Chapter 3 Hydrostatic Force

Diploma in Civil Engineering
CHAPTER 3:
HYDROSTATIC FORCE
COURSE LEARNING
OUTCOMES
Upon completion of this course, students should be able to :
Apply appropriate fluid concept to

determine parameters that act in
hydrostatic device and act on
immersed surface
At the end of this chapter, student should be able to:
a) Describe hydrostatic force acting on a plane surface immersed in a

liquid.
b) Identify centroid and center of pressure
c) Calculate the hydrostatic force exerted by liquids on: Inclined

Surface Curved Surface
d) Develop Pressure Diagram for the hydrostatic structure
Hydrostatic Force on a Plane Surface
• When a surface is submerged in a

fluid, forces develop on the
surface due to the fluid.
• The determination of these forces

is important in the design of
storage tanks, ships, dams, and
other hydraulic structures.
• For fluids at rest we know that the

force must be perpendicular to the
surface since there are no Fig.1.1
shearing stresses present.
• The pressure varies linearly with

depth if the fluid is
incompressible.
Hydrostatic Force on a Plane Surface
• For a horizontal surface, such as

the bottom of a liquid-filled tank
Fig.1.1, the magnitude of the
resultant force is simply FR = PA
where p is the uniform pressure on
the bottom and A is the area of the
bottom.
• Note that if atmospheric pressure

acts on both sides of the bottom
the resultant force on the bottom is Fig.1.1
simply due to the weight of liquid in
the tank.
• Since the pressure is constant and

uniformly distributed over the
bottom, the resultant force acts
through the centroid of the area
Hydrostatic Force on Plane Surface
hs
hp
G
P F
2
G = centroid of object
P = centre of pressure of object
hs = the vertical distance from fluid surface to the centroid (G) of the object
hp = the vertical distance from fluid surface to the centre of pressure (P) of the object
Hydrostatic Force on Plane Surface

𝐹=𝜌 𝑔 h𝑠 𝐴 A = total area of immersed surface
𝑰𝑮
𝒉𝒑= +𝒉 𝒔 = moment of inertia of immersed
𝑨 𝒉𝒔 surface
Hydrostatic Force on Inclined Surface

hp hs
G
P
𝑭𝒊𝒈𝒖𝒓𝒆 𝟏. 𝟑
G = centroid of object
P = centre of pressure of object
hs = the vertical distance from fluid surface to the centroid (G) of the object
hp = the vertical distance from fluid surface to the centre of pressure (P) of the object
Hydrostatic Force on Inclined Surface

𝐹=𝜌 𝑔 h𝑠 𝐴 A = total area of immersed surface
𝟐

𝑰 𝑮 𝒔𝒊𝒏 𝜽 = moment of inertia of immersed
𝒉𝒑= +𝒉𝒔 surface
𝑨 𝒉𝒔
Centroid
The point that defines the geometric centre for the area. In
Figure 1.4, the x and y coordinates defining the location of
the centroid C are determined using the formulas
4
∫ 𝑨 𝒙 𝒅𝑨 ∫ 𝑨 𝒚 𝒅𝑨
´𝒙 = ´𝒚 =
∫ 𝑨 𝒅𝑨 ∫ 𝑨 𝒅𝑨
Center of Pressure
The point of application of the total pressure on the surface. The effective point of
application of pressure distributed over a surface. This is the point where a
counteracting force must be placed for the net moment from pressure about to be
zero.
Geometric properties of some lamina
Distance of centroid Moment of
Inertia about
Lamina Area From the centroidal
From top
bottom axis X – X ( I g )
Rectangle
h
3
h h 𝑏bhh
𝑏h
3
h h
bh
2 2
b 2 2 12
12
Triangle
𝑏h
bh h
h
2 2 h 𝑏bhh 3
3
3h
h
2
2
3
3
3
36
36
b
Semicircle
2
r 𝜋π 𝑟r 4 4r
𝑟 4
4r𝑟
0.1098r𝑟 4
2
2 2
3𝜋3π
r
𝑟 − 3π- 0.1098 4
3𝜋
Circle
r 4
𝜋
π𝑟
r 2 2
𝑟r 𝑟r 𝜋π𝑟r 4
4
4
Example 1.1
A rectangular plate (Figure 1.4) 1 m wide and 1.5 m deep is held vertically in water
so that its upper horizontal edge is 1.25 m below the free water surface. Find the
hydrostatic force on one face of the plate, and the depth of centre of pressure.
Specific weight of water = 9.81 kN/m3.
𝑭𝒊𝒈𝒖𝒓𝒆 𝟏. 𝟓
Solution:

