Chapter Three

3.0 Hydrostatics
3.1 Objective
After studding this chapter the students have to know and understand:

The concept of pressure and prove it has a unique value at any particular elevation.
How the pressure varies with depth according to the hydrostatic equation.
How pressure can be expressed in terms of head.

3.2 Fluid pressures

Fluid exerts a normal force on any boundary it is in contact with. The force applied per unit area is
the pressure.

Force
pressure
Area over which the force is applied
F
p
A

Units: Newton’s per square meter, N m -2, kg m-1s -2.

Dimensions: ML-1T -2

3.2.1 Pascal’s Law for Pressure at a Point

By considering a small element of fluid in the form of a triangular prism which contains a point P, we
can establish a relationship between the three pressures px in the x direction, py in the y direction
and ps in the direction normal to the sloping face.

22
 Y

Pdsdz (Surface force)

Z B
ds

X
Pxdy dz F
A C
P dydz dz dy
900-
E D
dx
Pydxdz

1/2 dxdydz (body force)

Figure 3. 1: Definition sketch for normal stress at a point.

The fluid is a rest, so we know there are no shearing forces, and we know that all force are acting at
right angles to the surfaces .i.e.

p acts perpendicular to surface ABCD,

px acts perpendicular to surface ABFE and

py acts perpendicular to surface FECD.

And, as the fluid is at rest, in equilibrium, the sum of the forces in any direction is zero. Summing forces
in the x-direction:

Force due to px ,

Fx =0

FX PX dydz

Component of force in the x-direction due to p,

Fx pdsdz cos

Equating the two equation

p x dydz pdsdz cos 0

23
 But ds*cos =dy

p x dydz pdydz
px p

Fy =0

Force due to py

Pydxdz-Pdsdz sin -1/2 dxdydz=0

ds sin =dx

Pydxdz-Pdxdz -1/2 dxdydz=0

Py-P -1/2 dy=0 as compared to others dy is small so, 1/2 dy is ignored.

⇒ Py=P

The pressure force can also consider and it will be the same with others.

P=Pz=PX=Py

Pressure at any point is the same in all directions. This is known as Pascal’s Law and applies to fluids at
rest.

3.2.2 Pressure Distribution PASCAL’s Law

Consider an elementary cylindrical volume of fluid (of length, L, and cross-sectional area, dA) within the
static fluid mass, p being the pressure at an elevation of y and dp being the pressure variation
corresponding to an elevation variation of dy.

E (p+dp)dA
l L
e
v
a
t Y+dy
i [Link]
y [Link].L
o S
n Datum axis

Figure 3. 2: Pressure distribution in Pascal’s law

24
For equilibrium of elementary volume

[Link] gdAL sin ( p dp ) dA 0

dy
or dp gdy & sin
L

is constant for incompressible fluids, we can write

∫ dp g ∫ dy This gives

p gy c

When y=y o, p=pa, the atmospheric pressure.

p pa g ( yo y)
gh

Pressure at a depth h, p pa gh

Pa(atmospheric)

h=yo-y
yo

y
datum

Figure 3. 3: Measurement of pressure from datum

The pressure in a homogeneous, incompressible fluid at rest depends on the depth of the fluid relative
to some reference plane, and it is not influenced by the size or shape of the container in which the fluid
is held.

3.3 pressure and head

dp
In a static fluid of constant density we have the relationship g
dz

This integrated to give p gh cons tan t

25
 z h

y
x

Figure 3. 4: Fluid head measured in a tank

In a liquid free surface with a free surface the pressure at any depth z measured from the free surface so
that z= -h.

This gives the pressure

p gh cons tan t

At the surface of fluids we are normally concerned with, the pressure is the atmospheric pressure.

So, p gh pa

As we live constantly under the pressure of the atmosphere, and everything else exists under this
pressure, it is convenient (and often done) to take atmospheric pressure as the datum. So we quote
pressure as above or below atmospheric.

Pressure quoted in this way is known as gauge pressure i.e.

