Hydraulics and hydrology

- project exercises -

Class 2

Hydrostatic forces on plane surfaces.

Plane surface (panel) – is a flat surface of arbitrary shape.

Hydrostatic force (P) – is the force acting by a fluid at rest on a surface that stay in contact with the fluid
(i.e. submerged surface). Hydrostatic force is the resultant force representing a hydrostatic pressure
distribution. The resultant force passes through a point called the center of pressure and its line of action is
perpendicular to the surface. The magnitude of hydrostatic force acting on plane surface of given area (A)
is:
P = ∫ p dA
A

The determination of hydrostatic forces is important in the design of storage tanks, ships, dams, and other
hydraulic structures.

Horizontal plane surfaces

If a plane surface is horizontal the pressure distribution is uniform i.e. the pressure is the same at every
point. Therefore, the magnitude of the hydrostatic force can be given by formula:

P = p ∫ dA = p A = γ{h A
A p

Uniform pressure distribution

h h h h
P P P P

A A A A

Project “The development of the didactic potential of Cracow University of Technology in the range of modern
construction” is co-financed by the European Union within the confines of the European Social Fund
and realized under surveillance of Ministry of Science and Higher Education.
 Inclined plane surfaces

There are two methods for calculating the hydrostatic pressure force magnitude: analytical method (center of
pressure method) and graphical method (pressure prism method).

γ line of action

h1
P h1
V hc

h2
cs

ca

h2 cp y
α ξ
A
ca
cp
η
cp – center of pressure
ca – centroid of area x
cs – center of solid figure

Analytical method:
P = pc A = γ hc A

Graphical method:
P =γ V

Center of pressure location:

Jx J xy
η= ξ=
h h
A c A c
sin α sin α

Project “The development of the didactic potential of Cracow University of Technology in the range of modern
construction” is co-financed by the European Union within the confines of the European Social Fund
and realized under surveillance of Ministry of Science and Higher Education.
 Plane surface properties
moment of
shape of area area centroid
inertia

hc
x b ab 3
A = ab hc = Jx =
2 12

hc
D x π D2 hc =
D π D4
A= Jx =
4 2 64

hc
b 1 2 ab 3
x A= ab hc = b Jx =
2 3 36

hc
x D/2 π D2 hc =
2D π D4
A= Jx =
8 3π 128

hc
x
b π ab b π a b3
A= hc = Jx =
4 2 64

Project “The development of the didactic potential of Cracow University of Technology in the range of modern
construction” is co-financed by the European Union within the confines of the European Social Fund
and realized under surveillance of Ministry of Science and Higher Education.
 Example 1
A dam 20 m long retains H = 7 m of water, as shown in figure below. Find the total resultant
hydrostatic force (F) acting on the dam and the location of the center of pressure (hcp) if α is 60o.

F hcp
H

Solution:
………………………………………………………………………………………………………….
………………………………………………………………………………………………………….
………………………………………………………………………………………………………….
………………………………………………………………………………………………………….

Example 2
The sluice gate of 4 m height (H) is supported by three girders as shown in figure below. Find the
distribution of the girders (a1, a2, a3) so that each one was exerted by equal force.

a1
a2
a3
H

girder

Solution:
………………………………………………………………………………………………………….
………………………………………………………………………………………………………….
………………………………………………………………………………………………………….
………………………………………………………………………………………………………….
………………………………………………………………………………………………………….
………………………………………………………………………………………………………….

Project “The development of the didactic potential of Cracow University of Technology in the range of modern
construction” is co-financed by the European Union within the confines of the European Social Fund
and realized under surveillance of Ministry of Science and Higher Education.
 Example 3
For the gate shown below, α = 45o, h1 = 1,0 m, and h2 = 4,0 m. Will the gate fall or stay in position
under the action of the hydrostatic and gravity forces if the gate itself weighs 150 kN and is 1,0 m
wide? Assume temperature T = 10 oC. Use calculations to justify your answer.

h1
water
standard
atmospheric
pressure
h2

hinge gate
α

Solution:
………………………………………………………………………………………………………….
………………………………………………………………………………………………………….
………………………………………………………………………………………………………….
………………………………………………………………………………………………………….
………………………………………………………………………………………………………….
………………………………………………………………………………………………………….

Example 4
The butterfly valve shown in figure below is used to control the flow in a 3 m-diameter outlet pipe in
a dam. The valve is supported by a horizontal shaft through its center. What torque should be applied
to the shaft to hold the valve in the closed position shown. H = 10,5 [m], D = 3 [m], α = 60o.

water

shaft dam
H

air at
valve D atmospheric
pressure

α
Solution:
………………………………………………………………………………………………………….
………………………………………………………………………………………………………….
………………………………………………………………………………………………………….
………………………………………………………………………………………………………….
………………………………………………………………………………………………………….
Project “The development of the didactic potential of Cracow University of Technology in the range of modern
construction” is co-financed by the European Union within the confines of the European Social Fund
and realized under surveillance of Ministry of Science and Higher Education.