JABATAN KEJURUTERAAN MEKANIK

Department of Mechanical Engineering

LAPORAN MAKMAL
Laboratory Report

Sesi & Sem 2022/23 SEM 1

Session & Sem
Kod & Nama Kursus KIG1010
Course Code & Name
Tajuk Ujikaji HYDROSTATIC PRESSURE
Title of Experiment
Nama KAN SHAO JIE
Name
No. Kad Matrix 22004628/1
Matrix Number
Nombor Kumpulan G1-M3
Group Number
Demo MUHAMAD FARHAN
Demonstrator
Tarikh Ujikaji 16/11/2022
Experiment Date
Tarikh Hantar 30/11/2022
Submission Date
ABSTRACT

The aim of this experiment is to determine the hydrostatic thrust acting on a plane surface
immersed in water when the surface is partially submerged or fully submerged. The position of the
line of action of the thrust also is determined in this experiment and compared with the theoretical
position. In this experiment, the quadrant is placed into the flotation tank and the weight hanger is
hung at the groove. The balance is adjusted until it is at the central point of the level indicator. The
weight of 50g is added to the weight hanger. Water is added into the tank until the balance arm is back
to the central point of the level indicator. The water level is recorded. The experiment is repeated by
adding 50g weight each time. The experiment is reversed by removing 50g weight and drain out the
water until the balance arm is back to the central point of the level indicator. The experiment is
repeated by removing 50g weight until all the weight is removed. The hydrostatic thrust is calculated
and the experimental position of the line of action is calculated and compared with the theoretical
position.

TITLE
Hydrostatic Pressure

INTRODUCTION
The term hydrostatic is used when body of fluid achieve equilibrium or at rest. Pressure is
known as force exerted by body of fluid per unit area perpendicular to the area it is in contact with.
Hydrostatic pressure is also known as the pressure that exerted by a fluid at equilibrium at a given
point within the fluid, due to the gravitational force. The formula of pressure on an object submerged
in a fluid is P = density x gravitational acceleration x height of the fluid above the object. Since the
gravitational acceleration is a constant, the hydrostatic pressure is affected by the density of the fluid
and the distance below the surface of the fluid. Hydrostatic pressure increases with the depth of an
object in the fluid and the density of the fluid due to the weight of the fluid exerting downward
increases.
In this experiment, a quadrant is used to investigate the hydrostatic force acting on a plane
surface and determine the position of the center of pressure. The forces on both side of quadrant are
equal and opposite and will cancel each other out. Apart from that, the force acting on the curved
surface will not cause any effect as the force is always normal to the surface and resolves through the
pivot point as it located at the origin of the radii.
Resultant hydrostatic pressure acting on a submerged surface is completely described if the
magnitude, the direction and the line of action of the force is determined. The line of action of the
resultant hydrostatic force does not pass through the centroid of area. The point where the line of
action of the resultant force and surface intersect is called center of pressure. Center of pressure is also
can be defined as the point where the total sum of a pressure field acts on an object, leading to a force
to act through that point. An equivalent force and moment are produced on the object at the location
of the resultant force and center of pressure as the original pressure field.

OBJECTIVES
i. To find out the hydrostatic thrust acting on a plane surface immersed in water when the surface is
partially submerged or fully submerged.
ii. To investigate the position of the line of action of the thrust and to compare the position
determined by experiment with the theoretical position.
THEORETICAL BACKGROUND

Figure 1: Diagram of Partially submerged case

The pressure exerted by hydrostatic fluid on a surface due to gravitational force is called the
hydrostatic pressure. When an object is immersed in a fluid, there are forces generated by the fluid
that act on the object's surface. The forces acting on static fluids should be parallel to the surface.
When acting on a plane surface, hydrostatic forces are uniformly distributed and parallel to one
another. As a result, the hydrostatic forces that result act on the centre of pressure through the centroid.
The depth of an object submerged in a fluid can be measured if the fluid is placed inside a
container. The deeper the object that is placed inside the fluid, the more pressure exerted on the object
due to the weight of the fluid above it and it will exert pressure onto the object perpendicularly. In
addition, the denser the fluid where the object is submerged in, the more pressure that will act on the
object because of the weight of the fluid.
Hydrostatic pressure on a surface can be determined by equation:
� = ℎ��
Where,
ℎ = height from water surface
� = density of the liquid
� = gravitational acceleration
This experiment involves adding weights and adding water to the tank until the balance arm is
horizontal, indicating that the apparatus and fluid are in equilibrium. The lower portion of the square
will eventually be submerged under water. A single resultant force replaced the parallel hydrostatic
forces that normally act on the submerged surface. This resultant force acts on a point called the
centre or pressure. This experiment uses a hydraulic bench apparatus and the principle of system
equilibrium to find the centre of pressure on the quadrant. The idea to determine the pressure centre
will be that the sum of moments about any points is equal to zero.
The hydrostatic thrust acting on the plane surface can be determined by equation:
� = ���ℎ (Newton)
Where,
� = force on the submerged plane surface
� = density of fluid
� = gravitational acceleration
 � = area of the plane surface = yb
ℎ = mean depth of immersion = d/2
Defining:
� = vertical distance from surface to the bottom of the quadrant = 2h
� = vertical distance from O to free surface
Xc = vertical distance from O to centre of pressure

