Chapter 38

Some applications of
integration
38.1

Introduction

There are a number of applications of integral calculus

in engineering. The determination of areas, mean and
r.m.s. values, volumes, centroids and second moments
of area and radius of gyration are included in this
chapter.

38.2

Areas under and between curves

When y = 0, x = 0 or (x + 2) = 0 or (x 4) = 0, i.e.
when y = 0, x = 0 or 2 or 4, which means that the
curve crosses the x-axis at 0, 2, and 4. Since the curve
is a continuous function, only one other co-ordinate
value needs to be calculated before a sketch of the
curve can be produced. When x = 1, y = 9, showing that the part of the curve between x = 0 and x = 4
is negative. A sketch of y = x 3 2x 2 8x is shown in
Fig. 38.2. (Another method of sketching Fig. 38.2 would
have been to draw up a table of values.)
y

In Fig. 38.1,
!
total shaded area =

10

f (x)dx

f (x)dx
!
+

22

21

y 5 x 3 2 2x 2 2 8x

f (x)dx
210

y
220
y 5 f (x)
G

Figure 38.2

E
0

Figure 38.1

Problem 1. Determine the area between the curve

y = x 3 2x 2 8x and the x-axis.
y = x 3 2x 2 8x = x(x 2 2x 8) = x(x + 2)(x 4)

Shaded area
! 0
! 4
=
(x 3 2x 2 8x)dx (x 3 2x 2 8x)dx
2

x4

2x 3

0
8x 2

x 4 2x 3 8x 2
=

4
3
2 2
4
3
2
  

2
2
1
= 6
42
= 49 square units
3
3
3

4
0

376 Higher Engineering Mathematics


  
1
1
13
= 7
3
2

Problem 2. Determine the area enclosed between

the curves y = x 2 + 1 and y = 7 x.
At the points of intersection the curves are equal. Thus,
equating the y values of each curve gives:
x2 + 1 = 7 x
x2 + x 6 = 0

from which,

Factorizing gives (x 2)(x + 3) = 0

from which x = 2 and x = 3
By rstly determining the points of intersection the
range of x-values has been found. Tables of values are
produced as shown below.
x

3 2 1 0 1 2

y = x2 + 1

10

2 1 2

0 2

y = 7x

10

21

2
3

!
=

2
3

!
=

2
3

y542x

y 5 3x

3y 5 x (or y 5 x3 )

Figure 38.4

Shaded area
! 1
! 3
x
x
=
dx +
3x
(4 x) dx
3
3
0
1

y 5 x 2 11

1 
3
3x 2 x 2
x2 x2
+ 4x

2
6 0
2
6 1




3 1
9 9
(0) + 12
=

2 6
2 6


1 1
4
2 6

  
1
1
+ 63
= 4 square units
= 1
3
3


y572x

Figure 38.3

Shaded area =

22

Each of the straight lines are shown sketched in

Fig. 38.4.

23

Problem 3. Determine by integration the area

bounded by the three straight lines y = 4 x,
y = 3x and 3y = x.

A sketch of the two curves is shown in Fig. 38.3.

10

5
= 20 square units
6

!
(7 x)dx

2
3

(x 2 + 1)dx

[(7 x) (x 2 + 1)]dx
Now try the following exercise
(6 x x 2 )dx

x2 x3
= 6x

2
3

2
3


 

9
8
18 + 9
= 12 2
3
2

Exercise 147 Further problems on areas

under and between curves
1. Find the area enclosed by the curve
y = 4 cos 3x, the x-axis and ordinates x = 0

[1 13 square units]
and x =
6

Some applications of integration

377

[Note that for a sine wave,

2. Sketch the curves y = x 2 + 3 and y = 7 3x
and determine the area enclosed by them.
[20 56 square units]
3. Determine the area enclosed by the three
straight lines y = 3x, 2y = x and y + 2x = 5.
[2 12 square units]

In this case, mean value =

(b) r.m.s. value

=

38.3

Mean and r.m.s. values

=

With reference to Fig. 38.5,

! b
1
mean value, y =
y dx
b a a
75
6
8
! b
8
1
y2 dx
and
r.m.s. value = 9
ba a
y

2
maximum value

mean value=


=

1
0
!

2
100 = 63.66 V]

v 2 d(t )


(100 sin t )2 d(t )

10000


sin2 t d(t ) ,

which is not a standard integral.