Gauge pressure is

p gage gh

The lower limit of any pressure is zero - that is the pressure in a perfect vacuum. Pressure measured
above this datum is known as absolute pressure i.e.

Absolute pressure;

absolute pressure gauge pressure atmospheri c pressure

p absolute gh pa

26
Figure 3.5: Graphical representation off gage and absolute pressure.

Pressure in head is the pressure in terms of height. It is the ratio of pressure in Pascal to unit weight.

Activity3.1: what mean by intensity of pressure? How

How it varies with the depth of the fluid?

3.4 pressure measurement

The pressure at the erths surfacce depends up on the air culumen above it. At seea level this atmospheric
pressure is about 101kN/m2 eq
quivalent to 10.3m of water or 760mm of mercu
uery columens. A oerfect
vacume is an empity space wheere the pressure is zero. Gauge pressure is the prressure measured above
or below atmospheric pressuree. The pressure below atmospheric presure is also called negative or
partial vacume pressure. Absolu
ute pressure measured above a perfect vacume, tthe absolute zero.

a) Piezometer Tube

A simple vertical tube fixed to a system, whose pressure is to be measured, is ccalled a piezometer. The
liquid rises to such a level that th
he liquid columns height balances the pressure in
nside.

Figure 3. 6
Piezometer tube

27
 p gh pa

Since the piezometer is open to the atmosphere, p a=o

p gh

b) U-tube manometer

Heavy immiscible manometter liquids are used to measure large pressure and small pressure are
measured by using lighter liqquid.

Figure 3. 7: Simple U-tube

Simple U-tube

The pressure at points A and (1

1) are the same, and as we move from point (1)) to (2) the pressure will
increase by 1h1. The pressure at
a point (2) is equal to the pressure at point (3)), since the pressures at
equal elevation in a continuous mass of fluid at rest must be the same. Note that we could not simply
“jump across” from point (1) to a point at the same elevation in the right – hand
d tube since these would
not be points within the same co
ontinuous mass of fluid. With the pressure at po
oint (3) specified we now
move to the open end where th
he pressure is zero. As we move vertically upward
d the pressure decreases
by an amount 2h2. In equation form
f these various steps can be expressed as

PA + 1h1 - 2h2 = 0
PA = 2h2 - 1h1

28
 Differential U-tube manometer
m

Figure 3. 8: Differential U-tube manometer

Following the same procedure lik

ike above Simple U-tube manometer

PA + 1h1- 2h2 - 3h3 = PB

And the pressure difference is

P A - PB = 2h2 + 3h3 - 1h1

Inclined – tube Manometer

Following the same procedure lik

ike simple U-tube manometer

Figure 3. 9: Inclined Tube manometer

PA h
1 12 l sin
2 2 h
3 3 PB

29
 pA pB l sin
2 2 h
3 3 h
1 1

Activity 3.2: what is a piezometer? What is its limitation?

limitation? Can a piezometer be used for measuring
pressure in the pipe
ipe in which a gas is flowing?

Example3.1

if the height of liquid surface ab

bove the four vessels is the same. In which vesssile the pressure of the
liquid on the bottom of the vessiile the greatest?

a b c d

Solution

The same i.e. pressure depends up on the elevation difference irrespective of itss shape.

Example 3.2

In figure below s1=0.86,s2=1.0,h1=150mm and h2=90mm. find PA in mmHg gauge.

ga If the barometric
reading is 720mm Hg, what is P A in meter of water?

S1 B

S2

Solution

PA h
1 1 h
2 2 PB

30
 PA 0.86 * 9810 * 0.15 9810 *.09 PB

PA 1265.5 882.9 PB but , PB 0 sin ce the manometer is open at B

PA 382.6kpa
pA 382 .6 pa
pA h 0.002868mHg
Hg 13.6 * 9810 N / m 3
2.87 mmHg

Pabsolute p atm p gauge

2.87 720
717.13mmHg
717.13 * 13.6
1000
9.75m water

Example 3.3

In fig.2, S1=1.0, S2=0.95, S3=1.0, h1=h2=280mm and h3=1m. Compute PA-PB in mm

m of water.