The hydrostatic thrust that act on the partially submerged plane surface is:
�
� = ��(��)( 2 )
1
� = 2 ����2 (1)
Moment about the axis at O (pivot) and point out of page:
�� = ��� (2)
Where,
�� = Moment about the axis at O
The sum of moment about any axis should be zero since the system is at equilibrium. Hence,
the moment of the force F about axis at O is equal to the moment of the force exerted by the weight at
the end of counter balance arm, which is W L, where W is the total weight.
Thus,
��� = ��
�2
��� 2 �
� = ��� where � = applied mass
2��
�� = ���2

Theoretically, dividing the submerged surface into small vertical strips with area ∆A and
acted upon on each element by a small force ∆F,
∆� = ��ℎ∆�
Thus, moment of the forces on each strip about free surface
∆� = ��ℎ2 ∆�
Taking the sum of all the moments for each element while noting that � ℎ2 ∆� is the 2nd
moment of area about the axis that pass through the free surface = ��
Total moment ���(ℎ2 )∆� = ����
The resultant and the system of forces should produce the same moment about any axis
�� � = ����
where � = vertical distance from free surface to centre of pressure
����
�=
���ℎ

From parallel axis theorem, �� = ��� + �ℎ2

where ��� is the 2nd moment of the area about the centre of gravity
 �(�3 )
���+�ℎ2 ��� � 2
�= �ℎ
= �ℎ
+ℎ = 12
� + 2
= 3�
��( )
2
2
�� = � + � = 3 � + �
This shown that the centre of pressure is always 2/3 lower than the section of the plate that is
submerged.
According to Figure 1, � = � + � − �
2 �
So, �� = 3 � − � + � + � = � + � − 3
��� ���
Thus, practically, � = ��
= �
�+�−( )
3

�2
But theoretically, � = ��� 2

In this experiment, we obtain

�2 1 �
�� 2 �
� = �� = 2 ��(�2 )(� + � − 3 )

EQUIPMENT / APPARATUS
1. Laboratory Bench
2. Set of Weights
3. F1-12: Hydrostatic Pressure Demonstration Apparatus
4. Steel Vessel
5. Tap water
6. Meter rule
7. Counterbalance weight
8. Tank
9. Water jug

Figure 2: Hydrostatic Pressure Apparatus

PROCEDURES
1. The quadrant is cleaned to ensure it is dust free.
2. The tank is adjusted until it is leveled and flat.
3. The dimension of the quadrant, the length of the balance arm and height from the pivot point to the
quadrant are measured and recorded.
4. The quadrant is placed into the tank and the weight hanger is hung at the groove of balance arm.
5. The balance arm is adjusted until at the central point of the level indicator using counterbalance.
6. 50g weight is added to the weight hanger.
7. Water is added into the tank until the balance arm is back to the central point of the level indicator.
The water level is measured and recorded.
8. The experiment is repeated by adding 50g weight until the tank is full.

9. The experiment is reversed by removing 50g weight from the weight hanger. Water is drained out
until through the drain cock until the balance arm is back to the central point of the level indicator.
The water level is measured and recorded.
10. The experiment is repeated by removing 50g weight until all the weights are removed.

RESULTS AND CALCULATION

Length of balance arm, L = 0.275m

Distance from base of quadrant to pivot, H = 0.200
Width of quadrant, B = 0.075m
Height of quadrant, D = 0.100m
Density of water, ρ = 1000kgm-3
Gravitational acceleration, g = 9.81ms-2
to identify whether the quadrant is submerged of not, we use the formula

d<D means partially submerged

d>D means fully submerged
 Partially Submerged:

Table 1: The Data of Partially Submerged Surface

Depth of
immersion, d/m Thrust, F/N Depth of centre of pressure
Load/ Filling Draining Filling Draining Filling Draining
Kg tank tank tank tank
Theoretical Experimental Theoretical Experimental
0.05 0.045 0.045 0.7449 0.7449 0.1850 0.1998 0.1850 0.1998
0.10 0.065 0.065 1.5543 1.5543 0.1783 0.1736 0.1783 0.1736
0.15 0.080 0.080 2.3544 2.3544 0.1733 0.1719 0.1733 0.1719
0.20 0.095 0.095 3.3201 3.3201 0.1683 0.1625 0.1683 0.1625

