S

S S
 
h
y h
y

dy C
 E

F
Example:
A vertical, rectangular gate with water on one side is shown below. Deter mine
the total resultant force acting on the gate and the location of the center of
pressure.
Solution:

Where:
h = hcg = the vertical distance of the center of gravity of the
submerged rectangular gate from the water surface
hcp = the vertical distance of the center of pressure on the
submerged rectangular gate from the water surface
Ig = the moment of inertia of the submerged rectangular
gate at its center of gravity
A = area of the submerged rectangular gate
Example:
A dam 20 m long retains 7 m of water, as shown below. Find the
total resultant force acting on the dam and the location of the
center of pressure.

Total Resultant Force:

Location of the Center of Pressure:
The center of pressure is located at two-thirds the total
water depth of 7 m. or 4.667 m below the water surface
(i.e., hcp = 4.667 m)
Example:
A circular area of diameter d is vertical and submerged in a liquid. Its
upper edge is coincident with the liquid surface. Derive an expression
for the depth to its center of pressure
Example:
Solve for the Reactions at A and at the hinge support at B. Width of the
gate = 1.2 m. The gate is resting on a smooth wall.

air

10.10 kN/m3

5.2 m

air
2.2 m

2.92 m
 Solving this problem needs your knowledge of Statics of Rigid Bodies
and incorporating the Principles of Hydrostatic Pressure.

Since the problem asks for

the reactions then there
must be an action. What
or who provides the active
force?
The weight of the seawater
right above the gate provides
the active force. It pushes
the gate into its supports. A RA A’ A’
The supports reacts providing P
equilibrium.
The blue broken lines show
the portion of the weight B
of seawater that provides RBx
B’ B’
the force.
RBy
 C S


y
A RA
P
yP = y + e
 Cg
B
RBx

RBy
The gate is pushed against the smooth wall generating a reaction at A, RA,
which is normal/perpendicular to the wall. Support B is a hinge so there will
be two reactions to be considered: component vertical RBy and component
Horizontal, RBx. They are components of one resultant reaction, RB. (If
components are used, do not use the resultant.)
Reactions can only be solved if the action force is given or determined.

Using the formula: