What is hydrostatic pressure?

• Hydrostatic pressure is the pressure that is exerted by a fluid

at equilibrium at a given point within the fluid, due to the
force of gravity.
• Hydrostatic pressure increases in proportion to the depth
measured from the surface because of the increasing weight
of fluid exerting a downward force from above.
• If a fluid is within a container, then the depth of an object placed
in that fluid can be measured. The deeper the object is placed in
the fluid, the more pressure it experiences. This is because the
weight of the fluid is above it. The denser the fluid above it, the
more pressure is exerted on the object that is submerged, due to
the weight of the fluid.
Unit Pressure
Unit pressure or simply called pressure is the amount of force exerted by a
fluid distributed uniformly over a unit area.

𝑭𝒐𝒓𝒄𝒆 , 𝑭
𝒑=
𝑨𝒓𝒆𝒂 , 𝑨
If the unit pressure is not uniform over the unit area, it can be expressed as
the sum of differential pressure.
𝒅𝑭
𝒑 =∫
𝒅𝑨
Since fluid at rest cannot resist shearing stress, pressure is always at right angle to the
area where it is acting. It is also worthy to note that the total hydrostatic force F = pA,
which can be found by cross multiplication.
• Pascal's Law, also known as Pascal's Principle, is a
fundamental principle in fluid mechanics that describes how
pressure changes in a confined fluid are transmitted
undiminished in all directions throughout the fluid.
• This principle is named after the French mathematician and
physicist Blaise Pascal, who made significant contributions to
the understanding of fluid mechanics in the 17th century.
• Pressure in a Fluid: In a confined fluid (a fluid enclosed in a
container), any change in pressure applied at any point within
the fluid is transmitted throughout the entire fluid without loss
of magnitude in all directions.
• Direction of Transmission: The transmitted pressure acts
equally and undiminished in all directions, including
perpendicular to the walls of the container.
Summation of forces in y-direction:
ΣFy=0
p2 AABCO = (p1 AABED) cosθ
p2 AABCO =p1 (AABED cosθ)
Since AABCO = AABED cosθ, p2=p1.
Summation of forces in z-direction:
ΣFz=0
p3 AOCED = (p1 AABED) sinθ
p3 AOCED = p1 (AABED sinθ)
Since AOCED = AABED sinθ, p3=p1.

Thus, p1 = p2 = p3 which can be used to conclude

Pascal's Law.
Summation of forces in x-direction:
ΣFx=0
P4 AAOD=p5 ABCE
Since AAOD = ABCE, p4 = p5
Atmospheric, Gauge, and Absolute Pressures
Atmospheric pressure is the weight of all gasses above the surface in which it comes in
contact. Under normal conditions, atmospheric pressure at sea level is equal to 101.325
kPa (14.696 psi), usually rounded off to 100 kPa (14.7 psi) by engineers. With increase in
altitude, atmospheric pressure decreases.

Gauge pressure, measured with the use of pressure gauges, is the pressure above or
below atmospheric pressure. Negative gauge pressure indicates a vacuum which cannot
go below –101.325 kPa. Positive gauge pressure indicates that the pressure is above
atmospheric. Gauge pressure is also called relative pressure.

Absolute pressure is equal to gauge pressure plus atmospheric pressure. There is no

such thing as negative absolute pressure. In the absence of all matter (complete
vacuum), the absolute pressure is zero.
Relationship of Pressures

𝑷 𝒂𝒃𝒔= 𝑷𝒈𝒂 𝒈𝒆+ 𝑷𝒂𝒕 𝒎

Under Normal conditions at sea level:

Patm = 2166 lb/ft2
= 14.7 psi
= 29.9 inches of mercury (Hg)
= 760 mm Hg
= 101.325 kPa
Pressure Instruments
Some general types of pressure instruments are as follows:

Barometer

• Principle: A barometer is an instrument used to measure

atmospheric pressure, which is the pressure exerted by the
Earth's atmosphere at a specific location.
• Working Principle: The most common type of barometer
is the mercury barometer, which uses the height of a column
of mercury in a sealed tube to measure atmospheric
pressure. Changes in atmospheric pressure cause the height
of the mercury column to rise or fall.
• Applications: Barometers are primarily used in
meteorology to monitor changes in weather patterns and to
determine whether atmospheric pressure is rising or falling.
They are also used in altimeters for measuring altitude.
Pressure Instruments
Some general types of pressure instruments are as follows:
Manometer