Solution

PA h
1 1 h
2 2 3 h 3 PB

PA PB h
3 3 h
2 2 h
1 1

PA PB 1.0 * 9810 *1 0.95 * 9810 * 0.28 1.0 * 9810 * 0.28

9810 2609.46 2746.8
9672.66 pa

31
 9672.66 pa
PA PB 0.986m water
9810 N / m 3
986mm water

Example 3.4

In Fig.6 find the pressure at A in Pascal. What is the pressure of the air in the tube?

Solution

P2 P3
P4 P5 P6

PA 0.9 * 9810 * 0.6 2.94 * 9810 * 0.5 1.0 * 9810 * 0.3 0

PA 12066 pa
12.066kpa

32
Exercise 3.5

Determine the angle of the inclined tube shown in Fig. 8 if the pressure at A is 2 psi greater than that
at B.

Solution

PA h
1 1 h
2 2 3 h 3 PB

1 psi=6.89kpa

1 ft=0.3048m

PA PB 2 psi * 6.89 kpa

PA PB 1378 pa *

PA 0.7 * 9810 * 0.3048 1.0 * 9810 * 0.3048 1.0 * 9810 *10 * 0.3048 sin PB

PA PB ( 5083.06 29900 sin ) pa **

Equating (equation *&**)

13780 5083.06 29900 sin

18863.06
sin 0.63 ⇒ sin 1 (0.63)
29900
39 0

3.5 Forces on Submerged Surfaces in Static Fluids

Objective

After studying this topic the student should:-

Analyze and obtain expression for the forces on submerged surfaces. In during this it should be
clear the difference between.

33
 3.5.1 Forces on plane surface

Pressure is defined as force per unit area. If a pressure p acts on a small area dA then the force
exerted on that area will be

F PdA

Since the fluid is at rest the force will act at right-angles to the surface

Let the plane surface be inclined at an angle to the free surface of water as shown in figure.

If the plane area A, is assumed to consist of elemental areas, dA, the elemental force dF, always
normal to the surface area, are parallel. Therefore the system is equivalent to one resultant force, F,
known as hydrostatic force. Its point of application, which produce the same moment effect as the
distributed force, is called the center of pressure.
O

h
h0 h-
F
G x- X0
C x

O
G
dA
C
Area, A

Figure 3. 10: Force on a plane surface submerged in water

F ∫ dF ∫
A A
ghdA ∫
A
gx sin dA

g sin ∫ xdA,
A
but ∫ xdA
A
x

g sin Ax , but x sin h

gh A

34
 h
Where is the vertical depth of the centroid, G

Taking the moment of the force at 0-0

F x0 ∫
A
g sin x 2 dA

Therefore, the distance to the center of pressure, C

∫x
2
g sin Ax x 0 g sin dA
A

∫x ∫x
2 2
Ax x 0 dA , but dA I0
A A

I0
x0
Ax

But, I 0 Ig Ax 2 (parallel axis rule) where Ig is the second moment of area of the surface about an
axis through its centroid and parallel to axis 0-0.

Therefore, x0 x I g / Ax

This shows that the center of pressure is always below the centroid of the area.

Depth of center of pressure below free surface, ho=xosin

For a vertical surface =900

h0 h I g / Ah

If the area is not symmetrical, an additional co-ordinate, yo, must be fixed to locate the center of
pressure completely.

O O
XO
x
G
C
yo

35
 By moments

yo ∫ dF ∫ dFy or
A A

yo gx sin A ∫
A
gx sin dA y

1
Ax ∫A
y0 xy dA

Pressure prism

Another approach to determine hydrostatic force and its location is by the concept of pressure prism.

Figure 3. 11: Force on a pressure prism

Force acting on the elemental area dA is:

dF hdA dV

The volume of pressure prism equals to the magnitude of the resultant force acting on one side of the
surface. The center of pressure is given by

36
 1 1
V V∫ V V∫
xp xdV and yp ydV

This shows that the resultant force passes through the centroid of the pressure prism.

