1.

6 Hydraulic force on a vertical wall

Exercise:
A separating vertical wall fixed at the lower side is surrounded with water (h1 = 4 m und h2 = 2
m). Compute the resulting force on the wall and its point of action.

Solution:
The force due to the ponded water can be computed based on the basis of triangular load distribution in
planar problems (not for curved surfaces under the water).
The force of hydraulic force can be computed as follows:

= . = ℎ

The forces in both sides of the wall result in :

1 1
(4 ) = ℎ = 1000 × 9.81 × 4 × 1 = 78.48
2 2

F2 (2m)=19.62kN
Due to the equilibrium of forces the resultant force A is:

∑F = 0x

= F1− F2 − R = 0
R = F1 – F2 = 58.86KN

(The negative sign indicates a direction to the left for the resulting force A)
Considering the equilibrium of moments, the point of action 'a' of the resulting force A (distance to
ground) is:

∑M=0 − − =0

4 2 4 2 4 2
1 3− 2 3 1 3− 2 3 # : × −19:62×
= = = 3 3
= 1.56
: " : " : "
1.7 Hydraulic force on the sloping wall of a reservoir

Exercise:
A reservoir ponds water at an elevation of h behind it. The slope of the wetted portion of the
reservoir is 4:1. Compute the x- and z- coordinates for the point of action of the pressure force.
What is the unit hydrostatic force on the reservoir assuming a width of b?What is the direction
of the resultant force?

Figure 9 Reservoir
Solution
There are different approaches to solve this problem, from the very specific solution based on
the geometry (splitting of force components) to a general solution that can be used for any
geometry. We strike a balance between these ways.
The total resultant force can be computed by integrating the pressure over the sloping surface
of the reservoir. This means that the pressure is different on every point of the wall. Since
pressure is increasing linearly with the depth, the lowest ordinate of the reservoir can be used
as the the base of pressure triangle and the intersection of water level with the reservoir as the
peak of this triangle. The triangular load leads to the conclusion that point of action of the force
is at two thirds on the y- axis along the sloping wall. The x- and z- coordinates can be computed
with the help of intercept theorems:
2
&' = ℎ
3
1
(' = ℎ
6
(Note the choice of the coordinate system)
This can be checked with application of the integral equation.

From the lecture it is known that the force on a surface is computed by the product of area and pressure
in the centroid:

F=A ps

mit: ps = ρ g zS
The impact on the reservoir results in:
 ℎ
= ℎ) =
2

=
,-
*ℎ + ×
"
1000 ×
9.81

5.056⋅ kN3 ⋅h2 m

Hydraulic force is a scalar parameter and does not have a direction. Acting on a wall the
compressive force is always perpendicular. Since the wall is planar the direction of action can
be seen as normal to the surface. Therefore the direction of force with respect to the horizon is:
o

ρ = arctan (1/4)=14.4

뫠ц
1.8 Submerged Flap gate

Exercise:
A small opening under water with a flap gate regulates the water level of a basin. The flap gate is
regulated by a counterweight and does not open before a certain water level is reached.
Neglect dynamic effects: Compute the required mass that is needed for the moment arm to
provide a closed flap gate until the water level has reached to h. The mass is located at a distance
'a' to the flap gate centre.

Figure 10 Cross section and side view(direction of water) of a submerged flap gate
Solution
The effect of the compressive force on the flap gate is:
F = A ps , 䤠н
A = d. b+ πd2/4
ps =ρg (h-t’-d/2 sin α) 4

To compute the moment of the flap gate around its rotation point, the pressure point on the flap
gate is needed. We introduce the coordinate y at the intersection of water and the inclinded wall
which leads to the pressure point:

2
I + A ⋅ ys I
yd = 1 = ys + 1
ys ⋅ A ys ⋅ A
The particular parameters are to be determined:
0
./ =
2
0 20
1) = +
12 64
With these values the pressure point measured from the centre can be determined:
0 20
0 + 64
.3 = + 12
2 0 20
2 40. + 4 5
 0 520
+
.3 = 3 64
0 20
40. + 5
2 4
2 520
0 3 + 32
.3 = .
0 6 + 20 7
4
2 520
+
.3 = 0. 3 32
20
6 + 47

Knowing the distance to the centre the equilibrium of the moments on the center of the flap gate is
given by:
!

∑M A =F⋅(yD −k)-m g a =0, where k is the distance between the point D and the water surface (origin
of y)

9⋅(;< =>)
⇒ =
?@

ℎ − B)
A= −0
sin F