MODULE 5
CENTROIDS
This module will focus on the computation of the
centers of mass, gravity and centroid of masses,
areas, and volumes both in two and three
dimensions.
CENTROIDS, CENTERS OF MASS/GRAVITY
CENTROIDS
used when the calculation concerns a geometrical shape only of a homogeneous
material
CENTERS OF MASS
a unique point in the body which is a function solely of the distribution of mass used
when dealing with an actual physical body significant in studying its dynamic
response or accelerated motion
CENTERS OF GRAVITY
a unique point in the body defined with the same manner as the center of mass of
an object only that it is considered to exist in a system with a gravitational effect like
the Earth
NOTE: The centroid of a body coincides with its center of mass or the center
of gravity only if the material composing the body is uniform or homogeneous.
CENTROIDS, CENTERS OF MASS/GRAVITY
AXIS OF REFERENCE
the reference for the location of a body’s centroid which is usually an assumed or a given axis (or sometimes with
reference to some point of reference)
METHODS OF COMPUTATION
Integration Method (used in irregular shapes or bodies)
Moment Method (used for geometric composite shapes)
NOTE: Unless otherwise specified, all system are considered homogeneous.
Therefore, centroid can be used with the same idea as centers of mass /gravity.
CENTROIDS, CENTERS OF MASS/GRAVITY
METHODS OF COMPUTATION
Integration Method
CENTROIDS, CENTERS OF MASS/GRAVITY
METHODS OF COMPUTATION
Moment Method
(Varignon’s Theorem)
CENTROIDS, CENTERS OF MASS/GRAVITY
CENTROID OF SIMPLE LINE SEGMENTS
All straight lines have centroid located at the midpoint of each segment.
NOTE: Recall important length formulas.
CENTROIDS, CENTERS OF MASS/GRAVITY
CENTROID OF SIMPLE POLYGONS
NOTE: Recall important area formulas.
CENTROIDS, CENTERS OF MASS/GRAVITY
CENTROID OF OTHER IMPORTANT FIGURES
Trapezium
Hemisphere
Right Cylindrical Cone Segment of a Hemisphere
NOTE: Recall important volume formulas.
CENTROIDS, CENTERS OF MASS/GRAVITY
PROCEDURE OF ANALYSIS for the MOMENT METHOD(Composite Figures)
STEP 1: Locate the axes or point of reference with consideration to the positive and negative axes.
STEP 2: Divide the figure into finite simpler segments or shapes with known centroid location
(triangles, squares, circles, etc.)
NOTE: Treat holes/empty spaces in composite components as negative weight or area.
STEP 3: Measure centroidal distance of each segment with respect to point or axes of reference.
STEP 4: Apply moment method by considering the formula in the previous slide.
NOTE: If an object is symmetrical about an axis, the centroid of the objects lies on the axis.
CENTROIDS, CENTERS OF MASS/GRAVITY
Sample Problem 1. Lines in Two-Dimension
Locate the centroid of the given closed line figure of a right triangle with respect to the given x and y
axes.
3m
4m x
CENTROIDS, CENTERS OF MASS/GRAVITY
Sample Problem 2. Lines in Two-Dimension
Locate the centroid of the given line figure with respect to the given x and y axes.
CENTROIDS, CENTERS OF MASS/GRAVITY
Sample Problem 3. Areas in Two-Dimension
Locate the centroid of the given shaded area with respect to the given x and y axes.
CENTROIDS, CENTERS OF MASS/GRAVITY
Sample Problem 4. Lines in Three-Dimension
Locate the centroid (x, y, z) of the wire bent in the shape shown.
CENTROIDS, CENTERS OF MASS/GRAVITY
Sample Problem 5. Lines in Three-Dimension
Locate the centroid of the given deformed wire with respect to the origin of the given space axis.
CENTROIDS, CENTERS OF MASS/GRAVITY
Sample Problem 6. Areas in Three-Dimension
Locate the centroid of the given plate with respect to the origin of the given space axis.
CENTROIDS, CENTERS OF MASS/GRAVITY
Sample Problem 7. Areas in Three-Dimension
Locate the centroid of the given plate with respect to the origin of the given space axis.
CENTROIDS, CENTERS OF MASS/GRAVITY
Sample Problem 8. Volumes in Three-Dimension
A body consists of a right circular solid cone of height 40 mm and radius 30 mm placed on a solid
hemisphere of radius 30 mm of the same material. Find the distance of center of gravity of the body
from D.
CENTROIDS, CENTERS OF MASS/GRAVITY
Sample Problem 9. Volumes in Three-Dimension
Locate the center of mass (x, y, z) of the homogeneous block assembly.
MODULE 5 | CENTROIDS
OBJECTIVES
At the end of the chapter, the learners should be able to:
Identify the applicable basic statics concepts used in solving for the centroid of an object;
Apply moment concepts and Varignon’s Principle; and
Enumerate future courses that will apply concepts in this module.
