UNIT 3

Centroid & Moment of

Inertia
Learning Objectives
After studying this unit, the student will be able to
• Know what is centre of gravity and centroid
• Calculate centroid of geometric sections
Centre of Gravity
Centre of Gravity (or) mass centre of a point in the body where entire mass
   weight – is assumed to be concentrated. In other words, it is a point in the
body, through which the resultant of the weights of different parts of the body is
assumed to be acting. It is generally written as C.G.
Centroid:
The plane figure like triangle, rectangle circle etc have only areas and mass
is negligible. The centre of area of such plane figures is called ‘Centroid’ (or)
“Centre of Area”. It is generally denoted by “G”
Centroidal Axis
The axis which passes through centre of gravity (or)
centroid is known as “Centroidal Axis” XX1, YY1, ZZ1
are called Centroidal Axis

Fig 3.1
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Axis of Symmetry
Axis of Symmetry is the line dividing the figure into two equal parts like
mirror images the centroid always lies on the axis of symmetry.

Fig 3.2

A figure may contain one (or) more axis of symmetry. If there are more
axis of symmetry the cntroid lies at the intersection of axis of symmetry

Fig 3.3

Position of centroids for Standard Geometric Sections.

S. No Name Shape of figure Position of
centroid At int er sec tions of
Diagonals
L
x
2
B
1 Rectangle y
2
ALXB
At int er sec tions of
Diagonals
H
2 Triangle y
3
1
A  BH
2
Paper - III Engineering Mechanics 341

At int er sec tions of

Diagonals
3 Parallelogram L
x
2
B
y
2
At int er sec tions of
Diagonals
D
x   Radius
4 Circle 2
D
y   Radius
2
D2
A
2

5 Semicircle

h 2a  b
y ( )
3 a b
6 Trapezium (sloping h
y1  ( 2aa bb )
on both sides) 3
h
A  (a  b)
2

a 2  ab  b 2
7 Trapezium (One side x
3 (a  b)
is vertical and
other side is sloping) h
A (a  b)
2
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Centroid of Composite sections

A composite section is a combination of simple regular shapes as rectangle,
triangle circle, semi circle etc. For determining the centroid of composite sections,
the entire area is divided into two (or) more regular simple shapes, Then the
principle of moments is applied to determine the centroid.
Centoid of plane figure having hollow Portion
The Centroid of plane figure having hallow portion is determined similar to
the composite sections by applying principle of moments, However the negative
sign is taken into consideration of hollow positions which are enclosed in a
regular shape.
Sections Symmetrical about both X and Y axes

Fig 3.4

Sections Symmetrical about – horizontal axis (XX)

Fig 3.5
Sections Symmetrical about the vertical axes (YY)

Fig 3.6
Paper - III Engineering Mechanics 343

Sections un symmetric about – the both axes (X-X,Y-Y)

Fig 3.7
Methods of determination of centroid
The following three methods are available to locate the cntroid of an area.
1. Analytical method
2. Graphical method
3. Experimental method
Analytical method for location of the centroid
Principle: The sum of the moments of a system of a coplanar forces about
any point in the plane is equal to the moment of their resultant about the same
point.

Fig 3.8

Consider a lamina in area “A” divided into number of elementary areas A1,
A2, A3, ….etc as shown in fig. 3.8.Let the centroids of these elementary areas
be at a distance of x1, x2, x3….. etc from vertical axis and y1 , y2, y3 from the
horizontal axis.
Let the centroids of the total area “A” is at a distance of x and y from
vertical and horizontal axis respectively. As per the principle of moments, the
sum of moments of all the elementary areas about horizontal axis OX is equal to
the moment of the total area about the same horizontal axis i.e OX.
344 Construction Technology

  A1y1 
y where A=A1+A2 +A3 +….
A
Similarly taking moments of areas about vertical axis i.e. OY
  A1x1 
x 
A
The terms  A1 y1 &  A1 x1 are know as First movement of area
about y-axis and x-axis respectively
First moment of area: The First moment of area about a line is the product
of area and the perpendicular distance of its centroid from the given line.
Important – Note
1. If the axis passer through the centroid, the moments of areas on one
side of the axis will be equal to the moments of areas on the other side of the
axis.
Example 3.2
Locate the centroids if the trapegezium as shown in figure 3.09

Fig 3.09

Solution
Dived the trapezium into rectangle of size a x h and triangle of base (b-a)
and height – “h”
Area of rectangle (1) A1 = a.h
1
Area of rectangle (2) A2 = (b-a)h
2h
Total area of trapezium A   a  b 
2
Let the centroid of the trapezium be at a distance y above base and x
from last vertical side. Centroidal distance of rectangle from A i. e , x1  a
2
Paper - III Engineering Mechanics 345

ba
Centroid distance of triangle from A i. e ; x 2  a 
3
3a  b  a 2a  b
 
3 3
a 1  2a  b 
ah     b  a  h  
A1x1  A 2 x 2 2 2  3 
x    
A1  A 2 h
a  b
2
h  2  b  a  2a  b  
a 
2  3  2 2 2
  3a  2ab  b  2a  ab

h 3a  b 
a  b
2
a  ab  b 2
2

3a  b 
Similarly
A1y1  A 2 y 2 h h
y y1  , y2 
A1  A 2 2 3
h h h h h 
ah     b  a     ah   b  a  
2 2  3  2 3
y   
h h
a  b a  b
2 2
3ah  bh  ah 2ah  bh h  2a  b 
    
3a  b  3a  h  3  a  b 
a 2  ab  b 2 h  2a  b 
centroid x  ,y 
3a  b 3  a  b 

Example 3.3
Locate the position of centroid of lamina in fig 3.10
Solution
Y.Y Axis as symmetry centroid lies in this axis divide the section in to a
square and a triangle A1 = 100x100 = 10,000mm
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y1 = 100  50mm
2
1
A 2   100  60  3000mm 2
2
0
60
Y2 100  120 mm above base
3
Fig 3.10
Total area = A1 +A2 = 10,000+3000 = 13000 mm2
Let be centroid distance from base
y = A1y1+A2y2 = 10000(50) + 3000(120)
A1+A2 13,000
500000 + 3,60,000
=
13,000

= 8,60,000
13,000

= 66.15 mm

The centroid of the lamina is 66.15 mm above the base.

Example 3.4
A trapezoidal lamina has uniform batter on both sides. Its top width is 200
mm. bottom width is 300mm and height is 600 mm. determine position of centroid
from base.
Solution
Top width a = 200 mm
Bottom width b = 30 mm
Height h = 600 m

Fig 3.11

y = Position of centroid from the base

Paper - III Engineering Mechanics 347

a+b ) 200 + 300 )

600
y = h
3 (2a+b =
3 ( 2x200 + 300

= 200 (400 + 300 )

500
= 280 mm
Example 3.5
Find the centroid of the following T – section
Solution
Fig 3.12 shows T- Sections Y-Y axis as symmetrical axis. In this axis only.
Taking base X-X axis as reference line.

Fig 3.12

Dividing the “T” section in to two rectangles areas. (flange +web)

Area of rectangles flange A1 = 100x10 = 1000 mm2

y1 = 140 + 10 = 145 mm from the bottom of

2 the base
Area of rectangle web (2) A2 =140x10 = 1400 mm2
y2 = 140 = 70 mm from the bottom of the
2
web X.X axis
distance of centroid from bottom of web XX i. e.,
A1y1  A 2 y 2 1000  145  1400  70
y 
A1  A 2 1000  1400
98000  145000
 101.25mm
2400
348 Construction Technology

Example 3.6(imp)
Find the position of the centroid of an I section given.
Top angle : 60 x 20 mm
Web : 20 x 100 mm
Bottom angle : 100x20 mm
Solution
Fig 3.13 shows given I sectrim Y-Y axis as axis of symmetry so centroid
lien in this axis only.
we can find y
X-X axis is base of the bottom taken as reference line. Dividing I section in
to three rectangles.

Area of rectangle (1) A1 = 60 x 20 =1200 mm2

y1 = 20 + 100 + 20 = 130 mm from the base of the
2 bottom flange
Area of rectangle (2) A2 = 100 x 20 = 2000 mm2
y2 = 20 + 100= 70 mm from the base of the
2
bottom flange
Area of rectangle (3) A3 = 100 x 20 = 2000 mm2
20
Y3 = = 10 mm from the base of the
2
botttom of the flange
Paper - III Engineering Mechanics 349

Example 3.7(imp)
A masonry dam of the trapezoidal section with one face is vertical. Top
width of dam is 3m, bottom width of dam is 6m and height is 6m. Find the
position of centroid.
Solution
(i) Applying for multa
Top width a = 3 mt
Bottom width b = 6 mt
Height of the dam = 6 mt
one face is vertical.
∴ Fig 3.14

Let centroid of the dam be at a distance Y about base x

and turn use vertical face centroid.
a2 + ab + b2
x =
3(a+b)

32 + 3 x 6 + 6 2
=
3(3+6)
9+18+36
=
27
= 2.33 mt
h
y = (2aa+b+ b)
3

= 6 (
3+6 )
2x3+6
3

= 2( 9 )
12

= 2.67 mt

IInd method
Trapezium OBCD is divided in to tow simple areas
1. Rectangle OLCD 2. Triangle CLB
350 Construction Technology

There is no axis as axis of symmetry line.

We can find both x and
∴ y
Finding x Vertical face OD as resume line.
For Rectangle OLCD area. A1 = 3x 6 = 18 m2
Xl = = 1.5. from vertical face OD.
For triangle CLB
Area
1 3
 3  6  9m 2
A2 
2
3
x 2  3   4m
3
A x  A 2 x 2 18  1.5  9  4
x 1 1   2.33 m
A1  A 2 18  9

form vertical face.

Finding y Base of the dam OB taken as reference line.
Area of rectangle (1) A1 = 18m2

6
y1   3mtfrom the base of the dam
2

Area of triangle (2) A2 = 9m2

A1y1  A 2 y 2 18  3  9  2
y   2.67m from the base
A1  A 2 18  9 of the dam
Example 3.8 (imp)
Determine the centroid of the channel section 200 x 100 x 10 mm as shown
is fig 3.15
Solution
Fig 3.15 shown the given channel section. X-X axis as axis of symmetry
line is this only centroid lies it.
Paper - III Engineering Mechanics 351

Fig 3.15

Finding only taking vertical outerface AB as reference line dividing the

section in to three rectangles
Rectangle (1) AreaA1 = 100  10 = 1000 mm2
100
x1   50mm from vertical face AB
2
Area of Rectangle(2) Area A2 = 180 10 = 1800 mm2
x2 = 10 = 5mm from vertical face AB
2

Area of rectangle (3) A3 =100 10 = 100mm2

100
x3   50mm 2 from vertical
2 face AB
A1x1  A 2 x 2  A 3 x 3
x
A1  A 2  A 3
1000  50  1800  5  1000  50

1000  1800  1000
50000  9000  50000

3800
 28.68mm From the vertical face AB
Example 3.9
Find the position of centroid for an angle of section from base as shown in
fig. 3.16
Solution
Fig 3.16 shows given angle section there is no X-X and Y-Y axis are axis
of symmetry.
352 Construction Technology

20
We have to find both x and y

Finding x
Vertical face AC as reference line. 120

20
Dividing the angle section as two rectangular
areas. 120
Fi.g 3.16
Areas of Rectangle 1 A1 = 120 x 20 =
2400 mm2
20
x1   10mm from vertical face AC
2
Area of Rectangle 2 A2 = 100 x 20 = 2000 mm2
100
x 2  20   70mm
2
A1 x1  A 2 x 2 2400 10  2000from
 70vertical
24000from
AC
140000
x  
A1  A 2 2400  2000 4400

y
= 37.27mm from vertical face AC.
Finding
Bottom AB as axis of reference.
120
y1   60 mm from bottom base AB
20 2
y 2  10 mm
2
from the bottom base AB
A y  A 2 y 2 2400  60  2000 10
y 1 1 
A1  A 2 2400  2000

= 37.27 from the bottom base AB.

Example 3.10
Determine the centroids of the selection shown in figure 3.17
Paper - III Engineering Mechanics 353

Solution 100
Figure 3.17 shows selection has 20
80
no X-X and Y-Y axisx as axis
y of
20
200
80
symmetry. So both and can be
20
determined.
x 100

Finding Fig. 3.17

CD line vertical face taken as axis of reference line.

Dividing given Z selection in to three rectangular areas.

