HYDROSTATIC FORCE ON

SURFACES
PART III : HYDROSTATIC FORCE ON PLANE SURFACES

1. Force on Plane Surfaces, F : the hydrostatic force on any plane surface is equal to
the product of
__
the area of the surface and the intensity of pressure at its centroid.
F = A  h

where: A = area of the surface

γ = specific weight of liquid
__
h = vertical distance of the centroid of the surface to the fluid
surface O
• Liquid surface
θ
__ A A

hp h __
F y
G – centroid of the plane
G• •G
P• •P surface
yp P – center of pressure
e
e – eccentricity (distance
between centroid and
B B center of pressure)
2. Location of the Center of Pressure

Io IG Where:
yp = and e=
___ __
I o = moment of inertia of the
A y A y
surface AB relative to a line
__
(or axis) through O.
S s = A y , statical moment of area I G = centroidal moment of inertia
w/ __respect to the liquid surface of the surface AB
__
Note: y  h except θ = 90° __
__
__ __
h
y= ( y = h for θ = 90° )
sin 
O
•
θ
__ A A

hp h __
F y
G• •G
P• •P yp
e

B B
ILLUSTRATION

wall
Liquid surface O
𝜃

ℎ𝑝 ℎത
F 𝑦ത
𝑦𝑝
G
Formulas:
P e
Magnitude of hydrostatic force Gate
𝐹 = 𝐴𝛾ℎത
Location of hydrostatic force

𝐼𝑜 𝐼𝐺 wall
𝑦𝑝 = 𝑒=
𝐴𝑦ത 𝐴𝑦ത
Floor Bed
 •O Liquid surface
θ
Integrating both sides
h
__
h
A
__  dF =   sin   y  dA
y but  y  dA is the summation of
F
yp y
moment of area about an axis
•P•G A through O__(statical moment
e of area) = y A
dA ___
B F =   sin   y  A
•G
•P ___ __
y  sin  = h
__
B F = A  h
i. The total hydrostatic force F derived by
integration
dF = pdA
= γhdA
= γ(ysinθ)(dA)
 •O Liquid surface
F  y p =  y  dF
θ

h
__ dF =   y  sin   dA
h __
y
F
yp y F  y p =   sin   y 2 dA
•G
• A but
P e
dA
 dA = Second moment of area
2
y
B about an axis through O.
•G
•P = Io
F  y p =   sin   I o
B   sin   I o Io
yp = =
ii. Location of center of pressure, y p :
__ __
A    sin   y A y
From Varignon’s Theorem: The moment
of a force is equal to the moment sum Io
of its components. yp = __
A y
 Io
yp = __
A y
__ 2
IG + A  y IG __
= __
= __
+ y
A y A y

__ __
IG
y+ e = __
+ y
A y
IG
e= __
A y
3. DETERMINATION OF CENTER OF PRESSURE BY EXPERIMENT
3.1 The Water Level Is Above The Upper Edge Of The Quadrant
Lower End As In Figure 4

Figure 4 Water Level is above the upper edge of quadrant lower end
Counter-clockwise moment = Clockwise moment
Moment of resultant force = Moment of the weight, W
FxY=WxL (8)
where: F = Resultant force acting on the rectangular area of the
end section of the quadrant, N
W = Additional weight for balancing the arm after water
filling, N
L = Distance from the weight hanging point to the pivot
point = 0.28 m
Y = Distance from center of pressure to the pivot point, m

 Ro − Ri 
From figure 4, since hc = P −  
 2 
The total hydrostatic force, F F =   g  hc  A
Ro − Ri 

= g  P −
 2 
A (9)
Substituting F from equation (9) in (8), we obtain
W L
Y =
 R − Ri
g  P − o

A
(10)
 2 

Since, Y = h p + S = h p + ( Ro − P)
Substituting Y from above equation into (10) , we obtain
W L
h p + ( Ro − P ) =
 R − Ri 
g  P − o A
Rearranging, we obtain  2 
W L
hp =
R − Ri 
g  P − o A
− (Ro − P )
(11)
 2 
3.2 The Water Level Is Below The Upper Edge of The Quadrant
Lower End As In Figure 5

