THEOREM OF PERPENDICULAR AXIS

If IXX and IYY be the moments of inertia of a plane section about two perpendicular axis
meeting at O, the moment of inertia IZZ about the axis Z-Z, perpendicular to the plane and
passing through the intersection of X-X and Y-Y is given by:
IZZ = IXX + IYY
Proof :
Consider a small lamina (P) of area da having co-ordinates
as x and y along OX and OY two mutually perpendicular axes on
a plane section as shown in figure.
Now consider a plane OZ perpendicular to OX and OY.
Let (r) be the distance of the lamina (P) from Z-Z axis such that
OP = r. Theorem of perpendicular axis.
From the geometry of the figure,
r2 = x2 + y2
The moment of inertia of the lamina P about X-X axis,
IXX = da. y2 ...[Q I = Area × (Distance)2]
Similarly, IYY = da. x2
and IZZ = da. r2 = da (x2 + y2) ...(Q r2 = x2 + y2)
= da. x2 + da. y2 = IYY + IXX

MOMENT OF INERTIA OF A CIRCULAR SECTION

Consider a circle ABCD of radius (r) with centre O and X-
X' and Y-Y' be two axes of reference through O as shown in figure.
Now consider an elementary ring of radius x and thickness
dx. Therefore area of the ring,

da = 2 π x. dx
and moment of inertia of ring, about X-X axis or Y-Y axis
= Area × (Distance)2 Circular section.
= 2 π x. dx × x2
= 2 π x3. dx
Now moment of inertia of the whole section, about the central axis, can be found out by
integrating the above equation for the whole radius of the circle i.e., from 0 to r.

r r
∴ I ZZ = ∫ 2 π x3 . dx = 2 π ∫ x3 . dx
0 0

r
⎡ x4 ⎤ π π ⎛ d⎞
I ZZ = 2 π ⎢ ⎥ = (r ) 4 = (d )4 ... ⎜ substituting r = ⎟
4
⎣ ⎦0 2 32 ⎝ 2⎠
We know from the Theorem of Perpendicular Axis that
IXX + IYY = IZZ
I ZZ 1 π π
∴ * I XX = IYY = = × (d ) 4 = (d ) 4
2 2 32 64
 Example 3. Find the moment of inertia of a circular section of 50 mm diameter about an
axis passing through its centre.

Solution. Given: Diameter (d) = 50 mm

We know that moment of inertia of the circular section about an axis passing through its
centre,
π π
I XX = (d ) 4 = × (50) 4 = 307 × 103 mm 4 Ans.
64 64

MOMENT OF INERTIA OF A HOLLOW CIRCULAR SECTION

Consider a hollow circular section as shown in figure
whose moment of inertia is required to be found out.
Let D = Diameter of the main circle, and
d = Diameter of the cut out circle.
Moment of inertia of the main circle about X-X axis

π
= ( D) 4
64
and moment of inertia of the cut-out circle about X-X axis
π
= ( d )4 Hollow circular section.
64
∴ Moment of inertia of the hollow circular section about X-X axis,

IXX = Moment of inertia of main circle – Moment of inertia of cut out circle,
π π π
= ( D )4 – (d )4 = (D4 – d 4 )
64 64 64
π
Similarly, IYY = ( D4 – d 4 )
64
Note : This relation holds good only if the centre of the main circular section as well as that
of the cut out circular section coincide with each other.

Example 4. A hollow circular section has an external diameter of 80 mm and internal

diameter of 60 mm. Find its moment of inertia about the horizontal axis passing through its centre.

Solution. Given : External diameter (D) = 80 mm and internal diameter (d) = 60 mm.
We know that moment of inertia of the hollow circular section about the horizontal axis
passing through its centre,
π π
I XX = (D 4 – d 4 ) = [(80) 4 – (60) 4 ] = 1374 × 103 mm 4 Ans.
64 64
THEOREM OF PARALLEL AXIS
If the moment of inertia of a plane area about an axis through its centre of gravity is
denoted by IG, then moment of inertia of the area about any other axis AB, parallel to the first, and
at a distance h from the centre of gravity is given by:
IAB = IG + ah2
where IAB = Moment of inertia of the area about an axis AB,
lG = Moment of Inertia of the area about its centre of gravity
a = Area of the section, and
h = Distance between centre of gravity of the section and axis AB.
Proof
Consider a strip of a circle, whose moment of inertia is required to be found out about a line
AB as shown in figure.
Let δa = Area of the strip
y = Distance of the strip from the
centre of gravity
h = Distance between centre of
gravity of the section and the
axis AB.
Moment of inertia of the whole section about
an axis passing through the centre of gravity of the section Theorem of parallel axis.

