Unit III
Hydrostatic Force on
Surfaces
Source: https://pixabay.com/photos/hoover-dam-colorado-river-nevada-3780254/
Hydrostatic forces are the resultant force due to the pressure loading of a liquid
acting on submerged surfaces. The calculation of the hydrostatic force and the location
of the pressure center are fundamental subjects of fluid mechanics. The center of
pressure is a point at which the resultant hydrostatic pressure force acts on the immersed
surface.
1|Page CE 6: Hydraulics
URS-IM-AA-CI-0382 Rev 00 Effective Date: August 24, 2020
Module 3: Hydrostatic Force on
Plane Surfaces
Table of Contents
Introduction
Lesson 1: Hydrostatic Force on Plane Surfaces
Lesson 2: Hydrostatic Force on Curved Surfaces
Module Objectives
• To understand the concept of hydrostatic forces
• To apply concepts from Statics of Rigid Bodies in solving hydrostatic forces
problems
2|Page CE 6: Hydraulics
URS-IM-AA-CI-0382 Rev 00 Effective Date: August 24, 2020
Lesson 1: Hydrostatic Force on Plane
Surfaces
If, as in the case of a horizontal surface submerged in a liquid or a plane surface
within a gas chamber, the pressure over a plane area is uniform, the total hydrostatic
force is:
𝐹 = 𝛾ℎ̅𝐴
Note: ℎ̅ and 𝐴 are the centroid and area of the plane section, respectively
For inclined surfaces,
ℎ̅ = 𝑦̅𝑠𝑖𝑛𝜃
Note: 𝜃 is the angle of inclination of the plane section
Center of gravity, cg
Center of pressure, cp
ℎ̅ is measured from the liquid surface down to the center of gravity (cg). The center
of pressure (cp) is where the hydrostatic force acts on. The distance between these two
centers is called eccentricity. It is calculated by:
𝐼𝑔
𝑒=
𝐴𝑌̅
̅ is the inclined
Where, 𝐼𝑔 is the moment of inertia of the plane section and 𝑌
distance measured from the liquid surface down to the center of gravity.
̅ with ℎ̅
Note: for planes perpendicular to the liquid surface, we replace 𝑌
The distance from the liquid surface to the center of pressure (cp), 𝑦𝑝 , is
calculated as:
𝑦𝑝 = 𝑌̅ + 𝑒
Example 1. Find the a.) total hydrostatic force (kN) and b.) its location from bottom (m)
acting on one side of a vertical rectangular gate, 1.5 m wide and 3 m high submerged in
water with its top edge 2 m below the water surface.
Solution:
4|Page CE 6: Hydraulics
URS-IM-AA-CI-0382 Rev 00 Effective Date: August 24, 2020
a.) b.)
𝐹 = 𝛾ℎ̅𝐴 𝐼𝑔
𝑒=
ℎ̅ = 𝐴ℎ̅
𝑘𝑁
𝐹 = (9.81 ) (3.5 𝑚)(1.5 𝑚 ∗ 3 𝑚) Since the plane is perpendicular to the liquid surface, we
𝑚3 ̅ with ℎ̅
replace 𝑌
1
(1.5 𝑚)(3 𝑚)3
𝑭 = 𝟏𝟓𝟒. 𝟓𝟏 𝒌𝑵 𝑒= 12 = 0.214 𝑚
(1.5 𝑚 ∗ 3 𝑚)(3.5 𝑚)
𝑦 = 1.5 − 𝑒
= 1.5 − 0.214
𝒚 = 𝟏. 𝟐𝟖𝟔 𝒎
Example 2. Determine the a.) magnitude (kN) and b.) location from the oil surface(m) of
the total hydrostatic force acting on one side of a vertical triangular gate with top base
horizontal, 1.5 m wide and 3 m high. It is submerged in oil (0.82) with its top base
submerged to a depth of 2 m.
Solution:
a.) b.)
