Finding Centroid and Second Moment of Area for Semi-Circular Section

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around finding the centroid and second moment of area for a semi-circular section. Participants are examining the setup of integrals related to these calculations, particularly focusing on the geometry defined by a semi-circle with specific dimensions.

Discussion Character

  • Mathematical reasoning, Assumption checking

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • The original poster attempts to set up integrals for calculating the area and moments of inertia, questioning the correctness of their limits and integrands. Some participants provide feedback on the setup, suggesting corrections and alternative approaches, particularly regarding the double integral for the moment of inertia.

Discussion Status

Participants are actively engaging with the problem, offering insights into the setup of integrals and discussing potential errors. There is a recognition of the need to recheck certain calculations, particularly regarding the double integral approach for the moment of inertia.

Contextual Notes

One participant notes that the section is hollow and questions the resulting mass moment of inertia, indicating a potential misunderstanding of the geometry or assumptions involved in the calculations.

rock.freak667
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Homework Statement


I need to get the centroid of this shape

http://img713.imageshack.us/img713/5607/section.jpg

it's a semi-circular section basically. On the left most side, the distance from the origin to to where it cuts the y-axis is 'R' and the distance from the x-axis to the end of the upper arc is 'r'.

Homework Equations



[tex]I_x = \int y^2 dA[/tex]

[tex]I_y= \int x^2 dA[/tex]

[tex]A \bar{x}= \int xy dA[/tex]

[tex]A \bar{y} = \int y dA[/tex]

The Attempt at a Solution



I just need to know if my integrals are set up properly

The equation of the entire circle would have been x2+y2=R2.

[tex]A= \int y dx = \int_{0} ^{r} \sqrt{R^2-x^2}[/tex]

Assuming my 'A' is correct

dA=y dx

[tex]A \bar{x} = \int xy dA = \int xy^2 dx = \int_{0} ^{r} x(R^2-x^2) dx[/tex]

my object is symmetrical about the x-axis so [itex]\bar{y} = 0[/tex]<br /> <br /> [tex]I_x = \int y^2 dA = \int y^3 dx = \int_{0} ^{r} (R^2-x^2)^{\frac{3}{2}}dx[/tex]<br /> <br /> [tex]I_y = \int x^2 dA = \int x^2 y dx = \int_{0} ^{r} x^2\sqrt{R^2-x^2)dx[/tex]<br /> <br /> I think my limits may be wrong, but the integrands should be correct.<br /> <br /> Also, if someone can just link me to a site with the centroid and second moment of area of this shape that would be helpful as I don't need to actually derive it in my report, I just need to use the result.[/itex]
 
Last edited by a moderator:
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rock.freak667 said:

Homework Statement


I need to get the centroid of this shape

http://img713.imageshack.us/img713/5607/section.jpg

I just need to know if my integrals are set up properly

The equation of the entire circle would have been x2+y2=R2.

[tex]A= \int y dx = \int_{0} ^{r} \sqrt{R^2-x^2}[/tex]
Typo you forgot the dx.
Assuming my 'A' is correct

dA=y dx

[tex]A \bar{x} = \int xy dA = \int xy^2 dx = \int_{0} ^{r} x(R^2-x^2) dx[/tex]

my object is symmetrical about the x-axis so [itex]\bar{y} = 0[/tex][/itex]
[itex] <br /> These look OK.<br /> <br /> <blockquote data-attributes="" data-quote="" data-source="" class="bbCodeBlock bbCodeBlock--expandable bbCodeBlock--quote js-expandWatch"> <div class="bbCodeBlock-content"> <div class="bbCodeBlock-expandContent js-expandContent "> [tex]I_x = \int y^2 dA = \int y^3 dx = \int_{0} ^{r} (R^2-x^2)^{\frac{3}{2}}dx[/tex] </div> </div> </blockquote><br /> This one is wrong. If you set it up as this double integral<br /> <br /> [tex]\int_0^R\int_{-\sqrt{R^2-x^2}}^{\sqrt{R^2-x^2}} y^2\ dydx = 2\int_0^R\int_{0}^{\sqrt{R^2-x^2}} y^2\ dydx[/tex]<br /> <br /> and work the inner integral, you will see why.<br /> <blockquote data-attributes="" data-quote="" data-source="" class="bbCodeBlock bbCodeBlock--expandable bbCodeBlock--quote js-expandWatch"> <div class="bbCodeBlock-content"> <div class="bbCodeBlock-expandContent js-expandContent "> [tex]I_y = \int x^2 dA = \int x^2 y dx = \int_{0} ^{r} x^2\sqrt{R^2-x^2)dx[/tex] </div> </div> </blockquote><br /> and the last one is OK.[/itex]
 
Last edited by a moderator:
thanks very much, I will have to recheck the double integral one.
 
I need to also find the mass moment of inertia of that section if it were rotated about the x-axis.


I assumed an elemental section such that x2+y2=R2

dI= y2 dm =y2 ρ dV = ρ y2 (πy2 dx) =ρπy4dx.


[tex]I = \rho \pi \int_{0} ^{r} (R^2 -x^2)dx[/tex]

is this correct? This somehow gives me answers like 2400 kgm2 (ρ=7850 kg/m3) with the total integrand being like 0.9. The section is very small in fact and is hollow, I don't think it should be that much.
 

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