It is shown in Chapter 17 that
cos 2 A = 1 2 sin2 A and this formula is used
whenever sin2 A needs to be integrated.

y 5 f(x)

Rearranging cos 2 A = 1 2 sin2 A gives

Hence
0

x5a

x5b

Figure 38.5

Problem 4. A sinusoidal voltage v = 100 sin t

volts. Use integration to determine over half a cycle
(a) the mean value, and (b) the r.m.s. value.
(a)

Half a cycle means the limits are 0 to radians.

!
1
Mean value, y =
v d(t )
0 0
!
1
=
100 sint d(t )
0
100
=
[cos t ]0

100
=
[(cos ) (cos 0)]

200
100
[(+1) (1)] =
=

= 63.66 volts

=

=

1
sin2 A = (1 cos 2 A)
2
10000

10000


sin2 t d(t )


1
(1 cos 2t ) d(t )
2



10000 1
sin 2t
t
2
2
0

7


8
10000 1
sin 2
8

8
2
2

=8
sin 0
9

2

=

=

10000 1
[]
2


100
10000
= = 70.71 volts
2
2

[Note that for a sine wave,

1
r.m.s. value= maximum value.
2

378 Higher Engineering Mathematics

y

In this case,

y 5 f (x)

1
r.m.s. value = 100 = 70.71 V]
2
A

Now try the following exercise

x5a

Exercise 148 Further problems on mean

and r.m.s. values
1. The vertical height h km of a missile varies
with the horizontal distance d km, and is given
by h = 4d d 2 . Determine the mean height of
the missile from d = 0 to d = 4 km.
[2 23 km].
2. The distances of points y from the mean value
of a frequency distribution are related to the
1
variate x by the equation y = x + . Deterx
mine the standard deviation (i.e. the r.m.s.
value), correct to 4 signicant gures for
values of x from 1 to 2.
[2.198]
3. A current i = 25 sin 100t mA ows in an
electrical circuit. Determine, using integral
calculus, its mean and r.m.s. values each correct to 2 decimal places over the range t = 0
to t = 10 ms.
[15.92 mA, 17.68 mA]

generated, V , is given by:

! d
x2 dy
V=
c

Problem 5. The curve y = x 2 + 4 is rotated one

revolution about the x-axis between the limits x = 1
and x = 4. Determine the volume of solid of
revolution produced.
Revolving the shaded area shown in Fig. 38.7, 360
about the x-axis produces a solid of revolution given by:
! 4
! 4
y 2 dx =
(x 2 + 4)2 dx
Volume =
!

1
4

(x 4 + 8x 2 + 16) dx

x 5 8x 3
=
+
+ 16x
5
3

v = E 1 sin t + E 3 sin 3t

4
1

= [(204.8 + 170.67 + 64)

where E 1 , E 3 and are constants.

Determine the r.m.s. value of v over the

interval 0 t .


E 12 + E 32

(0.2 + 2.67 + 16)]

= 420.6 cubic units
y
30

20

Volumes of solids of revolution

With reference to Fig. 38.6, the volume of revolution,

V , obtained by rotating area A through one revolution
about the x-axis is given by:
! b
y2 dx
V=

10
5 D
4
0

If a curve x = f ( y) is rotated 360 about the y-axis

between the limits y = c and y = d then the volume

Figure 38.6

4. A wave is dened by the equation:

38.4

x5b

Figure 38.7

y 5 x21 4

Some applications of integration

Problem 6. Determine the area enclosed by the
two curves y = x 2 and y 2 = 8x. If this area is
rotated 360 about the x-axis determine the volume
of the solid of revolution produced.

{(volume produced by revolving y 2 = 8x)

(volume produced by revolving y = x 2 )}
!

i.e. volume =

x 4 8x = 0

Hence, at the points of intersection, x = 0 and x = 2.

When x = 0, y = 0 and when x = 2, y = 4. The points
of intersection of the curves y = x 2 and y 2 = 8x are
therefore at (0,0) and (2,4).A sketch is shown in
Fig. 38.8. If y 2 = 8x then y = 8x.

Shaded area
!


 1
8 x 2 x 2 dx

!


