EXAMPLES ON DETERMINING CENTROIDS OF AREAS

1. Find the centroid of the following built-up section

From the AISC ( American Institute of Stee Cosntruction ) Construction Manual

Area of WF18x71 = 20.8 in2

Area of C10x30 = 8.82 in2

From Symmetry

x 5 in from the Y Axis

y
y A i

A i

Ai 6 0.5 20.8 8.82

A i 32.62 in 2
Taking moments about the X axis
y i Ai (3)(0.25 18.47 3.033) 20.8(18.47 / 2 3.033) 8.82( 2.38)
y i Ai 341.4 in 3
341.4
y 10.47 in from the X Axis
32.62
2. Determine the location of the centroid of the following shape:


1. Assume the shape to be made of two areas. The (Positive) 10x10 square and
(Negative) 3x3 square ( negative since it is cut from the original shape).
2. The distance of the centroid of the small square from the X and Y axes is shown
in the figure.
3. The centroid of the larger square is 5 from either axis. While the centroid of the
small square is as shown

A 10 10 3 3 91in
i
2

x
x A i i

A i

x A 100 5 9 2.5 477.5 in

i i
3

477.5
x 5.25 in from the Y Axis
91

y
yi A
A i

y A i i 100 5 9 6.5 441.5 in 3

441.5
y 4.85 in from the X Axis
91

3. Find the location of the centroid of the following channel. The thickness of the channel
is 0.5 all around.


1. The channel has a horizontal axis of symmetry. Therefore the centroid has to lie
on this axis.
2. To find the location of the centroid. Divide the channel into three areas as shown.

A1 10 0.5 5 in 2
A2 A3 3.5 0.5 1.75 in 2
A 5 1.75 1.75 8.5 in
i
2

x
x A i i

A i

x A 5 0.25 2(1.75 2.25) 9.13 in

i i
3

9.13
x 1.1 in from the Y Axis
8.5
y 5 in from the X Axis