COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING AND TECHNOLOGY

DEPARTMENT OF MECHANICAL AND ENERGY

FLUID MECHANICS LABORATORY EXPERIMENT FM1: CENTRE OF PRESSURE

OOKEDITSE SOONYANA
14 000 785
BEng Energy Engineering
Level 300

Date of submission: 24-02-2017

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INTRODUCTION
Hydrostatic Pressure Systems allow for the measurement and development of hydrostatic force and
centre of pressure equations and values necessary to build and evaluate fluid systems. To demonstrate
this capability, known masses were added to one end of the centre of pressure apparatus, and water
was added into the system until the arm was level (balancing the moment about the pivot). The
corresponding height of the water was recorded and used to calculate the centre of pressure and
hydrostatic force on the vertical rectangular quadrant. These values were plotted against the height of
the water. This process was repeated for both partially and fully submerged surfaces. For the partially
submerged surface, the centre of pressure had a linear relationship with the height of the water, while
there was a power relationship between these variables for a fully submerged surface. For the partially
submerged surface, hydrostatic force had a power relationship with the height of the water, and, for a
fully submerged surface, hydrostatic force had a linear relationship with the height of the water. Thus,
in both cases, the data collected verified the relationships of centre of pressure and hydrostatic force
against height presented in the given equations. Because the moment about the pivot must be zero, the
relationship between mass and height further confirmed these findings. In order to assess the accuracy
of the measurements taken by the pressure system, the theoretical heights were compared to the
experimental values of height. Because the slope of this relationship was nearly one, the accuracy of
the pressure system was confirmed, and no calibration was needed. The plot of standard deviation
between theoretical and measured height against measured height supports this result. (Helm, n.d.)
Key terms:
Centre of pressure- a point on a surface through which the resultant force due to pressure passes

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OBJECTIVE
The aim of the experiment is to determine the line of action of thrust and to compare it with
theoretical results.
APPARATUS
Centre of pressure apparatus
Meter rule
Hangers
Masses

THEORY
Pressure on a surface immersed in a liquid
The first thing we must look at is the hydrostatic thrust that acts upon the immersed surface of the
quadrant. This thrust is what counteracts the added mass to the end of the balance arm.
Hydrostatic Thrust, F = ρgAh
A=Bxd
F = ½ρgBd2

This force acts on the face of the quadrant about the pivot point, which creates a moment.

Moment of thrust about pivot: M = F x h”

In order for there to be an equilibrium condition an equal and opposite moment must be present.

Equilibrium condition
A balancing moment is produced by the weight (W) applied to the hanger at the end of the balance
arm. Therefore the counter moment = W x L

Therefore for static equilibrium to exist the two moments must be equal
F x h” = W x L = m x g x L and hence h” = mgL/F = 2mL/ρBd2

Next we calculate the theoretical results so that they may be compared to the observed ones.

Theoretical result for depth of center of pressure, P, below the free surface of the fluid

h’ = Ix/Ah where Ix = Ic + Ah2

= Bd3/12 + Bd(d/2)2
= Bd3/3

The theoretical depth of P below the pivot point will be h” = h’ + H – d

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PROCEDURE
The unit frame was placed(adjusting the feet(9)) at height that allows access to supply water into the
top tank(11) and drain point(8) to flow into a convenient drain via a clear plastic hose. The level
indicator (10) was used on the base (12) to help ensure the unit is level. The balance (13) was fixed to
the quadrant (2) using the clamping screws (3) as per the schematic diagrams (fig 1 below) and the
knife edge pivot (5) onto the pivot.
Next was to Adjust the counter balance mass (7) by winding up and down the threaded portion of the
arm until the quadrant (2) is sitting level in the tank (11), as shown by the level indicator marking (14)
on the side of the quadrant (2). This step was performed with just the mass hanger (1) on the opposite
end.
Assuming the drain valve (8) is closed the unit was filled with water to just below the lower level of
the face end (6) of the quadrant (2). The unit is now ready to begin the submerged testing process as
detailed in experiment number 1.
One of the 0.1N supplied masses was added to the mass hanger (1), observing the drop in the quadrant
(2) shape. Water was added into the top of the tank (11) until the level marking (14) on the quadrant
(2) lines up with the top of the tank (11) once more. It can be easier to obtain this position by slightly
over filling the tank (11) and then draining the excess water back off slowly. Ensuring no water is
spilt on the top of the quadrant (2) or on the sides above the water level.

The immersion depth on the scale (4) on the side of the quadrant (2) was recorded. To ensure an
accurate reading, the measurement was taken with a line of sight just below the water level. This was
to avoid any effects of surface tension interfering with the correct reading.
Steps 5-7 was repeated until water level just passes over the top of the vertical quadrant (2) face. Then
the procedure was repeated coming back down, reducing the hanging mass in the same increments as
before.