= δa. y2
and moment of inertia of the whole section about an axis passing through its centre of gravity,
IG = ∑ δa. y2
∴ Moment of inertia of the section about the axis AB,
IAB = ∑ δa (h + y)2 = ∑ δa (h2 + y2 + 2 h y)
= (∑ h2. δa) + (∑ y2. δa) + (∑ 2 h y . δa)
= a h 2 + IG + 0
It may be noted that ∑ h2 . δa = a h2 and ∑ y2 . δa = IG [as per equation (i) above] and ∑ δa.y
is the algebraic sum of moments of all the areas, about an axis through centre of gravity of the
section and is equal to a. y , where y is the distance between the section and the axis passing
through the centre of gravity, which obviously is zero.

MOMENT OF INERTIA OF A TRIANGULAR SECTION

Consider a triangular section ABC whose moment of inertia
is required to be found out.
Let b = Base of the triangular section and
h = Height of the triangular section.
Now consider a small strip PQ of thickness dx at a distance of
x from the vertex A as shown in figure. From the geometry of the
figure, we find that the two triangles APQ and ABC are similar.
Therefore Triangular section.
PQ x BC . x bx
= or PQ = = (Q BC = base = b)
BC h h h
We know that area of the strip PQ
bx
= . dx
h bx bx
and moment of inertia of the strip about the base BC = Area × (Distance)2 = dx (h – x)2 = (h – x)2 dx
h h
 Now moment of inertia of the whole triangular section may be found out by integrating the
above equation for the whole height of the triangle i.e., from 0 to h.
hbx
I BC = ∫0 h
(h – x)2 dx

b h
∫0 x (h
2
= + x 2 – 2 h x ) dx
h
b h
∫0 ( x h
2
= + x3 – 2 hx 2 ) dx
h
h
b ⎡ x 2 h2 x4 2 hx3 ⎤ b h3
= ⎢ + – ⎥ =
h ⎣ 2 4 3 ⎦0 12

We know that distance between centre of gravity of the triangular section and base BC,
h
d =
3
∴ Moment of inertia of the triangular section about an axis through its centre of gravity and
parallel to X-X axis,

IG = IBC – ad 2 ...(Q IXX = IG + a h2)

2
bh3 ⎛ bh ⎞ ⎛ h ⎞ bh3
= –⎜ ⎟⎜ ⎟ =
12 ⎝ 2 ⎠ ⎝3⎠ 36
Notes : 1. The moment of inertia of section about an axis through its vertex and parallel to the base
2
b h3 ⎛ b h ⎞ ⎛ 2 h ⎞ 9 b h3 b h3
= IG + a d 2 = +⎜ ⎟⎜ ⎟ = =
36 ⎝ 2 ⎠⎝ 3 ⎠ 36 4
2. This relation holds good for any type of triangle.

Example. 5. An isosceles triangular section ABC has base width 80 mm and height 60 mm.
Determine the moment of inertia of the section about the centre of gravity of the section and the base BC.
Solution. Given : Base width (b) = 80 mm and height (h) = 60 mm.
Moment of inertia about the centre of gravity of the section
We know that moment of inertia of triangular section about its centre of gravity,
b h3 80 × (60)3
IG = = = 480 × 103 mm 4
36 36
Moment of inertia about the base BC
We also know that moment of inertia of triangular section about the base BC,
b h3 80 × (60)3
I BC = = = 1440 × 103 mm4
12 12

Example 6. A hollow triangular section shown in figure is symmetrical about its vertical axis.

Find the moment of inertia of the section about the base BC.
Solution. Given : Base width of main triangle (B) = 180 mm; Base width of cut out triangle
(b) = 120 mm; Height of main triangle (H) = 100 mm and height of cut out triangle (h) = 60 mm.
We know that moment of inertia of the triangular, section about the base BC,
BH 3 bh3 180 × (100)3 120 × (60)3
I BC = – = – mm 4
12 12 12 12
= (15 × 106) – (2.16 × 106) = 12.84 × 106 mm4 Ans.