Hydrostatic force on one face of the plate, F
hp hs

Centre of pressure, hp
Example 1.2
A circular plate (Figure 1.5) of 1.20 m diameter is placed vertically in water so that the
centre of the plate is 2 m below the free surface. Determine the hydrostatic force on
the plate and the depth of centre of pressure.
𝑭𝒊𝒈𝒖𝒓𝒆 𝟏. 𝟔
Example 1.3
Find the hydrostatic force and the depth of centre of pressure for the triangular lamina
shown in Figure 1.6.
7
Example 1.4
A semi-circular plate (Figure 1.7) 1.25 m in diameter is placed vertically in a liquid of
specific weight 10 kN/m3 with its diameter on the free liquid surface. Find the total
pressure on the plate and the depth of centre of pressure.
8
Example 1.5
An inclined rectangular lamina is fully immersed in water. Based on the Figure
1.9, calculate the force exerted on the lamina and its centre of pressure.
9
Solution:
First, define θ:

1.5m
1m

Then; define centroid of rectangle, C:
1.5
𝐶= =0.75 𝑚
2
C
Solution:
Locate centroid of the object from the surface, hs is:

0.75m
y
41.8o 0.5m
h 𝑠 =0.5+0.5=1𝑚
𝐴=1.5𝑚×1.3𝑚=1.95𝑚 2
Hydrostatic force:

19129.5 N
Solution:

Centre of pressure, hp
Example 1.6
An inclined triangular lamina is fully immersed in water. Based on the Figure

