1

B. FORCES ON SUBMERGED PLANE AREAS

8.
If a triangle of height d and base b is vertical and
submerged in liquid with its vertex at the liquid surface,
derive an expression for the depth to its center of pressure
(c.p.); c.g. – center of gravity.

3d
Answer: hcp =
4

9.
If a triangle of height d and base b is vertical and submerged in
liquid with its vertex a distance a below the liquid surface,
derive an expression for the depth to its center of pressure (c.p.);
c.g. – center of gravity:

6a 2 + 8ad + 3d 2
Answer: hcp =
6(a + 2d / 3)

10.
If a triangle of height d and base b is vertical and submerged in
liquid with its base at the liquid surface, derive an expression
for the depth to its center of pressure (c.p.); c.g. – center of
gravity:

d
Answer: hcp =
2

11.
A circular area of diameter d is vertical and submerged in a
liquid. Its upper edge is coincident with the liquid surface.
Derive an expression for the depth to its center of pressure
(c.p.); c.g. – center of gravity.

5d
Answer: hcp =
8
 2

12.
A circular area of diameter d and radius r is
submerged and has its diameter in a liquid
surface. Derive an expression for the depth to its
center of pressure (c.p.); c.g. – center of gravity.

Answer: hcp =
4r
+
[π / 8 − 8 /(9π )] = 0.589r
3π [4r /(3π )](πr 2 / 2)

13.
A dam 20 m long retains 7 m of water. Find the total resultant force acting on the dam
and location of center of pressure.

Answer: F = 5550 kPa, hcp = 4.667 m

14.
A vertical, rectangular gate with water is shown in figure. Determine the total resultant
force acting on the gate and the location of the center of pressure.
Answer: F = 84.76 kN, hcp = 3.633 m
 3

15.
An inclined, cylindrical gate with water on one side is shown in figure. Determine the
total resultant force acting on the gate and the location of the center of pressure.
Answer: F = 14.89kN, hcp = 2.260 m

16.
A vertical triangle gate with water on one side is shown in figure. Determine the total
resultant force acting on the gate and the location of the center of pressure.
Answer: F = 21.58 kN, hcp = 3.682 m

17.
A tank of oil has a right-triangle panel near the bottom as shown in figure. Calculate the
total resultant force on the triangle panel and the location of the center of pressure on the
panel.

Answer: F = 2543 kN, ycp = −0.444 m, xcp = +0.111 m

 4

18.
Gate AB in the figure is 1.2 m long and 0.8 m wide.
Calculate force F on the gate and its center of pressure
position X.

Answer: F = 38.83 kN, X = 0.615 m

19.
Calculate the total resultant force on triangle gate ABC in
the figure and locate the position of its center of pressure.
Answer:
F = 0.262 kN, y cp = −0.025 m (i.e. below the centroid),
xcp = +0.008 m (i.e. right of the centroid)
 5

20.
Find the net hydrostatic force per unit width on rectangular gate in the figure and its line
of action.
Answer:
water clyc
Fwater = 78.48 kN, Fglyc = 54.38 kN, Fnet = 24.1 kN, ycp = −0.0833 m, y cp = −0.1515 m
∑ M B = 0 ⇒ D = 1.071 m