FLUID MECHANICS LCD 10302

Fluid Statics
The three basic principles of fluid statics are: pressure at any point in a fluid is the same in all directions,
pressure at the wall of a vessel containing fluid is perpendicular to the wall at any point, and pressure is
transmitted throughout a static fluid without loss (Pascal’s principle).

Pressure Transmission through a Fluid

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In a vessel or open system, interconnected vessels containing a homogeneous liquid, the pressure at any
horizontal level in each vessel is the same regardless as to the shape or size of the vessel. The corollary is
that the liquid will find the same level in all vessels. The pressure at any depth in a liquid is due to self-
weight is given by a formula p = ρgh and therefore the pressure distribution is linear.

Pressure Distribution and Surface Level of Liquid

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Piezometers and manometers may used to accurately determine static-fluid pressures. The equation p =
ρgh is used to calculate pressure from the observed height. With manometers, the method involves
balancing the pressures in the left-hand and right-hand limbs at any convenient level, usually taken as
the interface level.

Piezometers are used only with liquids.

Pressure tappings are perpendicular to the pipe.

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Manometers may be used with gases or liquids. A differential manometer may be used
to determine the pressure difference by equating the pressures in the left-hand and
right-hand limbs at the datum.

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If the fluid pressure acting on a surface is constant, the force on the surface due
to this pressure is calculated by multiplying the pressure by the projected area in
the direction of the force. The force acts through the centroid of the projected
area. When liquids are stored in tanks, the pressure change due to self weight is
usually significant and should not be neglected. In such cases, the magnitude of
the fluid pressure force on any plane area may be calculated by multiplying the
average pressure by the area. If the area is vertical or inclined, the force no longer
acts at the centroid but at the centre of pressure. This is always below the
centroid by an amount that may be calculated for:
Rectangular area y = H2/12h where H is the height of the rectangle

Circular area y = d2/16h where d is the diameter of the circle

Force due to gas pressure

Centroid Locations for Common Shapes

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Remember that when the area is inclined, the calculation to locate the centre of
pressure involves using inclined distances and not vertical ones. However, vertical
distances are still used to calculate the average pressure on the inclined surface. If
the area is of a shape other than rectangular or circular, it is necessary to
calculate the radius of gyration and use the formula y = k2/h to locate centre of
pressure.

Archimedes’ principle states that the buoyancy force experienced by a body in a

fluid is equal to the weight of fluid the body displaces. If the weight of the body is
greater than the buoyancy force, the body will sink. If the buoyancy force is
greater that the weight of the body, the body will rise and, if the fluid is a liquid,
will float at a level such that the displaced weight of fluid equals the weight of the
body.

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