Hydrostatic Force

on a Plane Surface
ESci 134n, 2nd Semester, AY 2023–2024
07 Mar 2024 (A119 and A113)
Learning Objectives
1. Determine the magnitude of the resultant fluid force.
2. Locate the resultant fluid force on the plane surface.
3. Solve problems involving hydrostatic force on plane surface.
 Hydrostatic Force
on a Plane Surface

• When a surface is submerged in a

fluid, forces develop on the surface
due to the fluid.
• Force must be perpendicular to the
surface since there are no shearing
stresses present.
• Pressure will vary linearly with depth
if the fluid is incompressible.

Figure taken from Munson et al. (2013)

 Hydrostatic Force
on a Plane Surface

The pressure on the ends of the

tank is not uniformly distributed.

Figure taken from Munson et al. (2013)

 Hydrostatic Force
on a Plane Surface

Magnitude of the Resultant Force

Figure taken from Munson et al. (2013)

 Hydrostatic Force
on a Plane Surface

𝒚 −coordinate of the Resultant Force

Figure taken from Munson et al. (2013)

 Hydrostatic Force
on a Plane Surface

𝒙 −coordinate of the Resultant Force

Figure taken from Munson et al. (2013)

Hydrostatic Force
on a Plane Surface

Magnitude

𝑹 𝒄
𝑭𝑹 − resultant hydrostatic force on a plane surface
𝜸 − specific weight of the fluid
𝒉𝒄 − vertical distance from the fluid surface to the centroid of
the area
𝑨 − area of the plane perpendicular to 𝐹
Hydrostatic Force
on a Plane Surface
Location (𝒚 −coordinate)

𝑰𝒙𝒄
𝒚𝑹 = + 𝒚𝒄
𝒚𝒄 𝑨
𝒚𝑹 − 𝑦 coordinate of 𝐹
𝑰𝒙𝒄 − second moment of the area with respect to an axis
passing through its centroid and parallel to the 𝑥 axis
𝒚𝒄 − 𝑦 coordinate of the centroid of area 𝐴
𝑨 − area of the plane perpendicular to 𝐹
Hydrostatic Force
on a Plane Surface
Location (𝒙 −coordinate)

𝑰𝒙𝒚𝒄
𝒙𝑹 = + 𝒙𝒄
𝒚𝒄 𝑨

𝒙𝑹 − 𝑥 coordinate of 𝐹
𝑰𝒙𝒚𝒄 − product of inertia with respect to an orthogonal coordinate system
passing through the centroid
𝒚𝒄 − 𝑦 coordinate of the centroid of area 𝐴
𝒙𝒄 − 𝑥 coordinate of the centroid of area 𝐴
𝑨 − area of the plane perpendicular to 𝐹
 Hydrostatic Force
on a Plane Surface

Centroidal Coordinates and Moments of Inertia

for Some Common Areas:

Figures taken from Munson et al. (2013)

 Hydrostatic Force
on a Plane Surface

Centroidal Coordinates and Moments of Inertia

for Some Common Areas:

Figures taken from Munson et al. (2013)

 Hydrostatic Force
on a Plane Surface

Centroidal Coordinates and Moments of Inertia

for Some Common Areas:

Figures taken from Munson et al. (2013)

Sample Problem

A square 2.5 m × 2.5 m lies in a vertical plane. Calculate the

total force on the square and distance between the center of
pressure and centroid, when its upper edge is (a) in the water
surface, and (b) 15 m below the water surface.
Summary
• The resultant force of a static fluid on a plane surface is due
to the hydrostatic pressure distribution on the surface.
• The magnitude of the resultant fluid force is equal to the
pressure acting at the centroid of the area multiplied by the
total area.
• The resultant fluid force does not pass through the centroid
of the area, but through the center of pressure.
End.