ME 2131

Engineering Mechanics
Centroids & Centers of Gravity

Oishi Kanta
Lecturer
Department of Mechanical Engineering, KUET
Center of Gravity of a Two-Dimensional Body
• We have assumed that the attraction exerted by the earth on a rigid body could be
represented by a single force W. This force, called the force of gravity or the
weight of the body, was to be applied at the center of gravity of the body.
• Actually, the earth exerts a force on each of the particles forming the body. The
action of the earth on a rigid body should thus be represented by a large number of
small forces distributed over the entire body. all of these small forces can be
replaced by a single equivalent force W.
• We will also learn how to determine the center of gravity, i.e., the point of
application of the resultant W, for bodies of various shapes.
Center of Gravity of a Two-Dimensional Body
Center of Gravity of a Two-Dimensional Body
Their resultant is therefore a single force in the same direction. The magnitude W of this force is
obtained by adding the magnitudes of the elemental weights.

To obtain the coordinates x and y of the point G where the resultant W should be applied, we write
that the moments of W about the y and x axes are equal to the sum of the corresponding moments of
the elemental weights,

If we now increase the number of elements into which the plate is divided and simultaneously
decrease the size of each element, we obtain in the limit the following expressions:

These equations define the weight W and the coordinates x and y of the center of gravity G of a flat
plate.
Centroids of Areas and Lines
Centroids of Areas and Lines
If we increase the number of elements into which the area A is divided and simultaneously decrease
the size of each element, we obtain in the limit

These equations define the coordinates x and y of the center of gravity of a homogeneous plate. The
point whose coordinates are x and y is also known as the centroid C of the area A of the plate. If the
plate is not homogeneous, these equations cannot be used to determine the center of gravity of the
plate; they still define, however, the centroid of the area.
Centroids of Areas and Lines
First Moments of Areas and Lines
Composite Plates and Wires
Composite Plates and Wires

These equations can be solved for the coordinates X and Y of the center of gravity of
the plate.

If the plate is homogeneous and of uniform thickness, the center of gravity coincides
with the centroid C of its area.
Problems
For the plane area shown, determine (a) the first moments with respect to the x and y axes, (b) the
location of the centroid.
Problems
Locate the centroid of the plane area shown.
Problems
Locate the centroid of the plane area shown.
Problems
Locate the centroid of the plane area shown.
Problems ( Self Study)
Find the location of the centroid of the area.
Determination of Centroids by Integration
Determination of Centroids by Integration
Problems
Determine by direct integration the location of the centroid of a parabolic spandrel.
Problems
Determine by direct integration the centroid of the
area shown.

Self Study
Problems
Determine by direct integration the centroid of the area shown.
Problems (Area bounded by two analytical curves)
Determine by direct integration the centroid of the area shown.
Problems (Area bounded by two analytical curves)
Determine by direct integration the centroid of the area shown.
Self Study
Theorems of Pappus-Guldinus
• A surface of revolution is a surface which can be generated by rotating a plane curve about a fixed
axis. For example (in Fig: 5.13), the surface of a sphere can be obtained by rotating a semicircular
arc ABC about the diameter AC, the surface of a cone can be produced by rotating a straight line
AB about an axis AC, and the surface of a torus or ring can be generated by rotating the
circumference of a circle about a nonintersecting axis.

• A body of revolution is a body which can be generated by rotating a plane area about a fixed axis.
As shown in Fig. 5.14, a sphere, a cone, and a torus can each be generated by rotating the
appropriate shape about the indicated axis.
Theorems of Pappus-Guldinus
Theorem ǀ. The area of a surface of revolution is equal to the length of the generating curve times the
distance traveled by the centroid of the curve while the surface is being generated.

Theorem ǁ. The volume of a body of revolution is equal to the generating area times the distance
traveled by the centroid of the area while the body is being generated.
Center of Gravity of a Three-Dimensional Body

Rewriting the last equation in the form

and the only coordinate to determine is x. This can be done with a single integration by dividing the
given volume into thin slabs parallel to the yz plane and expressing dV in terms of x and dx in the
equation
Problems
Determine the location of the center of gravity of the homogeneous body of revolution shown, which
was obtained by joining a hemisphere and a cylinder and carving out a cone.
Problems
Determine the location of the center of gravity of the homogeneous body of
revolution shown.

Self Study
Problems
Determine the location of the centroid of the half right circular cone shown.
Problems
Determine the location of the centroid of the full right circular cone shown.

Self Study
Problems
Determine the location of the centroid of the rectangular prism as shown.