• Principle: A manometer is a general-purpose instrument used

to measure fluid pressure, which can be either gas or liquid
pressure.
• Working Principle: Manometers typically consist of a U-
shaped tube filled with a liquid (often mercury or a colored oil).
One end of the tube is connected to the system or object whose
pressure is to be measured, while the other end is open to the
atmosphere. The difference in liquid height between the two
arms of the U-tube indicates the pressure difference between
the system and the atmosphere.
• Applications: Manometers are used in various industries and
applications to measure and monitor pressure, such as in
HVAC systems, hydraulic systems, and laboratory experiments.
They can be used for both low and high-pressure
measurements, depending on the design.
Pressure Instruments
Some general types of pressure instruments are as follows:
Bourdon Gauge (Bourdon Tube Gauge)

• Principle: A Bourdon gauge is a type of pressure gauge designed

to measure the pressure of gases or liquids within a specific range.
• Working Principle: It uses a curved, flattened tube called a
Bourdon tube, which is sealed at one end and connected to the
system whose pressure is to be measured at the other end. As
pressure increases, the Bourdon tube straightens or curls in a
predictable manner. This mechanical deformation is converted into
rotary motion through a linkage mechanism and displayed on a
dial to indicate the pressure.
• Applications: Bourdon gauges are commonly used in industrial
settings to measure and display pressure in a wide range of
applications, including in pipelines, boilers, pressure vessels, and
hydraulic systems. They are available in various pressure ranges
and types, such as pressure gauges for measuring gauge pressure,
absolute pressure, or differential pressure.
Variation of Pressure with Depth in a Fluid
• Consider two points 1 and 2 lie in the ends of fluid prism having a cross-sectional area
dA and length L.
• The difference in elevation between these two points is h.
• The fluid is at rest and its surface is free.
• The prism is therefore in equilibrium and all forces acting on it sums up to zero.

The volume of the prism is equal to the length

times the base area of the fluid.

The weight of the fluid prism shown is equal to the

product of the unit weight and volume.

FFS stands for Free Fluid Surface which refers to fluid surface
subject to zero gauge pressure or with atmospheric pressure only.
Variation of Pressure with Depth in a Fluid

Sum up all the forces in x-direction

where:
= pressure at point 2, Pa
= pressure at point 1, Pa
= unit weight of the fluid, N/m3
H = height (difference in elevation
Therefore, in any homogeneous fluid at rest, the difference in between points), m

pressure between any two points is equal to the product of the

unit weight of the fluid and the difference in elevation of the
points.
Variation of Pressure with Depth in a Fluid

If point 1 lie on the FFS, the gauge pressure p1 = 0,

making p2 - 0 = γh or simply

This means that the pressure at any depth h below a

continuous free fluid surface at rest is equal to the
product of the unit weight of fluid and the depth h.
+p
Transmission of Pressure
We can write the equation p2 - p1 = γh into the form

which means that any change in the pressure at point 1 would cause an equal change of
pressure at point 2. In other words, a pressure applied at any point in a liquid at rest is
transmitted equally and undiminished to every other point in the liquid.
Pressure Head
• Pressure head, often referred to simply as "head," is a concept used in fluid mechanics
to describe the energy associated with the pressure of a fluid at a specific point in a
fluid system.
• It is a way to express the potential energy of the fluid due to its pressure.
• Pressure head is particularly useful in the analysis of fluid flow in pipes, pumps, and
other hydraulic systems.

The equation p = γh may be written into the form

where h or its equivalent is in hydraulics called the pressure head. Pressure head is the
height of column of homogeneous fluid of unit weight γ that will produce an intensity of
pressure p.
Pressure Head
To convert pressure head of liquid A to equivalent pressure head of liquid B

