CENTRE OF GRAVITY

BY
CYLIACUS S.N. (Eng)
ARUSHA TECHNICAL COLLEGE

1 Friday, May 20, 2022

 4. CENTRE OF GRAVITY
Definition of Important Terms

a) Centre of Gravity ‘G’

 Is a point which locates the resultant weight of a

system of particles or body.

 It is a point at which all weights of the body acts.

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 4. CENTRE OF GRAVITY
Definition of Important Terms

b) Centre of Mass

 I a point which locates the resultant mass of a

system of particles or body.

 Generally, its location is the same as that of G.

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 4. CENTRE OF GRAVITY
Definition of Important Terms

c) Centroid ‘C’

 The centroid C is a point which defines 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).
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 4. CENTRE OF GRAVITY
Definition of Important Terms

c) Centroid ‘C’

 If an object has an axis of symmetry, then the

centroid of object lies on that axis.

 In some cases, the centroid is not located on the

object.

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 4. CENTRE OF GRAVITY
c) Centroid ‘C’ of Common Figures

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c) Centroid ‘C’ of Common Figures
C
C
h h
h/2 h/3

b/2 b/3
b
b

x 0
4r 4r x  13 (b  c)
y xy
3 3 y  13 h
A  12  r 2 A  14  r 2 A  12 bh
P  r (2   ) P  r ( 2  12  ) 7
 Position of the Centre of Gravity ‘C.G.’
a) Two Equal Bodies
 For the two equal simpler bodies of known C.G
positions, the C.G. will be somewhere along the line
joining the C.G.’s of the two respective component
bodies.
 Consider figure (a) below; the C.G. is the mid-point of
‘AB.’

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 Position of the Centre of Gravity ‘C.G.’
b) Two Unequal Bodies
 Example 4.1: Consider figure (b) above. Find the position of C.G.

Solution:
 We need to find the point in which the resultant ‘force’ cuts the line
‘AB.’
 Resultant of system = W = 6N + 4N = 10N
 Let ‘x’ = distance of resultant from ‘A.’
Take moments about ‘A’:
(10*х) = (6*0) + (4*200)
10 х = 800mm;
⸪ х = 80mm
The C.G. of the two bodies is 80mmm from ‘A.’
9 Friday, May 20, 2022
  Position of the Centre of Gravity ‘C.G.’
c) Several Unequal Bodies
 The bodies shown in the figure below have their C.G.’s
in one straight line.
 The methods of parallel force systems are again applied.

• The symbol ‘x’ (‘x bar’) is usually employed to denote

the horizontal distance of a C.G. from an axis of
reference.
10 Friday, May 20, 2022
  Position of the Centre of Gravity ‘C.G.’
c) Several Unequal Bodies
Example 4.2:
Determine the position of the C.G.
Solution:
 The resultant ‘force’ W = (10+4+6)kN = 20kN
 Take moments about ‘A’:
Let 𝑥 = C.G. distance from ‘A’.
20 x 𝑥 = (10x0) + (4x2) + (6x4)
20𝑥 = 32
𝑥 = 1.6m
⸪ The C.G. is on the line ‘AB’ at a point 1.6m from ‘A’.
11 Friday, May 20, 2022
  Position of the Centre of Gravity ‘C.G.’
d) Several Bodies whose C.G.’s are not in One Straight
Line
 The C.G.’s of the three bodies shown in the figure below
are assumed to be in one plane.
 Suitable axis ‘OX’ and ‘OY’ must be chosen in order to
relate the C.G. of the system.

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  Position of the Centre of Gravity ‘C.G.’
d) Several Unequal Bodies
Example 4.3:
Determine the position of the C.G. of the three bodies
given in the figure above.

Solution:
Let 𝑥 = distance of C.G. from axis ‘OY’
Let 𝑦 = distance of C.G. from axis ‘OX’
 Total mass ‘= (3+4+2)kN = 9N

 Take moments about axis ‘OY’ to find 𝑥:

9𝑥 = (3x120) + (4x360) + (2x360)
9𝑥 =360 + 1440 + 720 = 2520
13 𝑥 = 280mm Friday, May 20, 2022
  Position of the Centre of Gravity ‘C.G.’
 Take moments about axis ‘OX’ to find 𝑦:
9𝑦 = (3x240) + (4x360) + (2x160)
9𝑥 =720 + 1440 + 320 = 2480
𝑥 = 27559mm
⸪ The C.G. is positioned at 280mm from axis ‘OY’ and
27559mm from axis ‘OX’ as shown in the figure below.

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  Position of the Centre of Gravity ‘C.G.’
e) Composite Bodies

 When a body is of uniform density, volumes may

be used instead of masses in calculating C.G.’s

positions.
 If the terms in the previously given ‘moments
equations’ were divided by the density of the
material each term would represent a ‘volume
moment’.

