Find the Centre of Gravity (CG) of a non-symmetric

composite body

PBL Report for Statics & Dynamics Lab (ME244)

FACULTY OF MECHANICAL ENGINEERING,

GHULAM ISHAQ KHAN INSTITUTE OF ENGINEERING
SCIENCES AND TECHNOLOGY

Under the supervision of:

Engr. Ali Murtaza

Submitted by:
Muhammad Junaid Jawad (2022393)
Muhammad Mohad Umer Chaudhry (2022396)
Muhammad Omar Amin (2022411)
Muhammad Shayan Sheikh (2022431)
Aim:
To find the centre of gravity of a non-symmetric composite assembly theoretically &
experimentally.

Expected Outcomes/Objectives:
1. Understand basic concept of composite materials

2. Study of methods for calculation of centre of gravity (CG)

3. Theoretical analysis and its experimental validation

Guidelines:
1. Propose methodology

2. Literature review

3. Design the experimental procedure

4. Practical demonstration

5. Result analysis and discussion

6. Conclusion
Abstract:
This Problem-Based Learning (PBL) activity delves into the complex process of finding the
centre of gravity (CG) of a non-symmetric composite body. The activity combines theoretical
and experimental approaches, with the goal of understanding the fundamental principles of
composite materials and validating them through practical experimentation. The study, which
focuses on non-symmetry and varying densities within the composite material, aims to unravel
the complexities of CG calculations in real-world engineering scenarios. This PBL activity and
report seeks to foster a thorough understanding of composite materials and their dynamic
behaviour by combining theoretical concepts with firsthand experimentation.

Keywords: Centre of Gravity, Composite Materials, Non-symmetry, Theoretical Analysis,

Experimental Validation, Engineering Applications, Practical Skills
Literature Review:
The concept of the centre of gravity (CG) is fundamental in physics and engineering,
representing the point through which an object's total and concentrated weight is assumed to act.
It is a critical parameter in structural design and analysis because it determines a system's
stability, balance, and overall behaviour under different loading conditions. Non-symmetric
composite bodies, which are made up of multiple materials with different densities and irregular
shapes, make calculating the CG more difficult due to the complex distribution of mass within
the assembly.

Composite materials are engineered materials composed of two or more constituent materials
with significantly different physical or chemical properties, which when combined produce a
material with properties distinct from the individual components. Composites are known for their
high strength-to-weight ratio, corrosion resistance, and versatility, making them indispensable in
a variety of industries such as aerospace, automotive, construction, and marine.

A non-symmetric body is a physical object that lacks symmetry along at least two axes. Non-
symmetric bodies have irregular shapes and uneven mass distributions, making it difficult to
determine their CG. In contrast, symmetric bodies have uniformity or mirror-like properties
across multiple planes. The CG of a non-symmetric body may not coincide with its geometric
centre, necessitating complex calculations to determine its precise location.

The centroid is a fundamental concept in engineering and physics that represents the geometric
centre or average position of an object's mass, area, or volume. In three-dimensional space, the
centroid of a solid body is the point at which the object would balance if suspended from it,
regardless of orientation. The centroid of a two-dimensional shape, such as an area or a surface,
is the point at which the object would balance if it were made of uniform density. Similarly, in
one-dimensional space, the centroid of a line represents the point at which the line would balance
if it were a physical object with uniform density along its length.

Centroid , x=
∑ of moment of forces = ∑ F i x i
∑ of forces ∑F

The line of action of the resultant force passes through the centroid of the volume under distributed loads.
As shown in the figure to the right, particles with specific weights W 1, W2, …,
Wn can be replaced with a resultant force of weight, W, and be located at the
centre of gravity, G.

Now to find the centre of gravity G(x, y, z), we work on the following
equalities and the formula of centroid to derive some relationships.

W R= ∑ W

x W R =~
x 1 W 1 +~
x 2 W 2+ …+~
xn W n

y W R=~
y 1 W 1 +~
y 2 W 2+ …+~
yn W n

z W R =~
z 1 W 1 +~
z 2 W 2+ …+~
zn W n

⇒ x=
∑ ~x W i , y= ∑ ~y W i , z= ∑ ~z W i
∑Wi ∑ Wi ∑Wi

Considering W =mg , and assuming that acceleration due to gravity is constant for every particle ( g
cancels out). A rigid body is composed of an infinite number of particles; hence we replace the
summations with integrals.

⇒ x=
∫ ~x d mi , y= ∫~y d mi , z= ∫ ~z d mi
∫ d mi ∫ d mi ∫ d mi
However, dm= ρdV , where ρ is the density ( ρ cancels out) and dV is the volume of each particle.
Hence, now the coordinates of the centre of gravity are:

∫ ~
x dVi ∫ ~
yd Vi ∫ ~z d V
i
⇒ x= , y= , z=
∫d V i ∫d V i ∫d V i

Mathematical Approach (3D):

The following diagram (designed on SolidWorks) shows a non-symmetric body made of carbon
fibre (a composite material).