8x x 2 dx =

2 
0

2 5

6
  x 32
3
8 8 8
x
{0}

= 8 3 =
3
3
3
2
2
0

16 8 8
2
= = 2 square units
3
3 3
3
y5x2

y 2 5 8x
(or y 5(8x)

8x 2 x 5
= (8x x )dx =

2
5
0

= 9.6 cubic units

x(x 3 8) = 0

and

(x 4 )dx




32
(0)
= 16
5

x 4 = 8x
from which,

(8x)dx

At the points of intersection the co-ordinates of the

curves are equal. Since y = x 2 then y 2 = x 4 . Hence
equating the y 2 values at the points of intersection:

Now try the following exercise

Exercise 149

Further problems on volumes

1. The curve x y = 3 is revolved one revolution

about the x-axis between the limits x = 2 and
x = 3. Determine the volume of the solid
produced.
[1.5 cubic units]
y
2. The area between 2 = 1 and y + x 2 = 8 is
x
rotated 360 about the x-axis. Find the volume produced.
[170 23 cubic units]
3. The curve y = 2x 2 + 3 is rotated about (a) the
x-axis between the limits x = 0 and x = 3,
and (b) the y-axis, between the same limits.
Determine the volume generated in each case.
[(a) 329.4 (b) 81]
4. The prole of a rotor blade is bounded by the
lines x = 0.2, y = 2x, y = ex , x = 1 and the
x-axis. The blade thickness t varies linearly
with x and is given by: t = (1.1 x)K, where
K is a constant.
(a) Sketch the rotor blade, labelling the limits.
(b) Determine, using an iterative method, the
value of x, correct to 3 decimal places,
where 2x = ex

Figure 38.8

The volume produced by revolving the shaded area

about the x-axis is given by:

379

(c) Calculate the cross-sectional area of the

blade, correct to 3 decimal places.
(d) Calculate the volume of the blade in terms
of K, correct to 3 decimal places.
[(b) 0.352 (c) 0.419 square units
(d) 0.222 K]

380 Higher Engineering Mathematics

38.5

Centroids

A lamina is a thin at sheet having uniform thickness.

The centre of gravity of a lamina is the point where
it balances perfectly, i.e. the laminas centre of mass.
When dealing with an area (i.e. a lamina of negligible
thickness and mass) the term centre of area or centroid
is used for the point where the centre of gravity of a
lamina of that shape would lie.
If x and y denote the co-ordinates of the centroid C
of area A of Fig. 38.9, then:
!

1
2

xy dx
x = !a

y2 dx

y dx

0
! 2

1
2

y 2 dx

(3x 2 )2 dx

y dx
0

1
2

9x 4 dx
=

32
5
8

9
2

2
9 x5
2 5
0


=

18
= 3.6
5

Hence the centroid lies at (1.5, 3.6)

and y = ! ab

y=

1
2

y dx

Problem 8. Determine the co-ordinates of

the centroid of the area lying between the curve
y = 5x x 2 and the x-axis.

y
y 5 f(x)

y = 5x x 2 = x(5 x). When y = 0, x = 0 or x = 5.

Hence the curve cuts the x-axis at 0 and 5 as shown
in Fig. 38.10. Let the co-ordinates of the centroid be
(x , y) then, by integration,

Area A
C

x
x5b

x= !

= !

x(5x x 2 ) dx

y dx

Figure 38.9

Problem 7. Find the position of the centroid of

the area bounded by the curve y = 3x 2 , the x-axis
and the ordinates x = 0 and x = 2.
If (x , y) are co-ordinates of the centroid of the given
area then:
!

x y dx
x = !0

x(3x 2 ) dx

y dx
2

3x dx
0

= !0 5

=
(5x x ) dx
2

12
= 1.5
8

5x 3
3

5x 2
2

5
x4
4 0
5
x3
3 0

y 5 5x 2 x 2

6
4

(5x 2 x 3 ) dx

2
3x 4
3x dx
4 0
=
= !0 2
[x 3 ]20
3x 2 dx
!

(5x x 2 ) dx

x y dx

x5a

x
2

y
0

Figure 38.10

Some applications of integration

625

= 3
125

2

=

y=

1
2

625
12
!

625
625
4 = 12
125
125
3
6



6
125

y dx
=

0
! 5

0
! 5

y dx
0

1
2

4. Find the co-ordinates of the centroid of the area

which lies between the curve y/x = x 2 and
the x-axis.
[(1, 0.4)]
5. Sketch the curve y 2 = 9x between the limits
x = 0 and x = 4. Determine the position of the
centroid of this area.
[(2.4, 0)]

5
= = 2.5
2

1
2

(5x x 2 )2 dx

(5x x 2 ) dx

(25x 10x + x ) dx
3

Theorem of Pappus

If a plane area is rotated about an axis in its own plane

but not intersecting it, the volume of the solid formed is
given by the product of the area and the distance moved
by the centroid of the area.
With reference to Fig. 38.11, when the curve y = f (x)
is rotated one revolution about the x-axis between
the limits x = a and x = b, the volume V generated
is given by:

125
6

5
1 25x 3 10x 4 x 5

+
2
3
4
5
0

125
6
1
2

38.6

A theorem of Pappus states:

2

381

25(125) 6250

+ 625
3
4
125
6

volume V = (A)(2 y ), from which, y =

V
2 A

= 2.5

y 5 f(x)
Area A

Hence the centroid of the area lies at (2.5, 2.5).

