MM 222 Fluid Mechanics

The University of the South Pacific

School of Engineering and Physics
MM 222 – Fluid Mechanics

Lab 1: Hydrostatic Force and Centre of Pressure on a Submerged Surface

Lab Session Time: Thursday (5 to 8pm)

Student Name: Sahil Sharma; Sanya Gibson; Adi Deborah Raiwalui
Student ID#: s11171799; s11160329; s11175429

AIM

This experiment aims to determine the hydrostatic forces acting on the plane surface submerged in water and
the depth of center of pressure at which said forces are acting. Furthermore, this experiment also aims to
compare theoretical values with experimental values to

INTRODUCTION

For clarity,” hydrostatics” is the term given to describe fluids (either liquids or gases) that are at rest. In this
state, hydrostatic pressure induced is defined as the pressure exerted by a fluid at equilibrium at a given
point within the fluid, due to the force of gravity [ CITATION EDi20 \l 3081 ]. Hence, as the depth of the fluid
measured from the free surface increases, the hydrostatic pressure also increases.

Consequently, with the presence of hydrostatic pressure comes hydrostatic force. Acting on the plane
surface of the submerged body, hydrostatic forces form a system of parallel forces, whereby the magnitude
of the force is calculated in addition to its point of application known as the depth of center of pressure
[CITATION Yun14 \l 3081 ]. The depth of center of pressure is denoted by “y p”. Understanding the significance
of these concepts is vital for many engineering applications as stated by Munson and Young (2009)
determining these forces is important in designing storage tanks, ships, dams and other hydraulic structures.

With the experimental setup shown below, this lab report is being conducted with the intention of comparing
experimental values with the results we will have obtained from theoretical formulas. Ultimately, the lab
report serves to help students gain a better grasp of the subject of hydrostatics and its behavior.

Lab Report Page 1

MM 222 Fluid Mechanics

Figure 1: Experimental setup for determining hydrostatic pressure

REFERENCE
Cengel, Y. A. & Cimbala, J. M., 2014. Hydrostatic Forces on Submerged Plane Surfaces. In: Fluid
Mechanics- Fundamentals and Applications. New York: McGraw Hill, p. 89.

EDinformatics, n.d. What is Hydrostatic Pressure --- Fluid Pressure and Depth. [Online]
Available at:
https://www.edinformatics.com/math_science/hydrostatic_pressure.htm#:~:text=Hydrostatic
%20pressure%20is%20the%20pressure,exerting%20downward%20force%20from%20above.
[Accessed 23 August 2020].

Munson, B. R. & Young, D. F., 2009. Hydrostatic Force on a Plane Surface. In: Fundamentals of
Fluid Mechanics [6 ed]. s.l.:John Wiley & Sons, Inc, p. 57.

Lab Report Page 2

MM 222 Fluid Mechanics

Lab Report Page 3