For each part (I, II, etc.) the values of distances from the coordinate’s axis are measured. Volume
is calculated by multiplying all the values of the distances. Centroid on each coordinate axis is
found and then multiplied by volume. The volume and multiplication of volume and centroid is
summed.
 ~ ~y , ~z , mm ~ ~y V, mm4 ~z V, mm4
Part V, mm3 x , mm x V, mm4
mm
I 4 × 0.75 × 7 = 21 2 0.375 3.5 42 7.875 73.5
2
II π/2 × 2 × 0.75 = 4.712 2 0.375 7.849 9.424 1.767 36.984
2
III -π × 1.25 x 0.75 = -3.681 2 0.375 7 -7.362 -1.38 -25.767
IV 1×2×4=8 0.5 1.75 2 4 14 16
2
V -π × 1.25 × 1 = -2.453 0.5 2.75 2 -1.226 -6.746 -4.906
∑ 27.578 - - - 46.836 15.516 95.811

Using the formula derived previously in our literature review, we calculate the coordinates of
centre of gravity (CG) of the designed composite non-symmetric 3D body.

⇒ x=
∑ ~x V = 46.836 =1.698 mm
∑ V 27.578

⇒ y=
∑ ~y V = 15.516 =0.563 mm
∑ V 27.578

⇒ z=
∑ ~z V = 95.811 =3.474 mm
∑ V 27.578
Practical Demonstration (2D):
1. Break down the composite body, made from fibre glass, into an individual body using
a grinder. This body can be in the shape of simple geometries like rectangles or triangles, but for
this experiment/activity we select a non-symmetric shape as shown below (sketched on
SolidWorks).

2. We choose 3 reference points on the composite body where we drill holes to suspend
the body in next steps. These can be any convenient points but should be easily identifiable and
accessible.

3. Create a stable rig or support system for the composite body to ensure it remains
stationary during measurements. The rig allowed for easy adjustments and ensured that the body
is suspended freely without any external forces acting on it.
 5. Tied a string to a nail at any of the previously drilled points. The string was long
enough to allow the body to rotate freely without touching the ground or any other surface.

6. Attached a weight to the end of the string. The weight was heavy enough to cause the
body to rotate but not too heavy that it became difficult to control. Marked the path traced by the
string, using a pencil, directly over the fibre glass body.

8. The process was repeated from different starting points on the body. Each time, the
path was marked that was traced by the string and the weight.

9. The intersection point of all the marked paths is the centre of gravity (CG) of the non-
symmetric composite body. To verify the accuracy of measurements, one can repeat the process
with different weights or by changing the starting points of the string attachment.
Results, Discussion, & Conclusion:
To assess the accuracy of our method for determining the centre of gravity of a non-symmetric
composite body, we must consider the assumptions made during the experiment. Our method
assumed a uniform gravitational field, ignoring any potential variations that could influence the
results. Furthermore, we used the assumption that the individual components of the composite
body could be treated as simple geometric shapes.

The calculated centre of gravity was compared to theoretical expectations based on the
individual components' known properties, and the results were generally consistent. The
experiment highlighted the difficulty of working with irregular shapes within the composite
body. The method used proved effective for handling simpler shapes. Our findings have broad
implications for similar non-symmetric composite bodies. However, it is critical to understand
the specific conditions under which our method was evaluated.

In conclusion, our experiment successfully determined the centre of gravity (CG) of a 3D non-
symmetric composite body using a mathematical approach, yielding accurate results that were
consistent with theoretical expectations. This method used mathematical calculations to analyse
the body's geometry and mass distribution, allowing us to determine the precise location of the
CG.

In contrast, a practical demonstration was used to determine the centre of gravity (CG) of a two-
dimensional non-symmetric composite body. This method involved suspending the body and
observing its rotational behaviour to determine where it balanced. While this method was more
intuitive and visually appealing, it was limited to two dimensions and required precise
interpretation of the body's movement to calculate the CG.

Both methods produced results that were consistent with our theoretical understanding of the
centre of gravity, demonstrating their utility in determining this critical parameter for non-
symmetric bodies. However, the practical demonstration highlighted the difficulties of
implementing these concepts in real-world scenarios. Friction, air resistance, and measurement
accuracy can all introduce errors into our results, reducing their precision.

Our findings highlight the need for ongoing refinement and consideration of additional factors in
order to improve the accuracy of centre of gravity calculations in real-world applications. Future
research could look into advanced measurement techniques, such as digital imaging or sensor-
based systems, to improve the accuracy and reliability of CG determination for non-symmetric
bodies. Additionally, incorporating computational simulations and experimental validations
could help to validate and improve the accuracy of our findings.