Figure 5 Water Level is below the upper edge of quadrant lower end
Using figure 5:
P
hc =
2
The Total Hydrostatic Force, F on the Plane Area is,
F = ghc A
P
F = g A (12)
2

Where P = Height of water from the lower edge of submerged

rectangular area ( measured from the experiment), m
2
A = Submerged area = P x w, m
Substitute F from equation (12) in equation (8), we obtain

W L
Y = (13)
P
g A
2
From the figure 5:
Y = Ri + S + h p 2WL
hp = + P − Ro (14)
gP w
2

Y = Ri + (Ro − Ri ) − P  + h p
Y = Ro − P + h p

Substitute Y from the above equation in equation (13), we obtain

2WL Where: h p = Depth of center of submerged area, m
Ro − P + h p =
gPA W = Additional balancing weight on weight
hanger, N
Solving for h p L = Length of balancing arm from weight
2WL hanger to the fulcrum, 0.28 m
hp = + P − Ro
gPA ρ = Density of water, 1000 kg/ cu. m.
P = Height of water, measured from the
lower edge of submerged rectangular
2WL
hp = + P − Ro area ( measured from the experiment ),
gP (P  w) m
w = width of the quadrant, 0.075 m
Ro = Outer radius of the quadrant, 0.20 m
4. TEST PROCEDURES
Counter balance weight
Beam Pointer

Clear acrylic tank

Weights hanger Quadrant

Bull’s eye level

Drain valve

Weight
 Counter balance weight
Beam Pointer

Clear acrylic tank

Quadrant
Weights hanger

Bull’s eye level

Drain valve
Weight

4.1 Adjust the level of the equipment by the bull's eye level indicator
on the base of the tank.
4.2 Adjust the position of the counter balance weight W0 (when no
water in the tank) until the arm is level with pointer.
4.3 Fill the water up above the upper edge of the quadrant end to
about almost full position (causing the imbalance of the arm).
4.4 Slowly add weight W on the hanger and adjust the weight W until
the arm is again level.
4.5 Measure the water height or distance P and record its value
together with weight of W.
4.6 Calculate hp to determine the position of the center of pressure by using the
equations

W L
hp = − (Ro − P ) ( When the water level is above the upper
 Ro − Ri  edge of the lower end of the quadrant )
g  P − A
 2 
2WL ( When the water level is below the upper
hp = + P − Ro
gP w
2 Edge of the lower end of the quadrant )
4.7 Change the water level in the tank in steps of various depths by draining the
water from the tank and repeat 4.4 to 4.5 . Compute the center of pressure for
each depth of water level.
4.8 Comparing the center of pressure obtained from the experiment in 4.6 with the
theoretical value in equation (7). Io __
I
y p = __ = y + __ G
Remark: y A y A
In adjusting the distance of the counter weight W0 from the pivot point for leveling of the
arm, there must be no water in the tank or the water level must be lower than the lowest
part of the quadrant and the weight hanger for holding the weight W at the other end of the
arm.
 DATA SHEET
CENTER OF PRESSURE

Tested by:____________________ Date______________

Temperature of water _________°C Moment arm, L = 28 cm
Outside radius, Ro = 20 cm Width, w = 7.5 cm
Inside radius, Ri = 10 cm
Water level is Higher or Lower than upper edge of submerged area
Test No. Weight Water level Experimental Theoretical Percentage
W P hp hp Difference of
g. mm mm Mm hp
6. SAMPLE CALCULATIONS
6.1 When Water Level Is Higher Than The Upper Edge Of Quadrant Lower
End ( As in Figure 6)

Figure 6 Water level is higher than the upper edge of quadrant lower end
Data and Result for the water level higher than the upper edge of the
submerged area:
W = 400 g, P = 143 mm
From equation (11), the experimental center of pressure is,
W L
h p ,exp = − (Ro − P )
 R −R 
g  P − o i  A
 2 
 9.81N 
 400 g  0.28m
=  1000 g 
− (0.20m − 0.143m )
m 0.20m − 0.10m 
(0.10m  0.075m )
kg
1,000 3  9.81 2  0.143m −
m s  2 

