HYDROSTATIC FORCE

• Hydrostatic force is the force exerted by a static (non-moving) fluid, such

as a liquid or a gas, on a submerged or immersed object. This force is a
result of the pressure distribution within the fluid and acts in all directions.
• Pressure Variation: In a static fluid, the pressure increases with depth. The
hydrostatic pressure at a given depth is proportional to the density of the fluid and the
local acceleration due to gravity. This pressure difference creates the hydrostatic
force.
• Magnitude: The magnitude of the hydrostatic force on a submerged object depends
on the shape and depth of the object, the density of the fluid, and the local
gravitational acceleration. The greater the depth of immersion, the greater the
hydrostatic force.
• Direction: Hydrostatic force always acts perpendicular to the surface of the
submerged object. If the object is oriented vertically, the hydrostatic force acts
vertically upward or downward, depending on whether the fluid is denser or less
dense than the object. If the object is inclined, the hydrostatic force acts along the
normal (perpendicular) to the object's surface.
Hydrostatic forces are the resultant force caused by the
pressure loading of a liquid acting on submerged surfaces.

For horizontal plane surface submerged in liquid, or plane

surface inside a gas chamber, or any plane surface under the
action of uniform hydrostatic pressure, the total hydrostatic
force is given by

Where:
• F = total hydrostatic force on the surface, N
• P = hydrostatic pressure at the depth of the surface, MPa
• A = area of the submerged surface, m2
In general, the total hydrostatic pressure on any plane surface
is equal to the product of the area of the surface and the unit
pressure at its center of gravity.

where p cg is the pressure at the center of gravity. For

homogeneous free liquid at rest, the equation can be
expressed in terms of unit weight γ of the liquid.
For homogeneous free liquid at rest, the equation can be
expressed in terms of unit weight γ of the liquid.
-
𝑭 =𝜸 𝒉𝑨
where -h
is the depth of liquid above the centroid of the
submerged area.

In SI Units:
F = total hydrostatic force, N
ϒ = unit weight of liquid, N/m3

h = vertical distance (or head) of the center of gravity of the

submerged area from the free surface, m
A = submerged area of the plane surface, m2
The figure shown below is an inclined plane surface submerged
in a liquid.

The total area of the plane surface is given by A, cg is the center of

gravity, and cp is the center of pressure.
The differential force dF acting on the element dA is

From the figure ,

Integrate both sides and note that γ and θ are constants,

Recall from Calculus that

From the figure, , thus

The product is a unit pressure at the centroid at the plane area,

Location of Total Hydrostatic Force (Eccentricity)
From the figure above, S is the intersection of the prolongation of the submerged area to the
free liquid surface. Taking moment about point S.

Where:

Again from Calculus, is called moment of inertia denoted by I Since our reference point is S,
Location of Total Hydrostatic Force (Eccentricity)

By transfer formula for moment of inertia

the formula for yp will become

From the figure,

Thus, Eccentricity,

Eccentricity is the perpendicular distance between the centroid of the

submerged surface and the center of pressure. It quantifies how off-center the
resultant hydrostatic force is with respect to the geometric center of the surface.
Where:

= vertical distance (or head) of the center of gravity of the

submerged area from the free surface
= inclined distance of the center of gravity of the submerged
area from the free surface
= inclined distance of the center of pressure of the submerged
area from the free surface
e = eccentricity, distance between cg and cp
cg = center of gravity, a point where the average weight of an
object is
cp = center of pressure, a point on the immersed surface at which
the resultant hydrostatic pressure force acts.
= single point where the sum of the pressure forces over the
entire submerged surface creates a force that accounts for both magnitude
and direction. The center of pressure is typically not the same as the
centroid of the surface.
SAMPLE PROBLEM 1:
A vertical rectangular plane of height d and base b is submerged in a
liquid with its top edge at the liquid surface. Determine the total force
F acting on one side and its location from the liquid surface.
SAMPLE PROBLEM 2:
A vertical triangle surface of height d and horizontal base width b is
submerged in a liquid with its vertex at the liquid surface. Determine
the total force F acting on one side and its location from the liquid
surface.
SAMPLE PROBLEM 3:
A vertical circular gate or radius r is submerged in a liquid with its
top edged flushed on the liquid surface. Determine the magnitude
and location of the total force acting on one side of the gate.
SAMPLE PROBLEM 4:
A vertical rectangular gate 1.5 m wide and 3 m high is submerged in
water with its top edge 2 m below the water surface. Find the total
force acting on one side of the gate and its location from the bottom.
SAMPLE PROBLEM 5:
A vertical rectangular plate is submerged half in oil (s.g. 0.8) and half in
water such that its top edge is flushed with the oil surface. What is the
ratio of the force exerted by water acting on the lower half to that by
oil acting on the upper half?
SAMPLE PROBLEM 6:
A 30m long dam retains 9m of water as shown in the figure. Find the
total resultant force acting on the dam and the location of the center
of pressure from the bottom.
SAMPLE PROBLEM 6:
SAMPLE PROBLEM 7:
The semi-circular gate shown in figure
is hinged at B. Determine the force P
required to hold the gate in position.
SAMPLE PROBLEM 7:
SAMPLE PROBLEM 8:
A tank 5.4 m deep and 2 m wide is
layered with 2.4 m of oil (s=0.8), 1.8 m of
water and 1.2 m of mercury (13.6).
a. Compute the hydrostatic force on the
side on the upper layer of oil only.
b. Compute the hydrostatic force on
one side of the upper 4.2 m
containing oil and water.
c. Compute the total hydrostatic force
on the side of the tank.
SAMPLE PROBLEM 9:
The gate in the figure shown is 1.5 m
wide, hinged at point A, and rest against
a smooth wall at B. Neglect the weight of
the gate. Compute:
a. The total force on the gate due to
seawater.
b. The reaction at B
c. The reaction at hinge A
SAMPLE PROBLEM 9: