Centroids

Slides 1 – 2:
Centroids are important in both understanding of position of equivalent concentrated force, we
have already discussed and understanding of first and second moments of area. In this lecture
we will discuss method for calculations of centroids and first moment of the area, Qx and Qy. In
the next lecture, we will apply knowledge gained in this lecture to calculate second moments of
area, Ix and Iy. Values of Q and I are used to determine stresses within two-dimensional cross-
section of material.

Slide 3:
We will limit our discussion to geometric centroids. That is, we will only consider homogeneous
materials with uniform thickness. The centroid of material will be studied in two dimensions and
will not be affected by changes in thickness or density. For example, the centroid of the circular
shape with center (3,4) will appear at point (3,4).

The centroid does not have to be located on the body itself. For example, the centroid of annular
shape (e.g. bagel) appears at point outside of the physical body. This is very common for
centroids of wires.

Since we already know that centroidal force due to load on shear and bending moment diagram
is defined by integral with limits 0 to length of the shape, we know that when shape is calculated
along y-axis, for every point, we can multiply Weight, W, of the shape by its corresponding
distance x from y-axis. Adding these values together gives us a sum of the sum of the moments
about y-axis. If we replace W with dW, we can integrate. The same approach is used to
calculate Mx.

Slide 4:

First moment of the area of a shape with respect to y-axis is a sum of products of A and its
corresponding distance to y-axis.

First moment of the area of a line with respect to y-axis is a sum of products of L (length) and
its corresponding distance to y-axis.

The same approach is used to calculate Qx

In essence,
Q =  ydA' = y ' A', where y ' is distance from N . A. to the centroid of A'
A'
Where N.A. is neutral axis

Slide 5:
Let’s take a look at practical examples of calculating first moment of area:

Example 1:

Calculate the moment of area Qx, with respect to Neutral Axis (NA), of the shaded region:

Qx = (vertical distance between neutral axis and centroid of the shaded region) (area of the
shaded region)

Example 2:

Calculate the moment of area Qx, with respect to Neutral Axis (NA), of the shaded region. The
position of neutral axis is 53.75 mm below the top of the shape.

We will split the shaded area into two shapes:

Red shape’s centroid is 40 + (70 – 40) /2 = 55 mm below the top of the shape.
So, it is 55 – 53.75 = 1.25 mm away from neutral axis
Red shape’s area is 20 x (70 – 40) = 600 mm2
Then, first moment of the red shape with respect to neutral axis,
Qx (red shape) = 1.25 x 600 = 750 mm3

Green shape’s centroid is 70 + 20 /2 = 80 mm below the top of the shape.

So, it is 80 – 53.75 = 26.25 mm away from neutral axis
Green shape’s area is 20 x 50 = 1000 mm2
Then, first moment of the red shape with respect to neutral axis,
Qx (green area) = 26.25 x 1000 = 2625 mm3

Qx (entire shaded area) = 750 + 2625 = 3375 mm3

Example 3:

Calculate the moment of area Qx, with respect to Neutral Axis (NA), of the shaded region in
terms of height y:

Qx = (vertical distance between neutral axis and centroid of the shaded region) (area of the
shaded region). We will redraw shaded region above the arbitrary height y between neutral axis
and top of the shape

Slides 6 –7:
Observe centroids of common shapes and lines. Rather than calculating centroids by geometry
or integration, it is possible to plug in the values from the table. Be careful to recognize where
point (0.0) is. For example, x of the semicircular area is shown as 0, because y-axis is located at
that point. However, if we move y-axis to the left edge of the circular shape, then x would be
equal to radius, r.

Slide 8:
For composite plates, we can determine centroid using equations:

xcompositeshape =
x
each shape Aeach shape
=
Q
y each shape

A each shape A
each shape
ycompositeshape =
yeach shape Aeach shape
=
Q
x each shape

A each shape A
each shape

This formula interprets as: centroid of a shape composed of rectangle and triangle = [(centroid
of rectangle)(area of rectangle) + (centroid of triangle)(area of triangle)] / [area of rectangle +
area of triangle].

Slides 9 – 10:
Let’s look at this composed area. We will solve this example in 3 ways. We should get the same
result.

Rectangular sections are on opposite sides of y-axis and point (0,0) as indicated by the graph.

Next, we will move point (0,0) as shown and rework the problem:
Now, x of each component shape and entire shape will be moved by 0.2 m to the right,

To confirm, x of entire shape moved by 0.2 m to the right from 0.14 m to 0.34 m

And finally, we will use the geometry we used in previous method, but different shapes:
but shapes are: 300 x 600 mm rectangle and negative area at the bottom left corner.

Note, that selection of shapes has no effect on centroid.

Slides 11 – 12:
As part of your homework, solve this problem.

Note, that if you select a triangle on the left, the centroid of this triangle will be 1/3 of the length
away from right angle.

Solution: (23.09,23.92)

Slides 13 – 14:
To solve this problem, we must consider ellipses from slide 6:
Next, lets look at the shapes of interest:

Shape C is a 180 mm x 120 mm rectangle. Note, that shapes A and B are negative shapes with
quarter-elliptical areas:

Now, lest compare the shapes from the table to shapes in example:

We will start with “yellow” shape:

Note, that since “yellow” shape is rotated by 90o, x and y get reversed:
We can now plug in equations:

becomes

Now, we know that for “yellow” shape:

 (90)(120)
x = 38.20 mm y = 120 − 50.93 = 69.07 mm A=− = −8482.30 mm 2
4
Next, let’s consider “green” shape:
becomes
Now, we know that for “yellow” shape:
 (90)(120)
x = 180 − 38.20 = 141.80 mm y = 120 − 50.93 = 69.07 mm A=− = −8482.30 mm 2
4
The last shape is a 180 mm x 120 mm rectangle with
x = 180  2 = 90 mm y = 120  2 = 60 mm A = 180  120 = 21,600 mm2

Let’s put it in a table:

As part of the homework, rework and complete this problem

Slide 15 - 17:
The integration method is of determination of centroids is well discussed in your Calculus
course. Here are formulas needed to do such calculations.

Pappus-Guldinus theorem is also discussed in your Calculus course. The goal of this theorem is
use of integration to calculate area of the surface of revolution.

We will look at generic example that covers the topic in slides 15 and 17. It is left to students to
review surface of revolution problem from Calculus book.

n 8
 x2 
0 x  f ( x)  dx 0 x   8   dx
x= n = 8 2
x 
0 f ( x)  dx 0  8   dx

As part of the homework, complete calculations for horizontal centroid and calculate vertical
centroid of the shape.