CENTRE OF PRESSURE
Instruction Manual
CENTERE OF PRESSURE APPARATUS
OBJECTIVE:
To study about centre of pressure of a Plane surface.
AIM:
To determine the centre of pressure of a Plane surface under partial
submerge and full submerge condition.
THEORY:
Total pressure is defined as the force exerted by a static fluid on a surface
either plane or curved when the fluid comes in contact with the sureaces.
This force always acts normal to surface.
Centre of pressure is defined as a point of application of the tptal pressure
on the surface.
DESCRIPTION:
The hydrostatic pressure accessory has been designed to determine the
static thrust exerted by a fluid on a submerged surface and allow
comparison of measured magnitude and position of this force with theory.
The apparatus consists of a fabricated quadrant mounted on a balanced
arm, which pivots on knife-edges. The knife-edges coincide with the
centre of arc of the quadrant. Thus of the hydrostatic force acting on the
quadrant when immersed, only the force on the rectangular end face gives
rise to a moment about the knife edge. The balance arm incorporates a
weight hook for the weight supplied and an adjustable counter weight.
This assembly is mounted on the top of an Acrylic tank, which may be
leveled by adjusting level screw. Water is admitted to the top of the tank
and may be drained through a valve provided at the side of the tank.
UTILITIES REQUIRED:
1. Water
PROCEDURE:
1. Place the apparatus on the level surface and level it using levelling
screws.
2. Move the counter balance until the lever arm is horizontal and close
the drain cork.
3. Measure the distance of the top edge of the quadrant from the
balancing arm, distance of balancing arm from pivot, width and depth
of plane surface.
4. Place certain weight on the balancing pan. Allow water into the tank
until the balancing arm becomes horizontal.
5. Note down the weight and the water depth h.
6. Calculate the total pressure.
7. Repeat step 4 through 6 for increasing weights on balancing pan.
OBSERVATION & CALCULATION:
DATA:
a = 10.5 cm
b = 10.5 cm
L = 35 cm
K = 21 cm
ω = 9810 N/m3
W = 50 gm (10 Nos.)
OBSERVATION TABLE:
S.N
W, gm h, mm
o
CALCULATIONS:
A = a∗b m2. (If h>= b)
= a∗h m2. (If h< b)
ab 3
IG = 12 m4. (If h>= b)
ah 3
= 12 m4. (If h< b)
b
h−
h' = 2 m. (If h>= b)
h
= 2 m. (If h< b)
IG
+h'
ho = A∗h' m.
W
Fa = 1000 kg.
ρ∗A∗h '* { K−( h−h o ) }
Tt t= N-m.
Tt
Ft = L kg.
F t −F a
x 100
E = Ft %.
NOMENCLATURE:
A = Area of the vertical surface, m2.
a = Width of the surface, m.
b = Length of the surface, m.
E = Error, %.
Fa = Actual force acting on the vertical surface, kg.
Ft = Theoretical force acting on the vertical surface, kg.
h = Water level in the tank, mm.
ho = Centre of pressure, m.
h’ = Depth of centre of gravity of the immersed surface, m.
IG = Moment of inertia of the surface about horizontal axis
through its centre of gravity.
K = Vertical distance between balance arm and base of the
Quadrant, m.
L = Horizontal distance between pivot and weight hanger, m.
Tt = Theoretical torque, N-m.
W = Applied weight, kg.
ω = Specific Density of the fluid, N/m3.
PRECAUTION & MAINTENANCE INSTRUCTIONS:
1. Always keep apparatus free from dust.
2. Always use clean water.
