OVERVIEW

Module 6 Knowing the resultant or total weight of a body and

its location is important when considering the effect this
force produces on the body. The point of location is called
the center of gravity, and in this section, we will show how
CENTER OF to find it for an irregularly shaped body. We will then
extend this method to show how to find the body’s center
GRAVITY AND of mass, and its geometric center or centroid.

CENTROID LEARNING OBJECTIVES

At the end of this chapter, you should be able to:

1. know the concept of the center of gravity, center of

mass, and the centroid.
2. know how to determine the location of the center of
gravity and centroid for a system of discrete particles
and a body of arbitrary shape.

INTRODUCTION

Before we proceed with our topic, let us first define some important terms so
that you will better understand the lesson well.

Center of Gravity. The center of gravity of a body is sometimes described as

its balance point or that point about which a body would balance without a tendency
to rotate. For this reason, the center of gravity is often identified as the point where all
the weight of the body or object is concentrated. More accurately, it is the point where
the weight of the body may be said to act.

Centroid. The point corresponding to the geometric center of an object is

known as the centroid. Depending on the shape of the object, one, two, or three
coordinates may be needed in order to define its exact position in space. If a shape
possesses an axis of symmetry, then its centroid will always be located on that axis. If
it has two or multiple axes of symmetry, then its centroid will coincide with the
intersection of those axes.
LESSON 1: CENTER OF GRAVITY

The previous modules discussed about equilibrium. Static

equilibrium is used to describe an object at rest. The
ability to locate the center of gravity of a body is based on
the knowledge of what it takes for a system to be
balanced, or in equilibrium.

A body of weight W is supported by a

c.g.
string attached at A, as shown in the figure. The only
W external forces acting on the body are its weight and the
reaction exerted by the string. Equilibrium of the body can
exist only if these two forces are equal, opposite, and
collinear. The line of action of the weight W can be determined, therefore, by the line
of action of the support.

Let the body be supported in a new position so that the line of action of the
weight is again collinear with the string. Thus, two positions of the line of action of the
weight are determined experimentally. The intersection of these positions of the line
of action determines a point which is defined as the center of gravity of the body; this
is the point through which the action line of the weight always passes.

Center of Gravity of a Flat Plate

The analytical location of the center of gravity is simply an application of the principle
of moments; that is, the moment of the resultant is equal to the moment sum of its
parts. As an example, consider the flat plate of irregular section shown in the figure
below. A pictorial as well as front and side views is shown. The network shown divides
the plate into small elements having weights w1, w2, etc, which act at the center of
each element. These gravity forces form a parallel force system, the resultant of which
is the total weight W of the plate.

(a)
(b) (c)
Figure 2

Let the coordinates of each elemental weight be (X1, Y1), (X2, Y2), etc., and the
coordinates of the resultant weight be (X̅, Ӯ), as shown. The coordinates are read as
“bar x,” etc. Taking moments of the weights about the Y axis, we get

With respect to the X axis, we have

These equations merely state that the moment of a weight W about an axis is equal
to the moment sum of its elemental weights.

LESSON 2: CENTROIDS OF AREAS AND LINES

If the material of the plate in Fig. 2 is homogenous, the weight W may be expressed
as the product of its density Ɣ (i.e., weight per unit volume) multiplied by tA, where t
is the thickness of the plate and A is its area. Similarly, the weight w of an element is
given by Ɣtɑ, where ɑ is area of the cross-sectional element. Substituting those values
in Eq. (ɑ) in the section 3.2.1.1.

Whence, cancelling the constant terms Ɣ and t, we get

(1.1)
and similarly,
By analogy with Eqs. (ɑ) and (b) in section 3.2.1.1, the expression A X̅, as well
as A, Ӯ, is called the moment of area. It is equivalent to the sum of the moments of
the elemental areas composing the total area. Note that the moment of area is
therefore defined as the product of the area multiplied by the perpendicular distance
from the center of area to the axis of moments.
If Eq. (1.1) is rewritten in the following form:

(1.1a)

This gives a method of locating a point called the centroid of area. The centroid
of area is defined as the point corresponding to the center of gravity of a plate of
infinitesimal thickness. The term “centroid” rather than “center of gravity” is used when
referring to areas (as well as to lines and volumes) because such figures do not have
weight. The term “center of gravity” is widely used, although it is a misnomer. Strictly
speaking, it should refer to the center of weight of actual bodies.

When referring to lines, we may determine the

centroid by similar means. A line may be assumed to
be the axis of a homogeneous slender wire. Thus
Figure 3 represents the center line of a homogeneous
wire of length L and constant cross-sectional area ɑ
lying in the XY plane. The weight W is given by the
equation W = ƔɑL and the weight w of an elemental
length l by w = γɑl.