MOMENT OF INERTIA OF A SEMICIRCULAR SECTION

Consider a semicircular section ABC whose moment of inertia is required to
be found out as shown in figure.
Let r = Radius of the semicircle.
Moment of inertia of the semicircular section ABC about
the base AC,

1 π
I AC = × × ( d ) 4 = 0.393 r 4
2 64 Semicircular section ABC.

Area of semicircular section,

1 π r2
a= × πr2
2 2
and distance between centre of gravity of the section and the base AC,
4r
h=
3π
∴ Moment of inertia of the section through its centre of gravity and parallel to x-x axis,
⎤ ⎡ π r ⎛ 4 r ⎞ ⎥⎤
2 2
⎡π
I G = I AC – ah2 = ⎢ × (r ) 4 ⎥ – ⎢ ⎜ ⎟
⎣8 ⎦ ⎢⎣ 2 ⎝ 3 π ⎠ ⎥⎦
⎡π ⎤ ⎡ 8 ⎤
= ⎢ × (r )4 ⎥ – ⎢ × (r ) 4 ⎥ = 0.11 r 4
⎣8 ⎦ ⎣9 π ⎦
Note. The moment of inertia about y-y axis will be the same as that about the base AC
i.e., 0.393 r4.

Example 7. Determine the moment of inertia of a semicircular section of 100 mm diameter about its
centre of gravity and parallel to X-X and Y-Y axes.

Solution. Given: Diameter of the section (d) = 100 mm or radius (r) = 50 mm

Moment of inertia of the semicircular section about its centre of gravity and parallel to X-X
axis,
IXX = 0.11 r4 = 0.11 × (50)4 = 687.5 × 103 mm4 Ans.
Moment of inertia of the semicircular section about its centre of gravity and parallel to Y-Y
axis.

IYY = 0.393 r4 = 0.393 × (50)4 = 2456 × 103 mm4 Ans.

Example 8. A hollow semicircular section has its outer

and inner diameter of 200 mm and 120 mm respectively as
shown in figure. What is its moment of inertia about the base AB ?

Solution. Outer dia(D) = 200 mm or Outer Radius (R) = 100 mm

and inner diameter (d) = 120 mm or inner radius (r) = 60 mm.
Moment of inertia of the hollow semicircular section about the base AB,

IAB = 0.393 (R4 – r4) = 0.393 [(100)4 – (60)4] = 34.21 × 106 mm4 Ans.
MOMENT OF INERTIA OF A COMPOSITE SECTION
The moment of inertia of a composite section may be found out by the following steps :
1. First of all, split up the given section into plane areas (i.e., rectangular, triangular, circular
etc., and find the centre of gravity of the section).
2. Find the moments of inertia of these areas about their respective centres of gravity.
3. Now transfer these moment of inertia about the required axis (AB) by the Theorem of
Parallel Axis, i.e.,
IAB = IG + ah2
where IG = Moment of inertia of a section about its centre of gravity and parallel to the axis.
a = Area of the section,
h = Distance between the required axis and centre of gravity of the section.
4. The moments of inertia of the given section may now be obtained by the algebraic sum of
the moment of inertia about the required axis.
Example 9. Figure shows an area ABCDEF. Compute the moment of inertia of the above
area about axis K-K.

Solution. As the moment of inertia is required to be found out about the axis K-K, therefore
there is no need of finding out the centre of gravity of the area.

Let us split up the area into two rectangles 1 and 2 as shown in figure.
We know that moment of inertia of section (1) about its centre of gravity and parallel to axis K-K,
120 × (40)3
I G1 = = 640 × 103 mm 4
12
and distance between centre of gravity of section (1) and axis K-K,
40
h1 = 100 + = 120 mm
2
∴ Moment of inertia of section (1) about axis K-K
= IG1 + a1 h12 = (640 × 103 ) + [(120 × 40) × (120)2 ] = 69.76 × 106 mm4
Similarly, moment of inertia of section (2) about its centre of gravity and parallel to axis K-K,
40 × (240)3
IG 2 = = 46.08 × 106 mm 4
12
and distance between centre of gravity of section (2) and axis K-K,
240
h2 = 100 + = 220 mm
2
∴ Moment of inertia of section (2) about the axis K-K,
= IG2 + a2 h22 = (46.08 × 106 ) + [(240 × 40) × (220)2 ] = 510.72 × 106 mm4
Now moment of inertia of the whole area about axis K-K,
IKK = (69.76 × 106) + (510.72 × 106) = 580.48 × 106 mm4 Ans.
 Example 10. Find the moment of inertia of a T-section with flange as 150 mm × 50 mm
and web as 150 mm × 50 mm about X-X and Y-Y axes through the centre of gravity of the section.

