ENGR-1100 Introduction to Engineering

Analysis

Lecture 17

CENTROID OF COMPOSITE AREAS

Todays Objective :
Students will:
a) Understand the concept of centroid.
b) Be able to determine the location of
the centroid using the method of
composite areas.

In-Class Activities:
Reading Quiz
Applications
Centroid
Determine Centroid
Location
Method of Composite
Areas
Concept Quiz
Group Problem Solving
Attention Quiz

CENTROID OF A BODY

~
x dA

x
dA

~y dA

y
dA

Similarly, the coordinates of the centroid of volume, area, or

length can be obtained by replacing W by V, A, or L,
respectively.

CONCEPT OF CENTROID
The centroid, C, is a point defining the
geometric center of an object.
The centroid coincides with the center of
mass or the center of gravity only if the
material of the body is homogenous (density
or specific weight is constant throughout the
body).
If an object has an axis of symmetry, then
the centroid of object lies on that axis.
In some cases, the centroid may not be
located on the object.

STEPS TO DETERME THE CENTROID OF AN AREA

1. Choose an appropriate differential element dA at a general point (x,y).
Hint: Generally, if y is easily expressed in terms of x
(e.g., y = x2 + 1), use a vertical rectangular element. If the converse is
true, then use a horizontal rectangular element.
2. Express dA in terms of the differentiating element dx (or dy).

~ y)
~ of the centroid of the rectangular
3. Determine coordinates (x,
element in terms of the general point (x,y).
4. Express all the variables and integral limits in the formula using
either x or y depending on whether the differential element is in
terms of dx or dy, respectively, and integrate.

EXAMPLE
Given: The area as shown.
Find: The centroid location (x , y)
Plan: Follow the steps.

Solution:
1. Since y is given in terms of x, choose
dA as a vertical rectangular strip.
2. dA = y dx
3. x~ = x and

= x3 dx
~
y = y / 2 = x3 / 2

EXAMPLE(continued)

4. x = ( A ~x dA ) / ( A dA )
=

1 3

x
(x
)dx
0

1/5 [ x5 ]1
=

13 ) d x

(x
0

1/4 [ x4 ]1

0
0

= ( 1/5) / ( 1/4) = 0.8 m

y =

A y dA
A dA

1 3
3

(x
/
2)
(
x
) dx
0
1 3

0 x dx

= (1/14) / (1/4) = 0.2857 m

1/14[x7]10
1/4

APPLICATIONS
The I-beam (top) or T-beam
(bottom) shown are commonly
used in building various types
of structures.
When doing a stress or
deflection analysis for a beam,
the location of its centroid is
very important.
How can we easily determine
the location of the centroid for
different beam shapes?

STEPS FOR ANALYSIS

1. Divide the body into pieces that are known shapes.
Holes are considered as pieces with negative weight or size.
2. Make a table with the first column for segment number, the second
column for size, the next set of columns for the moment arms, and,
finally, several columns for recording results of simple intermediate
calculations.
3. Fix the coordinate axes, determine the coordinates of centroid of
each piece, and then fill in the table.
4. Sum the columns to get x, y, and z. Use formulas like
x = ( x A ) / ( A )
i

This approach will become straightforward by doing examples!

EXAMPLE
Given: The part shown.
Find: The centroid of
the part.
Plan: Follow the steps
for analysis.
Solution:
1. This body can be divided into the following pieces:
rectangle (a) + triangle (b) + quarter circular (c)
semicircular area (d). Note the negative sign on the hole!

EXAMPLE (continued)
Steps 2 & 3: Make up and fill the
table using parts a, b,
c, and d. Note the
location of the axis system.
Segment

Area A
(in2)

Rectangle
Triangle
Q. Circle
Semi-Circle

18
4.5
9/4
/2

28.0

x
(in)

y
(in)

3
1.5
7
1
4(3) / (3 ) 4(3) / (3 )
0
4(1) / (3 )

x A
( in3)

y A
( in3)

54
31.5
9
0

27
4.5
9
- 2/3

76.5

39.83

EXAMPLE (continued)

4. Now use the table data results and the formulas to find the
coordinates of the centroid.
Area A
28.0

x
A
76.5

yA
39.83

x = ( x A) / ( A ) = 76.5 in3/ 28.0 in2 =

y = ( y A) / ( A ) = 39.83 in3 / 28.0 in2 =

2.73 in
1.42 in

READING QUIZ
1. A composite body in this section refers to a body made of ____.
A) Carbon fibers and an epoxy matrix in a car fender
B) Steel and concrete forming a structure
C) A collection of simple shaped parts or holes
D) A collection of complex shaped parts or holes
2. The composite method for determining the location of the
center of gravity of a composite body requires _______.
A) Simple arithmetic
C) Differentiation

B) Integration
D) All of the above.

CONCEPT QUIZ
Based on the typical centroid
information, what are the minimum
number of pieces you will have to
consider for determining the centroid of
the area shown at the right?
A) 4

B) 3

C) 2

D) 1

3cm

1 cm
1 cm
3cm

ATTENTION QUIZ

1. A rectangular area has semicircular and

triangular cuts as shown. For determining the
centroid, what is the minimum number of
pieces that you can use?

2.

A) Two

B) Three

C) Four

D) Five

2cm
4cm
x
2cm 2cm

For determining the centroid of the area, two

y 1m 1m
square segments are considered; square ABCD
D
and square DEFG. What are the coordinates A
E
1m
~~
(x, y ) of the centroid of square DEFG?
G
F
1m
A) (1, 1) m
B) (1.25, 1.25) m
x
B
C
C) (0.5, 0.5 ) m
D) (1.5, 1.5) m

GROUP PROBLEM SOLVING

Given: A plate as shown.
Find: The location of its centroid
Plan:

Follow the solution steps to

find the centroid by integration.

GROUP PROBLEM SOLVING (continued)

Solution
1. Choose dA as a vertical
rectangular strip.

GROUP PROBLEM SOLVING (continued)