Area of rectangular A1 = 80 x 20 = 1600mm2

80
x1   40 mm (from vertical face CD)
220
Area of rectangle (2) 280
x2 A 
= 220x20=904400
mm mm2
2
from vertical face CD

80
Area of rectangle (3)x 3A
3
80 x 24 =140
100
= mm2
1920mm
2
from the vertical face CD
A x  A 2 x 2  A3 x 3 1600  40  4400  90  1920 140
x 1 1 
A1  A 2  A 3 1600  4400  1920
64000  396000  268800

7920

= 92.02 mm from the vertical face CD

Finding y
Bottom base AB as axis of reference
20
y1  200   210 mm from bottom base AB
200 2
y2  110mm from bottom base AB
2 2
y3   12 mm
2
from bottom base of AB
354 Construction Technology

A1y1  A 2  y 2  A 3 y3 1600  210  4400  110  1920  12

y 
A1  A 2  A 3 1600  4400  1920
336000  484000  23040

7920
843040

7920

= 106.44 mm from bottom base AB

Example 3.11
Find the cenrodidal distance for the built up section shown in figure 3.18
Solution
Figure 3.18 shown Y-Y axis ofy symmetry
centroid lies in it we can find
y
Fig 3.18
Finding
Bottom most layer AB line a as axis of reference.
Built up section has divided in 5 rectangular areas.
Rectangular (1) A1= 100 x 10 = 1000mm2
10
y1 10  20  150  20   205mm
2
Rectangular (2) A2 = 100 x 20 = 2000mm2
20
y 2 10  20  150   190 mm
2
Rectangular (3) A3 = 150 x 20 = 3000 mm2
150
y3 10  20   105mm
2
Rectangular (4) A4 = 20 x 200 = 4000mm2
20
y 4 10   20 mm
2
Rectangle (5) A5 = 10 x 200 = 2000mm2
10
y5   5mm
2
Paper - III Engineering Mechanics 355

= 82.5mm from bottom base AB

Review Questions
Short Answer Type Questions
1. Define centre of gravity
2. Determine the center of gravity and centroid
3. Locate the position of centroid of the following figures with a neat sketch
1) rectangle 2) triangle 3) circle 4) Semi circle
4. Find the centroid of triangle of base 80 mm and height 120 mm from the
base and the apex
Essay Answer Type Questions
1. A masonry dam is trapezoidal in section with one face vertical. Top
width is 3m and bottom width is 10 m height is 10 m. Find the position of
centroid axis
Ans. x 3.564m and y = 4.260 m

2. Determine the centre of gravity of I section having the following dimensions

Bottom flange = 300x100mm
Top flange = 150x50mm
Web = 50x400mm
Ans. 198.9mm from bottom flange
356 Construction Technology

3. Find out the centroid of an un equal angle section 100mm x 80mm x

20mm
Ans x = 25 mm from left face
y = 35mm from bottom face
4. Find the centre of gravity of channel section 100 x 50 x 15 mm
Ans x= 17.8 mm from outer face of web
5. Find the centroid of the given “T” section
Top flange of 250mmx50mm
Web 50mmx200mm
Ans: y = 169.44mm from bottom of the web.
6. Find the centroid of the section shown in figure
Ans: x = 95.56mm from the left edge
y = 85.55mm from the bottom edge

Fig 3.19
Paper - III Engineering Mechanics 357

Moment of Inertia (M.I)

Definition
The product area (A) and perpendicular distance (x) between the point is
know as “the first moment of area (Ax) about the point. If this moment is again
multipled by the distance ‘x’ i.e. Ax.x = Ax2 is called moment of moment of area
(or) the second moment of area or simply moment of inertia. Its unit in SI system
is mm4.
Moment of inertia for some regular geometrical sections
Position of centroids for Standard Geometric Sections.
S. No Name Shape of figure MI about MI about
XX(Ixx) yy(Iyy)

1 Rectangle BD32 DB32

12 12

2 Hollow BD3 - bd 3 DB3 - db3

Rectangle 12 12 12 12

3 Solid Circular D 4 D4

section 64 64

4 Hollow Circular
 
(D 4  d 4 ) (D 4  d 4 )
section 64 64

bh 3 bh 3
5 Triangle 36 12
about cg about base
BC
358 Construction Technology

Parallel Axis Theorem

It states that if the moment of inertia of a plane area about an axis through
its centre of gravity (IGG), is shown in fig 3.20. Then the moment of inertia of the
area about an axis AB parallel to IGG at a distance of “h” from centre of gravity
is given by IAB = IGG + Ah2