Solution. The given T-section is shown in figure. First

of all, let us find out centre of gravity of the section. As the
section is symmetrical about Y-Y axis, therefore its centre of
gravity will lie on this axis. Split up the whole section into two
rectangles viz., 1 and 2 as shown in figure. Let bottom of the web
be the axis of reference.
(i) Rectangle (1)
a1 = 150 × 50 = 7500 mm2
50
and y1 = 150 + = 175 mm
2
(ii) Rectangle (2)
a2 = 150 × 50 = 7500 mm2
150
and y2 = = 75 mm
2
We know that distance between centre of gravity of the section and bottom of the web,
a1 y1 + a2 y2 (7500 × 175) + (7500 × 75)
y= = = 125 mm
a1 + a2 7500 + 7500
Moment of inertia about X-X axis
We also know that M.I. of rectangle (1) about an axis through its centre of gravity and parallel
to X-X axis.
150 (50)3
I G1 = = 1.5625 × 106 mm 4
12
and distance between centre of gravity of rectangle (1) and X-X axis,
h1 = 175 – 125 = 50 mm

∴ Moment of inertia of rectangle (1) about X-X axis

I G1 + a1 h12 = (1.5625 × 106 ) + [7500 × (50)2 ] = 20.3125 × 106 mm4
Similarly, moment of inertia of rectangle (2) about an axis through its centre of gravity and
parallel to X-X axis,
50 (150)3
I G2 = = 14.0625 × 106 mm 4
12
and distance between centre of gravity of rectangle (2) and X-X axis,
h2 = 125 – 75 = 50 mm
∴ Moment of inertia of rectangle (2) about X-X axis
= I G 2 + a2 h22 = (14.0625 × 106 ) + [7500 × (50) 2 ] = 32.8125 × 106 mm 4
Now moment of inertia of the whole section about X-X axis,
IXX = (20.3125 × 106) + (32.8125 × 106) = 53.125 × 106 mm4 Ans.
Moment of inertia about Y-Y axis
We know that M.I. of rectangle (1) about Y-Y axis
50 (150)3
= = 14.0625 × 106 mm 4
12
and moment of inertia of rectangle (2) about Y-Y axis,
150 (50)3
= = 1.5625 × 106 mm 4
12
Now moment of inertia of the whole section about Y-Y axis,
IYY = (14.0625 × 106) + (1.5625 × 106) = 15.625 × 106 mm4 Ans.
 Example 11. An I-section is made up of three rectangles as shown in figure. Find the
moment of inertia of the section about the horizontal axis passing through the centre of gravity of
the section.

Solution. First of all, let us find out centre of gravity of the section. As the section is symmetrical
about Y-Y axis, therefore its centre of gravity will lie on this axis.
Split up the whole section into three rectangles 1, 2 and 3 as shown
in figure. Let bottom face of the bottom flange be the axis of
reference.
(i) Rectangle 1
a1 = 60 × 20 = 1200 mm
20
and y1 = 20 + 100 + = 130 mm
2
(ii) Rectangle 2
a2 = 100 × 20 = 2000 mm2
100
and y2 = 20 + = 70 mm
2
(iii) Rectangle 3
a3 = 100 × 20 = 2000 mm2
20
and y3 = = 10 mm
2
We know that the distance between centre of gravity of the section and bottom face,
a y + a2 y2 + a3 y3 (1200 × 130) + (2000 × 70) + (2000 × 10) mm
y = 1 1 =
a1 + a2 + a3 1200 + 2000 + 2000
= 60.8 mm
We know that moment of inertia of rectangle (1) about an axis through its centre of gravity
and parallel to X-X axis,
60 × (20)3
I G1 = = 40 × 103 mm 4
12
and distance between centre of gravity of rectangle (1) and X-X axis,
h1 = 130 – 60.8 = 69.2 mm
∴ Moment of inertia of rectangle (1) about X-X axis,
= I G1 + a1 h12 = (40 × 103 ) + [1200 × (69.2)2 ] = 5786 × 103 mm 4
Similarly, moment of inertia of rectangle (2) about an axis through its centre of gravity and
parallel to X-X axis,
20 × (100)3
IG 2 = = 1666.7 × 103 mm 4
12
and distance between centre of gravity of rectangle (2) and X-X axis,
h2 = 70 – 60.8 = 9.2 mm
∴ Moment of inertia of rectangle (2) about X-X axis,
= I G2 + a2 h22 = (1666.7 × 103 ) + [2000 × (9.2)2 ] = 1836 × 103 mm 4
Now moment of inertia of rectangle (3) about an axis through its centre of gravity and parallel
to X-X axis,
100 × (20)3
I G3 = = 66.7 × 103 mm 4
12
and distance between centre of gravity of rectangle (3) and X-X axis,
h3 = 60.8 – 10 = 50.8 mm
∴ Moment of inertia of rectangle (3) about X-X axis,
= I G 3 + a 3 h32 = (66.7 × 10 3 ) + [ 2000 × ( 50.8) 2 ] = 5228 × 103 mm4
Now moment of inertia of the whole section about X-X axis,
IXX = (5786 × 103) + (1836 × 103) + (5228 × 103) = 12 850 × 103 mm4 Ans.
 Example 12. Find the moment of inertia about the centroidal X-X and Y-Y axes of the
angle section shown in figure.

