FLUID MECHANICS

TOPIC 3: HYDROSTATIC FORCE ON SURFACES

INTRODUCTION
Hydrostatic force is the resultant force produced by the pressure
loading of a fluid acting on immersed surfaces. The location and
magnitude of hydrostatic force acting on hydraulic structures such
as dams, levees, and gates, are very important in analyzing their
stability and capacity. Calculation of the hydrostatic force and its
location are essential topics in fluid mechanics.
HYDROSTATIC FORCE ON PLANE SURFACE
If the body is immersed with an end at the surface of the liquid, pressure increases
linearly with the depth.

To solve for hydrostatic pressure on a body submerged in a homogenous fluid;

F= γ ħA where F= total hydrostatic force
γ= unit weight of fluid
A= area of submerged plane
ħ= vertical distance from surface of fluid to centroid of body
HYDROSTATIC FORCE ON PLANE SURFACE

F always acts at the center of pressure, taking the summation of moment about the surface of the
liquid, the moment of F will be equal to the summation of moments of the infinite element forces dF.
Summarizing the equation for locating the force,

ħ
𝑰𝒈 ȳ
𝒆= ħ=ȳ
𝑨ȳ cg

cg
e
cp F

where e=eccentricity or the distance from the center of pressure to the centroid
Ig= centroidal moment of inertia (axis passing through centroid)
A= area of submerged plane
ȳ= distance from the surface of fluid to the centroid of body (this is not the same with ħ in
case the plane is inclined. If the plane is submerged vertically, then ȳ is equal to ħ)
1. A vertical rectangular gate 1.5m wide and 3m high is submerged in water with
its top edge 2m below the water surface. Find the total hydrostatic force acting on
one side of the gate and its location from the bottom.

2m

3m

1.5 m
2. A vertical triangular gate with its top base horizontal and 1,5m wide is 3m high.
It is submerged in oil having a specific gravity of 0.82 with its top base
submerged 2m below the oil surface. Determine the magnitude and location of
hydrostatic force acting on the gate from the bottom .

2m

3m

1.5 m
4. A circular door having a diam. of 3m closes a horizontal duct from a small diam.
as shown. The center of the door is 4.5m below the dam’s water level. Compute the
force in kN at the bottom of the gate to maintain equilibrium if it is hinged at the
top
5. A 30m long dam retains 9m of water, find the total hydrostatic force acting on
the dam and the location of the center of pressure from the bottom.

9m

60o
7. Find the total force acting on an inclined circular gate with water on side. Determine the location of
the force from its centroid.

2m

60o
 FLUID MECHANICS

TOPIC 3: HYDROSTATIC FORCE ON CURVED

SURFACES
 HYDROSTATIC FORCE ON CURVED SURFACE

In case of a curved surface is submerged in a fluid, more convenient and practical

method is used to solve for the total hydrostatic force and its location. This is done due
to difficulty in locating the centroid of a curved surface. The method requires solving for
the components (vertical and horizontal forces) of the total hydrostatic force.

CASE I. FLUID IS ABOVE THE CURVED SURFACE

For this case, Fvertical can be computed by getting the weight of fluid above the curved
surface while Fhorizontal can be computed by the same method in getting the hydrostatic
force for plane surface but we need to consider the vertical projection of the area of
the curve. Total hydrostatic force F is the resultant of these components.
HYDROSTATIC FORCE ON CURVED SURFACE

CASE II. FLUID IS BELOW THE CURVED SURFACE

For this case, Fvertical can be computed by getting the weight of fluid supported by the
curved surface up to the surface, while Fhorizontal can be computed by the same method
in getting the hydrostatic force for plane surface but we need to consider the vertical
projection of the area of the curve. Total hydrostatic force F is the resultant of these
components.
 HYDROSTATIC FORCE ON CURVED SURFACE

CASE III. FLUID IS ABOVE AND BELOW THE CURVED SURFACE

A submerged curved AB is one quarter of a circle of radius 2m and is located on the lower corner of tank. The tank is
4m long perpendicular to the sketch Find the magnitude and location from A of vertical and horizontal components
acting on the curved gate.

4m

A
r=2m

B
Calculate the magnitude per meter length of resultant force acting on curved gate. Find their locations from C

C
60o
Calculate the magnitude per meter length of resultant force acting on curved gate. Find their locations from C

C
60o
The 5 ft diameter cylinder weighs 5000 lbs. and is 5 ft long as shown. Determine the vertical reaction at B
in lb. Compute the horizontal reaction at A in lb
1. Find the net hydrostatic force per unit width on rectangular AB in the figure shown.

2. A gate 1.70 m wide and 2.0m high has a water on one side and is inclined with the horizontal as shown.
Water is 1.60 m above the top of the gate. If the gate is hinge at the top (B), what force perpendicular to the
gate is needed at the bottom (A) to open the gate.

3. A circular gate 2 m in diameter is inclined at an angle of 30 degrees from the horizontal. Fresh water
stands on one side of the gate to a height of 10 m above the center of gate. If the gate is hinged at the top,
evaluate the force normal to the gate at the bottom that will require to open it in KN.
(1) (2) (3)
4. An isosceles triangle gate is hinged at A. What is the total hydrostatic force acting on the gate in kN? Specific
gravity of fluid is 0.83. Locate the force from point A.

3.5m

2m

50o
B
5. A 2m long, 0.5m diameter log (sp. gravity of 0. 87) divides water as shown. Compute for the vertical and
horizontal reaction at point A

6. Figure shown below is a gate in the form of circular arc with a central angle of 60degrees and radius 2m
with one end resting on the crest of the dam. The water surface is flushed with the upper end of the gate.
Find the vertical and horizontal components of hydrostatic force (kN) acting on the gate and their
locations from point O. The gate is 3. 20m long normal to the plane of the paper.

2m

60 O
O
2m