Experiment 3

EXPERIMENT NO.
HYDROSTATIC FORCE ON PLANE SURFACES
I. INTRODUCTION
Usually, engineers are confronted with problem of determining the force
exerted by fluids acting on walls of container, such as pipes, tanks and
concrete forms. Here, forces are due to the pressure, which is being exerted
outward from the inside of the container. On other occasions, the problem
maybe to determine the pressure exerted against submerged objects such as
caissons, diving bells and balloons. Another common problem is the
determination of forces acting on gates in the walls of these containers or
submerged objects. Forces acting on containers or submerged objects are due
to pressure of a gas, liquid, or as solid. In the case of gas, pressure usually
m
er as
does not vary appreciably with elevation in vertical distances that are
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commonly considered. With liquids, however, the pressure will vary from
o.
atmospheric at free surface to tremendous magnitudes at great depths, such
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as the ocean. The actual absolute magnitude of the pressure depends on the
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atmospheric pressure, the depth of the point being considered, and the specific
weight of the liquid involved.
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II. OBJECTIVE
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This experiment determines the hydrostatic force on a submerged and semi-

submerged rectangular area.
III. DERIVATION
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Let hs = vertical height from fulcrum to water surface
h = vertical height from water surface to top of quadrant plane surface

sh is
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d = height of end surface of quadrant
b = width of end face quadrant = 75 mm
Consider a strip across the end face of the quadrant dx at a depth x, force on that
strip = ρgxbdx.
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From: P= γ h
L
therefore P = γ x
L
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P = F/A = dF/dA
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therefore dF = PdA
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dF = L xbdx
h+d
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dF = ∫ ρ L gbxdx
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Therefore, the total force on the end surface

ed d
ρgb[ ( h+ d )2−h2 ]
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F= 2 --------------------------------------------------------------
(1)
sh is
For partially submerged surface, h = 0. Therefore,

Th
ρgbd 2
F= 2
Taking moments about the surface,
Fx = dFx
h+d
Fx = ∫ ρgb x2 dx
h
3 3
ρgb[( h+ d ) −h ]
Fx = 3 -------------------------------------------------------------
(2)
Where x = depth of center of pressure
Dividing Equation 2 by Equation 1:
ρgb[ ( h+ d )3 −h3 ] ρgb[ ( h+d )3−h3 ]

3 3
x=
= 2
F ρgb[ ( h+d ) −h2 ]
2
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2 ( h 3+3 dh2+ 3 d 2 h+ d3 −h3 )
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x= 3(h 2+2 dh+ d 2−h2 )
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2 ( 3 h2 +3 hd +d 2 )
x= 3(2 h+d )
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----------------------------------------------------------------(3)
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v i y re
For partially submerged surface, h = 0
2d
ed d
x= 3
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Taking moment about the fulcrum

sh is
Wr = F(x + hs)
Th
2 2
Wr = ρgb[(h+d)2-h2][2( 3 h +3 hd+ d )/(3(2h+d)+hs)]/2
Where r = 275 mm
Compare experimental results of Wr with the calculated values of F(x+hs)
IV. SKETCH OF APPARATUS
Hydrostatic Pressure Apparatus
- measures moment
caused by fluid thrust
on a whole or partially
submerged plane
surface.
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Hydraulic Bench
- Hydraulic bench is a very

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useful apparatus in
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hydraulics and fluid

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mechanics to find the value IV. L

of coefficient of velocity,
coefficient of discharge and A
contraction to study the B
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characteristics of flow over

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notches, to find met centric O

height, in finding head
losses through pipes,
R
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verification of Bernoulli’s A
theorem etc.
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T
ORY PROCEDURE
Place the apparatus on the hydraulic bench. Level the apparatus using the spirit
level and adjustable feet. Ensure pump delivery valve is fully closed. Connect
flexible supply hose to apparatus. Adjust the counterweight to balance the counter
balance beam until the beam is level. Switch on the pump. Place a mass of
approximately 50 grams on the pan. Open pump delivery valve and allow water
into the tank until balance arm is horizontal, then close the pump delivery valve.
Read height of water level on scale or torroid. Repeat the same procedure for
various values of weight in the balance pan up to four trials. Stop Hydraulics Bench
pump. Disconnect supply hose from the apparatus and allow apparatus to drain.
EQUIPMENT DIAGRAM:
V. APPLICATION OF PRINCIPLE
1. Comment on the variation of thrust with depth.
The thrust which is also the hydrostatic force exerted on the beam is greater
when it is submerged and less when it is floating. Therefore, the thrust is
m
directly proportional to the depth.
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2. Comment on the relationship between the depth of the center of pressure and
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the depth of immersion.
o.
The increase in depth of the immersion of the body causes an increase in
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the depth of its center of pressure. This is only true when the center of
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pressure relative to the beam remains constant. Thus, the depth of the
center of pressure is directly proportional to the depth of immersion of the
o
beam.
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3. For both 1 and 2, comment on what happens when the plane has become fully
submerged.
When the plane has become fully submerged in the liquid, an increase in
ed d
pressure is experienced due to its high depth. Also, since hydrostatic

