ENGINEERING MECHANICS

Material 3: Friction, Centroids, and Moment of Inertia

What is this all about?

In analysis of rigid bodies, forces may affect varyingly or concentrated in a system or in a
point, this point referred to as the centroid of a system will gives the idea of an engineer in
calculating the amount of load that it could handle such in designing a bridge and other structural
forms.
Other concepts such as friction and moments of inertia are necessary for calculation in the
sense of what and how much force or load can a system of a body can be applied or withstand.
These three topics are the highlights or keywords of this lesson.

What you should know?

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

• Determine the location of the center of gravity and centroid of a system of discrete
particles and a body of arbitrary shape
• Apply the theorem of Pappus
• Apply the concepts of cables in problem solving
• Apply the frictional force analysis on wedges, screw, and belts
• Determine the moment of inertia of a system
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Let’s Read and Learn!

Friction
Friction forces are present throughout nature and exist in all machines no matter how
accurately constructed or carefully lubricated. A machine or process in which friction is small
enough to be neglected is said to be ideal. When friction must be taken into account, the machine
or process is termed real.
In all cases where there is sliding motion between parts, the friction forces result in a loss
of energy which is dissipated in the form of heat. Wear is another effect of friction1.
Friction is produced when there is a resistance between two bodies, when the other body
moves or tends to move past the first body. Friction is neglected when the bodies are in smooth
reaction to each other, which is a simple assumption in calculating some previous problems that
we have been discuss.

Theory of Friction

Assume a block that has a weight of W that is at rest in a rough horizontal surface. Let a horizontal
force P applied to the block.

When the force P is zero, the frictional resistance is also zero.

The numerical value or the magnitude of frictional resistance F is identical to the value of load P
up to the impending motion of the body. After motion occurs, this frictional resistance rapidly
decreases to a kinetic value.

1
J.L. Meriam, and L.G. Kraige, Engineering Mechanics: Statics, 7th ed., Wiley, pg. 336
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From this representation it is observed that as long as the block or a body remains at
rest the frictional resistance must equal to the resultant force tending to cause the motion, that
it is true up to the instant at which frictional resistance can no longer balance the resultant of
applied forces.

Impending Sliding

As P is slowly increased, F correspondingly increase until it attains a certain maximum value F,

called the limiting static frictional force. Limiting static frictional force F s is directly proportional
to the resultant normal force N
𝑭𝒔 = 𝝁𝒔 𝑵

Angle Φs that Rs makes with N is called the angle of static friction

Static Case

If there is no relative motion between two surfaces that are in contact, the normal force N and
the friction force F satisfy the following relationship.

𝑭 ≤ 𝑭𝒎𝒂𝒙 = 𝝁𝒔 𝑵

Where Fmax is the maximum static friction force that can exist between the contacting surfaces
and μs is known as the coefficient of static friction.

Dynamic Case
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If the two contact surfaces are sliding relative to each other, the friction force F is postulated to
be
𝑭 = 𝑭𝒌 = 𝝁𝒌𝑵

where N is the contact normal force; μk is an experimental constant called the coefficient of
kinetic friction; and Fk is referred to as the kinetic, or dynamic friction force.

Problem Classification and Analysis

Type I
The problem statement does not specify impending motion. In problems of this type, we do not
know whether or not the body is in equilibrium. Therefore, the analysis must begin with an
assumption about equilibrium.

Method of Analysis
1. Assume equilibrium You are strongly advised to write down this assumption as a reminder that
the solution will not be complete unless the assumption has been checked. The sense of each
friction force can be assumed because the solution of the equilibrium equations will determine
the correct sense.

2. Solve the equilibrium equations for the friction forces required for equilibrium

3. Check the assumption If the friction forces required for equilibrium do not exceed their limits
(i.e., if F ≤μsN at each friction surface), then the assumption is correct, and the remaining
unknowns can be computed using equilibrium analysis. (Note that if F =μsN at a surface, which
would imply impending sliding, then the assumption is still correct.) If equilibrium requires that
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F >μsN at any friction surface (which is physically impossible), the assumption of equilibrium is
incorrect. Therefore, we have a dynamics problem in which the friction forces at the sliding
surfaces are F = Fk =μkN.

Example:
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Example:
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Type II
The problem statement implies impending sliding, and the surfaces where sliding impends are
known. Friction problems of this type have the most straightforward analyses, because no
assumptions and, therefore, no checks are required. It is not necessary to assume equilibrium—
a body known to be in a state of impending sliding is in equilibrium by definition.