(Note from Fig. 38.10 that the curve is symmetrical

about x = 2.5 and thus x could have been determined
on sight.)

y
x5a

x5b x

Figure 38.11

Now try the following exercise

Exercise 150 Further problems on centroids
In Problems 1 and 2, nd the position of the centroids of the areas bounded by the given curves, the
x-axis and the given ordinates.
1.

y = 3x + 2 x = 0, x = 4

2.

y=

5x 2

x = 1, x = 4

[(2.5, 4.75)]
[(3.036, 24.36)]

3. Determine the position of the centroid of a

sheet of metal formed by the curve
y = 4x x 2 which lies above the x-axis.
[(2, 1.6)]

Problem 9. (a) Calculate the area bounded by the

curve y = 2x 2 , the x-axis and ordinates x = 0 and
x = 3. (b) If this area is revolved (i) about the
x-axis and (ii) about the y-axis, nd the volumes of
the solids produced. (c) Locate the position of the
centroid using (i) integration, and (ii) the theorem
of Pappus.
(a)

The required area is shown shaded in Fig. 38.12.

! 3
! 3
y dx =
2x 2 dx
Area =
0


=

3
2x 3
3

= 18 square units

382 Higher Engineering Mathematics

y

y 5 2x 2

y=

18

1
2

y dx
=

0
! 3

1
2

18

y
0

Figure 38.12

1
2

4x 4 dx
=

18

(2x 2 )2 dx

y dx

12

(b)

3
1 4x 5
2 5
0

18

= 5.4

(ii) using the theorem of Pappus:

(i) When the shaded area of Fig. 38.12 is

revolved 360 about the x-axis, the volume
generated
!

y 2 dx =

(2x 2 )2 dx

3
x5
4 x dx = 4
=
5
0
0


243
= 194.4cubic units
= 4
5
!

Volume generated when shaded area is

revolved about OY= (area)(2 x ).
81 = (18)(2 x ),

i.e.
from which,

x=

Volume generated when shaded area is

revolved about OX = (area)(2 y).
194.4 = (18)(2 y),

i.e.

y=

from which,
(ii) When the shaded area of Fig. 38.12 is
revolved 360 about the y-axis, the volume
generated
= (volume generated by x = 3)
(volume generated by y = 2x 2 )
! 18
! 18  
y
2
=
(3) dy

dy
2
0
0

18
! 18 
y2
y
=
dy = 9y
9
2
4 0
0
= 81 cubic units
(c) If the co-ordinates of the centroid of the shaded
area in Fig. 38.12 are (x, y) then:
(i) by integration,
!

x y dx
x = !0

=
=

3
0

18
81
= 2.25
36

Hence the centroid of the shaded area in

Fig. 38.12 is at (2.25, 5.4).

Problem 10. A metal disc has a radius of 5.0 cm

and is of thickness 2.0 cm. A semicircular groove of
diameter 2.0 cm is machined centrally around the
rim to form a pulley. Determine, using Pappus
theorem, the volume and mass of metal removed
and the volume and mass of the pulley if the density
of the metal is 8000 kg m3.
A side view of the rim of the disc is shown in Fig. 38.13.
2.0 cm
P

x(2x 2 ) dx

18


2x 3 dx

194.4
= 5.4
36

y dx
!

81
= 2.25
36

5.0 cm
S

3
2x 4
4
18

Figure 38.13

R
X

Some applications of integration

When area PQRS is rotated about axis XX the volume generated is that of the pulley. The centroid of the
4r
semicircular area removed is at a distance of
from its
3
diameter (see Engineering Mathematics 6th edition,
4(1.0)
Chapter 58), i.e.
, i.e. 0.424 cm from PQ. Thus
3
the distance of the centroid from XX is 5.0 0.424,
i.e. 4.576 cm.
The distance moved through in one revolution by the
centroid is 2(4.576) cm.
(1.0)2

r 2
=
= cm2
Area of semicircle =
2
2
2
By the theorem of Pappus,
volume generated
= area distance moved by
 
(2)(4.576).
centroid =
2
i.e. volume of metal removed = 45.16 cm3
Mass of metal removed = density volume
45.16 3
m
106
= 0.3613 kg or 361.3 g

