Learning Module in Fluid Mechanics Edgar Allan J.
Vargas
MODULE 4: TOTAL HYDROSTATIC FORCES ON SURFACES
A. Plane Surface
I. Vertical Plane Surface
ℎ̅
c.g.
c.p.
𝐹
Magnitude of Hydrostatic Force F:
𝐹
Since 𝑃 = , and 𝑃 = 𝛾 ℎ, then:
𝐴
̅𝑨
𝑭= 𝜸𝒉
𝐹 = hydrostatic force, N
𝛾 = specific weight of liquid, N/m3
ℎ̅ = vertical distance of the centroid of the figure from the free surface of the liquid, m
𝐴 = normal area, m2
Location of Hydrostatic Force F:
ℎ𝑝 ℎ̅
c.g.
c.p.
𝐹
𝐼𝑔
ℎ𝑝 = ℎ̅ +
𝐴 ℎ̅
ℎ𝑝 = vertical distance of the center of pressure from the free surface of the liquid.
ℎ̅= vertical distance of the centroid of the figure from the free surface of the liquid, m
𝐼𝑔 = rectangular moment of inertia of the normal figure
𝐴 = normal area, m2
II. Inclined Plane Surface
ℎ̅ 𝑑
𝑑𝑝
𝐹 𝑒
Magnitude of Hydrostatic Force F:
𝑭 = 𝜸 𝒉 𝑨 = 𝜸 𝑨 𝒅 𝒔𝒊𝒏 𝜽
Learning Module in Fluid Mechanics Edgar Allan J. Vargas
𝐹 = hydrostatic force, N
𝛾 = specific weight of liquid, N/m3
ℎ = vertical distance of the centroid of the figure from
the free surface of the liquid, m
𝐴 = normal area, m2
𝜃 = inclination, deg
Location of Hydrostatic Force F:
𝐼𝑔
𝑑𝑝 = 𝑑 +
𝐴𝑑
𝑑𝑝 = slant distance of the center of pressure from the free surface of the liquid, m
𝑦 = slant distance of the centroid of the figure from the free surface of the liquid, m
𝐼𝑔 = rectangular moment of inertia of the normal figure
A = normal area, m2
Formula of Moment of Inertia for Common Shapes:
Rectangle:
cg
bh 3 h
Ig =
12
b
Circle:
D4 cg
Ig =
64 D
Triangle:
bh 3
Ig =
36 cg h
1 y
y= h
3
b
Semi-circle:
Ig = 0.11 r 4
cg
r
y
D = 2r
4r
y=
3
Quarter Circle:
Ig = 0.055 r4 cg
y
4r x
y=x=
3
Ellipse:
ab3 y
Igx =
4
b x
Learning Module in Fluid Mechanics Edgar Allan J. Vargas
a
ba3
Igy =
4
B. Curved Surfaces
Case 1: Liquid is above the curved surface
FV
h
F h
h
A
θ
cg
FH e
cp
h
Case 2: Liquid is below the curved surface
A h
cg
FH e
cp
h
B
θ
h F
FV h
h
FH = horizontal component of the hydrostatic pressure is equal to the total pressure on the projection of that surface on a
vertical plane which is normal to the chosen axis.
𝐹𝐻 = 𝛾 ℎ 𝐴
Fv = vertical component of the hydrostatic pressure is equal to the weight of the volume of water or liquid extending
vertically from the surface of the free surface of the liquid.
𝐹𝑉 = Weight of the projected liquid
Note: Location of 𝐹𝑉 is at the centroid of the weight of the liquid.
PROBLEM SET 4 – Fluid Statics: Hydrostatic Forces on Plane and Curved Surfaces
1. Consider a 4-m-long, 4-m-wide, and 1.5-m-high aboveground swimming pool that is filled with water to the
rim. Determine the hydrostatic force on each wall and the distance of the line of action of this force from the
ground. [Answers: 44.1 kN, 0.5 m]
Learning Module in Fluid Mechanics Edgar Allan J. Vargas
2. Consider a heavy car submerged in water in a lake with a flat bottom. The driver’s side door of the car is 1.1
m high and 0.9 m wide, and the top edge of the door is 8 m below the water surface. Determine the net force
acting on the door (normal to its surface) and the location of the pressure center if (a) the car is well-sealed
and it contains air at atmospheric pressure and (b) the car is filled with water. [Answer: (a) 83.0 kN,
8.56 m below the water surface (b) zero]
Learning Module in Fluid Mechanics Edgar Allan J. Vargas
3. The water side of the wall of a 100-m-long dam is a quarter circle with a radius of 10 m. Determine the
hydrostatic force on the dam and its line of action when the dam is filled to the rim.
[Answer: 9.134 x 107 N; 57.5° below the horizontal]
Learning Module in Fluid Mechanics Edgar Allan J. Vargas
Learning Module in Fluid Mechanics Edgar Allan J. Vargas
