PLATE NO.

3 – Hydrostatic Force on Plane Surfaces

1. A tank 5.4 m deep and 2 m wide is layered with 2.4 m of oil sp. gr. (0.8), 1.8 m of water
and 1.2 m of mercury. (a) Compute the hydrostatic force (kN) on the upper layer of the
oil only. (b) Compute the hydrostatic force of the 4.2 m containing oil and water.
2. In the Fig. P3.1, stopper B will break if the force on it reaches 40 kN. Find the critical water
depth. The length of the gate perpendicular to the sketch is 1.5 m
3. A 12 m. x 12 m. gate is installed at the end of water reservoir as shown and is hinged at
the top. The gate hinge is 6 m. below the reservoir water surface. The gate is connected
by a lever to a rectangular tank of water which is 12 m. Wide (into the paper) and filled
with 6 m. of water. The weight of the tank is negligible. (a) Determine the hydrostatic
force acting on the gate. (b) Determine the location of the center of pressure from the
hinge. Determine the length, L, so that the gate will stay closed.
4. A triangular through as shown on the figure carries water at a depth of 5. the trough is
hinged at A and is held together by cable BC at the top. The angle BAC is equal to 110°. (a)
Compute the total pressure on side AB per meter length. (b) Compute the tension at the
cable if it has a spacing of 1m. perpendicular to the paper.
5. A circular gate 1.5 m in diameter is inclined 30 degrees with the vertical. If center of the
gate is 10m below the sea water surface. (a) Calculate the total hydrostatic force on the
gate. (b) Calculate the distance of the total force from the bottom of the gate measured
along the gate. (c) If the gate is hinged at top, find the normal force applied at the bottom
required to open the gate.
Fig. P3.1 Fig. P3.2

Fig. P2.3