Solution. First of all, let us find the centre of gravity of the section. As the section is not
symmetrical about any section, therefore we have to find out the values of x and y for the angle
section. Split up the section into two rectangles (1) and (2) as shown in figure.
Moment of inertia about centroidal X-X axis
Let bottom face of the angle section be the axis of reference.
Rectangle (1)
a1 = 100 × 20 = 2000 mm2
100
and y1 = = 50 mm
2
Rectangle (2)
a2 = (80 – 20) × 20 = 1200 mm2
20
and y2 = = 10 mm
2
We know that distance between the centre of gravity of the section and bottom face,
a y + a2 y2 (2000 × 50) + (1200 × 10)
y = 1 1 = = 35 mm
a1 + a2 2000 + 1200
We know that moment of inertia of rectangle (1) about an axis through its centre of gravity
and parallel to X-X axis,
20 × (100)3
I G1 = = 1.667 × 106 mm 4
12
and distance of centre of gravity of rectangle (1) from X-X axis,
h1 = 50 – 35 = 15 mm
∴ Moment of inertia of rectangle (1) about X-X axis
= I G1 + a h12 = (1.667 × 106 ) + [2000 × (15) 2 ] = 2.117 × 106 mm4
Similarly, moment of inertia of rectangle (2) about an axis through its centre of gravity and
parallel to X-X axis,
60 × (20)3
IG 2 = 0.04 × 106 mm 4
12
and distance of centre of gravity of rectangle (2) from X-X axis,
h2 = 35 – 10 = 25 mm
∴ Moment of inertia of rectangle (2) about X-X axis
= IG 2 + a h22 = (0.04 × 106 ) + [1200 × (25)2 ] = 0.79 × 106 mm4
Now moment of inertia of the whole section about X-X axis,
IXX = (2.117 × 106) + (0.79 × 106) = 2.907 × 106 mm4 Ans.
Moment of inertia about centroidal Y-Y axis
Let left face of the angle section be the axis of reference.
Rectangle (1)
a1 = 2000 mm2 ...(As before)
20
and x1 = = 10 mm
2
Rectangle (2)
a2 = 1200 mm2 ...(As before)
60
and x2 = 20 + = 50 mm
2
 We know that distance between the centre of gravity of the section and left face,
a1 x1 + a2 x2 (2000 × 10) + (1200 × 50)
x = = = 25 mm
a1 + a2 2000 + 1200
We know that moment of inertia of rectangle (1) about an axis through its centre of gravity
and parallel to Y-Y axis,
100 × (20)3
I G1 = = 0.067 × 106 mm 4
12
and distance of centre of gravity of rectangle (1) from Y-Y axis,
h1 = 25 – 10 = 15 mm
∴ Moment of inertia of rectangle (1) about Y-Y axis
= I G 1 + a1 h12 = (0.067 × 10 6 ) + [2000 × (15) 2 ] = 0.517 × 106 mm4

Similarly, moment of inertia of rectangle (2) about an axis through its centre of gravity and
parallel to Y-Y axis,

20 × (60)3
IG 2 = = 0.36 × 106 mm 4
12
and distance of centre of gravity of rectangle (2) from Y-Y axis,
h2 = 50 – 25 = 25 mm,
∴ Moment of inertia of rectangle (2) about Y-Y axis
= I G 2 + a2 h22 = 0.36 ×106 + [1200 × (25)2 ] = 1.11 × 106 mm4
Now moment of inertia of the whole section about Y-Y axis,
IYY = (0.517 × 106) + (1.11 × 106) = 1.627 × 106 mm4 Ans.

