Mass moment of inertia of a composite shape

  • #1
marcadams267
21
1
Homework Statement
What is the mass moment of inertia (kg-m^2) of the following steel plate about the x-axis
Relevant Equations
Mass moment of inertia of a quarter circular plate about its base is (1/4)mr^2
Mass moment of inertia of a rectangle along its base about the x-axis is(1/3)mh^2
thickness of the steel plate is 5mm
density of steel is 7850 kg/m^3
figure.png

My thought process was to get the mass moment of inertia of the rectangle and then subtract the mass moment of inertia of the quartercircle from it.
The MMoI of the rectangle is:
(1/3)(0.005*7850*.6*.3)(.3^2)= 0.212 meters
The MMoI of the quartercircle is:
(1/4)(0.005*7850*¼π 0.3^2)(.3^2) + ?
My problem is that I'm not sure how to apply the parallel axis theorem to get the Mass moment of inertia of the quarter circle about the x-axis.
 
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  • #2
marcadams267 said:
The MMoI of the rectangle is:
(1/3)(0.005*7850*.6*.3)(.3^2)= 0.212 meters

My problem is that I'm not sure how to apply the parallel axis theorem to get the Mass moment of inertia of the quarter circle about the x-axis.
Pay attention to units.

To use the parallel axis theorem you need to know where the mass centre is.
 
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  • #3
I understand now, since I only know the mass moment of inertia about the base of the quartercircle, I first have to use this to find its mass moment of inertia about its centroid. Then I use this mass moment about the centroid to find the mass moment of inertia about the x-axis.
I have to apply the parallel axis theorem twice.
 
  • #4
marcadams267 said:
I understand now, since I only know the mass moment of inertia about the base of the quartercircle, I first have to use this to find its mass moment of inertia about its centroid. Then I use this mass moment about the centroid to find the mass moment of inertia about the x-axis.
I have to apply the parallel axis theorem twice.
Yes.
I looked for a way to avoid this in the present case by using some symmetry arguments, but failed.
 
  • #5
  • #6
Lnewqban said:
Take a look at problem #2 of this site:
https://owlcation.com/stem/How-to-Solve-Centroids-of-Compound-Shapes

I would leave the inclusion of the thickness and density of the material for after finding the combined centroid of the irregular flat shape.
I would not recommend to find the centroid of the entire lamina. For moments of inertia of compound shapes it is almost always simpler to find the MoI of each simple piece separately and sum. So here I would find the centroid of a semicircle, hence find the MoI of a semicircle about a tangent, etc.
 

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