EM 208: Fluid Mechanics

Chapter 4: FORCES DUE TO STATIC FLUIDS

RECTANGULAR WALLS
Compute the resultant force exerted on a rectangular wall by a static
liquid.
.

Question: If the entire force were concentrated at a single point, where

would that point be and what would the magnitude of the force be?

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RECTANGULAR WALLS
Objective 3:Compute the resultant force exerted on a rectangular wall
by a static liquid.
. The pressure at the
centroid of a surface is
equivalent to the
average
pressure on the
surface.

The lengths of the dashed are rows represent the magnitude of the
fluid pressure at various points on the wall. Because of this linear
variation in pressure, the total resultant force (denoted by 𝐹𝑅 ) can be
calculated from the equation:
ℎ yields 𝒉
𝐹𝑅 = 𝑝𝑎𝑣𝑔 × 𝐴, 𝑝𝑎𝑣𝑔 = 𝛾 𝑭𝑹 = 𝜸 𝑨
2 𝟐
The centroid of a vertical wall is located 𝒉/𝟑 from the bottom of 3
the wall. (Recall your statics course)
Problem (11) A vat has a sloped side, as shown below. Compute
the resultant force on this side if the vat contains 15.5ft of glycerin. Also
compute the location of the center of pressure and show it on a sketch
with the resultant force. (Specific weight of Glycerin = 78.5 lb/ft3)
Answer: 𝑭𝑹 = 𝟏𝟐𝟔𝟑𝟎𝟎𝒍𝒃, 𝑳𝒑 = 𝟏𝟏. 𝟗𝟑𝒇𝒕

Procedure for Computing the Force on a

Rectangular Wall:
𝒉
1. Calculate 𝑭𝑹 = 𝜸 𝟐 𝑨
2. Locate the center of pressure at a
vertical distance of 𝒉/𝟑from the bottom
of the wall.
3. Show the resultant force acting at the
center of pressure perpendicular to the
wall.

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Question 4.14: A rectangular gate is installed in a vertical wall of a
reservoir as shown below. Compute the magnitude of the resultant
force on gate and the location of the center of pressure. Also,
compute the force on each of the two latches shown. (Specific
weight of water = 62.4 lb/ft3). Ans: FR = 3235 lbf and acts at 1.2 ft
from bottom, Force on each latch = 485 lbf

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Submerged Plane Areas (General)
Objective 5,6:Compute the resultant force exerted on any submerged plane
area by a static liquid and show the vector representing the resultant force on
any submerged plane area in its proper location and direction.

1. Identify the point S.

2. Locate the centroid of the area from its geometry.
3. Determine 𝒉𝒄 and 𝑳𝒄 , where 𝒉𝒄 = 𝑳𝒄 𝐬𝐢𝐧(𝜽)
4. Calculate 𝑭𝑹 = 𝜸𝒉𝒄 𝑨 (Pressure at the centroid times Area)
𝑰
5. Calculate 𝑰𝒄 and 𝑳𝒑 = 𝑳𝒄 + 𝑳 𝒄𝑨
𝒄
𝑰𝒄 𝒔𝒊𝒏𝟐 (𝜽)
6. Calculate 𝒉𝒑 = 𝑳𝒑 𝒔𝒊𝒏(𝜽) or 𝒉𝒑 = 𝒉𝒄 + 𝒉𝒄 𝑨
Question 4.19: Compute the magnitude of the resultant force on the
indicated area and the location of center of pressure. Ans: FR =
1.094 kN, LP = 966 mm from free surface measured along the face of
the area.

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DISTRIBUTION OF FORCE ON A SUBMERGED CURVED SURFACE
Visualize the distribution of force on a submerged curved surface. Compute
the total resultant force on the curved surface.

The objective is to determine the

horizontal force 𝐹𝐻 and the vertical force
𝐹𝑉 exerted on the fluid by the curved The line of action of 𝑭𝑹
surface and their resultant force 𝐹𝑅 . acts through the center
of curvature of the
curved surface.