= 8000 kg m3

volume of pulley = volume of cylindrical disc

volume of metal removed
= (5.0)2 (2.0) 45.16
= 111.9 cm3
Mass of pulley = density volume
= 8000 kg m3

111.9 3
m
106

= 0.8952 kg or 895.2 g

Now try the following exercise

Exercise 151 Further problems on the
theorem of Pappus
1. A right angled isosceles triangle having a
hypotenuse of 8 cm is revolved one revolution
about one of its equal sides as axis. Determine the volume of the solid generated using
Pappus theorem.
[189.6 cm3 ]
2. Using (a) the theorem of Pappus, and (b) integration, determine the position of the centroid
of a metal template in the form of a quadrant

383

of a circle of radius 4 cm. (The equation of a

circle, centre 0, radius r is x 2 + y 2 = r 2 ).

On the centre line, distance

2.40 cm from the centre,

i.e. at co-ordinates

(1.70, 1.70)
3.

(a) Determine the area bounded by the curve

y = 5x 2 , the x-axis and the ordinates
x = 0 and x = 3.
(b) If this area is revolved 360 about (i) the
x-axis, and (ii) the y-axis, nd the volumes of the solids of revolution produced
in each case.
(c) Determine the co-ordinates of the centroid of the area using (i) integral calculus, and (ii) the theorem of Pappus.

(a) 45 square units

(b) (i) 1215 cubic units

(ii) 202.5 cubic units

(c) (2.25, 13.5)

4. A metal disc has a radius of 7.0 cm and is

of thickness 2.5 cm. A semicircular groove of
diameter 2.0 cm is machined centrally around
the rim to form a pulley. Determine the volume of metal removed using Pappus theorem
and express this as a percentage of the original volume of the disc. Find also the mass of
metal removed if the density of the metal is
7800 kg m3.
[64.90 cm3 , 16.86%, 506.2 g]
For more on areas, mean and r.m.s. values, volumes and
centroids, see Engineering Mathematics 6th edition,
Chapters 55 to 58.

38.7 Second moments of area of

regular sections
The rst moment of area about a xed axis of a lamina
of area A, perpendicular distance y from the centroid
of the lamina is dened as Ay cubic units. The second
moment of area of the same lamina as above is given
by Ay 2 , i.e. the perpendicular distance from the centroid
of the area to the xed axis is squared.

384 Higher Engineering Mathematics

Second moments of areas are usually denoted by I and
have units of mm4 , cm4 , and so on.

limit

Radius of gyration

x0

Several areas, a1 , a2, a3 , . . . at distances y1 , y2, y3 , . . .

from a xed axis, may be replaced by a single area
+ a3 + at distance k from the
A, where A = a1 + a2 ;
axis, such that Ak 2 = ay 2 .
k is called the radius of ;
gyration of area A about the
given axis. Since Ak 2 = ay 2 = I then the radius of
gyration,

k=

It is a fundamental theorem of integration that

I
A

The second moment of area is a quantity much used in

the theory of bending of beams, in the torsion of shafts,
and in calculations involving water planes and centres
of pressure.
The procedure to determine the second moment of
area of regular sections about a given axis is (i) to nd the
second moment of area of a typical element and (ii) to
sum all such second moments of area by integrating
between appropriate limits.
For example, the second moment of area of the rectangle shown in Fig. 38.14 about axis PP is found by
initially considering an elemental strip of width x, parallel to and distance x from axis PP. Area of shaded
strip = bx.

x=l
<

x b x =
2

x 2 b dx

x=0

Thus the second moment of area of the rectangle

about PP
 3 l
! l
x
bl 3
2
x dx = b
=
=b
3 0
3
0
Since the total area of the rectangle, A = lb, then
 2
l
Al 2
=
I pp = (lb)
3
3
l2
3
i.e. the radius of gyration about axes PP,

l2
l
kpp =
=
3
3
I pp = Ak 2pp thus k 2pp =

Parallel axis theorem

In Fig. 38.15, axis GG passes through the centroid C
of area A. Axes DD and GG are in the same plane, are
parallel to each other and distance d apart. The parallel
axis theorem states:
IDD = IGG + Ad 2
Using the parallel axis theorem the second moment of
area of a rectangle about an axis through the centroid

G
l
d

Area A
C
x
P

Figure 38.14

Second moment of area of the shaded strip about

PP = (x 2 )(b x).
The second moment of area of the whole rectangle about
PP is obtained by
all such strips between x =
;summing
2
0 and x = l, i.e. x=l
x=0 x bx.