Table 2: The Data of Fully Submerged Surface

Depth of
immersion, d/m Thrust, F/N Depth of centre of pressure
Load/ Filling Draining Filling Draining Filling Draining
Kg tank tank tank tank Theoretical Experimental Theoretical Experimental
0.25 0.106 0.108 4.1333 4.2909 0.1647 0.1632 0.1640 0.1572
0.30 0.120 0.120 5.2974 5.2974 0.1600 0.1528 0.1600 0.1528
0.35 0.131 0.131 6.3131 6.3131 0.1563 0.1496 0.1563 0.1496
0.40 0.144 0.144 7.6283 7.6283 0.1520 0.1415 0.1520 0.1415
0.45 0.150 0.154 8.2772 8.7245 0.1500 0.1467 0.1487 0.1391
0.50 0.168 0.168 10.3829 10.3829 0.1440 0.1299 0.1440 0.1299

Filling Tank

Graph 1: Plotting of graph of filling tank

When we obtain the R2 of the best fit line, the percentage of accuracy between theoretical
value and experimental value of depth of centre of pressure for both partially submerged and
fully submerged can be calculated.
For partially submerged
R2= 0.8894

The percentage of accuracy between theoretical value and the experimental value of depth of centre of
pressure
0.8894×100%= 88.94%

For fully submerged

R2= 0.9168

The percentage of accuracy between theoretical value and the experimental value of depth of centre of
pressure
0.9168×100% = 91.68%

Draining Tank

Graph 2: Plotting of graph of draining tank

When we obtain the R2 of the best fit line, the percentage of accuracy between theoretical
value and experimental value of depth of the centre of pressure for both partially submerged
and fully submerged can be calculated.
For partially submerged
R2= 0.8894
The percentage of accuracy between theoretical value and the experimental value of depth of
the centre of pressure
0.8894×100%= 88.94%

For fully submerged

R2= 0.9831
The percentage of accuracy between theoretical value and the experimental value of depth of
the centre of pressure
0.9831×100%= 98.31%
DISCUSSION
This experiment can determine the location of the centre of pressure for both the filling and draining of
the tank. The filling tank's accuracy between the theoretical and experimental depths of the centre of
pressure is 88.94% when the tank is partially submerged and 99.21% when it is completely
submerged. The percentage of accuracy between theoretical and experimental values of depth of the
centre of pressure for draining tank is 88.94% when partially submerged and 98.96% when fully
submerged. When fully submerged, the depth of the centre of pressure obtained is more accurate than
when partially submerged. As a result, these results agreed well with the theoretical, with only a
minor deviation due to some errors that occurred during the experiment. Since the centre of
pressure is 2/3 of the distance between the water's surface and the base of the submerged quadrant, the
hypothesis given in the abstract is accepted.

Possible errors that may happen during the experiment:

1. When we are taking the readings, parallax error will occurs due to our eye level is not
perpendicular to the reading scale on the quadrant is not at the lower part of the meniscus, and the
metre rule is not also perpendicular to the reading scale.
2. After setting up the experiment, the balance could not be perfectly horizontal due to the different
perceptions of the group members.
3. There is some vibration on the table, which has affected the accuracy of the readings taken. The
constant interaction with the experiment table that can be transmitted to the tank causes the fluid
to be unstable.

Ways to overcome the errors in the experiment:

1) We need to make sure that our eye level is always perpendicular to the scale of the
quadrant and the lower part of the meniscus.
2) We need to make sure the balance is horizontal before starting the experiment.
3) We need to avoid the experiment table contacting the tank while experimenting.

CONCLUSION
In conclusion, we can conclude from the experiment that the hydrostatic force acting on a
submerged plane increases with increasing water depth because more water is required to balance the
rising weight and maintain equilibrium. According to the results obtained, the thrust acting on the
quadrant increases as the depth of immersion of the quadrant increases. Furthermore, as the depth of
immersion increases, so does the depth of the pressure centre. In addition, once the plane has been
completely submerged, the experimental value, the depth of the pressure centre, increased slightly at
first but continued to decrease for each of the following readings. For the theoretical values, the depth
of the centre of pressure increases consistency as the depth of immersion increases. Additionally,
based on the accuracy percentages acquired, which are 88.94% for partially immersed versus 91.68%
and 98.31% for totally submerged, the depth of the centre of pressure achieved while partially
submerged is less accurate than when fully submerged.
REFERENCES
1. Claydon, J.F (2011). Centre of Pressure. Retrieved on 08 October 2014 from

http://www.jfccivilengineer.com/centre_of_pressure.htm

2. Yunus A. Çengel, John M. Cimbala (2006). Fluid Mechanics, Fundamentals and Applications

3. Hydrostatics– Wikipedia. Retrieved on 25th DECEMBER 2020 from

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hydrostatics.

4. What is Hydrostatic Pressure- Fluid Pressure and Depth– EDinformatics. Retrieved on 24th
DECEMBER 2021 from
https://www.edinformatics.com/math_science/hydrostatic_pressure.htm#:~:text=Hydrostatic
%20pressure%20is%20the%20pressure,exerting%20downward%20force%20from%20above
APPENDIX