Fig. 3 Homogeneous Slender Wire

Substituting these values in Eqs. (ɑ) and (b) in the previous lesson, we have

and

Centroids Determined by Integration

We recall that integration is the process of summing up infinitesimal quantities. Except

for a change in symbols and procedure, integration is equivalent to a finite summation.
In the preceding sections, for example, if the area of an element had been expressed
as the differential dA (i.e., a small part of the total area A), the equations for
determining the centroid of an area would have become

(1.3)

and for determining the centroid of a line, we could have used

(1.3a)

When we determine the centroid by integration, the figure is divided into differential
elements so that:
1. All points of the element are located the same distance from the axis of moments,
or
2. The position of the centroid of the element is known so that the moment of the
element about the axis of moments is the product of the element and the distance
of its centroid from the axis.

If a plane figure has a line of symmetry, its centroid is located on that line. This
statement may be demonstrated by balancing a plate on its line of symmetry, whence
the moments of the weights (also areas if the plate has constant thickness) on either
side of the line of symmetry must be numerically equal and of opposite sign. If a plane
figure has two lines of symmetry, the centroid is located at the point of intersection of
the lines.

LESSON 3: CENTROIDS FOR COMMON GEOMETRIC SHAPES

LESSON 4: CENTROIDS OF COMPOSITE FIGURES

A composite body consists of a series of connected “simpler” shaped bodies,

which may be rectangular, triangular, semicircular, etc. Such a body can often be
sectioned or divided into its composite parts and, provided the weight and location of
the center of gravity of each of these parts are known, we can then eliminate the need
for integration to determine the center of gravity for the entire body.

The centroid of the composite figure is determined by applying the following

equations, which were developed in previous section. In these equations the elemental
areas become the areas of the geometrical shapes into which the entire area has been
divided.

(1.4)

A similar process may be applied to lines. The given line may be divided into finite
segments whose centroids are known, and the following equations may be used:

(1.4a)

In addition to the geometric shapes, other sections commonly used are rolled
structural sections such as angles and channels. The areas and the location of the
centroids of such sections are given below.
LESSON 5: PROPERTIES OF ANGLES AND CHANNELS
LESSON 6: CENTER OF MASS OF A BODY

In order to study the dynamic

response or accelerated motion of a
body, it becomes important to locate the
body’s center of mass Cm.

Formula:
Centroid of Volume

If the body in the figure shown is

made from a homogeneous material, then
its density r (rho) will be constant.
Therefore, a differential element of volume
dV has a mass dm = r dV.

Formula:

These equations represent a balance of

the moments of the volume of the body.
Therefore, if the volume possesses two planes
of symmetry, then its centroid must lie along
the line of intersection of these two planes. For
example, the cone in the figure shown has a
centroid that lies on the y- axis so that X̅ = ̅z =
0. The location Ӯ can be found using a single
integration by choosing a differential element
represented by a thin disk having a thickness
dy and radius r = z. Its volume is dV = πr2 dy =
πz2 dy and its centroid is at X̅ = 0, Ӯ = y, ̅z = 0.

SAMPLE PROBLEMS

1. Locate the centroid of the rod bent into the shape of a parabolic arc as shown
Solution

Differential Element.

The differential element is shown in Figure above. It is located on the curve at the
arbitrary point (x, y).

Area and Moment Arms.

The differential element of length dL can be expressed in terms of the differentials dx

and dy using the Pythagorean theorem.

As shown in the Figure, the centroid of the element is located at

Integrations.

Using the integration formula to evaluate the integrals, we get

2. Locate the centroid of the circular wire segment shown

Solution

Polar coordinates will be used to solve this problem since the arc is circular.

Differential Element.
A differential circular arc is selected as shown in the figure. This element lies on the
curve at (R, θ).

Length and Moment Arm.

The length of the differential element is dL = R dθ, and its centroid is located at X̅ = R
cos θ and Ӯ = R sin θ.
3. A slender homogeneous wire of uniform cross section is bent into the form shown.
Determine the position of the centroid of the wire with respect to the given axes.

4”

8”
Solution:

4. Locate the centroid of the wire shown.

Solution

Composite Parts.
The wire is divided into three segments as shown

Moment Arms.
The location of the centroid for each segment is determined and indicated in the figure.
In particular, the centroid of segment 1 is determined either by integration or by using
the table.

Summations.
For convenience, the calculations can be tabulated as follows:
5. Locate the centroid of the plate area shown

Solution

Composite Parts.
The plate is divided into three segments as shown.
Here the area of the small rectangle 3 is
considered “negative” since it must be subtracted
from the larger one 2
Moment Arms.
The centroid of each segment is located as indicated
in the figure. Note that the X̅-coordinates of 2 and 3
are negative.

Summations. Taking the data from the figure, the

Calculations are tabulated as follows:

6.
EXERCISES

1. 3.

4.
2.
5.

8.

6.

9.

7.
10.

References:

• Hibbeler, R.C., Engineering Mechanics, Statics, 14th Edition, 2016

• Khurmi, R.S., A Textbook of Engineering Mechanics
• Singer, Ferdinand L., Engineering Mechanics, Statics and Dynamics, 3rd Edition