G
D

Figure 38.15

Some applications of integration

P

G
l
2

A summary of derived standard results for the second

moment of area and radius of gyration of regular
sections are listed in Table 38.1.

l
2

Problem 11. Determine the second moment of

area and the radius of gyration about axes AA, BB
and CC for the rectangle shown in Fig. 38.18.

l 5 12.0 cm

x
G

C
b 5 4.0 cm

Figure 38.16
B

may be determined. In the rectangle shown in Fig. 38.16,

bl 3
I pp =
(from above).
3
From the parallel axis theorem
 2
1
I pp = IGG + (bl)
2

from which, IGG =

B
A

Figure 38.18

From Table 38.1, the second moment of area about

axis AA,

bl 3
bl 3
= IGG +
3
4

i.e.

IAA =

bl 3 bl 3
bl 3

=
3
4
12

bl 3
(4.0)(12.0)3
=
= 2304 cm4
3
3

Perpendicular axis theorem

12.0
l
Radius of gyration,kAA = = = 6.93 cm
3
3

In Fig. 38.17, axes OX , OY and OZ are mutually perpendicular. If OX and OY lie in the plane of area A then
the perpendicular axis theorem states:

Similarly, IBB =

IOZ = IOX + IOY

and
Z

lb3 (12.0)(4.0)3
=
= 256 cm4
3
3

4.0
b
kBB = = = 2.31 cm
3
3

The second moment of area about the centroid of a

bl 3
rectangle is
when the axis through the centroid is
12
parallel with the breadth b. In this case, the axis CC is
parallel with the length l.
Hence ICC =

lb3 (12.0)(4.0)3
=
= 64 cm4
12
12

Area A
X

Figure 38.17

385

and

4.0
b
kCC = = = 1.15 cm
12
12

386 Higher Engineering Mathematics

Table 38.1 Summary of standard results of the second moments of areas of regular sections
Shape

Position of axis

Rectangle

Second moment

Radius of

of area, I

gyration, k

bl 3
3

(2) Coinciding with l

lb3
3

(3) Through centroid, parallel to b

bl 3
12

12

(4) Through centroid, parallel to l

lb3
12

12

(1) Coinciding with b

bh 3
12

(2) Through centroid, parallel to base

bh 3
36

18

(3) Through vertex, parallel to base

bh 3
4

(1) Through centre, perpendicular to

r 4
2

(2) Coinciding with diameter

r 4
4

(3) About a tangent

5r 4
4

r
2

5
r
2

Coinciding with diameter

r 4
8

r
2

(1) Coinciding with b

length l, breadth b

Triangle
Perpendicular height h,
base b

Circle

plane (i.e. polar axis)

radius r

Semicircle
radius r

Problem 12. Find the second moment of area and

the radius of gyration about axis PP for the
rectangle shown in Fig. 38.19.
40.0 mm
G

G
15.0 mm

25.0 mm
P

Figure 38.19

IGG =

lb3
where 1 = 40.0 mm and b = 15.0 mm
12

Hence IGG =

(40.0)(15.0)3
= 11250 mm4
12

From the parallel axis theorem, I PP = IGG + Ad 2 ,

where A = 40.0 15.0 = 600 mm2 and
d = 25.0 +7.5 = 32.5 mm, the perpendicular
distance between GG and PP. Hence,
IPP = 11 250 + (600)(32.5)2
= 645000 mm4

Some applications of integration

2
IPP = AkPP
, from which,


kPP =

IPP
=
area

387

Problem 14. Determine the second moment of

area and radius of gyration of the circle shown in
Fig. 38.21 about axis YY .


645000
= 32.79 mm
600

Problem 13. Determine the second moment of

area and radius of gyration about axis QQ of the
triangle BCD shown in Fig. 38.20.

r 5 2.0 cm
G

B
3.0 cm
12.0 cm

Y
C

8.0 cm

Figure 38.21

D
6.0 cm

In Fig. 38.21, IGG =

Figure 38.20

Using the parallel axis theorem: I QQ = IGG +

where IGG is the second moment of area about the
centroid of the triangle,
Ad 2 ,

bh 3
(8.0)(12.0)3
i.e.
=
= 384 cm4 ,
36
36
A is the area of the triangle,

Using the parallel axis theorem, IYY = IGG + Ad 2 ,

where d = 3.0 + 2.0 = 5.0 cm.
IYY = 4 + [(2.0)2 ](5.0)2

Hence

= 4 + 100 = 104 = 327 cm4

Radius of gyration,

kYY =

= 12 bh = 12 (8.0)(12.0) = 48 cm2
and d is the distance between axes GG and QQ,
= 6.0 + 13 (12.0) = 10 cm.

r 4

= (2.0)4 = 4 cm4 .
4
4

IY Y
=
area

104
(2.0)2


=

26 = 5.10 cm

Problem 15. Determine the second moment of

area and radius of gyration for the semicircle shown
in Fig. 38.22 about axis XX .

