MODULE 2.

1 Sample Problems:
FLUID STATICS: Pressure
1. If a depth of liquid of 1 m causes a pressure of 7
1. Fluid pressure is the average pressure intensity kPa, what is the specific gravity of the liquid?
defined as the force exerted per unit area.

𝐹
𝑃=
𝐴
where: 𝑃 = unit pressure, N/m2, lb/in2
𝐹 = force, N, lb
𝐴 = area, m2, in2

2. Absolute pressure is the pressure measured

above absolute zero.

𝑃𝑎𝑏𝑠 = 𝑃𝑎𝑡𝑚 ± 𝑃𝑔𝑎𝑔𝑒

where: 𝑃𝑎𝑏𝑠 = absolute pressure, kPa, psi

𝑃𝑎𝑡𝑚 = atmospheric pressure, kPa, psi
𝑃𝑔𝑎𝑔𝑒 = gage pressure, kPa, psi

Note: Use minus (–) sign for vacuum pressure.

3. Atmospheric pressure or barometric pressure is 2. What is the pressure 12.5 m below the ocean?
the pressure exerted by the atmosphere on every Use SG = 1.03 for salt water.
surface with which it comes in contact and is
measured by barometer.

Standard values of atmospheric pressure:

𝑃𝑎𝑡𝑚 = 101.325 kPa

= 1.01 325 bar
= 14.7 psi
= 1.033 kg/cm2
= 760 mm Hg
= 29.92 in Hg
= 1.0 atm
= 10.33 m H2O
= 760 torr

4. Gage pressure is the pressure measured by means 3. If the pressure at a point in the ocean is 60 kPa,
of gages above or below the atmospheric level. what is the pressure 27 meters below this point?

𝑃𝑔𝑎𝑔𝑒 = 𝑃𝑎𝑏𝑠 − 𝑃𝑎𝑡𝑚

Note: at sea level, 𝑃𝑔𝑎𝑔𝑒 = 0

5. Pressure head is the height “ℎ” of a column of

homogeneous fluid of unit weight “𝛾” that will
produce an intensity of pressure “𝑃”.

𝑃
ℎ=
𝛾
where: ℎ = pressure head, m, ft
𝑃 = unit pressure, N/m2, lb/ft2
𝛾 = specific weight, N/m3, lb/ft3
4. If the pressure in the air space above an oil (SG =
0.75) surface in a closed tank is 115 kPa absolute,
what is the gage pressure 2 m below the surface?
5. A tank contains 0.8m deep of water and 0.6m of
oil having specific gravity of 0.82. What is the
pressure at the bottom of the tank?
6. A pressure gage 6 m above the bottom of the tank
containing a liquid reads 90 kPa. Another gage
height 4 m above the bottom of the tank reads 103
kPa. Determine the specific weight and specific
gravity of the liquid?
 MODULE 2.2 Moment of Inertia for Common Shapes:
FLUID STATICS: Hydrostatic Force on
Submerge Bodies Rectangle:
cg
A. Plane Surface 𝑏 ℎ3 ℎ
𝐼𝑐𝑔 =
12 𝑏
I. Vertical Plane Surface

Circle:
𝜋𝐷 4
ℎ̅ 𝐼𝑐𝑔 = cg
64 𝐷

cg
cp
F

Triangle:
Magnitude of Hydrostatic Force 𝐹:
𝐹 𝑏ℎ3
From 𝑃 = 𝐴, and 𝑃 = 𝛾 ℎ, then: 𝐼𝑐𝑔 =
36
cg ℎ
𝐹 = 𝛾 ℎ̅ 𝐴 𝑦
1 𝑏
𝑦= ℎ
3
𝐹 = hydrostatic force, N
𝛾 = specific weight of liquid, N/m3
ℎ̅ = vertical distance of the centroid of the figure Semi-circle:
from the free surface of the liquid, m
𝐴 = normal area, m2
𝐼𝑐𝑔 = 0.11 𝑟 4
cg
Location of Hydrostatic Force 𝐹: 𝑟
𝑦
4𝑟
𝑦=
3𝜋

ℎ𝑝 ℎ̅

cg Quarter Circle:
cp
𝐹 𝐼𝑐𝑔 = 0.055 𝑟 4
cg
Center of Pressure 4𝑟 𝑦
𝑥=𝑦=
3𝜋
𝐼𝑐𝑔 𝑥
ℎ𝑝 = ℎ̅ +
𝐴 ℎ̅

where:
ℎ𝑝 = vertical distance from the free surface of Ellipse:
the liquid to the center of pressure (cp)
̅
ℎ = vertical distance from the free surface of the 𝜋𝑎𝑏3
liquid to the centroid of the figure 𝐼𝑐𝑔,𝑥 = y
4
𝐼𝑐𝑔 = rectangular moment of inertia of the 𝑏 x
normal figure 𝑎
𝐴 = normal area 3
𝜋𝑎 𝑏
𝐼𝑐𝑔,𝑦 =
4
Sample Problems: For Floating Bodies:

1. A vertical rectangular gate, 1.4m high and 2m 𝐹𝐵 = 𝑊𝑂

wide, contains water on one side. Determine the
total resultant force acting on the gate and the
location of c.p. 𝑊𝑂 = weight of the object, N

Weight of the object:

𝑊𝑂 = 𝛾𝑂 𝑉𝑂

𝑊𝑂 = weight of the object, N

𝛾𝑂 = specific weight of the object
𝑉𝑂 = volume of the object

Sample Problems:

1. An iceberg having a specific gravity of 0.92 is

floating on salt water of sp. gr. 1.03. If the volume
of ice above the water surface is 1000 cu. m., what
is the total volume of the ice?

MODULE 2.3
FLUID STATICS: Buoyancy

Archimedes’ Principle
“An object immersed in a fluid is acted upon by an
upward force (called buoyant force) which is equal
to the weight of the displaced fluid”

𝑊𝑂
OBJECT

LIQUID

VOLUME
SUBMERGED

𝐹𝐵

𝐹𝐵 = 𝛾𝑓 𝑉𝑑𝑓

𝐹𝐵 = buoyant force, N, lb
𝛾𝑓 = specific weight of the fluid, N/m3, lb/ft3
𝑉𝑑𝑓 = volume of the fluid displaced, m3, ft3