College of Engineering

Civil Engineering Department

1st Sem / AY 2023 - 2024

EXPERIMENT No. 04
Forces on a Completely Submerged Gate

CE3107L – FLUID MECHANICS LAB

SUBMITTED BY:
AIRA MIYAKA CABUTIN
CE / 18-0684-212

SUBMITTED TO:
ENGR. JUCAR B. FERNANDEZ, MSCE
INSTRUCTOR
Procedure:
Simulation : https://learncheme.com/simulations/fluid-mechanics/forces-
completely-submerged-gate/

PART 1: TABULATION

Trial 1

Gate Weight in kilo- Hydrostatic Force in Applied force to keep

Water Height in meters
newton kilo-newton the gate closed

1.720 2.000 kN 24.600 kN 14.400 kN

1.720 3.500 kN 24.600 kN 13.800 kN

1.720 5.000 kN 24.600 kN 13.200 kN

Trial 2

Gate Weight in kilo- Hydrostatic Force in Applied force to keep

Water Height in meters
newton kilo-newton the gate closed

2.320 2.000 kN 39.300 kN 21.700 kN

2.320 3.500 kN 39.300 kN 21.100 kN

2.320 5.000 kN 39.300 kN 20.500 kN

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Trial 3

Gate Weight in kilo- Hydrostatic Force in Applied force to keep

Water Height in meters
newton kilo-newton the gate closed

2.720 2.000 kN 49.100 kN 26.600 kN

2.720 3.500 kN 49.100 kN 26.000 kN

2.720 5.000 kN 49.100 kN 25.400 kN

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 EXPERIMENT 4

TRIAL 1

Figure 2. At Water Height of 1.720, at 3.500 kN Gate Weight

Figure 1. At Water Height of 1.720, at 2.000 kN Gate Weight

GRAPH FOR TRIAL 1: (WATER HEIGHT AT 1.720)

Figure 3. At Water Height of 1.720, at 5.000 kN Gate Weight

Figure 4. Trial 1, water height at 1.720

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 EXPERIMENT 4

TRIAL 2 (WATER HEIGHT AT 2.320)

Figure 6. At Water Height of 2.320, at 3.500 kN Gate Weight

Figure 5. At Water Height of 2.320, at 2.000 kN Gate Weight

Figure 7. At Water Height of 2.320, at 5.000 kN

Gate Weight
5

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 EXPERIMENT 4

GRAPH FOR TRIAL 2:

Figure 8. Trial 2, water height at 2.320 m

TRIAL 3 (WATER HEIGHT AT 2.740)

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 EXPERIMENT 4

Figure 11. At Water Height of 2.720, at 5.000 kN Gate Weight

GRAPH FOR TRIAL 3:

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 EXPERIMENT 4

Figure 12. Trial 3, water height at 2.720

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PART 2: INTERPRETATION OF RESULTS

TRIAL 1
As I conducted three trials with different water heights in our research. Trial 1's gate weights
were 2.000 kN, 3.500 kN, and 5.000 kN, while the water height was 1.720 meters. The
simulation results with these parameters are shown in the results table. The results of the first
trial are shown in Figure 1 with a gate weight of 2.000 kN, an applied force of 14.400 kN,
and a water height of 1.720 meters. 24.600 kN of hydrostatic pressure were present. With a
gate weight of 3.500 kN and the same water height, Figure 2 displayed an applied force of
13.800 kN and a hydrostatic pressure of 24.600 kN. With a 3.500 kN gate weight in the
ensuing simulation for trial 1, the applied force necessary to maintain the gate closed retained
the same hydrostatic pressure, at 14.000 kN. In the final simulation, Figure 3 showed an
applied force of 13.200 kN and a hydrostatic pressure of 24.600 kN with a gate weight of
5.000 kN. Water height and gate weight were found to be clearly correlated after the
tabulated data was analyzed. The constant water height ensured that the hydrostatic forces
were the same in all three scenarios. Interestingly, the applied force required to maintain the
gate closed fell as gate weight grew and vice versa. After a closer look, we discovered that
the vector sum of the hydrostatic and hydrodynamic forces produces the total force acting on
a fully submerged gate. Using this understanding, engineers create gates that are stable and
functioning even in the face of enormous forces. Being aware of these forces It also essential
for figuring out when a gate might apply pressure to its supports or the surrounding structure.
TRIAL 2
As I repeated the experiment using varying water heights using the identical procedures as
before. The water level in the first test was 2.320 meters this time. Three distinct gate
weights—2.000, 3.500, and 5.000 kilonewtons—were experimented with. A table presents
the findings. On the first attempt, we required to apply 21.700 kilonewtons of force to hold
the gate closed and 39.300 kilonewtons of force to push the water with a 2.000 kilonewton
gate weight and 2.320 meters of water (Figure 5). We required less force in the following
attempts, 21.100 and 20.000 kilonewtons, respectively, with 3.500 and 5.000 kilonewton
gate weights, but the water's pushing force was constant at 39.300 kilonewtons (Figure 6). I
glanced at the table, just as I had in the first test. and discovered a link between gate weight
and water height. Because the water's height remained constant, the pushing force of the
water remained constant. It's interesting to note that the force required to keep the gate
closed decreased as the gate weight increased and vice versa. In summary, the water's push
along with a few other forces work together to maintain a gate closed underwater. With this
understanding, engineers can design gates that effectively withstand these stresses, ensuring
their strength and functionality. Understanding these forces is also necessary to determine
potential pressure points for gates on nearby objects or supports.
TRIAL 3
We used the identical protocols as in the prior trial for our most recent one. This time, we
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employed gate weights of 2.000, 3.500, and 5.000 kilonewtons, and the starting water height
was 2.720 meters. The data, which were nicely displayed in a table, gave us some
fascinating information. As shown in Figure 10, the hydrostatic force in the first attempt was
measured at 49.100 kilonewtons, and the force required to hold the gate closed was 26.600
kilonewtons. A similar pattern was observed in subsequent simulations with gate weights of
3.500 and 5.000 kilonewtons, which displayed applied forces of 26.000 and 25.400
kilonewtons, respectively. At 41.600 kilonewtons, the hydrostatic pressure did not change
(Figure 12). A closer look at the data revealed a distinct correlation between gate weight and
water height. appeared. In every trial, the hydrostatic force showed consistent values that
corresponded with the steady water height. Furthermore, an interesting inverse relationship
was found between the force needed to close a gate and the weight of the gate: the latter
dropped as the weight of the gate grew, while the former increased. In summary, hydrostatic
and hydrodynamic forces both affect the total force acting on a submerged gate. Using this
knowledge, engineers create gates that can endure enormous stresses while maintaining
stability and optimal performance. This understanding becomes critical for determining the
precise moments at which a gate could apply pressure to its supports or the surrounding
structure. Engineers can design dependable and efficient water control structures by
carefully taking these considerations into account. This information is essential for creating
structures that maintain their effectiveness in the face of changing circumstances.

TRIAL 2:

10

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TRIAL 3:

11

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