Hence the second moment of area about axis QQ,

G

IQQ = 384 + (48)(10)2 = 5184 cm4

Radius of gyration,

kQQ =

IQ Q
=
area

10.0 mm

G
B

15.0 mm


5184
= 10.4 cm
48

Figure 38.22

388 Higher Engineering Mathematics

4r
The centroid of a semicircle lies at
from its
3
diameter.
Using the parallel axis theorem:
IBB = IGG + Ad 2 ,
IBB =

where

r 4
(from Table 38.1)
8
(10.0)4
= 3927 mm4,
8

(10.0)2
r 2
=
= 157.1 mm2
2
2
4r
4(10.0)
d=
=
= 4.244 mm
3
3

r 4
The polar second moment of area of a circle=
2
The polar second moment of area of the shaded area is
given by the polar second moment of area of the 7.0 cm
diameter circle minus the polar second moment of area
of the 6.0 cm diameter circle.
Hence the polar second moment of area of the crosssection shown




7.0 4 6.0 4
=

2
2
2
2
= 235.7 127.2 = 108.5 cm4

A=
and
Hence

3927 = IGG + (157.1)(4.244)2

i.e.

3927 = IGG + 2830,

from which, IGG = 3927 2830 = 1097 mm4

Problem 17. Determine the second moment of

area and radius of gyration of a rectangular lamina
of length 40 mm and width 15 mm about an axis
through one corner, perpendicular to the plane of
the lamina.
The lamina is shown in Fig. 38.24.

Using the parallel axis theorem again:

I XX = IGG + A(15.0 + 4.244)2
i.e. IXX =

Y
Z

1097 + (157.1)(19.244)2

0m

l54

b 5 15 mm
X

= 1097 + 58 179
= 59276 mm4 or 59280 mm4 ,
correct to 4 signicant gures.

Radius of gyration, kXX =

I XX
=
area

59 276
157.1

= 19.42 mm

X
Z

Figure 38.24

From the perpendicular axis theorem:

I ZZ = I XX + IYY

7.0 cm

6.0 cm

Problem 16. Determine the polar second moment

of area of the propeller shaft cross-section shown in
Fig. 38.23.

I XX =

lb 3
(40)(15)3
=
= 45000 mm4
3
3

and

IYY =

bl 3
(15)(40)3
=
= 320000 mm4
3
3

Hence

IZZ = 45 000 + 320 000

= 365000 mm4 or 36.5 cm4

Radius of gyration,

kZZ =

Figure 38.23

IZ Z
=
area

365 000
(40)(15)

= 24.7 mm or 2.47 cm

Some applications of integration

Problem 18. Determine correct to 3 signicant
gures, the second moment of area about axis XX
for the composite area shown in Fig. 38.25.

389

Problem 19. Determine the second moment of

area and the radius of gyration about axis XX for the
I -section shown in Fig. 38.26.
S
8.0 cm

m
0c
4.

X
1.0 cm

3.0 cm

CE

7.0 cm

X
1.0 cm

3.0 cm
8.0 cm

2.0 cm

CD

2.0 cm
C

C
y

CT
T

T
6.0 cm

CF

4.0 cm

15.0 cm

Figure 38.26
Figure 38.25

The I -section is divided into three rectangles, D, E

and F and their centroids denoted by CD , CE and CF
respectively.

For the semicircle,

I XX =

r 4
(4.0)4
=
= 100.5 cm4
8
8

For the rectangle,

I XX =

bl 3
3

(6.0)(8.0)3
3

= 1024 cm4

For the triangle, about axis TT through centroid C T ,

ITT =

bh 3
(10)(6.0)3
=
= 60 cm4
36
36

By the parallel axis theorem, the second moment of area

of the triangle about axis XX

2

= 60 + 12 (10)(6.0) 8.0 + 13 (6.0) = 3060 cm4 .
Total second moment of area about XX
= 100.5 + 1024 + 3060
= 4184.5
= 4180 cm4 , correct to 3 signicant gures.