1.10, calculate the force exerted on the lamina and its centre of pressure.
𝑭𝒊𝒈𝒖𝒓𝒆 𝟏. 𝟏𝟎
Example 1.6
0.5m
𝟏 𝒉
y 𝟑
Example 1.7
A rectangular water gate is installed as shown in Figure 1.11. Find the force exerted on
the water gate and the depth of centre of pressure.
11
Example 1.7
𝟏
𝒉
𝟐 y
60o
E x a m p7l e 1 . 8
Question
A rectangular water gate hinged at point A to control water flow out from a reservoir
(Figure 1.20). Calculate the force R, needed to open the water gate. The wide of water gate
is 1 m. [Ans: 444.589 N]
12
Exercise 1.1:
Question 1
Refer to Figure 1.14, calculate the hydrostatic force exerted on a vertical rectangular water
gate and the depth of center of pressure. [Ans: 84758.4 N, 3.633m]
13
Question 2
60-cm square gate (a = 0.6m) has its top edge 12 m below the water surface. It is on a 45o
angle and its bottom edge is hinged as shown in Fig.. What force P is needed to just open
the gate? [Ans: 21040 N]
14
Question 3
Find the total water pressure and the depth of centre of pressure for the triangular lamina
shown in Figure 1.15. [Ans: 206.01 kN, 3.643 m]
15
Question 4
Figure 1.16, shown a vertical semi circular lamina. Determine the total pressure on the
lamina and the depth of centre of pressure for the lamina
[Ans: 317.49 kN, 5.205 m]
16
Question 5
A circular opening, 3 metres in diameter, in the vertical side of a water tank is closed by a
disc 3 metres diameter (Figure 1.17). Calculate the force on the disc and the centre of
pressure. [Ans: 277.37 kN, 4.1406 m]
17
Question 6
A rectangular opening 2 metre wide and 1 metre deep in the vertical side of a tank is
closed by a sluice gate of the same size (Figure 1.18). Calculate the total pressure of the
sluice gate and the centre of pressure, when the head of water above the upper edge of
the gate is 1.5 metre. [Ans: 39.24 kN, hp = 2.0417 m]
18
Question 7
Refer to Figure 1.19, calculate the hydrostatic force exerted on a vertical rectangular water
gate and the depth of centre of pressure. [Ans: 351041.04 N, 7.307 m]
19
Question 8
A mass is fully immersed in water. The water specific weight = 9.81 kN/m3. Determine the
value of the hydrostatic force (F) exerted on the mass which immersed vertically as shown in
Figure 1.28. Determine the depth of centre of pressure.
[Ans: 19971 N, hp = 1.850 m]
21
Question 9
A rectangular thin plate is fully immersed in water (Figure 1.22). Find the force exerted on
the plate. Find the centre of pressure on the plate. The plate immersed horizontally. The
plate immersed 4 m below the water surface
[Ans: 61214 N, 4 m]
22
Diploma in Civil Engineering CC501 Hydraulics II
Question 10
A rectangular lamina is fully immersed (Figure 1.23) in a liquid with a density 890 kg/m3.
The lamina is inclined with an angle 50 degree to the horizontal. Find the force exerted on
the lamina and the location of centre of pressure.
[Ans: 19737 N, 1.7406 m]
23
Question 11
A rectangular lamina as shown in Figure 1.24 is fully immersed in a fluid. The hydrostatic
force exerted on the lamina is 30000 N. Find the fluid density. Determine the centre of
pressure. [Ans: 658.217 kg/m3, 1.217 m]
24
Question 12
A pool has a water gate AB with 60˚diagonal to the water surface and has been fixed to
pool wall. The water gate has a rectangular shape and 2m width shown in Figure 1.25.
Calculate the hydrostatic force and determine the center of the pressure gate. [Ans: 101.95
kN, 2m]
25
Hydrostatic Force on Curved Surface
Curved surface occurs in many hydraulic
structures for example dams, tanks and cross
sections of circular pipes. Since this class of surface
is curved, the direction of the force is different at
each location on the surface. The pressure forces
are divided into horizontal and vertical component.
Look at forces acting on wedge of water ABC by

referring to Figure 1.26. Weight force W due to
weight of volume of water. F1 and F2 is the
hydrostatic force on each planar face. Reaction
Forces of FH and FV due to wall of tank. The weight
force W passes through the center of gravity of the
wedge.
26
To determine the horizontal force on static
equilibrium:
The vertical component of the force on a curved

surface may be determined by considering the fluid
enclosed by the BC curved surface and AC vertical
projection lines extending to the free surface
(Figure 1.27). Thus:
27
Where, V is the volume on the curve BC.

The Resultant or Magnitude Forces, R is a
triangular combination of the horizontal and R
vertical parts (Figure 1.28). So:
The direction of Resultant Force is determined

28
by using following formula:
Example 1.8
Determine the resultant force on the curved part of the base by referring Figure
1.29.
29
Example 1.8
Solution:
Horizontal Force, FH
313.92 kN
Vertical Force, FV