==

To convert pressure head of any liquid to equivalent pressure head of water

where, Properties of Water:

sg = specific gravity sg = 1.0
γ = unit weight
γ = 9,810 N/m3 = 9.81 kN/m3 (or 62.4 lb/ft3 in English system)
ρ = density
ρ = 1000 kg/m3 (or 1.94 slugs/ft3 in English system)
Manometer
• A simple and inexpensive device of measuring pressure and pressure difference.
• It is usually bent to form a U-tube and filled with liquid of known specific gravity.
• The surface of the liquid will move in proportion to changes of pressure.
Types of Manometer
• U-tube or Open Type Manometer
• Working Principle: Consists of a U-shaped
tube partially filled with a liquid (often
mercury or a colored oil). One end of the
tube is connected to the system or object
being measured, and the other end is open
to the atmosphere.
• Measurement: Pressure is determined by
measuring the difference in the heights of
the liquid columns in the two arms of the U-
tube.
• Applications: Suitable for measuring both
low and high-pressure differentials,
depending on the choice of liquid and tube
dimensions.
Types of Manometer
• Differential Manometer
• Working Principle: Designed to measure
the difference in pressure between two
points in a system. It typically consists of
two U-tube manometers connected
together.
• Applications: Used for measuring
pressure drops across filters, orifices,
valves, and other components in fluid
systems.
Types of Manometer
• Piezometer Tube
• Working Principle: A simple, open-ended tube inserted into a fluid. Pressure is
determined by the height to which the fluid is pushed up the tube by the
pressure.
• Applications: Commonly used for measuring static pressure in open channels,
like rivers and tanks.
Types of Manometer
• Piezometer

 From the figure, three piezometers A, B, and C

are attached to a pressure conduit at bottom,
top, and side, respectively.

 The column of liquid at A, B, and C will rise at the

same level above M indicating a positive pressure
at M.

 Also, the piezometer D measures the negative

pressure at N.
Steps in Solving Manometer Problems
[Link] on the fluid in feet or meter, of which the heads are to
be expressed, (water is most advisable).
[Link] from an end point, number in order, the interface of
different fluids.
[Link] points of equal pressure (taking into account that for
a homogeneous fluid at rest, the pressure along the same
horizontal are equal). Label these points with the same number.
[Link] from level to level, adding (if going down) or
subtracti ng (if going up) pressure heads as the elevation
decreases or increases, respectively with due regard for the
specific graity of the fluids.
SAMPLE PROBLEM:
1. If a depth of a liquid of 1 m causes a
pressure of 7 kPa, what is the specific
gravity of the liquid?
SAMPLE PROBLEM:
2. What is the pressure 12.5 m below the
ocean? Use [Link]. = 1.03 for salt water.
SAMPLE PROBLEM:
3. If the pressure 23 m below a liquid is
338.445 KPa, determine its unit weight,
mass density and specific gravity.
SAMPLE PROBLEM:
4. Find the absolute pressure in kPa at a
depth of 10 m below the free surface of oil of
s.g. 0.75 if the barometric reading is 752
mmHg.
SAMPLE PROBLEM:
5. A ssu m i n g spe c i fi c weight of air to be constant at 12 N/m3, what is the
approximate h e i g h t o f M t . B a n a h a w i f a m e r c u r y barometer at the
base of the mountain reads 654 mm and at the same instant, another
barometer at the top of the mountain reads 480 mm.
SAMPLE PROBLEM:
6. The pressure on a closed tank reads 58.86 kPa.
a. What is the equivalent height in water?
[Link] is the equivalent height in terms of oil
having a s.g. 0.85?
[Link] is the equivalent height in terms of
Mercury having a s.g. 13.6?
SEATWORK:
7. A pressure gauge at an elevation 8 m at the side a tank
containing a liquid reads 80 kPa. Another gauge at
elevation 3 m reads 120 kPa.
Compute for the
a. Specific weight
b. Density
c. Specific gravity
SAMPLE PROBLEM:
8. An open tank contains 5.7
m of water covered with 2.8 m
of kerosene having a unit weight
of 8 kN/m3. If the diameter of the
tank is 1 m.
[Link] the pressure at the
interface of water and kerosene.
[Link] the pressure at the bottom
of the tank.
[Link] the total force at the
bottom of the tank.
SAMPLE PROBLEM:
9. A tank contains oil s.g. = 0.80, gasoline s.g.
0.90 and sea water s.g. = 1.03. If the depths
of the liquids are 0.5 m, 0.8 m and 1 m for oil,
gasoline and sea water respectively.
a. Find the pressure at a depth of 1.2 m.
b. Find the pressure at a depth of 1.8 m.
c. Find the pressure at the bottom of the
tank.
SAMPLE PROBLEM:
10. From the manometer shown, determine
the pressure at the center of the pipe.
SAMPLE PROBLEM:
11. For the manometer set- up shown,
determine the diff erence in pressure
between A and B.
SAMPLE PROBLEM:
12. A differential manometer is attached to a
pipe as shown. Calculate the pressure
difference between points A and B.