Fig 3.20

Where IAB = M.I of the area about an axis AB

IGG = M. I of the area about its C.G
A = Area of the section
h = distance between C.G of the section and the axis AB.
Radius of Gyration
Radius of gyration about a given axis is defined as the effective distance
from the given axis at which the whole are may be considered to be located with
respect to axis of rotation. It is denoted by “k” or “r”
I = Ak2 (or) Ar2
Where I = moment of inertia
K(or) r = radius of gyration k (or) r = I
A
A= area of cross section
Units for k or r in S.I system is mm
Perpendicular axis theorem
It states that if IXX and IYY be the moment of inertia of plane section about
two perpendicular axes meeting at “o” shown in figure 3.21 then, the moment of
inertia IZZ about the axis Z Z which is perpendicular to both XX and YY axises,
is given by
IZZ = IXX + IYY
Paper - III Engineering Mechanics 359

For symmetrical section like circular IXX = IYY

Fig 3.21

IZZ = IXX + Ixx

IZZ = 2IXX
J = 2 I where “J” is known as polar moment of Inertia
Polar moment of inertia.
Definition :- The moment of inertia of an area( IZZ ) about an axis
perpendicular to its plane is called “polar moment of Inertia”. It is denoted by
“J”
3
BD3 400   800 
I XX   1.706  1010 mm42
12 12
Solved Problems
Problem 3.12
Find the moment of inertia of a rectangular
section 400mm wide and 800mm deep about
its base.
Solution
Breadth of bearn B = 400mm
Depth of beam D = 800 mm
Fig 3.22
M.I . about C.G i.e.
M. I about its base I AB  I  Ah 2
IAB = 1.706 x 1010 + (400x 800) (400)2
= 1.706 x 1010 + 5.12 x 1010
= 6.826 x 1010 mm4
360 Construction Technology

Problem 3.13
Find the M.I of hollow circular sections whose external diameter is 60mm
and internal diameter is 50mm about Centroidal axis
Solutions
External dia D = 60 mm
Internal dia d = 50mm


IXX  I YY 
64
 D4  d 4 



64
 60 4  504 

 329.2 mm 4 Fig 3.23

Moment of inertia about Centroidal axis is = 329.2 mm4

Problem 3.14
Find the moment of inertia of a rectangle 60mm wide and 120mm deep
about Centroidal axis. Find also least radius of gyration.
Solutions
B = 60mm
D = 120mm
M. I about Centroidal axis

Fig 3.24

Area of rectangle A = BD = 60 x 120 = 7200mm2

Least radius of gyrations k (or) r = IcG 8.64 x 106
=
A 7200
Paper - III Engineering Mechanics 361

Least radius of gyration = 34.64mm

∴
Problem 3.15
Find the radius of gyration of hollow circular sectors of external diameter
300mm and internal dia 200mm.
Solution
External dia D = 300mm
d = 200mm
 2
Area 
4
 D  d2 
Fig 3.25

=  300 2  2002   3.927  10 4 mm 2
4

I 3.191 108
Radius of gyration K    90.14mm
A 3.927  104


64
 D4  d4 
D2  d 2 300 2  2002
Alternate method K   
 4 4
64
 D2  d2 
= 90.14mm
Problem 3.16
Find the radius of gyration of a triangle whose base is 40mm and height is
60mm about an axis passing through C.G and parallel to base.
Base b = 40mm
H = 60mm
1
Area = bh
2
M.I of triangle about Centroidal axis
Fig 3.26
362 Construction Technology

bh 
IXX  Radius of gyration K = Ixx
36 ∴ A
bh 3 2 h
K  
36 bh 18
60
K  14.14mm
18
Problem 3.17
Find the moment of inertia about Centroidal axis of hollow rectangular
sections shown in fig 3.27
Solution
B = 200mm
D = 400mm
b = 100mm
d = 200mm
Fig 3.27

M.I about XX axis for hollow rectangular sections.

1 [ 200 x 4003 - 100 x 2003]
Ixx =
12

= 1000x106 mm4
M. I about Y Y Axis for a hollow rectangular section

DB3 db 3 1
IYY     400  2003  200  1003 
12 12 2
= 250 x 106mm4
Problem 3.18
Determine the position of centroid and calculate the moment of inertia about
its horizontal centroidal axis of a T – beam shown in figure 3.28
Solution
Paper - III Engineering Mechanics 363

Finding Centroid
YY axis is axis of symmetry centroid lies on it.
To Finding y

Fig 3.28
Take AB line axis of reference.
Dividing T section into two rectangular areas
A rea of rectangle (1) A 1 = 300 x 100 = 30000mm2
100
y1  200   250mm from bottom base AB
2

Area of rectangle (2) A2 = 200 x 100 = 2000mm2

200
y2  100mm from bottom base AB
2
A1y1  A 2 y 2
Centroidal distance y from bottom 
A1  A 2

30000  250  20000  100


30000  20000
= 190mm from bottom base AB.

