LESSON 11. RADIUS OF GYRATION OF AN AREA ABOUT AN AXIS

11.1 RADIUS OF GYRATION OF AN AREA ABOUT AN AXIS

Consider an area A whose moment of inertia about x and y axes is Ix and Iy. Suppose the area concentrated into a thin strip parallel of to x-axis as shown in Fig.11.1. such that its moment of inertia about x-axis is same as Ix. Then the distance at which this strip is to be placed from x-axis is called radius of gyration of the area about x-axis, denoted by Rx.

Module 3 Lesson 11 Fig.11.1 Radius of gyration

Fig.11.1 Radius of gyration

According to the parallel axis theorem, the moment of inertia of the strip about x-axis is

                                                Ixx = Icent + ARx2                                                        (11.19)

But Icent = \[{{b{t^3}} \over {12}}\]  is negligible as t is small, t3 is negligibly smaller.

Therefore,

Ixx = ARx2

Or              Rx =  \[\sqrt {{{{I_{xx}}} \over A}}\]                                  (11.20)

It is expressed in mm or cm or m.

Hence, the radius of gyration of an area about an axis is defined as the distance from the axis where thin strip (having an area equal to the given area) is to be placed so that the moment of inertia of the strip about the axis is equal to the moment of inertia of the given area about that axis.

Similar to Eq. (11.20), the radius of gyration of the area about y-axis [Figure 11.13(c)] and pole or polar radius of gyration [Figure 11.13(d)] are obtained as given in Eqs. (11.21) and (11.22).

                                                         Ry = \[\sqrt {{{{I_{yy}}} \over A}} \]                                                                (11.21)                     

R0 = \[\sqrt {{J \over A}}\]                                                                  (11.22)

Where J = polar moment of inertia using perpendicular axis theorem

J = Ixx + Iyy

AR02 = ARx2 + ARy2

Hence

                                                        R02 = Rx2 + Ry2                                                          (11.23)

Example 1: Find the moment of inertia of the rectangular section as shown in Figure------- about the faces PQ and RS.

Module 3 Lesson 11 Fig.11.2

Fig.11.2

Sol: From the Figure, width b = 50 mm and depth d = 70 mm

The moment of inertia of the entire rectangular area about PQ is given by

IPQ = Ixx + Ah2

                                                         = \[{{b{d^3}} \over {12}} + \left( {b \times d} \right){h^2}\]

                                                        = \[{{50 \times {{70}^3}} \over {12}} + \left( {50 \times 70} \right) \times {\left( {35} \right)^2}\]

                                                        =1429166.67 + 4287500

                                                       = 5716666.67 mm4

IBC = Iyy + Ah2

                                                             = \[{{b{d^3}} \over {12}} + \left( {b \times d} \right){h^2}\]

                                                             = \[{{70 \times {{50}^3}} \over {12}} + \left( {70 \times 50} \right) \times {\left( {25} \right)^2}\]

                                                            = 729166.67+2187500

                                                            = 2916666.67 mm4

Example 2: Find the moment of inertia of a hollow rectangular section about two mutually perpendicular axes in its plane and passing through its centroid . The dimensions of the outer rectangle are 80 mm×100 mm and that of the inner rectangle is 60 mm×80 mm.

Module 3 Lesson 11 Fig.11.3

Fig.11.3

 Sol: Outer rectangle: B = 80 mm and D = 100 mm

       Inner rectangle: b = 60 mm and d = 80 mm

The formula is            IGx =  \[{1 \over {12}}\left( {B{D^3} - b{d^3}} \right)\]

                                           =  \[{1 \over {12}}\left( {80 \times {{100}^3} - 60 \times {{80}^3}} \right)\]

                                           = 4106666.67 mm4    

                                   IGy = \[{1 \over {12}}\left( {D{B^3} - d{b^3}} \right)\]
  

                               =  \[{1 \over {12}}\left( {100 \times {{80}^3} - 80 \times {{60}^3}} \right)\]

                               = 2826666.67 mm4     

Example 3: Determine the moment of inertia and radius of gyration about the horizontal axis passing through the centroid of the section as shown in Figure.

Module 3 Lesson 11 Fig.11.4

Fig.11.4

Sol: The given I-section is symmetrical about the y-y axis, therefore,

\[\bar x = {{100} \over 2}\]  = 50 mm

To find , we have to divide the whole Figure into standard areas.

Module 3 Lesson 11 Table with Eq. 1.1

Last modified: Tuesday, 10 September 2013, 6:11 AM