Method of Analysis
1. Set F = Fmax = μsN at the surfaces where sliding impends. Make sure that the sense of each
Fmax is correctly shown on the FBD (opposing impending sliding), because the solution of the
equilibrium equations may depend on the assumed directions of the friction forces.

2. Solve for the unknowns using the equilibrium equations.

Example:
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Example:
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Type III
The problem statement implies impending sliding, but the surfaces at which sliding impends are
not known. Problems of this type are the most tedious to analyze, because the surfaces at which
sliding impends must be identified by trial and error. Once an assumption has been made, the
analysis is similar to that for Type II problems. Two methods of analysis can be used here, both
of which are described in the following.

Method of Analysis 1
1. Determine all possible ways in which sliding can impend.

2. For each case, set F = Fmax at the surfaces where sliding impends and solve the equilibrium
equations. Again, the sense of each Fmax should be correct on the FBD. In general, a different
solution is obtained for each mode of
impending sliding.

3. Choose the correct answer by inspection of the solutions.

Method of Analysis 2
1. Determine all possible ways in which sliding can impend.

2. For one of the cases, set F = Fmax at the surfaces where sliding impends and solve the
equilibrium equations.

3. Check the solution by comparing the friction force at each of the other surfaces with its limiting
value. If all these forces are less than or equal to their maximum permissible values, then the
solution is correct. If a friction force exceeds its limiting value μsN, the solution is invalid and
another mode of impending sliding must be analyzed. This procedure must be continued until
the correct solution is found.

Example:
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Friction acting in a Wedge

A wedge is a simple device that is used for the same purpose as a lever—to create a mechanical
advantage. It is a simple machine used to transform an applied force into much larger forces,
directed at approximately right angles to the applied force. Used to give small displacements or
adjustments to heavy load.

The figure above shows a wedge used to position or lift a large mass m, where the vertical loading
is mg. The coefficient of friction for each pair of surfaces is 𝜇 = 𝑡𝑎𝑛𝜙. The force P required to
start the wedge is found from the equilibrium triangles of the forces on the load and on the
wedge.
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The free-body diagrams are shown below, where the reactions are inclined at an angle 𝜙 from
their respective normals and are in the direction to oppose the motion. We neglect the mass of
the wedge.
From the free-body diagrams we write the force equilibrium conditions by equating to
zero the sum of the force vectors acting on each body. The solutions of these equations are
shown in part c of the figure, where R2 is found first in the upper diagram using the known value
of mg. The force P is then found from the lower triangle once the value of R2 has been established.

Example:
The uniform stone has a mass of 500kg and is held in place in the horizontal position using a
wedge at B. if the coefficient of static friction μs = 0.3, at the surfaces of contact, determine the
minimum force P needed to remove the wedge. Is the wedge self-locking? Assume that the stone
does not slip at A.
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Solution:

The minimum force P requires 𝐹 = 𝜇𝑠 𝑁 at the surfaces of contact with the wedge. The free-
body-diagram of the stone and the wedge as below.

On the wedge, friction force opposes the motion and on the stone at A, FA ≤ μsNA, slipping does
not occur.

From the above FBD, we have 5 unknowns, FA, NA, NB, for the stone, and P and NC for the wedge.
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Square – Threaded Screws

A square-threaded screw is essentially an inclined plane wrapped around a cylinder. The analysis
of square-threaded screws (frequently used in jacks, presses and other mechanisms) is reduced
to the analysis of a block sliding on an incline by unwrapping the thread of the screw and showing
it as a straight line.

L
R


s

2r
The pitch angle θ of the equivalent plane is determined from the relation,
𝐿
𝑡𝑎𝑛𝜃 =
2𝜋𝑟
When the screw is used to lift a weight, as in a jackscrew, the weight may be assumed to be
concentrated on one small element of the thread.

With the motion impending up the incline, the value of Q is obtained from the force triangle,

𝑄 = 𝑊𝑡𝑎𝑛(𝜙 + 𝜃 )

With motion impending down the incline,

𝑄 = 𝑊𝑡𝑎𝑛(𝜙 − 𝜃 )
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If the screw is connected to a lever arm, the force exerted, let us say P at the end of the lever
arm of a length a is determined from the principle that the moment of P with respect to the
axis of the screw must equal the moment effect of Q and given in a form of equation,
𝑄𝑟 𝑊𝑟
𝑃= = 𝑡𝑎𝑛(𝜙 ± 𝜃 )
𝑎 𝑎

Example:
The turnbuckle has a square thread with a mean radius of 5mm and a lead of 2mm. If the
coefficient of static friction between the screw and the turnbuckle is μs = 0.25, determine the
moment M that must be applied to draw the end screws closer together. Is the turnbuckle self-
locking?