For rectangle D:
The second moment of area about C D (an axis through
CD parallel to XX )
=

bl 3
(8.0)(3.0)3
=
= 18 cm4
12
12

Using the parallel axis theorem:

I XX = 18 + Ad 2
where A = (8.0)(3.0) = 24 cm2 and d = 12.5 cm
Hence I XX = 18 + 24(12.5)2 = 3768 cm4.
For rectangle E:
The second moment of area about CE (an axis through
CE parallel to XX )
=

bl 3
(3.0)(7.0)3
=
= 85.75 cm4
12
12

Using the parallel axis theorem:

I XX = 85.75 + (7.0)(3.0)(7.5)2 = 1267 cm4.

390 Higher Engineering Mathematics

For rectangle F:
I XX

bl 3 (15.0)(4.0)3
=
=
= 320 cm4
3
3

Total second moment of area for the I-section about

axis XX,

9.0 cm

I XX = 3768 + 1267 + 320 = 5355 cm4

D

Total area of I -section

12.0 cm

= (8.0)(3.0) + (3.0)(7.0) + (15.0)(4.0)

Figure 38.28

= 105 cm2 .

3. For the circle shown in Fig. 38.29, nd the

second moment of area and radius of gyration
about (a) axis FF and (b) axis HH .

Radius of gyration,



5355
I XX
k XX =
=
= 7.14 cm
area
105



(a) 201 cm4 , 2.0 cm
(b) 1005 cm4, 4.47 cm
H

Now try the following exercise

H

Exercise 152 Further problems on second

moment of areas of regular sections

0c

r5

1. Determine the second moment of area and

radius of gyration for the rectangle shown in
Fig. 38.27 about (a) axis AA (b) axis BB and
(c) axis CC.

(a) 72 cm4 , 1.73 cm

(b) 128 cm4, 2.31 cm
(c) 512 cm4 , 4.62 cm
B

4.

Figure 38.29

4. For the semicircle shown in Fig. 38.30, nd the

second moment of area and radius of gyration
about axis J J .
[3927 mm4 , 5.0 mm]

8.0 cm

m
m

r5

10

.0

3.0 cm

J
B

Figure 38.30

Figure 38.27

2. Determine the second moment of area and

radius of gyration for the triangle shown in
Fig. 38.28 about (a) axis DD (b) axis EE and
(c) an axis through the centroid of the triangle
parallel to axis DD.

(a) 729 cm4 , 3.67 cm

(b) 2187 cm4 , 6.36 cm
(c) 243 cm4, 2.12 cm

5. For each of the areas shown in Fig. 38.31 determine the second moment of area and radius of
gyration about axis LL, by using the parallel
axis theorem.

(a) 335 cm4, 4.73 cm

(b) 22030 cm4, 14.3 cm

(c) 628 cm4, 7.07 cm

Some applications of integration

3.0 cm
15 cm

.0 c

15 cm

4
ia 5

5.0 cm
2.0 cm

18 cm 10 cm

5.0 cm

L
(a)

(b)

(c)

391

10. Determine the second moments of areas about

the given axes for the shapes shown in
Fig. 38.33. (In Fig. 38.33(b), the circular area
is removed.)

I AA = 4224 cm4 ,
I BB = 6718 cm4 ,
ICC = 37300 cm4

Figure 38.31
3.0 cm

6. Calculate the radius of gyration of a rectangular door 2.0 m high by 1.5 m wide about a
vertical axis through its hinge.
[0.866 m]

4.5 cm
9.0 cm

16.0 cm

.0 c

7
ia 5

7. A circular door of a boiler is hinged so that

it turns about a tangent. If its diameter is
1.0 m, determine its second moment of area
and radius of gyration about the hinge.
[0.245 m4 , 0.559 m]
8. A circular cover, centre 0, has a radius of
12.0 cm. A hole of radius 4.0 cm and centre X ,
where OX = 6.0 cm, is cut in the cover. Determine the second moment of area and the radius
of gyration of the remainder about a diameter
through 0 perpendicular to OX .
[14280 cm4 , 5.96 cm]
9. For the sections shown in Fig. 38.32, nd
the second moment of area and the radius of
gyration about axis


XX .
(a) 12190 mm4 , 10.9 mm

4.0 cm
15.0 cm
A

9.0 cm
(a)

A
C
B

Figure 38.33

11. Find the second moment of area and radius

of gyration about the axis XX for the beam
section shown in Fig. 38.34.


1350 cm4 ,
5.67 cm

6.0 cm

(b) 549.5 cm4 , 4.18 cm

18.0 mm

2.0 cm
8.0 cm

2.0 cm

12.0 mm
X

1.0 cm

6.0 cm

3.0 mm
2.5 cm
4.0 mm

3.0 cm
2.0 cm

2.0 cm

X
(a)

Figure 38.32

10.0 cm
(b)

X
(b)

Figure 38.34

10.0 cm