Module 3: Hydrostatic Forces

3.1 Forces on Submerged Plane Surfaces

3.2 Forces on Submerged Curved Surfaces

1. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tot2XhBoqZs
2. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zV-JO-l7Mx4

Hydrostatic Force on Plane 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

F = p. A

where p is the uniform pressure and A is the area.

• 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.

F = pcg. A

where pcg 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.

F=γh'A

where h' is the depth of liquid above the centroid of the submerged area.

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.
 (Forces on a inclined plane surface)

The differential force dF acting on the element dA is

dF=p. dA

dF=γ. h. dA

From the figure

h=ysinθ,
dF=γ.(ysinθ). dA

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

F=γ. sinθ. ∫y.dA

So, F=γ. sinθ. ∫y.dA

Recall from Calculus that

∫y.dA=A.y¯

Hence, F=(γ.sinθ)A.y¯
 F=γ. (y¯ sinθ). A

From the figure, y¯ sinθ=h¯ , thus,

F = γh¯ A

The product γh¯ ¯ is a unit pressure at the centroid at the plane area, thus, the
formula can be expressed in a more general term below:

F = pcg. A

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.

Fyp=∫y. dF

Where

dF=γ(ysinθ)dA
F=γ(y¯ sinθ)A

[γ(y¯ sinθ)A]yp =∫y[γ(ysinθ)dA][γ(y¯ sinθ)A]yp

=∫y[γ(ysinθ)dA]

(γsinθ)Ay¯ yp=(γsinθ)∫y2dA(γsinθ)Ay¯ yp

=(γsinθ)∫y2dA

Ay¯ yp=∫y2dA

Again, from Calculus, ∫y2dA is called moment of inertia denoted by I Since our
reference point is S,

Ay¯ yp=IS
Thus,

yp =IS/Ay¯

By transfer formula for moment of inertia IS=Ig+Ay¯ 2, the formula for yp will
become

yp=(Ig+Ay¯ 2)/Ay¯ or

yp=y¯ +Ig/Ay¯

From the figure above, yp=y¯ +e, thus, the distance between cg and cp is

Eccentricity, e=Ig/Ay¯

Ex. An opening in a dam is covered with a plate of 1 m square and is hinged on

the top and inclined at 60 0 to the horizontal. If the top edge of the gate is 2 m
below the water level what is the force required to open the gate by pulling a
chain set at 45 0 angle with the plate and set to the lower end of the plate. The
plate weighs 2200 N.
Given data: Area of gate = 1 m2
Total Force on the gate, F = w Ah¯
h¯ = 2 + 0.5sin60 = 2.433 m
F = 9.81(1)(2.433) = 23.87 kN

e = Ig /Ay¯
Ig = 1(1)3/12 = 1/12 m4
`
y¯ = 0.5 + 2/sin60 = 2.809 m
e = (1/12) / (1)(2.809) = 0.03 m
∑MHINGE = 0
Tsin45(1) – F(0.5 + 0.03) – W(0.5cos60) = 0
T = [23.87(0.53) + 2.2(0.5cos60)]/sin45(1) = 18.66 kN
Ex.
The figure below shows a vertical circular gate in a 3-m diameter tunnel with
water on one side and air on the other side.
 1. Find the horizontal reaction at the hinge.
2. How far from the invert of the tunnel is the hydrostatic force acting
on the gate?
3. Where will the hinge support be located (measured from the invert)
to hold the gate in position?

Force on the gate due to air pressure

Fair=pairA=45[ π(32)]

Fair=318.09 kN

Force on the gate due to water

Fw=γwh¯ A=9.81(1.5)[ π(32)]

Fw=728.10 kN

Horizontal force at the hinge support

ΣFx=0
RO=728.10−318.09
RO=410.01 kN answer

Location of Fw from the invert

e=Ig/Ay¯ =[ ] π(34) / [ π(32)×10.5]
 
 e=0.0536 me=0.0536 m

y = 1.5−e = 1.5−0.0536
y = 1.4464 m answer

Location of hinge support

ΣMO=0
(y−z)Fw = (1.5−z)Fair
(1.4464−z)728.10 = (1.5−z)318.09
z=1.4048 m answer

Ex. A circular area of diameter d is vertical and submerged in a liquid. Its upper
edge is coincident with the liquid surface. Derive an expression for the depth to
its center of pressure.

hcp = hcg + Icg / hcg A

 /
hcp = d/2 + 

  

  
hcp = + =

 

Ex. A vertical, rectangular gate on one side is shown in the figure. Determine
the total resultant force acting on the gate and the location of center of pressure
a) by the formula
b) by integration
 a) F = γwhcgA = 9.81(3 + 1.2/2)[2(1.2)] = 84.76 kN


.


hcp = hcg + Icg / hcg A = (3 + 1.2/2) + .