Solution:
Since friction at two screws must be overcome, this requires

When the moment is removed, the turnbuckle will be self-locking.

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Belt Friction

The transmission of power by means of belt or rope drives or braking of large loads by
means of band brakes depends upon the frictional resistance developed between the belt and
the driving or resisting surface with which it is in contact.
If a driving pulley is perfectly smooth, no driving torque is developed because there is no
frictional resistance exist, and consequently the tension throughout the belt will be constant and
will have the same value on both sides of pulley. If the surface of the pulley is rough, however,
the tension in the belt will vary throughout the length of contact, the difference in the belt
tensions being caused by the frictional resistance.

Consider the flat belt which passes over a fixed curved surface,

the two belt tensions T1 and T2, the torque M necessary to prevent rotation, and a bearing
reaction R. With M in the direction shown, T2 is greater than T1. The free-body diagram of an
element of the belt of length r dθ is,
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We analyze the forces acting on this differential element by establishing the equilibrium of the
element, in a manner similar to that used for other variable-force problems. The tension
increases from T at the angle θ to T + dT at the angle θ + dθ. The normal force is a differential dN,
since it acts on a differential element of area. Likewise, the friction force, which must act on the
belt in a direction to oppose slipping, is a differential and is µdN for impending motion2.

At equilibrium in horizontal axis,

𝑑𝜃 𝑑𝜃
𝑇 + 𝑐𝑜𝑠 + 𝜇𝑑𝑁 = (𝑇 + 𝑑𝑇) 𝑐𝑜𝑠
2 2
𝜇𝑑𝑁 = 𝑑𝑇

At equilibrium in vertical axis,

𝑑𝜃 𝑑𝜃
𝑑𝑁 = (𝑇 + 𝑑𝑇) 𝑠𝑖𝑛 + 𝑇𝑠𝑖𝑛
2 2

𝑑𝑁 = 𝑇𝑑𝜃

Then, combining the two equilibriums

𝜇𝑑𝑁 = 𝑑𝑇
𝑑𝑁 = 𝑇𝑑𝜃
𝜇𝑇𝑑𝜃 = 𝑑𝑇

𝑑𝑇
= 𝜇𝑑𝜃
𝑇
Then integrate with limits as T1 and T2,
𝑇2 𝛽
𝑑𝑇
∫ = 𝜇 ∫ 𝑑𝜃
𝑇1 𝑇 0

𝑇2
𝑙𝑛 = 𝑢𝛽
𝑇1

Then apply rules in exponentials,

𝑻𝟐 = 𝑻𝟏 𝒆𝒖𝜷

Note that β is the total angle of belt contact and must be expressed in radians. If a rope were
wrapped around a drum n times, the angle β would be 2πn radians.

2
J.L. Meriam, and L.G. Kraige, Engineering Mechanics: Statics, 7th ed., Wiley, pg. 377
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Example:
A flexible cable which supports the 100-kg load is passed over a fixed circular drum and subjected
to a force P to maintain equilibrium. The coefficient of static friction µ between the cable and the
fixed drum is 0.30. (a) For α = 0, determine the maximum and minimum values which P may have
in order not to raise or lower the load. (b) For P = 500 N, determine the minimum value which
the angle α may have before the load begins to slip.

Solution:
a. With α = 0 the angle of contact is β = π/2 rad.
For impending upward motion of the load, T2 = Pmax, T1 = 981 N, and we have
T2 = T1 euβ
π
Pmax = (981N) e0.30(2 )
𝐏𝐦𝐚𝐱 = 𝟏𝟓𝟕𝟏. 𝟓𝟒 𝐍
For impending downward motion of the load, T2 = 981 N and T1 = Pmin. Thus,

T2 = T1 euβ
π
981N = Pmin e0.30(2 )
981N π
0.30( )
=e 2
Pmin
𝐏𝐦𝐢𝐧 = 𝟔𝟏𝟐. 𝟑𝟔𝟖 𝐍

b. With T2 = 981 N and T1 = P = 500 N,

T2 = T1 euβ
981N = (500N) e0.30(β)
β = 2.25 rad
360°
β = 2.25 rad ( ) = 128.195°
2𝜋
𝜶 = 𝟏𝟐𝟖. 𝟏𝟗𝟓° − 𝟗𝟎° = 𝟑𝟖. 𝟗𝟏𝟓°
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Center of Gravity and Centroids
Center of Mass
A three-dimensional body having a mass m is suspended from the fixed point to point A, the body
will be in equilibrium under the action of tension in the cord and the resultant W of the
gravitational forces acting on all particles of the body.