358.75 kN
Solution:
Resultant Force, R
R
FH

FV
Direction of Resultant Force

Example 1.9
Determine the resultant force on the curved part of the base by referring Figure
1.30.
30
Diploma in Civil Engineering CC501 Hydraulics II
Example 1.9
FV
FH
R
Exercise 1.2:
Question 1
Figure 1.31 shows a gate having a quadrant shape of 9 m diameter, supporting water. If
the gate is 5m long, find the horizontal and vertical components of the resultant
pressure on the gate. Find also the resultant force on the gate. [Ans: FH = 1986.53 kN,
FV = 3120.46 kN, R = 3699.13 kN]
31
Question 2
Find the vertical and horizontal forces exerted by water on the 2 m long quadrant gate
shown in Figure 1.32. Find also the resultant force on the gate.
[Ans: FH = 117720 N, FV = 95323.77 N, R = 151474.81 N]
32
Question 2
FV
FH
R
Question 3
Determine the magnitude and direction of the resultant force, R, given by the fluid with
relative density 1.0 to the curved blade as shown in Figure 1.33. The curved blade radius is
1.5 m and 3 m long. The upper edge of the curved blade from the water surface is 2.5 m.
[Ans: R = 216, 671 N, θ = 41.5o]
𝑭𝒊𝒈𝒖𝒓𝒆 𝟏. 𝟑𝟑
Question 4
Determine the magnitude and direction of the resultant force as shown in

Figure 1.34. [Ans: R = kN, θ = 52.6 o]
curved vane (7.5 m long)
34
Question 5
Figure 1.35 showed an outflow gate to control water in a reservoir. Based on diagram
below, find the radius of the quadrant if the horizontal force and vertical force upon the
gate is 2884140 N and 3707268 N respectively. [Ans: : r = 7 m]
outflow gate (6m long)
35
Question 6
Figure 1.36 showed a curved blade to control water discharge. Find the value of a if the FH
= 7552964 N. [Ans: a = 4.55 m]
𝑭𝒊𝒈𝒖𝒓𝒆 𝟏. 𝟑𝟔
Question 7
Figure 1.37 showed a curved plate with a quadrant shape. Find the value of d if the FV =
1148417 N. [Ans: d = 3.9 m]
37
Question 8
Figure 1.38 showed a water gate with a quadrant shape. Find the long of the water gate if
the horizontal force is 4418914.5 N. [Ans: 5.5 m]
38
Question 9
Figure 1.39 showed a water gate with a quadrant shape. The direction of the resultant
force is 35.8 degree from y-axis. Find the FH if the FV = 48706355.7 N.
[Ans: FH = 35128998 N]
39
Question 10
Calculate the horizontal and vertical force exerted by the fluid on the curved vane AB as
shown in Figure 1.40. The fluid density is 900 kgm-3. The vane long is 5 m.
[Ans: FH = 3973.05kN, FV = 2713.15 kN]
4m
10 m
𝑭𝒊𝒈𝒖𝒓𝒆 𝟏. 𝟒𝟎
Pressure Diagram for Hydrostatic Structure
• A pressure diagram may

be defined as a
graphical representation
of the variation in the
intensity of pressure
over a surface.
• Such diagram are very

useful for finding out
the total pressure and Figure 1.41 :The hydrostatic forces
the centre of pressure acting on a plan surface form a
pressure prism whose base (left face) is
of liquid on a vertical the surface and whose length is the
surface (i.e., wall or pressure.
dam).

Consider a vertical wall, subjected to pressure due to
one kind of liquid, on one of its sides as shown in
Figure 1.41 . The pressure on the wall is zero at the
liquid surface, and will increase by straight line law to
the bottom. Therefore the pressure diagram will be a
triangle ABC as shown in figure 1.41. the total
pressure on the wall per unit length
H
Figure 1.41 :Pressure due to one

This pressure will act at the center of gravity of the
triangle at a depth of from the liquid surface or in kind of liquid
other words at a height of from the bottom of the
liquid.
Pressure due to one kind of liquid on one side
Example 1.10
A water tank contains 1.3m depth water. Find

the hydrostatic force exerted by the water per
meter length of the tank. 1.3
𝑚
Solution:
The hydrostatic force exerted by water per
meter length of the tank, 9.81
×1.3=12.753 𝑘𝑁 /𝑚2
𝛾 𝐻2 9.81 ×1.32
𝐹= 𝑏= × 1=8.289 𝑘𝑁
2 2
or

