CENTROIDS AND CENTERS OF GRAVITY

CENTROIDS – the term use when referring to the center of gravity of a

weightless figure such as a line, an area, or a volume. These are properties
of pure shapes, not physical objects. They represent the coordinates of the
“middle” of the shape.

CENTER OF GRAVITY – the point where all of an object’s weight may be

concentrated and still have the same external effect on the body.

Center of Gravity of a flat plate

FRONT VIEW SIDE VIEW

(x1,y1),(x2,y2)……coordinates of each elemental weight,w.

(x, y) coordinates of the resultant weight, W.

With respect to the Y axis,

Wx = w1x1 + w2x2 + w3x3……
= Σwx
With respect to X axis,
Wy = w1y1 + w2y2 + w3y3……
= Σwy

Centroids of Areas and Lines

If the material of the plate is homogeneous,

W = γtA

Where:
W = weight
γ = specific weight(weight per unit volume) of the material
t = thickness of the plate
A = total area of the plate

x = Σ ax
A
y = Σ ay
A

When referring to lines(wires),

W = γaL

Where :
γ = specific weight(weight per unit volume) of the material
a = cross-sectional area of the wire
L = length of the wire.

w = γal

Lx = Σlx
Ly = Σly

Or

XΣL = ΣxL
YΣL = ΣyL
Centroid of Composite Area
XΣA = Σx A
YΣA = Σy A

Centroids for Common Geometric Shapes

Sample Problem:

1. Determine the center of gravity of the thin homogeneous plate shown.

Solution:
Area:
Rectangle = 12(9) = 108 cm2
Triangle = 1/2(9)(6) = 27 cm2
Semi-circle = ��2 /2 = �(4)2 = 25.13
2
Σ A = 108+27-25.13 = 109.87cm2

x y
Rectangle = 9/2 = 4.5 6+6 =12
Triangle = 9/3 = 3 6(2/3) = 4
Semi-circle = 4(4) = 1.70 (12/2) + 6 = 12
3�
9-1.70 = 7.30
Component A, cm2 x, cm y, cm xA, cm2 yA, cm2

Rectangle + 108 4.50 12 +486 +1296

Triangle +27 3.00 4 +81 +108

Semicircle -25.1 7.30 12 -183.45 -301.56

ΣA = 109.87 ΣxA =383.55 ΣyA =1102.44

XΣA = Σx A
X(109.87) = 383.55
X = 3.49 cm or 34.9 mm

YΣA = Σy A
Y(109.87) = 1102.44
Y = 10.03 cm or 100.34 mm

2. The figure shown is made of a thin homogeneous wire. Determine the

center of gravity.
 Segment L, in. x, in. y, in. xL, in2 yL, in2

AB 24 12 0 288 0

BC 26 12 5 312 130

CA 10 0 5 0 50

ΣL = 60 ΣxL = 600 ΣyL = 180

XΣL = ΣxL
X(60) = 600
X = 10 in.

YΣL = ΣyL
Y(60) =180
Y = 3 in.
Centroids Determined by Integration

To determine the centroids of an area:

Ax = ∫ xdA
Ay = ∫ ydA

To determine the centroids of a line:

Lx = ∫ xdL
Ly = ∫ ydL

Sample Problem:

1. Determine the centroid of the line which is an arc of a circle as shown.

Solution:

Lx = ∫ xdL

L = 2αr
x = rcos O
dL = rdO
+α +α
2αr x = ∫ (rcos O)(rdO) = r2 ∫ cos O dO
-α -α

= 2 r2 sinα
x = 2 r2 sinα
2αr

x = r sinα
α

2. Determine the location of the centroid of the area of the sector of the
circle shown. Let the radius of the circle be r and the subtended angle be 2
α.

Solution:

Ax = ∫ xdA

dA = (1/2 r)(r dO) = 1/2 r2 dO

+α
Ax = ∫ (2/3 r cos O)(1/2 r2 dO)
-α
+α
x (r2α) = 1/3r3 ∫ cos O dO)
-α

= 1/3r3 (2 sinα)
x (r2α)= 2 r3 sinα
3
x = 2 r sinα
3α
Importance of Centroids and Moments of Area

The position of the centroid of an area is important in determining the

location of the neutral axis in the bending of beams in the strength of
materials, where it is also used to determine shearing stresses in beams.
In dealing with moments of inertia, the position of centroidal axes of areas
is of great importance.In dynamics, the moment of area is used to
determine the displacement of a body subjected to variable forces.