If we reposition the suspension to point B, or C, the line of action of point G will be concurrent
to that of points where the body is suspended, this point G is also called the center of gravity of
the body.

Determining the Center of Gravity

We can determine the center of gravity of a body through mathematical approach by

applying the principles of moment. The moment of the resultant gravitational force W about any
axis equals the sum of the moments about the same axis of the gravitational forces dW acting on
all particles treated as infinitesimal elements of the body3.

3
J.L. Meriam, and L.G. Kraige, Engineering Mechanics: Statics, 7th ed., Wiley, pg. 236
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If we apply the moment principle about the y-axis, for example, the moment about this
axis of the elemental weight is xdW and the sum of these moments for all elements of the body
is ∫ 𝑥𝑑𝑊. This sum of moments must equal 𝑊𝑥̅ the moment of the sum. Thus, 𝑊𝑥̅ = ∫ 𝑥 𝑑𝑊.

With similar expressions for the other two components, we may express the coordinates of the
center of gravity G as,

With the substitution of W = mg and dW = g dm, the expressions for the coordinates of the center
of gravity becomes,

The above equation can be expressed in term of vector, in which the elemental mass and mass
center G are located by their respective position vectors,

The density ρ of a body is its mass per unit volume. Thus, the mass of a differential element of
volume dV becomes dm = ρ dV. If ρ is not constant throughout the body but can be expressed
as a function of the coordinates of the body, then we can express it as,

The above equations are independent of gravitational effects since g no longer appears.
They therefore define a unique point in the body which is a function solely of the distribution of
mass. This point is called the center of mass, and clearly it coincides with the center of gravity as
long as the gravity field is treated as uniform and parallel.
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Centroid of Lines, Area, and Volumes

The term centroid is used when the calculation concerns a geometrical shape only. When
speaking of an actual physical body, we use the term center of mass. If the density is uniform
throughout the body, the positions of the centroid and center of mass are identical, whereas if
the density varies, these two points will, in general, not coincide.
The calculation of centroids falls within three distinct categories, depending on whether
we can model the shape of the body involved as a line, an area, or a volume.

Centroid of a Line/Curve

For a slender rod or wire of length L, cross-sectional area A, and density ρ, the body approximates
a line segment, and dm =ρA dL.

If ρ and A are constant over the length of the rod, the coordinates of the center of mass also
become the coordinates of the centroid C of the line segment, which, may be written as,

Note that, in general, the centroid C will not lie on the line. If the rod lies on a single plane, such
as the x-y plane, only two coordinates need to be calculated.

Centroid of an Area

When a body of density ρ has a small but constant thickness t, we can model it as a surface area
A,
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The mass of an element becomes dm =ρt dA. Again, if ρ and t are constant over the entire area,
the coordinates of the center of mass of the body also become the coordinates of the centroid C
of the surface area, the coordinates may be written as,

The numerators in above equation are called the first moments of area. If the surface is curved,
as illustrated in the figure above with the shell segment, all three coordinates will be involved.
The centroid C for the curved surface will in general not lie on the surface

Centroid of a Volume
For a general body of volume V and density ρ, the element has a mass dm = ρ dV. The density ρ
cancels if it is constant over the entire volume, and the coordinates of the center of mass also
become the coordinates of the centroid C of the body.

Integration Techniques

The details of the integration for plane areas depend upon the choice of the area element dA.
There are two basic choices for dA: the double differential elements (figures a and b) and the
single differential elements (figures c, d, and e).
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In the latter case, the coordinates x and y of the differential element must be interpreted as the
coordinates of the centroid of the element. The expressions for dA, 𝑥̅𝑒𝑙 , and . 𝑦̅𝑒𝑙 also depend
upon the choice of the coordinate system. The figure above illustrates elements using both
rectangular and polar coordinates. The most convenient coordinate system for a given problem
is determined primarily by the shape of the region A. Obviously, rectangular regions are best
handled by rectangular coordinates, whereas polar coordinates should be chosen for circular
regions.