E x a m p l e 1 . 11
A swimming pool contains 3.6m depth have water

in one of its sides. If the pool is 10m width,
calculate the hydrostatic force on the vertical side
of the pool. Also calculate the point where the
total pressure acts on the wall. 3.6
𝑚
Solution:
The hydrostatic force exerted by water
9.81
×3.6=35.316 𝑘𝑛 /𝑚2
𝛾 𝐻2
𝐹= × 𝑏=63.567 ×10=635.688 𝑘𝑁
2
or

Example 1.12
A tank contains water for a height of 0.5m and

immiscible liquid of specific gravity 0.8 above the
water for a height of 1m. Find the hydrostatic force
if the length of the tank is 5m.
Solution:
The
intensity of pressure at D (or B) due to
the oil with SG 0.8 𝑨𝟏
7848
𝑨𝟐
𝑨𝟑
The intensity of pressure at B due to water 7848 4905
Total Pressure =

Example 1.12
A bulkhead (dinding sekat) 3m long divides a storage tank. On one side, there is
a petrol of specific gravity 0.78 stored to the depth of 1.8m, while on the other
side there is an oil of specific gravity 0.88 stored to the depth 0.9m. Determine
hydrostatic force exerted by the fluid on the bulkhead and the position at
which it acts.
Solution:
Hydrostatic force exerted on the bulkhead

Total Pressure = 13.773 7.063
497

Position of the Hydrostatic force

Let,

Exercise 1.3:
Question 1
A rectangular tank 5m long and 3m deep is
divided by partition wall parallel to the
shorter wall of the tank. One of the
compartments contains water to a depth of
3m and the other contains water to a depth
of 3m and the other contains oil of specific
gravity of 0.75 to the depth of 2m.
Determine hydrostatic force exerted by the
fluid on the partition wall.
[Ans: 147.15kN]
Question 2
A cubical tank has sides of 1.5m. It contains
water for the lower 0.6m depth. The upper
remaining part is filled with oil of specific
gravity 0.9. Calculate for one vertical side of
the tank, the hydrostatic force and the
position of the centre of pressure.
[Ans: 33844.5N;1.611m]

Chapter 3 Hydrostatic Force

Uploaded by

Document Information

Original Title

Copyright

Available Formats

Share this document

Share or Embed Document

Sharing Options

Did you find this document useful?

Is this content inappropriate?

Copyright:

Available Formats

Chapter 3 Hydrostatic Force

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

Diploma in Civil Engineering

Apply appropriate fluid concept to

At the end of this chapter, student should be able to:

a) Describe hydrostatic force acting on a plane surface immersed in a

c) Calculate the hydrostatic force exerted by liquids on: Inclined

Hydrostatic Force on a Plane Surface

• When a surface is submerged in a

• The determination of these forces

• For fluids at rest we know that the

• The pressure varies linearly with

Hydrostatic Force on a Plane Surface

• For a horizontal surface, such as

• Note that if atmospheric pressure

• Since the pressure is constant and

Then; define centroid of rectangle, C:

Locate centroid of the object from the surface, hs is:

An inclined triangular lamina is fully immersed in water. Based on the Figure

Look at forces acting on wedge of water ABC by

The vertical component of the force on a curved

Where, V is the volume on the curve BC.

The direction of Resultant Force is determined

Direction of Resultant Force

Determine the magnitude and direction of the resultant force as shown in

curved vane (7.5 m long)

outflow gate (6m long)

• A pressure diagram may

• Such diagram are very

Figure 1.41 :Pressure due to one

Pressure due to one kind of liquid on one side

A water tank contains 1.3m depth water. Find

A swimming pool contains 3.6m depth have water

A tank contains water for a height of 0.5m and

Hydrostatic force exerted on the bulkhead

Position of the Hydrostatic force

You might also like