Therefore; the pressure force is the volume of the prism in magnitude acting at the centroid of the prism
normal to the surface.

Activity 3.3: what is meant by total hydrostatic pressure? Drive an expression for the total pressure?
What do you understand by the term center of pressure? Drive an expression for the center of
pressure. Prove that the center of pressure always below the center of gravity of the surface.

Example 3.6

A rectangular plate 3m*5m is immersed vertically in water such that the 3m side is parallel to the
surface. Determine the hydrostatic force and center of pressure if the top edge of the surface is

a) Conside with the water surface

b) 2m below the water surface

Solution

a) x
m
C y
5m
p

3m

A=3m*5m=15m2

y
FP yc A but , yc 5/ 2 2.5m
2
FP 9810 N / m 3 * 2.5m *15m 2 367 .88kN

37
 Ic 1
yp yc but , Ic * b * h3 31.25 m 4
Ay c 12
Ic 31.25
0.83m
Ay c 15 * 2.5
yp 2.5 0.83 3.33m

b)
2m

5m
C
p

3m

y
FP yc A but , yc 2 2 5/2 4.5m
2
FP 9810 N / m 3 * 4.5m *15m 2 662 .18kN

Ic 1
yp yc but , Ic * b * h3 31.25m 4
Ay c 12
Ic 31.25
0.463m
Ay c 15 * 4.5
yp 4.5 0.463 4.963m

38
Example 3.7

Answer the questions on Example 3.6 by prism pressure method

Solution
D

C
5m

A B

3m
h
A

FP V A*b
1
h* h *b
2
1 2
h * b 0.5 * 9810 * 5 2 * 3
2
367 .88kN

The pressure force passes through the centroid of the prism.

2
yp h from the free surface of water
3
2
yp * 5 3.33m
3

h1=2m
o
D
h
A1
h1 CC 5m

A B

3m
h
39
 FP V A A1 * b
1 1
h * h *b h1 * h1 * b
2 2
1
* b h 2 h12
2
1
* 9810 * 3 7 2 2 2
2
662 .18kN

Center of pressure, yp
Since it is composite triangle

AT CT A1C1
2m C
A1 AT A1
(0.5 * * 7 * 7 * 7 / 3) (0.5 * * 2 * 2(5 2 / 3))
(0.5 * * 7 * 7) (0.5 * * 2 * 2)
5m
A2 2.04 m
yp 7 2.04 4.96 m
h yp 4.96 m

3.5.2 Hydrostatic force on curved surface

If the surface is curved the forces on each element of the surface will not be parallel and must be
combined using some vectorial method.

It is most straightforward to calculate the horizontal and vertical components and combine these to
obtain the resultant force and its direction.

In the diagram below the liquid is resting on top of a curved base.

40
 E
D

C B

O RH

A R
RV
Figure 3. 12: force on a curved surface

The element of fluid ABC is equilibrium (as the fluid is at rest).

Horizontal forces

Considering the horizontal forces, none can act on CB as there are no shear forces in a static fluid so the
forces would act on the faces AC and AB as shown below.

C B

FAC RH

We can see that the horizontal force on AC, FAC , must equal and be in the opposite direction to the
resultant force RH on the curved surface.

As AC is the projection of the curved surface AB onto a vertical plane, we can generalize this to say The
resultant horizontal force of a fluid above a curved surface is:

RH = Resultant force on the projection of the curved surface onto a vertical plane.

We know that the force on a vertical plane must act horizontally (as it acts normal to the plane) and that
RH must act through the same point. So we can say RH acts horizontally through the centre of pressure of
the projection of the curved surface onto a vertical plane.

41
Vertical forces

The diagram below shows the vertical forces which act on the element of fluid above the curved surface.

