The first moment of area is based on the mathematical construct moments in metric spaces. It is a measure of the spatial distribution of a shape in relation to an axis.

The first moment of area of a shape, about a certain axis, equals the sum over all the infinitesimal parts of the shape of the area of that part times its distance from the axis [Σad].

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

Definition

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:

$${\displaystyle S_{x}=A{\bar {y))=\sum _{i=1}^{n}{y_{i}\,dA_{i))=\int _{A}y\,dA}$$

$${\displaystyle S_{y}=A{\bar {x))=\sum _{i=1}^{n}{x_{i}\,dA_{i))=\int _{A}x\,dA.}$$

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:

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

where

• Q_j,x – the first moment of area "j" about the neutral x axis of the entire body (not the neutral axis of the area "j");
• dA – an elemental area of area "j";
• y – the perpendicular distance to the centroid of element dA from the neutral axis x.

Shear stress in a semi-monocoque structure

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

$${\displaystyle q={\frac {V_{y}S_{x)){I_{x))))$$

• q – the shear flow through a particular web section of the cross-section
• V_y – the shear force perpendicular to the neutral axis x through the entire cross-section
• S_x – the first moment of area about the neutral axis x for a particular web section of the cross-section
• I_x – the second moment of area about the neutral axis x for the entire cross-section

Shear stress may now be calculated using the following equation:

$${\displaystyle \tau ={\frac {q}{t))}$$

• ${\displaystyle \tau }$ – the shear stress through a particular web section of the cross-section
• q – the shear flow through a particular web section of the cross-section
• t – the thickness of a particular web section of the cross-section at the point being measured^[1]