 Sample Problem 5.8 1

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 Sample Problem 5.8 2

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 5.3 Additional Applications
of Centroids
• Distributed loads on beams
• Forces on submerged surfaces*

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 Distributed Loads on Beams

• A distributed load is represented by plotting

the load per unit length, w (N/m). The total
load is equal to the area under the load
curve.
• A distributed load can be replaced with a
concentrated load of magnitude equal to the
area under the load curve and a line of
action passing through the centroid of the
load area.

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 Sample Problem 5.9
A beam supports a distributed load
as shown. Determine the
equivalent concentrated load and
the reactions at the supports.
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1
Strategy:
• The magnitude of the concentrated
load is equal to the total load or the
area under the load curve.
• The line of action of the
concentrated load passes through the
centroid of the area under the load
curve.
• Determine the support reactions by
(a) drawing the free body diagram
for the beam and (b) applying the
conditions of equilibrium.
 Sample Problem 5.9 2

Modeling and Analysis:

• The magnitude of the concentrated load is
equal to the total load or the area under the
load curve.
F = 18.0 kN
• The line of action of the concentrated load
passes through the centroid of the area
under the curve.

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 Sample Problem 5.9 3

• Determine the support reactions by

applying the equilibrium conditions. For
example, successively sum the moments
about the two supports:

By = 10.5 kN

Ay = 7.5 kN

• And by summing forces in the x direction:

Bx = 0

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 5.4 Centers of Gravity
and Centroids of Volumes
• Three-dimensional centers of gravity and
centroids
• Composite bodies
• Centroids of Volumes – Integration*

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 Three-Dimensional Centers of Gravity
and Centroids

• Center of gravity G • Results are independent of body orientation,

• For homogeneous bodies,

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 Centroids and Volumes of Common 3D
Shapes

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 Composite Bodies
• Moment of the total weight concentrated
at the center of gravity G is equal to the
sum of the moments of the weights of the
component parts.

• For homogeneous bodies,

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 Sample Problem 5.12 1

Strategy:
• Form the machine element from a
rectangular parallelepiped and a
quarter cylinder and then
subtracting two 1-in. diameter
cylinders.

Locate the center of gravity of

the steel machine element. The
diameter of each hole is 1 in.

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 Sample Problem 5.12 2

Modeling:

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 Sample Problem 5.12 3

Analysis:

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 Sample Problem 5.12 4

Reflect and Think:

By inspection, you should expect to be considerably
less than (1/2)(2.5 in.) and (1/2)(4.5 in.), respectively, and
to be slightly less in magnitude than (1/2)(2 in.). Thus, as a rough
visual check, the results obtained are as expected.

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 End of Chapter 5

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