Centroid of Composite Shapes

Consider the area of a plane that has been divided into three subregions, A1, A2, and A3 as shown
in the figure below.
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The centroids of the subregions are denoted as C1, C2, and C3 also the subscript of the coordinates
x and y represents the subregion of the composite shape. Because the integral of a sum is equal
to the sum of integrals, the area A of the composite shape is expressed as,

Similarly, the first moment of the area A about the y – axis is expressed as,

where (Qy)i refers to the first moment of the area of Ai about the y-axis. A similar analysis may
be used to determine Qx , the first moment of the area of A about the x-axis. Therefore, the
centroidal coordinates of the area of A can be written as,

Determining the centroid of an area by this technique is called the method of composite areas.
Substituting (Qy)i = Aixi and (Qx )i = Aiyi , the preceding equations becomes,

Same analogy is used in determining the centroid of a composite curve. The centroidal
coordinates of curve L of a length L that has been subdivided into segments are given by,

where Li is the length of the segment Li with its centroid located at (𝑥̅𝑖 , 𝑦̅𝑖 ).
The method of composite shapes also applies to curved surfaces, volumes, and space curves. The
expressions for the centroidal coordinates of composite surfaces and curves can be obtained by
extending the above equations to three dimensions. The equations for composite volumes can
be written by analogy with composite areas.
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Sample Problems
Example 1.
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Example 2:
Determine the centroid of the area of the figure,
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Example 3:
Suppose that an art student wants to paint a panel of wood as shown, with the horizontal and
vertical lines passing through the centroid of the painted area, and asks you to determine the
coordinates of the centroid. What are they?
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Example 4:
Determine the coordinates of the centroid of the metal plate’s cross-sectional area.
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Example 5:
Determine the coordinates of the centroid of the area.
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Example 6:
Locate the centroid of the plane area,

Solution:
We can divide the composite plane figure into three subregions or segments,

Then locate the centroid of each region,

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Example 7:
Determine the coordinates of the centroid of the figure,
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Moment of Inertia

First moment of areas was discussed in the above section, dealing with the integrals
∫ 𝑥𝑑𝐴 and ∫ 𝑦𝑑𝐴. In this section we will discuss the second moments of plane areas, also known
as the moment of inertia.

Moments and products of inertia arise in the analysis of linear load distributions acting
on plane areas. Such distributions occur in members subjected to bending (beams), and in
circular shafts carrying twisting couples. In addition, moments and products of inertia are
encountered in the determination of resultants acting on submerged surfaces4.

Moments of Inertia of Areas

In the discussion of centroids, the first moments of the area of a plane region A about the x- and
y-axes were defined as,

where A is the area of the region and x and y are the coordinates of the differential area
element dA,

The moments of inertia of the area about the x- and y-axes, respectively, are defined by,

Because the distances x and y are squared, Ix and Iy are sometimes called the second moments of
the area. The dimension for moment of inertia of area is [L4]. Therefore, the units are in.4, mm4,
and so forth. Although the first moment of an area can be positive, negative, or zero, its moment
of inertia is always positive, because both x and y are squared.

4
A. Pytel, and J. Kiusalaas, Engineering Mechanics: Statics, 3rd ed. Cengage, pg. 471
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Recall that the first moment of an area can be obtained from 𝑄𝑥 = 𝐴𝑦̅, where 𝑦̅ is the centroidal
coordinate of the area. A mistake frequently made is to assume that 𝐼𝑥 = 𝐴𝑦̅ 2 . Although the first
moment of an area equals the area times the centroidal distance, the second moment of an area
is not equal to the area times the centroidal distance squared.

Polar Moment of Inertia

The polar moment of inertia of the area about point O (strictly speaking, about an axis through
O, perpendicular to the plane of the area) is defined by,

where r is the distance from O to the differential area element dA. Note that the polar moment
of an area is always positive and its dimension is [L4]. We note that r2 = y2 + x2, which gives the
following relationship between polar moment of inertia and moment of inertia:

This relationship states that the polar moment of inertia of an area about a point O equals the
sum of the moments of inertia of the area about two perpendicular axes that intersect at O.