= 0.10357 m
= 103.57 mm
= y p ,exp
 Ayc + I c
2
I
yp = = yc + c
yc A yc A
In this case
Ro − Ri
y p = hc = P −
2
0.20m − 0.10m
= 0.143m − = 0.093m
2
w(Ro − Ri ) 0.075m(0.20m − 0.10m )
3 3
I c= I G = = = 6.25 x10 −6 m 4
12 12
A = w(0.20m − 0.10m ) = 0.0075m 2
Then,
6.25 x10 −6 m 4
y p ,th = 0.093m + = 0.10196m = 101.96mm
0.093m  0.0075m 2
The percentage difference between experimental and theoretical
center of pressure is,
y p ,exp − y p ,th
% p = x100%
y p ,exp
103.57 mm − 102.96mm
= x100%
103.57 mm

= 1.55%
6.2 When Water Level is Lower than the Upper Edge of Quadrant Lower
End ( as in Figure 7 )

Figure 7 Water level is lower than the upper edge of the rectangular area
DATA AND RESULT for the water level is lower than the upper edge of
the submerged area,
W = 180 g, P = 90 mm
From equation (14), the experimental center of pressure is,
2WL
h p ,exp = + P − Ro
gP w
2

 9.81N 
2180 g  0.28m
=  1,000 g 
+ 0.09 − 0.20m
1,000 3  9.81 2  (0.09m )  0.075m
kg m 2

m s
h p ,exp = 0.05593m

= 55.93mm
= y p ,exp
The theoretical center of pressure from equation (7) is,
Ayc + I c
2
Ic
yp = = yc +
yc A yc A
In this case,
P
yc = hc =
2
0.09m
= = 0.045m
2
wP 3 0.075m  (0.09m )
3
Ic = = = 4.556 x10 −6 m 4
12 12
then,
A = wP
= 0.075m(0.09m) y p ,th = 0.045m +
4.556 x10 −6 m 4
0.045m  0.00675m 2
= 0.00675m 2
= 0.05999590m
= 60mm
 The percentage difference between experimental and theoretical
center of pressure is,
y p ,th − y p ,exp 60mm − 55.93mm
% p = x100% = x100%
y p ,th 60mm
= 6.78%
7. DISCUSSION
7.1 Water Levels Above or Below the Upper Edge of the Rectangular Area
The theoretical position of center of pressure y p ,th is deeper than
the experimental position of center of pressure y p ,exp

7.2 The Difference Between the Theoretical and the Experimental Center of
Pressure In 6.1 May be Caused By
7.2.1 The density of the water used in calculations is different from
the experiment.
7.2.2 The water levels taken from the experiment are not accurate
enough.
7.2.3 The inclined angle θ of the submerged area on the experiment
may be inaccurate.
7.2.4 The balancing arm is not exactly in balancing position or the
tank is not level.
Area, Centroid, Moment of Inertia
y y

𝜋 2
G 𝐴 = 𝑏ℎ 𝐴=𝜋⋅ 𝑟2 = 𝑑
•
• x G 4
h
h/2 x d
1 r
𝐼𝑥 = 𝐼𝐺 = 𝑏ℎ3 1
12 𝐼𝑥 = 𝐼𝑦 = 𝐼𝐺 = 𝜋 ⋅ 𝑟 4
4
b
rectangle circle

y y
b
2
1 h 2
𝐴 = 𝑏ℎ G
•• 5x 𝐴 = 𝑏ℎ
2 3
G
•
x h 3 h
1 h 8
h 𝐼𝑥 = 𝐼𝐺 = 𝑏ℎ3 5 𝐼𝑥 = 𝐼𝐺 = 𝑏ℎ3
3 36 175

b
parabola
triangle
Ellipse Semi-circle
y y
minor axis

b
G G 𝒓 x
x 𝟒𝒓
a 𝟑𝝅
major axis

𝜋𝑟 2
𝐴 = 𝜋𝑎𝑏 𝐴=
2

𝜋 3 𝐼𝑥 = 0.110𝑟 4
𝐼𝑥 = 𝑎𝑏
4

𝜋 3 𝜋 4
𝐼𝑦 = 𝑎 𝑏 𝐼𝑦 = 𝑟
4 8
Example 1. Water stands on one side of a vertical gates as shown below,
the water surface being 1.50 m above the top of the gates. Find the
magnitude and location of the hydrostatic force on each gate.

