First moment of area

The first moment of area, sometimes misnamed as the first moment of inertia, is based in the mathematical construct moments in metric spaces, stating that the moment of area equals the summation of area times distance to an axis [Σ(a × d)]. It is a measure of the distribution of the area of a shape in relation to an axis.

First moment of area is commonly used to determine the centroid of an area.

Given an area, A, of any shape, and division of that area into n number of very small, elemental areas (dA_i). Let x_i and y_i be the distances (coordinates) to each elemental area measured from a given x-y axis. Now, the first moment of area in the x and y directions are respectively given by:

and

The SI unit for first moment of area is a cubic metre (m³). In the American Engineering and Gravitational systems the unit is a cubic foot (ft³) or more commonly inch³.

The static or statical moment of area, usually denoted by the symbol Q, is a property of a shape that is used to predict its resistance to shear stress. By definition:

$Q_{j,x}=\int y_{i}dA$ $Q_{{j,x}}=\int y_{i}dA$ , where

The equation for shear flow in a particular web section of the cross-section of a semi-monocoque structure is:

Shear stress may now be calculated using the following equation:

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