M. I of a rectangle 1 about centroidal axis

IXX at (1) = IG + Ah12

300  1003 2
  300  100  y  y 
12
2
 2.5 107  300  100  250  190   h1  y1  y 
 2.5 107  300  100  602
= 2.5 x 107x108 x 106 = 25 x 106+108 x 106
= 133 x 106 mm4
364 Construction Technology

M. I of a rectangle 2 of about Centroidal axis

I @ 2  IG  Ah 22
100  2003
  100  200  90 2 since h2 = y- y2
12
h2 = 190-100
 6.67  107  162  106
= 90mm
 66.7  106  162  106
 228.7 106 mm 4

Moment inertia of T – beam about its Centroidal axis

 I at (1)d  I at(2)
133  106  228.7  106
 361.70  106 mm 4
Problem 3.19
An un symmetrical I section has top flange 100x20mm web 100 x 120mm
and bottom flange 80x20 mm over all depth is 160mm.
Calculate centroid
Solution
Figure 3.30 Shows given I section.
YY-axis is axis of symmetric line
so centroid lies on it.

Finding y
Take line AB, passing through the bottom edge as axis of reference
Divide the section into three rectangular areas.
Area of rectangle (1) A 1 = 100 x 20 = 2000 mm2
20
y1  20  120   150mm from base
2
Paper - III Engineering Mechanics 365

Area of rectangle (2) x 120 = 1200mm2

A2 = 10 60
120
y 2  20   80mm from base
2

Area of rectangle (3) A3 = 80 x 20 = 1600mm2

Ixx 20
y3   10mm from the base
2

A1 y1  A 2 y 2  A 3 y3 2000 150  1200  80  1600 10

y 
A1  A 2  A 3 2000  1200  1600
300000  96000  16000
  85.83mm
4800
from the base AB.

Finding M.I of “I” section about X-X axis about centroid

M.I of rectangular (1) about X-X axis
I xx @ I  IG1  A1h12  h1  y1  y  h1 = 150-85.83 = 64.17
100  203
  100  20  64.17 
12
 8.3106 mm 4

M. I of rectangle (2) about a X-axis

I xx at 2  IG 2  A 2 h 22 h2 = y - y2 = 85.83-50 = 5.83mm
10  1203 2
  10  120  5.83
12
1.48  106 mm 4

M. I of rectangle (3) about X-X axis

I xx at 3  I G3  A 3h 2 h3 = - y3 = 85.83 - 10 = 75.83 mm
80  203 2
  80  20  75.83 
12
 9.25  106 mm 4
366 Construction Technology

Moment of inertia of given I section about X axis

 I xx at1  I xx at 2  I xx at 3
 8.3  106  1.48  106  9.25  106
19.03  106 mm 4
Problem 3.20
Determine the moment of inertia of the un equal angle section of size 150mm
x 100mm x 25mm about Centroidal axis.
Solution
Finding centroid
Finding
x
Vertical face CD has axis of reference, dividing L section has two
rectangular areas.
Area of rectangle 1 A1= 125 x 25 = 3125 mm2
25
x1  12.5mm from vertical face CD
2

Area of rectangle 2 A2 = y100 x 25 = 2500mm2

100
x2  50mm from vertical face CD
2
A x  A 2 x 2 3125  12.5  2500  50
x 1 1 
A1  A 2 3125  2500
39062.5  125000

5625
164062.5

5625
= 29.17mm from vertical face CD
Finding y
Bottom base AB has taken as axis of reference
125
y1  25   87.5mm from base
25 2
y 2   12.5 from base
2
 Paper - III Engineering Mechanics 367

A1y1 + A2y2 3125 x 87.5 + 2500 x 12.5

y =
A1 + A2 = 31.25 + 2500

= 273437.5 + 31250
5625
= 304687.5
5625
= 54.17mm from the base AB.
Finding I xx
M. I of rectangle (1) about x-x axis
25  1253 2 h1 = y - y1
I xx at1  IG1  A1h12   25  125  33.33
12 =54.17-37.5
 4.07  106  3.47  106 = 33.33mm
= 7.54  106 mm4
y
M I of rectangle (2) about x-x axis