Example 13. Find the moment of inertia of a hollow section shown in figure. about an axis
passing through its centre of gravity or parallel X-X axis.

Solution. As the section is symmetrical about Y-Y axis,

therefore centre of a gravity of the section will lie on this axis.
Let y be the distance between centre of gravity of the section
from the bottom face.
(i) Rectangle
a1 = 300 × 200 = 60 000 mm2
300
and y1 = = 150 mm
2
(ii) Circular hole
π
a2 = × (150)2 = 17 670 mm2
4
and y2 = 300 – 100 = 200 mm
We know that distance between the centre of gravity of the section and its bottom face,
a1 y1 – a 2 y 2 (60000 × 150) – (17670 × 200)
y = = = 129.1 mm
a1 – a 2 60000 – 17670
∴ Moment of inertia of rectangular section about an axis through its centre of gravity and parallel
to X-X axis,
200 × (300)3
I G1 = = 450 × 106 mm 4
12
and distance of centre of gravity of rectangular section and X-X axis,
h1 = 150 – 129.1 = 20.9 mm
∴ Moment of inertia of rectangle about X-X axis
= I G1 + ah 2 = (450 × 106 ) + [(300 × 200) × (20.9)]2 = 476.21 × 106 mm4
Similarly, moment of inertia of circular section about an axis through its centre of gravity and
parallel to X-X axis,
π
IG 2 = × (150) 4 = 24.85 × 106 mm 4
64
and distance between centre of gravity of the circular section and X-X axis,
h2 = 200 – 129.1 = 70.9 mm
∴ Moment of inertia of the circular section about X-X axis,
= IG2 + ah2 = (24.85 × 106) + [(17 670) × (70.9)2] = 113.67 × 106 mm4
Now moment of inertia of the whole section about X-X axis
= (476.21 × 106) – (113.67 × 106) = 362.54 × 106 mm4 Ans.

Example 14. A rectangular hole is made in a triangular section as shown in figure.

Determine the moment of inertia of the section about X-X axis passing through its centre
of gravity and the base BC.

Solution. As the section is symmetrical about Y-Y axis, therefore centre of gravity of the
section will lie on this axis. Let y be the distance between the centre of gravity of the section and
the base BC.
(i) Triangular section
100 × 90
a1 = = 4500 mm 2
2
90
and y1 = = 30 mm
3
(ii) Rectangular hole
a2 = 30 × 20 = 600 mm2
30
and y2 = 30 + = 45 mm
2
We know that distance between the centre of gravity of the section and base BC of the triangle,
a1 y1 – a2 y2 (4500 × 30) – (600 × 45)
y = = = 27.7 mm
a1 – a2 4500 – 600

Moment of inertia of the section about X-X axis.

We also know that moment of inertia of the triangular section through its centre of gravity and
parallel to X-X axis,

b d 3 100 × (90)3
I G1 = = = 2025 × 103 mm 4
36 36
and distance between the centre of gravity of the section and X-X axis,
h1 = 30 – 27.7 = 2.3 mm
∴ Moment of inertia of the triangular section about X-X axis
= I G 1 + a 2 h12 = 2025 × 10 3 + [4500 × (2.3) 2 ] = 2048.8 × 103 mm4
Similarly moment of inertia of the rectangular hole through its centre of gravity and parallel
to the X-X axis
b d 3 20 × (30)3
IG 2 = = = 45 × 103 mm 4
12 12
and distance between the centre of gravity of the section and X-X axis
h2 = 45 – 27.7 = 17.3 mm
∴ Moment of inertia of rectangular section about X-X axis
= I G 2 + a 2 h22 = (45 × 10 3 ) + [600 × (17.3) 2 ] = 224.6 × 103 mm4
Now moment of inertia of the whole section about X-X axis.
Ixx = (2048.8 × 103) – (224.6 × 103) = 1824.2 × 103 mm4 Ans.
Moment of inertia of the section about the base BC
We know that moment of inertia of the triangular section about the base BC
b d 3 100 × (90)3
I G1 = = = 6075 × 103 mm 4
12 12
Similarly moment of inertia of the rectangular hole through its centre of gravity and parallel
to X-X axis,

b d 3 20 × (30)3
IG 2 = = = 45 × 103 mm 4
12 12
and distance between the centre of gravity of the section about the base BC,
30
h2 = 30 + = 45 mm
2
∴ Moment of inertia of rectangular section about the base BC,
= I G 2 + a2 h22 = (45 × 103 ) + [600 × (45)2 ] = 1260 × 103 mm4
Now moment of inertia of the whole section about the base BC,
IBC = (6075 × 103) – (1260 × 103) = 4815 × 103 mm4 Ans.

