Tutorial 2

1. A trapezoidal opening in the vertical wall of a tank is closed by a flat plate which is hinged at its
upper edge. The plate is symmetrical about its centerline and is 1.5 m deep. Its upper edge is
2.7 m long and its lower edge is 1.2 m long. The free surface of the water in the tank stands 1.1
m above the upper edge of the plate. Calculate the moment about the hinge line required to
keep the plate closed.

2. A sluice gate consists of a quadrant of a circle of radius 1.5m pivoted at its centre O. Its centre
of gravity is at G as shown. When the water is level with the pivot O, calculate the magnitude
and direction of the resultant force on the gate due to the water and the turning moment
required to open the gate. The width of the gate is 3 m and it has a mass of 6000 kg.