𝐹 = 𝛾ℎ̅𝐴 𝐼𝑔
1 𝑒=
ℎ̅ = 2 + (3) = 3 𝑚 𝐴ℎ̅
3
𝑘𝑁 1 1
𝐹 = (9.81 ∗ 0.82)(3 𝑚)( ∗ 1.5 𝑚 ∗ 3 𝑚) (1.5 𝑚)(3 𝑚)3
𝑚 3 2 𝑒= 12
(1.5 𝑚 ∗ 3 𝑚)(3.5 𝑚)
𝑭 = 𝟓𝟒. 𝟑 𝒌𝑵
𝑒 = 0.167 𝑚
𝑦𝑝 = ℎ̅ + 𝑒
𝒚𝒑 = 𝟑. 𝟏𝟔𝟕 𝒎 𝒇𝒓𝒐𝒎 𝒐𝒊𝒍 𝒔𝒖𝒓𝒇𝒂𝒄𝒆
5|Page CE 6: Hydraulics
URS-IM-AA-CI-0382 Rev 00 Effective Date: August 24, 2020
Self-Assessment Questions 1
1.) A vertical rectangular plate is submerged half in oil (0.8) and half in water such that
its top edge is flushed with the oil surface. What is the ratio of the force exerted by
water acting on the lower half to that by oil acting on the upper half?
2.) Find the total hydrostatic force (kN) acting on one side of the gate.
6|Page CE 6: Hydraulics
URS-IM-AA-CI-0382 Rev 00 Effective Date: August 24, 2020
Answers to Self-Assessment Questions 1
1.) A vertical rectangular plate is submerged half in oil (0.8) and half in water such that
its top edge is flushed with the oil surface. What is the ratio of the force exerted by
water acting on the lower half to that by oil acting on the upper half? Ans. 2.475
2.) Find the total hydrostatic force (kN) acting on one side of the gate. Ans. 44.28 kN
7|Page CE 6: Hydraulics
URS-IM-AA-CI-0382 Rev 00 Effective Date: August 24, 2020
Lesson 2: Hydrostatic Force on Curved
Surfaces
For submerged curved surfaces, the total hydrostatic force is computed by
components.
𝐹 = 𝐹𝐻 2 + 𝐹𝑉 2
The procedure for computing the horizontal force, 𝐹𝐻 , is the same with plane
surfaces. While the vertical force, 𝐹𝑉 , is computed by:
𝐹𝑉 = 𝛾𝑉
Where 𝑉 is the volume of the liquid submerged (liquid exerting weight on the
curved surface)
There are different cases for determining the volume, 𝑉.
Case I: Fluid is above the curved surface
8|Page CE 6: Hydraulics
URS-IM-AA-CI-0382 Rev 00 Effective Date: August 24, 2020
Case II: Fluid is below the curved surface
Case III: Fluid is below and above the curved surface
9|Page CE 6: Hydraulics
URS-IM-AA-CI-0382 Rev 00 Effective Date: August 24, 2020
Example 1. Find the magnitude (kN) of the resultant force per meter length (kN) due to
water acting on the radial tainter gate.
Solution:
𝐹𝐻 = 𝛾ℎ̅𝐴
𝐴𝑠 = 3.26 𝑚2
𝑘𝑁 𝑘𝑁
= 9.81 ∗3𝑚∗6𝑚∗1𝑚 𝐹𝑉 = 9.81 3 ∗ 3.26 𝑚2 ∗ 1 𝑚
𝑚3 𝑚
= 176.58 𝑘𝑁 𝐹𝑉 = 31.98 𝑘𝑁
𝐹 = 𝐹𝐻 2 + 𝐹𝑉 2
𝐹𝑉 = 𝛾𝑉𝑠
𝐴𝑠 = 𝐴𝑠𝑒𝑐𝑡𝑜𝑟 − 𝐴𝑡𝑟𝑖𝑎𝑛𝑔𝑙𝑒 = √(176.58 𝑘𝑁)2 + (31.98 𝑘𝑁)2
𝜋(6 𝑚)2 (60°) 1
= − (6 𝑚)2 𝑠𝑖𝑛60° 𝑭 = 𝟏𝟕𝟗. 𝟒𝟓 𝒌𝑵
(360°) 2
10 | P a g e CE 6: Hydraulics
URS-IM-AA-CI-0382 Rev 00 Effective Date: August 24, 2020
Example 2. The submerged curve AB is one quarter of a circle of radius 2 m and is
located on the lower corner of a tank. The length of tank perpendicular to the sketch is 4
m. Find the a.) magnitude of 𝐹ℎ (kN) b.) location of 𝐹ℎ below B (m) c.) magnitude of 𝐹𝑣
(kN) d.) location of 𝐹𝑣 right of A (m).
