TOTAL

HYDROSTATIC
FORCE ON CURVED
SURFACES
In the case of curved surface submerged in liquid at
rest, it is more convenient to deal with the horizontal
and vertical components of the total force acting on the
surface.
Horizontal Component
The horizontal component of the total hydrostatic
force on any surface is equal to the pressure on the
vertical projection of that surface.
Vertical Component
The vertical component of the total hydrostatic force
on any surface is equal to the weight of either real or
imaginary liquid above it.

Where: ϒ = Unit weight of fluid

V = volume of the liquid
Direction of F

𝑭𝑽
tan 𝜽 𝒙 =
𝑭𝑯
Note: For cylindrical and spherical surfaces, the total
force F always passes to the center of the circle defined
by its surface
Case 1: Liquid is above the curve surface

The vertical component of

the hydrostatic force is
downward and equal to the
volume of the real liquid
above the submerged
surface.
Case 2: Liquid is below the curve surface

The vertical component of

the hydrostatic force is
going upward and equal to
the volume of the
imaginary liquid above the
surface.
SAMPLE PROBLEM:
1. A submerged curve AB is one
quarter of a circle of radius 2 m
and is located on the lower
corner of a tank as shown. The
length of the tank perpendicular
to the sketch is 4 m. Find the
magnitude and location of the
horizontal and vertical
components of the total force
acting on AB.
SAMPLE PROBLEM:
2. The crest gate shown consists
of a cylindrical surface of which
AB is the base supported by a
structural frame hinged at O.
The length of the gate is 10 m.
Compute the magnitude and
location of the horizontal and
vertical components of the total
pressure on AB.
SAMPLE PROBLEM:
3. The gate shown is a quarter circle 2.5 m wide. Find the
force F just sufficient to prevent rotation about hinge B.
Neglect the weight of the gate.
SAMPLE PROBLEM:
4. The quarter-circular arched gate
is 3 ft wide, is pinned at A, and rests
on the smooth support at B.
a. Det. the reaction at support B due
to the water pressure in kip.
b. Det. the horizontal reaction at A
due to the water pressure in kip.
c. Det. the vertical reaction at pin A
due to the water pressure in kip.
 END OF
PRESENTATION