2.

7 Derivation of total pressure and center of pressure on Inclined plane

Let us consider a Inclined plane surface of area A, making an angle θ to the

free surface, wholly immersed in a liquid.
The centroid (G) of the surface is at a depth 𝐡̅ from the free surface.
When producing the inclined surface, it touches the free surface at O.
O-O is the axis perpendicular to the plane surface.
𝑦 is the distance of centroid from axis O-O.
y* is the distance of center of
pressure (P) from axis O-O.
The total pressure is h
determined by dividing the
surface into no. of small
parallel strips and computing
the total pressure in each
strip. The total pressure force
on the whole area is then
calculated by integrating the
force on each strip.
Consider a small strip of area dA at depth of h below the free surface and at
a distance y from O-O.
Pressure on this strip is,
p=ρgh
Total pressure force on strip is,
dF = p x Area
= ρ. g. h. dA
Total pressure force on the whole surface is,
F = ∫ dF
= ∫ ρ. g. h. dA
= ρ. g ∫ y sinθ. dA

= ρ. g sinθ ∫ y. dA……………….. (i)

Here, ∫ y. dA is the moment of area of the surface about O-O and is equal to Area x
distance of centroid from the considered axis.

That is, ∫ y. dA = A . y ………….. (ii)

From equation (i) and (ii),

F = ρ. g. sinθ A . y

F = ρ. g. A . h …………………… (iii) [sinθ = h/y]

Center of pressure for Inclined

plane surface

Let, P be the center of pressure at a

depth h* from the free surface on
which resultant force F acts.

Moment of the total force F about

O-O = F. y* ………(iv)

Moment of force dF, acting on a

strip about O-O = dF.y

= ρ. g. h. dA.y = ρ. g y sinθ dA.y = ρ. g y2 sinθ dA

Sum of moment of all such forces about O-O = ∫ ρ. g y sinθ dA

= ρ. g sinθ ∫ y . dA …………….(v)

According to the principle of moments, the moment of resultant force about an

axis is equal to the sum of moments of components about the same axis,

F. y* = ρ. g sinθ ∫ y . dA …………………………………. (vi)

In the above expression, ∫ y . dA is the sum of second moment of areas of the strip
about O-O and is equal to the moment of inertia about the free surface i.e.

Io = ∫ y . dA …………………. (vii)
 From (vi) and (vii)

or, F. y* = ρ. g sinθ Io
∗
or, F. =ρ. g sinθ Io ……………………. (viii)

By the parallel axis theorem,

Io = IG + A. y2 ………………………… (ix)

Equation (viii) becomes,

∗
ρ. g. A . h. =ρ. g sinθ (IG + A. y2) [From (iii)]

h* = (IG + A. y2)

= + A. y2

= +

= +

h* = + h ……………(x)

1. If θ = 90o, the plane is vertical and,

h* = +h
2. If θ = 0o, the plane is Horizontal and,
h* = h ( centroid and center of pressure coincide)
 The moment of inertia of some plane surfaces:

2.8 Description Buoyancy and Archimedes’ principle

2.9 Define principle of flotation