Parallel Axis Theorem

There is a simple relationship between the moments of inertia about two parallel axes, provided
that one of the axes passes through the centroid of the area. Let C be the centroid of the area
contained in the plane region A and let the x’- axis be the centroidal axis that is parallel to the x-
axis. We denote the moment of inertia about the x’-axis by 𝐼𝑥̅ , which is to be read as the “moment
of inertia about the centroidal x-axis” (about the axis that is parallel to the x-axis and passes
through the centroid of the area).
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Observe that the y-coordinate of the differential area dA can be written as 𝑦 = 𝑦̅ + 𝑦′ where 𝑦̅
(the centroidal coordinate of the area) is the distance between the two axes.

Noting that ∫ 𝑑𝐴 = 𝐴 (the area of the region), ∫ 𝑦′𝑑𝐴 = 0 (the first moment of the area about a
centroidal axis vanishes), and ∫ 𝑦′2 𝑑𝐴 = 𝐼𝑥̅ (the second moment of the area about the x-axis),
simplifies to,

This relationship is known as the parallel-axis theorem for moment of inertia of an area. The
distance 𝑦̅ is sometimes called the transfer distance (the distance through which the moment of
inertia is to be “transferred”). It is important to remember that the theorem is valid only if 𝐼𝑥̅ is
the moment of inertia about the centroidal x-axis.

In general, the parallel-axis theorem can be written as,

As illustrated in the figure, Ia is the moment of inertia about an arbitrarily oriented a-axis, 𝐼𝑎̅
represents the moment of inertia about the parallel axis that passes through the centroid C, and
d is the distance between the axes (transfer distance). By inspection of the above equation, we
see that, given the direction of the axis, the moment of inertia of an area is smallest about the
axis that passes through the centroid of the area. In other words, 𝐼𝑎̅ is smaller than the moment
of inertia about any other axis that is parallel to the a-axis.
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Radius of Gyration

In some structural engineering applications, it is common practice to introduce the radius of

gyration of area. The radii of gyration of an area about the x-axis, the y-axis, and the origin O are
defined as

The dimension of the radius of gyration is [L]. However, the radius of gyration is not a distance
that has a clear-cut physical meaning, nor can it be determined by direct measurement; its value
can be determined only by computation using the above equation. The radii of gyration are
related by the equation,

Integration Techniques in finding the Moment of Inertia of an Area

When computing the moment of inertia of an area about a given axis by integration, we
must choose a coordinate system and decide whether to use single or double integration. The
differential area elements dA associated with various coordinate systems were discussed in the
centroid section.

If double integration is used, the moments of inertia can be calculated from 𝐼𝑥 = ∫ 𝑦 2 𝑑𝐴 in a

straightforward manner. However, in single integration we must view 𝐼𝑥 = ∫ 𝑦 2 𝑑𝐴 in the form,

where dIx and dIy are the moments of inertia of the area element dA about the x- and y-axes. In
general, dIx = y2dA only if all parts of the area element are the same distance y from the x-axis.
To satisfy this condition, the area element must be either a double differential element (dA =
dxdy), or a strip of width dy that is parallel to the x-axis.
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ENGINEERING MECHANICS
 ENGINEERING MECHANICS
Sample Problems

Example 1:

For the rectangle, compute the following: (1) the moment of inertia about the x-axis by
integration; (2) the moment of inertia about the centroidal axis that is parallel to the x-axis; and
(3) the polar moment of inertia about the centroid.
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 ENGINEERING MECHANICS
Example 2:
By integration, calculate the moment of inertia about the y-axis of the area shown in Figure below
by the following methods: (1) single integration using a vertical differential area element; (2)
double integration.

Solution:
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Example 3:
Determine the moment of inertia of the figure below at y – axis.
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Example 4:
Determine the moment of inertia and the radius of gyration of the figure at y – axis

Example 5:
Determine Ix and kx for the composite area.
 ENGINEERING MECHANICS

Example 6:
Determine the moment of inertia and radius of gyration along x – axis.
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Let’s Connect!
Here are some additional online resources for you to understand more about the topic;

• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YQrcNWOO1E0
• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oQw8GjgmSAQ
• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ED9ibtwZU1Y
• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g4vwc9EmUYg&list=PL5-rj23AEMNgvlrlN1sf-
ydOTas9VJK9v&index=1
• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yu3HsHKrJu8&list=PL5-rj23AEMNgvlrlN1sf-
ydOTas9VJK9v&index=5
• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3MRXG5dEZtk
• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v959ukxq4yg
• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s_v7ieJHg60
 ENGINEERING MECHANICS
• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bls5KnQOWkY
• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JrkimXqnCLw

Let’s try this one!