Solution:
11 | P a g e CE 6: Hydraulics
URS-IM-AA-CI-0382 Rev 00 Effective Date: August 24, 2020
a.) Horizontal Force d.) Location of Vertical Force
𝐹𝐻 = 𝛾ℎ̅𝐴 Using Varignon’s Theorem,
= 9.81(5)(4 ∗ 2) 𝐴𝑥̅ = 𝐴1 𝑥1 + 𝐴2 𝑥2
𝑥1 = 1 𝑚
𝑭𝑯 = 𝟑𝟗𝟐. 𝟒 𝒌𝑵 4𝑟 4(2)
𝑥2 = =
3𝜋 3𝜋
b.) Location of Horizontal Force 𝑥2 = 0.849 𝑚
𝑦 =1+𝑒 11.14𝑥̅ = 8(1) + 3.14(0.849)
𝐼𝑔 𝑥̅ = 0.957 𝑚
𝑒=
𝐴𝑌̅
4(2)3 𝑭𝑽 , 𝒊𝒔 𝟎. 𝟗𝟓𝟕 𝒎 𝒓𝒊𝒈𝒉𝒕 𝒐𝒇 𝑨
= 12
(4 ∗ 2)(5)
𝑒 = 0.067 𝑚
𝑦 = 1 + 0.067 = 1.067 𝑚
𝑭𝑯 , 𝒊𝒔 𝟏. 𝟎𝟔𝟕 𝒎 𝒃𝒆𝒍𝒐𝒘 𝑩
c.) Vertical Force
𝐹𝑉 = 𝑊𝑒𝑖𝑔ℎ𝑡𝐴𝐵𝐶𝐷
= 𝛾𝑉𝐴𝐵𝐶𝐷
𝑉𝐴𝐵𝐶𝐷 = 4(𝐴)
𝐴 = 𝐴1 + 𝐴2
𝐴1 = (4)(2) = 8 𝑚2
𝜋
𝐴2 = (2)2 = 3.14 𝑚2
4
𝐴 = 8 + 3.14
𝐴 = 11.14 𝑚2
𝐹𝑉 = 9.81(44.56)
𝑭𝑽 = 𝟒𝟑𝟕. 𝟏𝟑 𝒌𝑵
12 | P a g e CE 6: Hydraulics
URS-IM-AA-CI-0382 Rev 00 Effective Date: August 24, 2020
Self-Assessment Questions 2
1.) The crest gate with base AB is supported by a structural frame hinged at O. The
length of the gate is 10 m. Find the a.) magnitude of 𝐹ℎ (kN) b.) location of 𝐹ℎ
above O B (m) c.) magnitude of 𝐹𝑣 (kN) d.) location of 𝐹𝑣 left of O (m).
2.) The gate is a quarter circle 2.5 m wide. Find the force F (kN) just sufficient to
prevent rotation about hinge B. Neglect weight of the gate.
13 | P a g e CE 6: Hydraulics
URS-IM-AA-CI-0382 Rev 00 Effective Date: August 24, 2020
Answers to Self-Assessment Questions 2
1.) The crest gate with base AB is supported by a structural frame hinged at O. The
length of the gate is 10 m. Find the a.) magnitude of 𝐹ℎ (kN) b.) location of 𝐹ℎ
above O B (m) c.) magnitude of 𝐹𝑣 (kN) d.) location of 𝐹𝑣 left of O (m).
Ans. 3 679 kN, 1 235 kN, 8.57 m left of O
2.) The gate is a quarter circle 2.5 m wide. Find the force F (kN) just sufficient to
prevent rotation about hinge B. Neglect weight of the gate.
Ans. 21.09 kN
References
1. DIT Gillesania (2015) Fluid Mechanics and Hydraulics (4th ed.)
14 | P a g e CE 6: Hydraulics
URS-IM-AA-CI-0382 Rev 00 Effective Date: August 24, 2020