E D

C B

A
RV

There are no shear forces on the vertical edges, so the vertical component can only be due to the weight
of the fluid. So we can say the resultant vertical force of a fluid above a curved surface is:

RV = Weight of fluid directly above the curved surface. And it will act vertically downward through the
centre of gravity of the mass of fluid.

The overall resultant force is found by combining the vertical and horizontal components vectorialy,

R R H2 RV2

The angle the resultant force makes to the horizontal is

R 
tan 1  V 
 RH 

Activity 3.4: What are the forces if the fluid is below the curved surface?

42
Example 3.8

A 2m long curved gate in the figure below is hinged at o.

a) Find the horizontal component of force and its line of action.

b) Find the vertical component of force and its line of action.
c) What force is required to open the gate?
Neglect the weight of the gate

4.5m

Water o
1.5m

1.5m

Solution

a) FH &y p

hc 4.5 1.5 / 2
O 5.25 m

A 2 *1.5 3m 2
FH

FH hc A 9810 * 5.25 * 3 154 .5kN

43
 4.5 A1C1 A2 C 2
C
A2 A1
1.5m (0.5 * *1.5 *1.5 * (2 / 3) *1.5) ( 4.5 * *1.5 * 0.75)
A2
A1 (0.5 * *1.5 *1.5) ( * 4.5 *1.5)
0.786 m
6
yp 4.5 0.786
yp 5.286 m from the free surface of water

b) FV &X p

A1, W1 FV W1 W2
*1.5 2
O 9810 * 4.5 *1.5 * 2 9810 * *2
4
FV 167 .1kN
A2, W2
A1C1 A2 C 2
C
A2 A1
r 2  4r 
( 4.5 *1.5)(1.5 / 2)  
4 3 
(1.5) 2
4.5 *1.5
4
C 0.724 m
xp 1.5 0.724
xp 0.774 m from the hinge

c) Force required to open the gate

∑M O 0
FH * yp FV * xp F *1.5 0
154 .5 * 0.786 167 .1* 0.774 F *1.5 0
F 166 .7 kN

44
 3.6 Tensile stress in a pipe and spherical shell
A circular pipe under the action of an internal pressure is in tension around its periphery. Assuming that
no longitudinal stress occurs, the walls are in tension, as shown in Fig. below.

1 unit
T1 T1

T1 T2 FH
y
T2 T2

Figure 3.13: Internal forces on walls of a pipe. A section of pipe of unit length is considered

The bursting of a pipe can be thought of as a tendency for the top half to separate from the bottom half.
The only force acting against this tendency is the hoop tension (T) of the pipe walls then the bursting
pressure force must exactly equal the hoop tension.

Total bursting pressure = P* 2r * 1

P = pressure at the centre line

r = the internal pipe radius

For high pressures the pressure centre can be taken at the pipe centre; then

T1 = T2 T = Pr

For wall thickness t, the tensile stress in the pipe wall,

T pr
=
t t

For larger variations in pressure b/n top and bottom of pipe, the location of pressure centre y is
computed.

[∑FH = 0} ⇒ T1+ T2 =FH =2pr

[ ∑M @T2 ] 2rT1 -2pry = 0 (Neglecting the vertical component)

⇒ T1 = py T2 = p (2r-y)

45
3.7 Relative Equilibrium
3.7.1 Translation and Rotation of fluid masses
If a body of fluid is subjected to motion such that no layer moves relative to adjacent layer, shear stress

doesn’t exist within the fluid. In other words in any moving fluid mass if the fluid particle don’t move

relative to each other, they are said to be in static condition and a relative or dynamic equilibrium exists

between them under the action of accelerating force and fluid pressure as everywhere normal to the

surface on which they act.

Uniform linear acceleration

A liquid in an open vessel subjected to uniform acceleration adjusts to the acceleration after some time

so that it moves as a solid and the whole mass of liquid will be in relative equilibrium.

A horizontal acceleration ax causes the free liquid surface to slope upward in a direction opposite to ax

and the entire mass of liquid is the under the action of gravity force, hydrostatic force and the inertia

force mxa.