100  253 h2 = y - y2
2
I xx @.2  I G2  A 2h 2  100  25  41.67  =54.17-12.5
12
= 41.67mm
= 0.13 x 106 + 4.34 x 106
= 4.47 x 106 mm4
Moment Inertia of given angular section about X-X axis

 I xx at I  I xx at2
 7.54  106  4.47  106
12.01  106 mm 4

Finding IYY
M I of rectangle (1) about Y-Y axis
IYY at 1 = IG1 + A1h12
h1 = x - x1
= 29.17 - 12.5
368 Construction Technology

DB3 2
  A1  x  x1 
12
150  253 2
  3125  29.17  12.5 
12
 0.195  106  0.868 106
1.063  106 mm 4
M.I Rectangular (2) about Y-Y axis
I YY at 2  I G2  A 2 h 22 h2 = x2 - x = 50 - 29.17 = 20.83
25  1003 2
  2500  20.83
12
 2.08  106  1.08  106
 3.16 106 mm 4

M. I of a given angular section about Y-Y axis

 I YY at I  I YY at2
1.063  106  3.16  106
 4.223 106 mm 4

Review Questions
Short Answer Type Questions
1. Explain a) Parallel axis Theorem
b) Perpendicular axis theorem
2. Define the termsa) Moment of inertia
b) Radius of gylation
3. Find the radius of gyration of circle having diameter “d”
d
Ans:
4
4. Find the radius of gyration of hollow circular plate of 60mm inner diameter
and 100mm outer diameter
(Ans:29.15mm)
Paper - III Engineering Mechanics 369

5. Find M.I of a rectangular section 200mm width and 400mm depth about
the base
(Ans. 4.267 x 109mm4)
Essay Answer Type Questions
1. Find the moment of Inertia of a T Section having flange150mm x 50mm
and web 50 x 150mm about xx and yy-axis through the C. G of the
section.
[ Ans: Ixx = 53.125 x 106 mm4
IYY =15.625 x 106mm4]
2. Determine the moment of Inertia of an unequal angle section of size
100mm x 80mm x 20mm about Centroidal axis
[ Ans: Ixx = 2.907 x 106 mm4
IYY =1.627 x 106mm4]
3. Determine the moment of inertia of an I section about XX axis given that
top flange 100mm x 10mm web = 200mm x 10mm different flange
160mm x 10mm
[Ans: Ixx = 34.38 x 106 mm4]
4. A built up section is formed by an I section and to flange plates of size
280 x 20mm are an each flange find the moment of inertia about
centrodial X-X axis as shown in below figure

[Ans: Ixx = 188.22 x 106 mm4]

Key Concepts
1. The C.G of a body is the fixed point at which its weight is assumed to be
concentrated.
2. The centroid of a surface is the fixed point at which the area of the
surface is assumed to be concentrated.
370 Construction Technology

3. The centroid of a surface is determined from the equations:

A1x1 A1y1
x and y 
A A
4. The centroid of a composite area is treated by the principle of moments,
dividing it into regular simple figures.
5. The M.I of an area about a given axis is the sum of the values of “ax2”
where “a” is the area of each element and “x” is the distance of the
centroid of the element from the given axis

I  ax 2
6. Radius of gylation (Kxx) of an area about given axis is the distance from
the axis at which the area may be assumed concentrated to given the M.
I of the area about the given axis
I
K  
A
7. Parallel axis theorem :- if “XX” is an axis is parallel to the centrodal axis
C.G of surface of area A and if “d” is the distance between the two
parallel axis.
I  I CG  Ad 2
8. Perpendicular axis theorem: If XX and YY are two perpendicular axis
is the plane of the area and ZZ is an axis perpendicular to both of them
through their intersection.
Izz  I xx  I YY
9. The M.I about an axis perpendicular to its plane is known as its polar
M.I
10. M.I of a built up section = Sum of M.I of all elements of the section
about the same axis.
11.M.I of a rectangle bxd about axis through centroid parallel to
bd 3
side b 
12
12. M. I of
3
a triangle ‘bxh’ about axis through centroid parallel to base
bh

36  d4
13. M. I of circle of dia ‘d’ about any diameter 
64
Paper - III Engineering Mechanics 371

14. M.I of hollow circular section of diameters “D” and ‘d’ about any

dia 
64

D4  d 4   4
15. Polar M.I of a solid shaft of dia ‘d’ about axis  d
32
16. Polar M.I of hollow shaft of dia of diameter ‘D’ and ‘d’

=
32
 D4  d 4 