ME13A: CHAPTER FIVE

CENTROIDS AND
CENTRES OF GRAVITY

5.2. Centroids of Areas

For the homogenous plate: weight of element of plate
w = density x g x volume
Where:
and

= g t A

is density (kg/m3); g = m/s2 ; t = thickness of plate (m);

A is the area of the element, m2.

Also: The weight of the whole plate, W =

g t A

where A is the area of the plate.

Substituting for W and W in moment equations (1) and
dividing by

g t,

We write moment equations for area:

M y : x A x1A1 x2 A2 .... xn An
M x : y A y1A1 y2 A2 .... yn An
U sin g Limits:
xA

x dA,

yA

y dA ...........(3)

The co-ordinates x and y define the co-ordinates of a homogenous plate. The point (x,y)
defines the centroid of the area A of the plate. See Figure 5.3.
y

y
x

5.1

First Moments of Areas

The integral xdA in equation (3) is defined as the first

moment of the area A wrt the y axis and is denoted as Qy: i.e. Qy =
Likewise: along x-axis: Qx =
i.e. Qy =

xdA .

ydA .

And : Qx =

ydA . .

Comparing Equations (3) and (4):

Qy =

A and Qx = y A

i.e. x

= Qy/A

and

x dA
A

y = Qx/A

y dA
A

(4)

xdA .

Examples

Solve Examples Using the method of

integration to locate Centroids.

Centroids of Composite Objects

Centroids of Composite Objects

Contd.

Examples

Solve Examples to Illustrate the centroid of

Composite Objects.

Examples

Solve Examples to illustrate the centroids

of beams with distributed Loads.

1. The column is used to support the floor which exerts a

Assignment
force of 3000 N on top of the column. The effect of soil

pressure along its side is distributed as shown. Replace

this loading by an equivalent resultant force and specify
where it acts along the column, measured from the base A.

Assignment

2. The wall footing is used to support the

column load of 12,000 N. Determine the
intensities w1 and w2 of the distributed loading
acting on the base of the footing for equilibrium.