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pressure (which is affected by depth) is also relative to hydrostatic force,

there will be an increase in the hydrostatic force.
sh is
4. Explain and comment on the discrepancies between the experimental and the
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theoretical results of the depth of center of pressure.
One of the discrepancies would be found in the experimental value of the

depth of the center of pressure obtained. This is because, for semi-
submerged, it is the approximated value of the triangular distributed load
acted on the body and, for submerged, it is the derived value from taking
the moments about the surface. Though the theoretical value is related
to the moment of inertia of the plane area perpendicular to the force,
there will still be slight discrepancies in the results.
VII. SAMPLE COMPUTATION
Trial 3:
h+d = 28mm + 100mm
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er as
h+ d = 128 mm
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hs = 200 – (h+d)
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= 200 – 128mm
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hs = 72 mm
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2( 3 h2+ 3 hd+ d 2) 2 [3 ( 282 ) +3 ( 28 )( 100 ) +1002 ]
x= 2(2 h+ d) = 2[2 ( 28 )+100 ]
x = 88.68 mm
x + hs = 88.68 mm + 72 mm
x + hs = 160.68 mm
2 2
ρgb[( h+ d )2−h2 ] (1000)(9.81)(0.075) [( 0.128 ) −0.028 ]
F= 2 = 2
F = 3.679 N
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F(x + hs) = (3.679)(160.68)
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F(x + hs) = 591.1417 N-mm
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Wr = 1011.725 N-mm
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ed d
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VIII. CONCLUSION
From analyzing the results obtained from the experiment, it could be
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concluded that the hydrostatic is directly proportional to the depth of the body
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with a certain cross-section. For instance, as a body goes deeper into the liquid,
the force exerted, which is also related to pressure, increases as well. Thus, an
increase in depth would mean an increase in force and pressure.
IX. APPLICATION TO ENGINEERING
One application of hydrostatic force on plane surfaces is for designing of

dams. This principle is seen on the distributed hydrostatic force which is
triangular and wherein the depth increases. The design of dams must be built
where it can withstand the pressure exerted by the massive reservoir of water it
holds. Knowledge about hydrostatic forces on plane surface is a must to be able
to design dams effectively to achieve maximum safety and quality at a
reasonable cost.
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X. REFERENCE
A. Uy, F. A., Tan, F., & Monjardin, C. E. (2015). Laboratory Manual in Fluid
Mechanics.
B. Sears, F. W., Zemansky, M. W., & Young, H. D. (1987). University physics.

Reading, MA: Addison-Wesley Pub.
C. Boundless (2016). Boundless Physics. Retrieved from

https://www.boundless.com/physics/textbooks/boundless-physics-
textbook/fluids-10/density-and-pressure-92/variation-of-pressure-with-depth-
338-8350/
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EXPERIMENT NO.

HYDROSTATIC FORCE ON PLANE SURFACES

This experiment determines the hydrostatic force on a submerged and semi-

Let hs = vertical height from fulcrum to water surface

h = vertical height from water surface to top of quadrant plane surface

d = height of end surface of quadrant

b = width of end face quadrant = 75 mm

Therefore, the total force on the end surface

For partially submerged surface, h = 0. Therefore,

Taking moments about the surface,

Where x = depth of center of pressure

Dividing Equation 2 by Equation 1:

ρgb[ ( h+ d )3 −h3 ] ρgb[ ( h+d )3−h3 ]

For partially submerged surface, h = 0

Taking moment about the fulcrum

Compare experimental results of Wr with the calculated values of F(x+hs)

Hydrostatic Pressure Apparatus

- Hydraulic bench is a very

hydraulics and fluid

mechanics to find the value IV. L

characteristics of flow over

notches, to find met centric O

pressure is experienced due to its high depth. Also, since hydrostatic

pressure (which is affected by depth) is also relative to hydrostatic force,

theoretical results of the depth of center of pressure.

One of the discrepancies would be found in the experimental value of the

h+d = 28mm + 100mm

IX. APPLICATION TO ENGINEERING

One application of hydrostatic force on plane surfaces is for designing of

B. Sears, F. W., Zemansky, M. W., & Young, H. D. (1987). University physics.

C. Boundless (2016). Boundless Physics. Retrieved from

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