F [Link]
ay
max ax
h1
mg dA h
h
H pdA
h2
P= gh [Link] y
gh gh2 ayH/ gH
a. horizontal acceleration b. Vertical acceleration

Figure 3. 14: Linear acceleration of a liquid with a free surface

For equilibrium of a particle of mass, say on the free surface:

F sin ma x and F cos mg 0 or F cos mg

Slope of free surface, tan =max/mg=ax/g

46
And the line of constant pressure will be parallel to the liquid surface. A vertical acceleration ( positive
upward) ay cause no disturbance to the free surface and the fluid mass is in equilibrium under gravity,
hydrostatic force and the inertia force may.

For equilibrium of a small column of liquid of area dA

P dA h dA g h dA a y

P, the pressure intensity at a depth h below free surface

p gh 1 a y / g

Activity 3.5: what is relative equilibrium? Why a fluid mass in a relative equilibrium is free from shear
stresses? What is the effect of uniform horizontal and vertical acceleration on the free surface of the
liquid and the pressure distribution respectively?

Example 3.9

An oil tanker 3m wide, 2m deep and 10 m long contains oil density 800kg/m3 to a depth of 1m.
Determine the maximum horizontal acceleration that can be given to the tanker such that the oil just
reaches its top end. If the tanker is closed and completely filled with the oil and accelerated horizontally
at 3m/s2, determine the liquid thrust:

a) on the front end

b) on the rear end

c) on one of its longitudinal vertical side

Solution

10m

ax
2m

1m

Maximum possible surface slope=1/5=ax/g

ax (1 / 5) * g (1/ 5) * 9.81 1.962m / s 2
When the tanker is completely filled and closed, there will be pressure built up at the rear end
equivalent to the virtual oil column (h) that would assume a slope ax/g.

47
 h
h D B
10m ax=3m/s2
2m

*2 A
(2+h) C

a) total thrust on front end AB

1
* 9810 * 2 2 * 3 58.6kN
2
b) total thrust on rear end CD
Virtual rise of oil level at rear end,
h 10 tan 10 * a x / g
3
10 * 3.06m
9.81
Total thrust on CD,
* 3.06 (2 3.06)
* 2 *3
2
239kN
c) Total thrust on side ABCD = volume of the pressure prism
1 1
* 2 2 *10 * 3.06 *10 * 2
2 2
496 kN

Radial acceleration

Fluid particles moving in a curved path experience radial acceleration. When a cylindrical container

partly filled with a liquid is rotated at a constant angular velocity about a vertical axis the rotation

motion is transmitted to different parts of the liquid and after some time the whole fluid mass assumes

the same angular velocity as a solid and the fluid particles experience no relative motion.

A particle of mass ,m, on the free surface is equilibrium under the action of gravity, hydrostatic force
2 2
and the center fugal accelerating force m r, r being the center fugal acceleration due to rotation.

48
 F
m 2
r r
y

mg
h

P= gh

rad/s
Figure 3. 15: Fluid subjected to radial acceleration

The gradient of the free surface,

2 2
tan dy / dr m r / mg r/g
2
y r 2 / 2g cons tan t

When r=0, y=0 and hence C=0

2 2
y r / 2g

This shows that the free liquid surface is a paraboloid of revolution.

Activity 3.6: prove that the free surface of the liquid in a vessel rotating about its axis is paraboloid?
How will the pressure intensity vary along the bottom of the vessel?

Example 3.10

A 375mm high open cylinder, 150mm in diameter, is filled with water and rotated about its vertical axis
at an angular speed of 33.5rad/s2. Determine

a) The depth of water in the cylinder when it is brought to rest

b) The volume of water in the cylinder if the speed is doubled.