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  Position of the Centre of Gravity ‘C.G.’
e) Composite Bodies

Example 4.4:
Calculate the position of the C.G. of the given solid
figure below.

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e) Composite Bodies

Solution:
Total volume of solid = [(10x30x25)+(10x10x25)]
= (7,500 + 2,500) 𝑚𝑚3
= 10,000𝑚𝑚3
Note: It is important to indicate, on each component part,
the volume of the particular portion , so as to avoid
error in taking moments.
Let 𝑥 = distance of C.G. from the left face of solid.
Let 𝑦 = distance of C.G. from bottom face of solid.

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e) Composite Bodies

Solution: cont…..

10 000 𝑥 = Total sum of ‘each volume’ multiplied

by the distance of its own C.G. from the
left face.
= (7500 x 15) + (2500 x 25)
= 112 500 + 62 500
= 175 000
175 000
𝑥 = 10 000 = 17.5mm

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e) Composite Bodies

Solution: cont…..

10 000 𝑦 = Total sum of ‘each volume’ multiplied by the

distance of its own C.G. from the bottom face.
= (7500 x 5) + (2500 x 15)
= 37 500 + 37 500
75 000
𝑦 = 75 000 = 10 000
= 7.5mm
The solid is of uniform thickness (= 25mm), hence the C.G.
is 12.5mm from the front face.
The distance from front (or back) face in any given case
could be found by taking moments about that face, using
procedure indicated above.
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f) Plain Figures
 A figure, having no mass, will not be affected by

gravitational force.
 In order to get a physical interpretation of ‘C.G’ in
the case of ‘areas’ and ‘sections’ we may imagine
the figure to represent the outline of an extremely
thin slice material.
 Therefore the C.G may be regarded as being

practically on the surface

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 f) Plain Figures
 We may thus employ the general methods used in
the case of solids and take ‘moments of areas’ just
as we take ‘moments of volumes.’
 The term ‘centroid’ is used instead of centre of

gravity.
 The determination of the C.G is required in
structural calculations.
 So method of solution given must be mastered
thoroughly.
21 Friday, May 20, 2022
f) Plain Figures
 Figures with Axes of Symmetry
 If a figure has an axis of symmetry, the C.G.
will be somewhere on that axis.
 If there are two axes of symmetry, their point of
intersection will be the required C.G.
 Symmetrical axes may be used to find the C.G.
of a rectangle, but it is easier to find the point
by drawing the diagonals (see the figure below).

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f) Plain Figures
 Figures with Axes of Symmetry

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f) Plain Figures
 Parallelogram
 In the case of parallelogram, the thin strips
indicated may be regarded as being rectangles.
 The line ‘AB’ which passes through the
respective C.G.’s of all the horizontal strips will
clearly pass through the C.G. of the
parallelogram.
 Similarly the C.G. must be on the line ‘CD’.
 The quickest method again in this case will be
to draw in the diagonals of the parallelogram.
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f) Plain Figures

 Triangle
 Consider the triangle ‘c’ with strips parallel to
the base ‘BC.’
 The mid-point of each strip will lie on a straight
line joining the apex ‘A’ to the mid point of
25
‘BC.’ Friday, May 20, 2022
f) Plain Figures
 Triangle
 This is a geometrical theorem, the line ‘AD’
being termed a ‘median’ of the triangle ‘ABC.’
 The median ‘AD’ passes through the C.G. of
each strip and will therefore contain the C.G. of
the triangle.
 Similarly the other two medians of the triangle
must pass through its C.G.
 Thus, the C.G. of a triangle is the intersection
point of any two of its medians.
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f) Plain Figures
 Triangle
 For Right-angled Triangle; use the principle of
similar triangle.

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g) Common/ Other Geometric Figures

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h) Composite Figures
 The general method of treatment of practical
structural sections is as exemplified in the
diagram given in the figure below.
 The areas 𝑎1 , 𝑎2 , 𝑎3 ,
are assumed to
represent component
parts of a given figure
or structural section.
 ‘OX’ and ‘OY’ are
two convenient axes
of reference.
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 h) Composite Figures
 In practical example usually regard ‘OX’ and
‘OY’ as the bottom edge and left edge of the
figure respectively.
Let ‘A’ = total area of the component parts.
A = 𝑎1 + 𝑎2 + 𝑎3 .
Moments about axis ‘OY’:
A𝑥 = 𝑎1 𝑥1 + 𝑎2 𝑥2 + 𝑎3 𝑥3
= 𝑎𝑥 (𝑖. 𝑒 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑠𝑢𝑚 𝑜𝑓 𝑎𝑙𝑙 𝑠𝑢𝑐ℎ 𝑞𝑢𝑎𝑛𝑡𝑖𝑡𝑖𝑒𝑠 𝑎𝑠 ‘a x 𝑥’)
⸪ 𝑥 = A𝑎𝑥
30 Friday, May 20, 2022
 h) Composite Figures
Moments about axis ‘OX’:
A𝑦 = 𝑎1 𝑦1 + 𝑎2 𝑦2 + 𝑎3 𝑦3
= 𝑎𝑦 (𝑖. 𝑒 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑠𝑢𝑚 𝑜𝑓 𝑎𝑙𝑙 𝑠𝑢𝑐ℎ 𝑞𝑢𝑎𝑛𝑡𝑖𝑡𝑖𝑒𝑠 𝑎𝑠 ‘a x 𝑥’)
⸪ 𝑦 = A𝑎𝑦
o Important Steps
 Divide the given figure into suitable simple figures
 Take each component area multiply by its own C.G. distance
from the selected axis of reference.
 Add together all such ‘area moments.’
 Equate the sum to the product ‘total area of figure multiplied by
the required C.G. distance from the given axis.
31  Hence determine the C.G. distance. Friday, May 20, 2022
 h) Composite Figures

