Faculty of Engineering & Technology

Mechanical Department

SUBJECT: Fluid Mechanics II

CODE: EMFMM2A
EXPERIMENT 1: HYDROSTATIC PRESSURE
SURNAME & INITIALS: MOLEFI JM
STUDENT NUMBER: 2211204667
DATE EXPERIMENT: 26 APRIL 2023
DATE OF SUBMISSION: 14 MAY 2023
Experiment Overview
In theory, when the bucket is filled with water there is a pressure acting outwards on the walls
of the bucket and when an object of mass is introduced in the bucket it will exert force on the
water thereby increasing pressure acting on the bucket walls. But then there will imbalance as
there will be force acting back on the object introduced. So in order to obtain an equilibrium
state more water will be added in the bucket. In this experiment we will be determining the
hydrostatic force acting on the quadrant’s flat surface submerged under water and the height
at which the pressure will be action on. This will be done by hanging masses on the weight
hanger and pouring water in the F1-12 Hydrostatic Pressure Apparatus so that the level
indicator will show them being in equilibrium. Hydrostatic force acting on the vertical
surface of the quadrant and the weight on the mass weight will create the moment of
equilibrium expected since they will be acting on a pivoted balance arm. Therefore when the
quadrant is immersed by adding water to the tank, the hydrostatic force applied to the vertical
surface of the quadrant can be determined by considering the following:
 The hydrostatic force at any given position on the curved surfaces is normal to the
surface and resolves through the pivot point because it is located at the origin of the
radii. Hydrostatic forces on the upper and lower curved surfaces, therefore, have no
net effect – no torque to affect the equilibrium of the assembly because the forces pass
through the pivot.
 Horizontal forces on the sides of the quadrant cancel each other out because they are
equal and in the opposite direction
 The mass counteract the hydrostatic force acting on the vertical faced of the quadrant
submerged in water, thereby allowing us to determine the resultant hydrostatic force
by calculating it using the mass and the depth of the water.
 The equilibrium state of the system is found when the moment of forces acting about
the pivot by the hydrostatic force and mss weight are equal, that is:

𝐹 × ℎ𝑝 = 𝑚. 𝑔. 𝐿

Of which we will use to calculate the practical height of the hydrostatic force.

 Also the hydrostatic force and its position(theoretical height) are determined using the
following formulae:
𝜌𝑔𝐵𝑑2
𝐹=
2
𝑑
ℎ𝑇 = 𝐻 −
3

 After calculations, we can therefore determine the percentage error and evaluate the
results to determine the success and accuracy of the experiment.
AIM:
To determine the hydrostatic force acting on the plane surface immersed in water and also
determine the experimental and theoretical heights at which such force is acting.

APPARATUS
1. F1-12 Hydrostatic Pressure Apparatus
2. Water tank
3. Jug
4. Mass/Weight
5. Weight hanger
6. Scale
7. Pivot
8. Beam
9. Drain cock
10. Quadrant
 Technical Analysis and Observations

L = 275 mm
H = 200 mm
D = 100 mm
B = 75 mm
𝜌 = 1000 𝑘𝑔/𝑚3
𝑔 = 9.81 𝑚/𝑠 2

METHOD
 Mass of 50g was hang on the weight hanger after the F1-12 hydrostatic pressure
apparatus was put on the hydraulic bench and it was ensured that it is perfectly
horizontal
 Drain valve was closed and water was added until the quadrant started lifting the mass
 Water was the added slowly as the level indicator approaches the equilibrium state
 The pouring of water was then stopped as the level indicator shows that the mass and
the quadrant are in equilibrium
 Then the readings were taken from the scale
 All steps were repeated with the increments of 50g
READINGS
Reading Number Mass (g) Depth (cm)
1 50 5.1
2 100 7
3 150 8.6
4 200 10
5 250 11.4
6 300 12.6

CALCULATIONS
𝜌𝑔𝐵𝑑2
𝐹=
2
1000×9.81×0.075×0.072
=
2
= 1.803 𝑁

𝑚𝑔𝐿
ℎ𝑝 =
𝐹
0.1 × 9.81 × 0.275
= = 0.15 𝑚 = 150 𝑚𝑚
1.803

𝑑
ℎ𝑇 = 𝐻 −
3
70
= 200 − = 165 𝑚𝑚
2

% 𝐷𝑖𝑓𝑓𝑒𝑟𝑒𝑛𝑐𝑒 = |ℎ𝑝 − ℎ 𝑇 | × 100

= |150 − 165| × 100 = 15%

Results
Reading Number Practical Height Theoretical Height % Difference
1 141 174.5 33.5
2 150 165 15
3 149 157 8
4 147 150 3
5 141 143 2
6 139 137 2
CONCLUSION
It can be concluded that the bigger masses were almost accurate in comparing the theoretical
height and the practical height. We can also say hydrostatic force is directly proportional to
mass that is as the mass increases the force increases however it is indirectly proportional to
the acting line position named in this experiment the practical height.