Figure 1

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RESULTS AND ANALYSIS

Useful Data:
B= 0.076m D= 0.102m H= 0.176m L= 0.260m

Mass(N) Depth(mm)
0.1 22
0.2 30
0.3 38
0.4 42
0.5 46
0.6 52
0.7 56
0.8 60
0.9 64
1.0 68
1.1 71
1.2 74
Table 1

Table of

h’ h’’
Mass(kg) Depth(m) Area(m²) h(m) F(N)
h'' theoretical theoretical
0.0102 0.022 0.0017 0.011 0.1804 0.1441 0.0147 0.1687
0.0204 0.03 0.0023 0.015 0.3355 0.1550 0.0200 0.1660
0.0306 0.038 0.0029 0.019 0.5383 0.1449 0.0253 0.1633
0.0408 0.042 0.0032 0.021 0.6576 0.1582 0.0280 0.1620
0.0510 0.046 0.0035 0.023 0.7888 0.1648 0.0307 0.1607
0.0612 0.052 0.0040 0.026 1.0080 0.1548 0.0347 0.1587
0.0714 0.056 0.0043 0.028 1.1690 0.1557 0.0373 0.1573
0.0815 0.06 0.0046 0.03 1.3420 0.1550 0.0400 0.1560
0.0917 0.064 0.0049 0.032 1.5269 0.1533 0.0427 0.1547
0.1019 0.068 0.0052 0.034 1.7237 0.1508 0.0453 0.1533
0.1121 0.071 0.0054 0.0355 1.8792 0.1522 0.0473 0.1523
0.1223 0.074 0.0056 0.037 2.0413 0.1528 0.0493 0.1513
Table 2

Sample calculations: for 0.1N/ 0.0102kg

 A = B× 𝒅; 0.076m*0.022m = 0.0017m²
𝒅 0.022
 h= ; 𝟐
= 0.11
𝟐
𝟏 𝟏
 F = 𝟐 pgBd2 ; 𝟐 𝒙 𝟏𝟎𝟎𝟎 𝒙 𝟗. 𝟖𝟏 𝒙 0.076x0.022² = 0.1804
𝐦𝐠𝐋 0.0102×9.81x0.260
 𝐡" = 𝐅
; = 0.1804
= 0.1441

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𝑩𝒅𝟑 (𝟎.𝟎𝟕𝟔 )(𝟎.𝟎𝟐𝟐)³

 Theoretical : h’ = ( 𝟑
)/(𝑨𝒉) ;=( 𝟑
) /(0.0017)( 0.011) = 0.0147

 h” = h’ + H – d ; 0.0147 + 0.176 – 0.022 = 0.1687

GRAPH

Table of plotting data.

h''(mm) d(mm) F(N)

144.1083 22 0.180426
154.9889 30 0.335502
144.902 38 0.538294
158.1558 42 0.657584
164.8055 46 0.788802
154.7621 52 1.007997
Table 3- plotting data sample.

Figure 2- shows a graph of thrust force plotted against the centre of pressure and the immersion depth. The force is in N and
both immersion depth and centre of pressure in mm.

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DISCUSSIONS
The results obtained in the experiment showed a difference between theoretical values and
experimental values of the centre of pressure, the experimental being the greater.
There are some errors that take place during conducting this experiment which may give effect to the
result obtained. First, there is parallax error. This error may occur during taking the reading of the
water level. To overcome this error, the observer’s eye must be 90⁰perpendicular to the water level in
order to get the accurate measurement. Next, error may take place during pouring the water. This
happen when the water poured over the limit that should be poured. Thus, to overcome this error, the
water poured during the experiment must be ensured that perfectly reach the limit. Other than that,
there is maybe an error due to the instrument and also surrounding. Hence, to get an accurate result,
the experiment must being done in ideal condition. (sha, 2010)
CONCLUSIONS
From the experiment that have being done, we can conclude that the experiment was successfully
carried out even though there is difference in the theoretical value and experimental value.

From the graph that we produced, we can clearly depict that there is a linear relationship between the
hydrostatic force and the depth and the centre of pressure. Comparing the theoretical and experimental
h”, the experimental h” is greater than the theoretical h”. These difference may be due to parallax
error when taking the height of the water on the scale.

Another source of error would be the use of the accepted density of water, 1000kg/m³, for the
theoretical calculation of the hydrostatic force. This accepted value is the density of water at sea level
and 4⁰C. The water used in this procedure was tap water at rtp, however if the density of the of the tap
water was used we could have even less error to compensate for the magnitude of the error.

The knowledge of the centre of pressure is applicable in engineering aspect such as:

dams
sail boats
aeroplane aerodynamics
missile aerodynamics

(wiki, n.d.)

References
Helm, R. (n.d.). Retrieved from
http://rachelehelm.weebly.com/uploads/3/8/4/3/38433197/hydrostatic_pressure_lab
sha, i. (2010, feb 23). Retrieved from http://kerjacrazy.blogspot.com/2010/02/experiment-
1hydrostatic-force-on-plane.html
wiki. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Center_of_pressure_(fluid_mechanics)

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