MOMENT OF INERTIA OF A BUILT-UP SECTION

A built-up section consists of a number of sections such as rectangular sections, channel

sections, I-sections etc., A built-up section is generally made by symmetrically placing and then
fixing these section by welding or riveting. It will be interesting to know that a built-up section
behaves as one unit. The moment of inertia of such a section is found out by the following steps.
1. Find out the moment of inertia of the various sections about their respective centres of
gravity as usual.
2. Now transfer these moments of inertia about the required axis (say X-X axis or Y-Y axis)
by the Theorem of Parallel Axis.
Note. In most of the standard sections, their moments of inertia of about their respective
centres of gravity is generally given. However, if it is not given then we have to calculate it before
transferring it to the required axis.
 Example 15. A compound beam is made by welding two steel plates 160 mm × 12 mm
one on each flange of an ISLB 300 section as shown in figure.
Find the moment of inertia the beam section about an axis passing through its centre of
gravity and parallel to X-X axis. Take moment of inertia of the ISLB 300 section about X-X axis as
73.329 × 106 mm4.

Solution. Given: Size of two steel plates = 160 mm × 12 mm and moment of inertia of
ISLB 300 section about X-X axis = 73.329
From the geometry of the compound section, we find that it is symmetrical about both the X-
X and Y-Y axes. Therefore centre of gravity of the section will lie at G i.e. centre of gravity of the
beam section.
We know that moment of inertia of one steel plate section about an axis passing through
its centre of gravity and parallel to X-X axis.

160 × (12)3
IG = = 0.023 × 106 mm4
12
and distance between the centre of gravity of the plate section and X-X axis,
12
h = 150 + = 156 mm
2
∴ Moment of inertia of one plate section about X-X axis,
= IG + a h2 = (0.023 × 106) + [(160 × 12) × (156)2] = 46.748 × 106 mm4

and moment of inertia of the compound beam section about X-X axis,
IXX = Moment of inertia of ISLB section
+ Moment of inertia of two plate sections.
= (73.329 × 106) + 2 (46.748 × 106) = 166.825 × 106 mm4 Ans.
 Example 16. A built up section is made by needing too stable and two channel sections
as shown in figure. Determine moment of inertia of a built up section about X-X axis passing
through centre of gravity of the section.

Solution. As the section is symmetrical about X-X axis and Y-Y axis therefore centre of
gravity of the section will coincide with the geometrical centre of section.
We know that the moment of inertia of one top or bottom plate about an axis through its
centre os gravity and parallel to X-X axis,
90 × (10)3
I G1 = = 7500 mm 4
12
and distance between centre of gravity of the plates from X-X axis,
h1 = 65 – 5 = 60 mm
∴ Moment of inertia of top and bottom plates about X-X axis,
= IG1 + a h2 = 2 [7500 + (90 × 10) × (60)2] mm4
(because of two plates)
= 6.5 × 106 mm4
Now moment of inertia of part (1) of one channel section about an
axis through its centre of gravity and parallel to X-X axis,
30 × (10)3
IG 2 = = 2500 mm 4
12
and distance of centre of gravity of this part from X-X axis,
h2 = 55 – 5 = 50 mm
∴ Moment of inertia of part (1) about X-X axis,
= IG2 + a h2 = 4 [2500 + (30 × 10) × (50)2 mm4 ...(because of four plates)
= 3.0 × 106 mm4
Similarly moment of inertia of part (2) of the channel about an axis through its centre of
gravity and parallel to X-X axis,
⎡10 × (90) 3 ⎤ 6 4
IG 3 = 2 ⎢ ⎥ = 0.6 × 10 mm ...(because of two plates)
⎣ 12 ⎦

Now moment of inertia of the whole built-up section about an axis through its centre of
gravity and parallel to X-X axis,
IXX = (6.5 × 106) + (3.0 × 106) + (0.6 × 106) = 10.1 × 106 mm4 Ans.