MODULE 02:

HYDROSTATIC PRESSURE ON SURFACES

Engineers must calculate forces exerted by fluids in order to design constraining structures satisfactorily. In
this chapter all three characteristics of hydrostatic forces will be evaluated: magnitude, direction, and sense. In
addition, locations of forces will be found.

Let the plane surface be inclined at an angle 𝜃 to the free surface of water, as shown in the Figure. If the plane
area A is assumed to consist of elemental areas dA, the elemental forces dF always normal to the surface area
are parallel. Therefore the system is equivalent to one resultant force F,, known as the hydrostatic thrust. Its point
of application
ion C, which would produce the same moment effects as the distribdistributed
uted thrust, is called the center of
pressure. We can write

HYDRAULICS

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HYDRAULICS

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EXAMPLES:

 Determine the resultant force F due to water acting on the 3 m by 6 m rectangular area AB shown
in the figure.
 Determine the resultant force due to water acting on the 4 m by 6 m triangular area CD shown in
Fig. The apex of the triangle is at C.

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  The 2-m-diameter gate AB in Figure
ure swings about a horizontal pivot C located 40 mm below the
center of gravity. To what depth h can the water rise without causing an unbalanced clockwise
moment about pivot C?

HYDRAULICS

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