49
 150mm
150mm

1287mm
320mm
375mm
375mm

=33.5rad/s2

a) b)
=67rad/s2
b
Solution

Angular velocity, =33.5rad/s2

Height of the paraboloid (figure a)

2 2
y r / 2g
2
33.5 * 0.075
0.32m
19.62

Amount of water spilled out=volume of the paraboloid

=1/2*volume of circumscribing cylinder

0.5 * * (0.075) 2 * 0.32

2.83 *10 3 m 3

origional volume of water * (0.075) 2 * 0.32

6.63 *10 3 m3

3
Re maining volume of water (6.63 2.83) *10
3.8 *10 3 m3

3.8 *10 3
Hence depth of water at rest
* 0.0752
0.215m

50
 If the speed is doubled, =67rad/s2

Height of the paraboloid (figure b)

2 2
y r / 2g
2
67 * 0.075
1.287m
19.62

The free surface in the vessel assumes the shape as shown in figure b, and we can write:

2 2
1.287 0.375 r / 2g
r 2 g * 0.912 / 67 2
0.063m

Volume of water spilled out

1 1
(0.075) 2 *1.287 (0.063) 2 * 0.912
2 2
5.684 *10 3 m3
3
Hence volume of water left (6.63 5.684) *10
0.946 *10 3 m 3

3.8 Buoyancy and stability of floating bodies

3.8.1 Buoyant force (Resultant fluid force in a body)
When a body is submerged or floating in static fluid various parts of the surface of the body showed
submerged in a fluid, the cross-sectional area of each cylinder being dA.

hB PBdA

PDdA
PBdA
hC
O x

PCdA
Figure 3. 16: Buoyant force on a submerged body

51
Assume a vertical cylindrical element of cross- sectional area dA. As dA is small, the pressure on the
exposed ends of the cylinder may be taken as pC and pB.

Since pC> pB, there will be an upward force (pC –pB) dA acting on the cylindrical element.

dFB = (pc – pB ) dA = (h2-h1) dA = dv

Where dv = volume of the prism

The entire body may be considered to be made up of small cylindrical elements, then integrating over
the complete body gives

v v
FB ∫ dF B ∫ dv ∫ dv V

is assumed constant throughout the volume.

V= Volume of the body

Horizontal turest on the cylinder BD=(PB-PD)Da

Total horizontal turest on the body= ∫

A
PB PD dA

=0(since PB=PD)

Therefore, the only force acting on the body is the vertical up trust known as buoyant force which is
equal to the weight of the fluid displaced by the body. The buoyant force acts through the centroid of
the displaced fluid.

Example 3.11

An open tank is filled to the top of water. A steel cylindrical container, wall thickness =1mm, outside
diameter D=100mm, and height H =1m, with an open at the top, is gently placed in the water. What is
the volume of water that overflows from the tank? How many 1kg weights must be placed in the
container to make it sink? Neglect surface tension effects and take SG for steel is 7.83.

Solution

52
The volume of the cylinder is

 D2 
Vsteel *  DH 
 4 
3 3
3.22 *10 m

The weight of the cylinder is

W SG Vsteel
4
7.83 * 9810 * 3.22 *10
24.7 N

At equilibrium, the weight of fluid displace is equal to the weight of the cylinder.

Wdiplaced Vdisplaced W
W 24.7 N
Vdisplaced 2.52 *10 3 m 3
9810 N / m 3

To determine how many 1 kg wts will make it sink, we first need to find the extra volume that we need

to be displaced.

Distance cylinder sank

Vdisplaced
x1 0.321m
 D2 
 
 4 

Hence, the cylinder must be made to sink an additional x2.

x2 H x1 0.679 m

We need to add n weights so that

D2
1kg * n * g x2
4
D 2 x2
n 5.328, Hence we need n = 6 weights to sink the cylinder.
4 *1kg

53
3.8.2 Stability of submerged and floating bodies
Submerged body

A fully submerged body in stable equilibrium if its center of pressure (G) is below the center of
buoyancy (B)

*B *G
* B, G
*G *B
B>G G>B G=B

Stable equilibrium Unstable Neutral

Floating body

The buoyant force on a body of weight, W, and centroid, G, acts through the centroid of the displaced

fluid volume and this point of application of the buoyant force is called the center of buoyancy, B, of the

body. For the body to be in equilibrium, the weight, W, must equal the buoyant force, Fb both acting

along the same vertical line. For small angle of heel, the intersection point the vertical through the new

center of buoyancy, B’, and the line, BG, produced is known as the metacentere, M, and the body thus

disturbed tends to oscillate about, M. The distance between G and M is metacentric height.

