TOPIC 2.

Hydrostatics – Fluids
Pressure

Week 3
 References
Douglas, J. F., Gasiorek, J. M., Swaffiled, J. A. and Jack, L. B. 2011, Fluid Mechanics,
6th Ed., Pearson/Prentice Hall England

Cengel, A. Y. and Cimbala, J. M. 2014, Fluid Mechanics Fundamentals and

Applications, 2014 Ed., McGraw Hill New York

Abdul Talib, S., Ahmad, H., Abd Hamid, T. and Ariffin, J. 2002, Fluid Mechanics, 2nd
Edition, Penerbit Anda Subang Jaya

Chang, S.L., Koay, K.C. and Yew, K.L. 2011, Focus SPM Form Physics, Pelangi Sdn
Bhd Selangor

Bansal, R.K. 2010, A Textbooks on Fluid Mechanics and Hydraulic Machines, Laxmi
Publications, New Delhi
 Overview
2.1.1 Introduction
2.1.2 Concepts of pressure
2.1.3 Pascal’s law for pressure at a point
2.1.4 Pressure variation in a fluid at rest
2.1.5 Pressure and head
2.1.6 The hydrostatic paradox
2.1.7 Pressure measurement
2.1.8 Hydrostatic forces on plane surface and inclined surface
2.1.9 Hydrostatic thrust on curved surface
2.1.10 Pressure diagram

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 Learning Outcomes
• Explain the concepts of pressure and pressure difference in static
fluid. (CO1PO1)
• Determine pressure head, pressure gauge and absolute pressure.
(CO1PO1, CO2PO2)
• Apply the concept of pressure with pressure measurements.
(CO1PO1, CO2PO2)

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 2.1 Introduction
• Fluid statics deals with the study of fluids which are not in motion
(stationary) –no shearing stresses and only normal stress i.e.
pressure.
• This topic deals with fluids under hydrostatic condition i.e. velocity
is zero.

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Recall your physics

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To measure pressure of a
liquid at a particular depth,
consider the liquid column
below.

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Try this

The figure given shows three non-

mixing liquids placed in an enclosed
tank.
a) Calculate the pressure due to the
liquid at point X.
b) Calculate the pressure due to the
liquids at point Y.
c) Calculate the pressure due to the
liquids at point Z.
d) Sketch a graph of pressure, p
against depth, h for h = 0 to 16 m
in the tank.

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 2.1.2 Concepts of pressure
• Stress: Force per unit area.
• Normal stress:The normal component
of a force acting on a surface per unit
area.
• Shear stress: The tangential
component of a force acting on a
surface per unit area.
• Pressure: The normal stress in a fluid
at rest
The normal stress and shear stress at
the surface of a fluid element. For
fluids at rest, the shear stress is zero
and pressure is the only normal stress.
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Pressure: A normal force exerted
140 kg
by a fluid per unit area 70 kg

Afeet=343 cm2

P = 20 kPa P = 40 kPa

P = (709.81/1000) kN / 0.0343 m2 = 20 kPa

The normal stress (or “pressure”) on the

feet of a chubby person is much greater
Some than on the feet of a slim person.
basic
pressure
gages.
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• Statics rules apply to fluids at rest, hence, there will be no shearing forces
acting.
• Therefore, all forces exerted between the fluid and a solid boundary must
act at right angles (normal/perpendicular) to the boundary.

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 2.1.3 Pascal’s Law for pressure at a point
By considering the equilibrium of a small fluid element below a relationship
can be established between the pressures px in the x-direction, pZ in the y-
direction and pϴ normal to any plane inclined at any angle θ to the horizontal
at this point.

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 2.1.4 Pressure variation in a fluid at rest

Figure shows a cylindrical

fluid element of constant
cross sectional area A,
inclined at angle ϴ from the
vertical. There is no shear
acting because the fluid is at
rest.

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Recall your physics

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What is
Patm = 1 atm
atmospheric
Patm = 101kPa
pressure?

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 2.1.5 Pressure and head
• Absolute pressure: The actual pressure at a given
position. It is measured relative to absolute vacuum (i.e.,
absolute zero pressure).
• Gage pressure: The difference between the absolute
pressure and the local atmospheric pressure. Most
pressure-measuring devices are calibrated to read zero in
the atmosphere, and so they indicate gage pressure.
• Vacuum pressures: Pressures below atmospheric
pressure.
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 Note:
𝑃𝑎𝑏𝑠 = 𝑃𝑔𝑎𝑢𝑔𝑒 + 𝑃𝑎𝑡𝑚
Patm = 0 when measuring gauge
pressure (taken as datum)
Patm = 101 kPa (typical value) when
𝑃𝑔𝑎𝑢𝑔𝑒 = 𝜌𝑔ℎ
measuring absolute pressure.
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Pressure in a liquid at
rest increases linearly
with distance from the
free surface.

In liquid, the elevation

is usually in terms of
depth h and is
measured from the free
surface (downwards).

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 Try yourself
A mountain lake has an average temperature of 100C and a
maximum depth of 40 m. The barometric pressure is 598
mm Hg. Determine the absolute pressure at the deepest
part of the lake.

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 Try yourself
What are the gauge pressure and absolute pressure at a
point 3 m below the free surface of a liquid having a density
of 1.53x103 kg/m3 if the atmospheric pressure is equivalent
to 750 mm of mercury? The specific gravity of mercury is
13.6 and density of water is 1000 kg/m3.

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 2.1.6 The hydrostatic paradox
• From the equation 𝑃 = 𝜌𝑔ℎ, it is seen that the pressure exerted by a fluid is
dependent only on the vertical head of fluid and its mass density ρ; it is not affected
by the weight of the fluid present.
• In figure below the four vessels all have the same base area A and are filled to the
same height h with the same liquid of density ρ.
• Thus, although the weight of fluid is obviously different in the four cases, the force
on the bases of the vessels is the same, depending on the depth h and the base
area A.

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 2.1.7 Pressure measurement
• Fluid pressures can be determined by various means and devices
depending on the types of fluids.
• Some of the common devices used are barometers, piezometers
and manometers.

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2) Piezometers

One end is connected to the

point where pressure to be
measured (in a pipe) and the
other end is open to the
atmosphere.

The rise of liquid gives the

pressure head at point A.

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3) U-tube manometers
• It consists of glass tube bent in U-shape, one end of which is connected
to a point where the pressure is to be measured and the other end
remains open to atmosphere.
• The tube normally contains Hg or any other liquid whose SG is greater
than the SG of the liquid whose pressure is to be measured.

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- 17.658 kPa

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End of Topic 2.1 – Pressure

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