INTRODUCTION TO FLUID MECHANICS – CVG 2116

FLUID STATICS – Part 1

(HYDROSTATICS)

Ioan NISTOR
inistor@uottawa.ca

3.1 Definition of Pressure

CVG 2116
3.1 Pressure (cont.)

Note: As the element shrinks to an infinitesimal point Δx→0, Δy→0,

Δz→0 and Δl→0, which leads to Pn = Pz from ΣFz=0

CVG 2116

Pressure transmission

Example: The hydraulic lift

F=100 N; F2=? Blaise Pascal
1623-1662
The force exerted on the small piston (A1):(AC)F - (BC)F1= 0
⇒ F1=1100 N
⇒ p1=F1/A1=6.22 106 N/m2
p1=p2 ⇒ F2=p1A2 ⇒ F2=12.22 kN

CVG 2116
Absolute Pressure, Gage Pressure and Vacuum
The pressure in the extraterrestrial space is ZERO-, absolute zero
All measured pressures are reported to this pressure→ absolutes pressures, PA
Example: the atmospheric pressure patm=101 kPa = pa
In the engineering practice many instruments which measure the pressure are doing so
with respect to the atmospheric pressure → gage pressure, pg

PA > 101.325kPa

Pg > 0 & P A > Pa

PA = Pa = atmospheric
pressure = 101.325kPa

Pg < 0 & P A < Pa

PA = 0kPa =
absolute zero

CVG 2116

Absolute Pressure, Gage Pressure and Vacuum (example)

CVG 2116
3.2 Pressure variation with elevation

ΣFl=0; pΔA - (p+ Δp)ΔA – γΔAΔl sinα = 0,

Δp/Δl = - γsinά ⇒ dp/dl = - γ dz/dl ⇒

dp/dz = - γ

CVG 2116

3.2 Pressure variation with elevation - Example

Example: Compare the rate of change of pressure for air and for fresh water at sea level
(p=101.3kPa, T=15.5oC) with respect to a 4-m decrease in elevation. (the specific
weights are assumed constant).
SOLUTION
Specific weights of water and air (from the ideal gas law!)

ρair=p/(RT) = 101.3 103(N/m2)/[287(J/kgK) (15.5+273)(K)] ⇒ ρair=1.22kg/m3 ⇒

γair=gρair = 11.97 N/m3
γwater= 9799 N/m3

Therefore, (dp/dz)air = - 11.97 N/m3, (dp/dz)water = - 9799 N/m3 ⇒

The total change in pressure for air Δpair= - 11.97 N/m3 x (-4m)=47.9Pa
The total change in pressure for water Δpwater= - 9799 N/m3 x (-4m)=39.2kPa

CVG 2116
Pressure variation for a uniform density fluid

CVG 2116

CVG 2116
Pressure variation with elevation for different density fluids – Example

In an open tank, oil with a specific gravity of 0.80 forms a layer 0.9 m
deep above a total depth of 3.0 m of water. What is the pressure
measured at the bottom of the tank?

Fluid properties: Soil = 0.8, γwater= 9810 N/m3

Pressure at the bottom of the oil layer:

7.06kPa
where z1=3m, z2=2.10m
p2 = 7.06kPa,

Pressure at the bottom of the tank 27.7kPa

where z3 = 0m
p3 = 27.7kPa

CVG 2116

Pressure variation with the altitude

Fluids with non-uniform density (compressible):

The equation of state: p = ρRT ou ρ = p/RT (γ =pg/RT)
p – the absolute pressure [Pa]
T – the absolute temperature [K]
R – the universal gas constant [J/kgK]
in the troposphere: T = To-α(z-zo)

dp/dz = - pg/RT ⇒ p=po[T/To]g/αR

In the stratosphere: T = const.

⇒p = poe-(z-z )g/RT
o

U.S.National Weather Service: 45oN latitude in July

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3.3 Pressure measurement

Pressure transducer

CVG 2111

3.3 Pressure measurement (Manometry)

pv~0 pressure of Hg vapors
at normal temperature

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 Piezometer

Example: suppose Δh=60cm, l=180cm

Calculate the pressure in the pipe center!
p1=0 (open atmosphere), therefore p2=0-γmΔh
⇒ p2=79.8kPa ( mercury γm=133kN/m3)
p2=p3 (same elevation), therefore p4=p3+Δp3→4; Δp3→4=-γl ⇒ Δp3→4=-17.66kPa
⇒ p4=62.1kPa
General equation of the manometer: p2=p1+Σdownγihi-Σupγihi CVG 2116

3.3 Pressure measurement – Example to be solved in class

Differential manometer
Example: Find the piezometric pressure variation and the piezometric head
between the two points if the deflection of mercury in the manometer is
2.54cm.(Twater=10oC)
The equation of the manometer: p2= p1+ γw(Δy+Δh) – γmΔh - γw(Δy+z2-z1)

⇒ p2 + γwz2 - (p1+ γwz1) = Δh(γw - γm)

or
pz2-pz1= Δh(γw - γm); pz2-pz1= ?

and
h2-h1=(pz2-pz1)/γw=Δh(1- γm/γw); h2-h1=?

CVG 2116