Condition of equilibrium

1. If M lies above G a righting moment is produced, GM is regarded as positive, and equilibrium is

stable.

2. If M lies below G an overturning moment is produced, GM is regarded as negative, and

equilibrium is unstable.

3. If M and G coincide the body is in neutral equilibrium.

54
 W

G
B
G

Fb=W B B’

W=Fb

a) Equilibrium condition b) disturbed condition

Disturbing moment

M
G G,M

G w
M
B
B B B’
B’
B’

W Fb Fb w Fb

Restoring moment

a) Stable b) unstable c) neutral

Figure 3. 17: Condition of equilibrium

Determination of metacentric height

In the figure below, AA is the water-line and when a body is given a small tilt two wedge forces
formed, due to the submergence and emergence of the wedge area AOA’ on either side of the axis of
rolling, are imposed on the body forming a couple which tends to restore the body to undisturbed
condition. The effect of this couple is the same as the moment caused by the shift of the total buoyant
force Fb from B to B’, the new center of buoyancy.

55
 L (Fb)

b
A’
g df
A A
df B g
B’ A’

w F’b
(w)

Figure 3. 18: Determination of metacentre

The buoyant force acting through B’

By moment about B,

Fb '*BB ' df * gg
gg
BB' df * df * gg / W
Fb '
df * gg / gV *

Where; V is the volume of the displaced fluid.

The wedge force,

1 1
df g * AA'* b * L , where L is the length of the body.
2 2

1
AA' b
2
21  21  2
gg  b  b b
3 2  3 2  3

1 1 2
g * b * b* L* b
BB' BM 4 2 3 from *
gV
1 3 I
BM Lb / V
12 V

Where; I is the second moment of plane area of the body at water level about its longitudinal axis.

56
Hence the Metacentric height,

GM BM BG
I
GM BG
V

Activity 3.7: what did you understand by the stability of floating body?

Time of oscillation

Consider a floating body, which is tilted through an angle by an overturning couple as shown below. Let
the overturning couple is suddenly removed. The body will start oscillating. Thus, the body will be in a
state of oscillation as if suspended at the meta- center M. This is similar to a case of a pendulum. The
only force acting on the body is due to the restoring couple due to the weight w of the body force of
buoyancy FB.

Y M

W
W FB
FB

Figure 3. 19: Tilted floating body

Restoring couple = W GM sin --------------------*

Angular acceleration of the body,

d2
dt 2

Negative sign has been introduced as the restoring couple tries to decrease the angle .

57
Torque due to inertia

d2 
I Y Y  2 
 dt 

But IY-Y = (W/g) K2

Where W=weight of body, K=radius of gyration about Y-Y

Inertia torque

W 2 d2
( )K **
g dt 2

Equating the above equations(*&**)

d2
WGM sin (W / g )k 2
dt 2

For small angle , sin =

d2
GM k2 / g
dt 2

d2 GMg
0
dt 2 k2

This is second-degree differential equation, the solution is

GM g GM g
C1 sin *t C2 Cos *t
K2 K2

Where, C1 and C2 are constants of integration.

The values of C1 and C2 are obtained from boundary conditions, which are

i) at t=0, =0

ii) at t=(T/2), =0

Where T=time of one complete oscillation

Substituting the first boundary condition, C 2=0

58
Substituting the second boundary condition, we get

Mg T
C1 sin * 0
K2 2

But C1 cannot be equal to zero and so the other alternative is

GM g T
sin * 0 sin
K2 2
GM g T K2
* or T 2
K2 2 GM g

This gives the time period of oscillation or rolling of a floating body.

59