Example 4.5:
Find the C.G. position in the case of unequal angle
section shown in the figure below.

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 Solution (Example 4.5)
Step 1: Divide the figure into two rectangle.
Step 2: Determine component areas
Component Areas
Upper rectangle = 40x10 = 400𝑚𝑚2
Lower rectangle = 60x10 = 600𝑚𝑚2
Step 3: Total area = 400+600 = 1000𝑚𝑚2
Note: Axis OX coincide with the bottom edge of the section and
Axis OY coincide with the left edge of the section.

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 Solution (Example 4.5)
Let 𝑥 = distance of C.G. from axis ‘OY’
Let 𝑦 = distance of C.G. from axis ‘OX’
Step 4: Take moments about axis ‘OY’ = 0 (left edge of
section) to find 𝑥:
Moment of total area = sum of moments of component areas
1000𝑥 = (400x5) + (600x30)
= 2000 + 18000
= 20 000
20 000
𝑥 = 1 000 = 20 mm
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 Solution (Example 4.5)
Step 5: Take moments about axis ‘OX’ = 0 (bottom edge
of section) to find 𝑦:
Moment of total area = sum of moments of component areas
1000𝑦 = (400x30) + (600x5)
= 12 000 + 3 000
= 15 000
15 000
𝑥 = 1 000 = 15 mm
⸪ C.G. position is 20mm from left edge and
15mm from the bottom.
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 Example 4.6:
Determine the position of the C.G. of the given Z-
section shown in the figure below.

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 Solution (Example 4.6)
Let 𝑥 = distance of C.G. from left edge of section
Let 𝑦 = distance of C.G. from bottom edge of section
Step 1: Total area of section
Total area = [(6 x 1) + (5 x 1) + (9 x 1)]
= 6 + 5 + 9 = 20 𝑚𝑚2
Step 2: Take moments about left edge of section = 0, to find 𝑥:
20𝑥 = (6 x 3) + (5 x 5.5) + (9 x 9.5)
= 18 + 27.5 + 85.5 = 131
131
𝑥 = 20 = 6.55 mm
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 Solution (Example 4.6)
Step 3: Take moments about bottom edge = 0, to find 𝑦:
20𝑦 = (6 x 6.5) + (5 x 3.5) + (9 x 0.5)
= 39 + 17.5 + 4.5 = 61
61
𝑦 = 20 = 3.05 mm
⸪ The position of C.G. is 6.55mm from left edge
and 3.05mm from the bottom of the section.

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 Example 4.7:
The figure below shows the section of a retaining wall.
Calculate the distances of the C.G. from the base and from
the vertical back of the wall respectively.

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 Solution (Example 4.7)
Step 1: Divide the figure into a rectangle and a triangle.
Step 2: Determine total area of section
1
Total area = [(12 x 2) + (2 x 3 x 12)]
= (24 + 18) 𝑚2
= 42 𝑚2
Let 𝑥 = distance of C.G. from back of wall
Let 𝑦 = distance of C.G. from base of wall

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 Solution (Example 4.6)
Step 3: Take moment about back of wall = 0, to find 𝑥:
Note: The C.G. of triangle is (13 x b = 13 x 3) from the right angle
corner, so that from the back of wall, it is (13 x 3m) + 2m = 3m

42𝑥 = (24 x 1) + (18 x 3)

= 24 + 54 = 78
78
𝑥= 42
6
𝑥= 1 m
7

41 Friday, May 20, 2022

 Solution (Example 4.6)
Step 4: Take moment about bottom of wall = 0, to find 𝑦:
12
42𝑦 = (24 x 6) + (18 x )
3
= 144 + 72 = 216
216
𝑦= 42
1
𝑦= 5 m
7
6
⸪ The position of C.G. is 1 m from back of the wall
7
1
and 5 m from the bottom of the wall.
7

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43 Friday, May 20, 2022