water surface water surface

1.5 m __

1.20 m __ 1.20 m hT __
𝒉𝒑 = 𝒚 𝒑
hR hp
vertical gate
G G
• eT
G• • G
e 2.75 m • eR P
F • • •
ep
P P •
P

1.20 m
Solution:
Water surface The location of center of pressure, P:
 __ __
IG  hR = y
1.5 m e = __ 
__ __
A  y   __ __ 
 h = y sin  ; = 90 
1.20 m
 
h R h R + eR
1
(1.2m )(2.75m )3
eR = 12
G
2.75 m •
• eR (1.2mx 2.75m )1.5m + 2.75m 
P  2 
= 0.219m
The location of center of pressure from the water
surface is
2.75
+ eR = 3.094m
h p R = 1 .5 +
2
The hydrostatic force on the rectangular gate is
__
FR = AR   h R
 kN  2.75m 
( )
FR = 1.20mx 2.75m  9.81 3 1.5m +  = 93.072kN
 m  2 
Solution:
Water surface

The location of center of pressure , h pT :

1.5 m
__ __
1.20 m hT h pT = h T + eT
2.75m
3 G  2.75m  I GT
•
eT =  1 .5 m + +
•  3  A  __
2.75 m P T yT
Note:  h T = y 
__ __

T
 

The total hydrostatic force on the

triangular gate is
__
FT = A   h T
 kN  2.75m 
= (1.2m )(2.75m ) 9.81 3 1.5m +
1

2  m  3 
= 39.117 kN
continuation
Water surface

1.5 m
__
1.20 m h T hp
T
2.75m
3 G
•
• eT
2.75 m P

=  1 .5 m +
2.75m  1 (2.75m )
2
h pT + 
 3  18  2.75m 
 1 .5 m + 
 3 
= 2.591m

 2.75m  I GT
h pT =  1 .5 m + +
 3  A  __ yT
T

 2.75m 
1
(1.2m )(2.75m )
3

h pT =  1 .5 m + + 36
 3  1
(1.2m )(2.75m )  1.5m + 2.75m 
2  3 
Solution:
water surface
The location of center of pressure , hp p :
__
1.5 m hp p = h p + e p
__
hp h
pp

2.75 m G
•
• ep
P

1.20 m

The total hydrostatic force on the parabola is

__
Fp = Ap   h p
2  kN  3 
Fp =  1.20m  2.75m  9.81 3 1.5m +  2.75m 
3  m  5 
= 67.983kN
continuation
The location of center of pressure , hp p :

__
hp p = h p + e p
 
8
(1.20m )(2.75m )
3

= 1.5m + (2.75m ) +
3 175
hp p
 5   2 (1.20m )(2.75m )1.5m + 3 (2.75m )
  
 3  5 
= 3.315m
Example 2. The rectangular gate shown is hinged at B and rests on a
smooth floor at A ( AH = 0) . The gate is 1.50m wide perpendicular
to the board. Determine the components Av , Bh , Bv
if x = 1.80 m, y = 2.40 m and z = 1.20 m.
water surface •O

BV
z = 1.20 m
__
B•
h = 2 .4 m Bh
__
y
F
•G y = 2.4 m
•
P e
A smooth floor

x = 1.80 m
Av
The total hydrostatic force F is,
__
F = A  h = ( 2.4 + 1.80 (1.5))(9.81)(2.4) = 105.948kN
2 2
water surface •O
BV
z = 1.20 m
__
B•
h = 2 .4 m Bh
__
y
F
yp
•G
•
y = 2.4 m
P e
A smooth floor

x = 1.80 m
Av

The location of center of pressure, yp

__
IG
1
(1.5)(3.0 )3
y p = y + e = 2 .4 + 1 .8 +
2 2
= 3.0 + 12
A y
__
(3 x1.5)(3)
= 3.0 + 0.25= 3.25m
water surface O
Av = 103.005kN
BV
z = 1.20 m  Fv = 0
__
B•
h = 2 .4 m Bh 1 .8
__ Bv = Av − F
y 3 .0
F
yp
•
•G y = 2.4 m
P e
A smooth floor