This is the practice exercise part, where you must answer all the given questions/problems in order for
you to at least master solving problems involving this topic.

Practice Exercises

Instruction: Copy and answer the following questions and problems in your activity notebook. Use a
permanent ink pen for your final answer and sketched figure or diagram, and do not forget to box your
final answer. The submission of this activity is due before another topic module will be disseminated

1. Calculate 𝐼𝑥̅ for the shaded region, knowing that 𝑦̅ = 34.27 𝑚𝑚

2. Determine the 𝐼𝑥̅ of the region shown,

 ENGINEERING MECHANICS
3. The dimensions are b = 42 mm and h = 22 mm. Determine the y coordinate of the
centroid of the beam’s cross section.

4. Locate the centroid of the volume obtained by revolving the triangle about the x-axis.

5. Determine the largest angle θ for which the homogeneous block remains at rest.
 ENGINEERING MECHANICS
6. The two homogenous boxes are stacked vertically. Determine the smallest force P that
would initiate motion.

7. A uniform ladder weighs 20 lb. The vertical wall is smooth (no friction). The floor is
rough and µs = 0.8. Determine the minimum force P needed to move the ladder.

8. The 700-N force is applied to the 100-kg block, which is stationary before the force is
applied. Determine the magnitude and direction of the friction force F exerted by the
horizontal surface on the block.
 ENGINEERING MECHANICS
9. The force P is applied to (a) the 60-lb block and (b) the 100-lb block. For each case,
determine the magnitude of P required to initiate motion.

10. If the moment of inertia of the thin strip of area about the x-axis is 2.56x106 mm4,
determine the area A of the strip to within a close approximation.

11. Calculate the moment of inertia of the shaded area about the y-axis.

12. Compute the moment of inertia of the shaded region about the y-axis by integration.
 ENGINEERING MECHANICS
13. Determine the coordinates of the centroid of the shaded area.

14. Determine the x- and y-coordinates of the centroid of the trapezoidal area.

15. Determine the coordinates of the centroids.

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Let’s Do This!
This is your Main Task!
From what you have learned throughout this module;
1. Choose at least 2 problems in the practice exercises or you may opt to solve other
problems involving the topic we have discussed;
2. Make a video or Slideshow presentation by discussing how you solved the problems;
3. The video should not be more than 15 minutes, and a maximum of 20 slides for the
slideshow presentation.
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How are you rated?
Criteria 4 - Excellent 3 - Good 2 - Fair 1 - Poor
Content (55%) The presentation is The presentation The presentation The presentation
very informative, the is informative, the is quite is less informative
presenter is very presenter is also informative and and the presenter
knowledgable about knowledgable the presenter is is less
the topic. The about the topic. slightly knowledgable
solution is correct The solution is knowledgable of about the topic.
and complete. The correct but there the topic. The The solution is
degree of difficulty is some shortcuts. solution is quite solved in a
of chosen problems The degree of correct yet in shortcut way. The
are impressive. difficulty of shortcut way of degree of
chosen problem solving. The difficulty of
are good. degree of chosen problems
difficulty of are easy.
chosen problems
are fair.
Delivery (25%) The presenter is The presenter is The presenter is The presenter is
highly appreciative, good, materials quite good,
less appreciative,
materials (such as (such as figures, materials (such as
materials (such as
figures, graph, and graph, and etc.) figures, graph, and
figures, graph, and
etc.) have been used have been used is etc.) have been etc.) have been
is alligned to the alligned to the used is slightly used is slightly
presentation. presentation. alligned to the
alligned to the
presentation.
presentation.
Understandable The presentation is The presentation The presentation The presentation
(15%) clear and easily is good and easily is quite good and
is less good and
understandable by understandable understandable
less
the viewers/readers. by the by the
understandable
The pronounciation viewers/readers. viewers/readers.
by the
of words are clear The The viewers/readers.
and does not stutter. pronounciation of pronounciation of
The
words are clear words are quite pronounciation of
and there is clear and slightly
words are quite
slightly stutter. stutter. clear and but
stutters a lot.
Creativity (5%) Audio and Visual Audio and Visual Audio and Visual Audio and Visual
design are very design are design are quite design are less
appreciative appreciative appreciative appreciative