  

.

hcp = 3.633 m

.

b) F =   ℎ"# $% = - 9.813 + *2 $* = 19.62 .3* +

.

/
0 = 1. 23 45

-

.
/ 
.
9.
<9//   =:
 67  : (9.
)(/)
hcp = $% = 2$* =
8 .; .;
= 3.633 m

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.

FH=pcgA

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.
FV=γwV
Total Hydrostatic Force
F=>?7
+ ?@

Direction of FF
tanθx = FV / FH
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.
Ex. The submerged sector gate AB as shown in figure is one-sixth of a circle of
radius 6m. The length of the gate is 10 m. Determine the amount and location of
the horizontal and vertical components of the total resultant force acting on the
gate.

Fh = γhA = 9.81[5.196/2][10(5.196)] = 1324.27 kN

AABC = AABCD + ABDO – AABO = (5.196)(3) + 3(5.196)/2 – π62/6 = 4.532 m2
Fv = AABC(L)γ = 4.532(10)(9.81) = 444.63 kN
y = 5.196/3 = 1.732 m
∑MAC = 0
4.532x = [5.196(3)](3/2) + [(1/2)(3)(5.196)(3 +3/3) – [π(6)2/6]{6-
[cos(60/2)](2)(6)/π}
x = 0.842 m
Ex. The canal shown in cross section in the figure shown runs 40 m in to the
paper. Determine the horizontal and vertical components of the
hydrostatics force against the quarter-circle wall and the point c.p. where
the resultant strikes the wall.

Fh = γhA = 9.81[18/2][18(40)] = 63568.8 kN

y = 18/3 = 6m
Fv = 9.81[40π182/4] = 99853.64 kN
x = 4r/3π = 4(18)/3(π) = 7.64 m

F = >?7
+ ?@
= √63568.8
+ 99853.64

F = 118371.2 kN
Ɵ = tan-1(99853.64/63568.8) = 57.52˚
ycp = 18 – 18cos(90-57.52) = 2.82 m
xcp = 18 - 18sin(90-57.52) = 8.33 m
Ex. Determine the vertical and horizontal components of the resultant force acting
on the quarter circle AB. The width of AB is 2m.

p =pAVE = γ[(h1 + h2)/2] = 9.81[(2.4 + 3.6)/2] = 30.411 kN/m2

FH = pAVEA = 30.411(1.2)(2) = 72.99 kN

Fv = Vγ
V = VCDAB = [1.2(2.4) +π(1.2)2/4]2 = 8.022 m3
Fv = 8.022(9.81) = 78.7 kN

Ex. A radial gate as shown below, is used as control at the crest of a smooth
spillway. If the width of the gate is 10m, find the force acring on the gate. Give
its magnitude and direction.
sin Ɵ = 3/20
Ɵ = 8.63˚
90 – (30 + Ɵ) = 51.37˚
OE = 20cos51.37 = 12.49 m
OF = 20cos8.63 = 19.77 m
BC = 12.49 – 3 = 9.49 m
BE = 20sin53.7 = 15.62
AC = 19.77 – 15.62 = 4.15

AAOED = (19.77)(12.49 + 12.49 -3)/2 = 217.27 m2

AADB = 217.27 – π(20)2(30)/360 – 12.49(15.62)/2 = 15 m2

AABC = 4.15(9.49) – 15 = 24.38 m2

Px =γh2B/2 = 9.81(9.49)2(10)/2 = 4417.45 kN

Pv = VABCγ = 10(24.38)(9.81) = 2391.68 kN
R2 = Ph2 + Pv2
R2 = (4417.45)2 + (2391.68)2
R = 5023.34 kN

Ph is acting at 1/3 of 9.49 = 3.16 from B

∑MB = 0

Pv(y) - Px(9.33) = 0

y = Px(9.33)/Pv = 4417.45(9.33)/2391.68 = 17.23 m

x = 19.77 – 17.23 = 2.54 m from D