x = 1.80 m
1 .8
Bv = 103.005 − (105.948)
Av 3 .0
Bv = 39.436kN
Av , Bh , Bv
Determine
 FH = 0
MB = 0
Av (1.8m ) − F (1.5m + e ) = 0 BH =
2 .4
F=
2 .4
(105.948)
3 .0 3 .0
Av (1.8m ) − 105.948kN (1.5m + 0.25m ) = 0 BH = 84.758kN
Example 3. Shown in figure is a circular gate hinged at A and resting
on a smooth floor at B. The diameter of the gate is 3.0 m. Above the
oil surface, which stands 1.50 m above A, is a gas under a gage
pressure of -7kPa. Find the vertical force V applied at B to open the
gate. The weight of the gate is 450 N.
Solution:

…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
      
GAS
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

Oil surface 
Equivalent head of oil due to pressure
heq. Av
Imaginary oil surface (I.O.S) of -7 kPa, kN
•O
1.5 m
p −7
heq. = = m2
• Ah  oil  kN 
__
A 0.80 9.81 3 
( oil, s = 0.80 ) h 450N ___  m 
y
F heq. = −0.893m
3.0sin 45˚ •G The vertical distance of G from I.O.S.,
V P• e __

45 3m
1
(3m sin 45) + 1.50m + heq.
h=
B 2
__
h = (3m sin 45) + 1.50m − 0.893m = 1.668m
1
Bv 2
continuation
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
GAS
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
Oil surface
heq. Av
Imaginary oil surface (I.O.S) •O
1.5 m

__ • Ah
( oil, s = 0.80 ) h 450 N A
___
y
F
3.0sin 45˚ •G
P •
V e
45 3m
B

__ Bv
__
h 1.668m
y= = = 2.359m
sin 45 sin 45 

The hydrostatic force F is

__
 2 kN 
F = A   oil  h = (3m )  0.80 x9.81 3 (1.668m ) = 92.531kN
4  m 
continuation
………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… Determine the eccentricity e
GAS
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
Oil surface IG
heq.
Imaginary oil surface (I.O.S)
Av e= __
•O
1.5 m Ay
 (3m )4
__ • Ah 1
( oil, s = 0.80 ) h 450 N A
___
= 64
y
( )
 3m (2.359m )
F 1 2
3.0sin 45˚ •G 4
V P e
=
(3m )
2

e = 0.238m
45 16(2.359m )
3m

B
Bv
Determine the vertical force V
MA = 0
F (1.5m + e ) − V (3m cos 45) + 450 N (1.5m cos 45) = 0
92.531kN (1.5m + 0.238m ) − V (3m cos 45) + 0.450kN (1.5m cos 45) = 0
continuation
92 .531kN (1.5m + 0.238 m ) − V (3m cos 45 ) + 0.450 kN (1.5m cos 45 ) = 0

V=
1
92.532kN (1.5m + 0.238m ) + 0.450kN (1.5m cos 45)
3m cos 45
V = 76.036kN
Date of Submission: The soonest you can do

Problem Exercises #3

1. A vertical circular gate in a tunnel 8 m in diameter has oil (sp. gr. 0.80) on one side
and air on the other side as shown in Figure . If oil is 12 m above the invert and the air
pressure is 40 kPa, where will a single support be located to hold the gate in position
(above the invert of the gate)?

h
2. The L-shape gate, ABC, is 4 m long perpendicular to the paper, hinged at A is
subjected to hydrostatic forces on the sides AB and BC as shown in the figure.
Determine the following for equilibrium.
(a)The magnitude and position of these hydrostatic forces F1 and F2.
(b)The horizontal force P.
(c)The horizontal and vertical components of the hinge force at A.

Water surface

2m
Masony
surface
Water hinge
A
L- shape gate

F1 G 3m
e
P
F2

Floor slab P
B
C 1.5 m
3. Gate AB in figure is a homogeneous mass of 180 kg, 1.2 m wide perpendicular to the
paper, hinged at A, and resting on a smooth bottom at B. The density of glycerin is 1260
kg/m3 and of water is 1000 kg/m3. For what water depth h will the force at point B be
zero?

Water

Glycerin

hinge
h
2.0 m A

60°
B