FLUID MECHANICS, MODEL – 2, PART – A

Module – 2: Hydrostatic Pressure on Surfaces

Kinematics of Flow

HYDROSTATIC PRESSURE ON SURFACES

2.1 INTRODUCTION

Hydro means water and static means at rest, the word hydrostatic means that water is at rest. It
means, there will be no movement between adjacent layers. So, change in velocity is zero (du
= 0) and from this velocity gradient is also zero (du / dy = 0). The shear stress which is product
of viscosity of velocity gradient will also be zero (τ = μ(du / dy) = 0). As shear stress is zero,
the other forces acting on the fluid particle will be i) due to the pressure of the fluid normal to
the surface and ii) due to gravity or self-weight of fluid particle.

Hydrostatic force is a force exerted by water on surfaces with which it is in contact. Similarly,
hydrostatic pressure is a pressure exerted by water on surfaces with which it is in contact.

Total Pressure: When a static mass of fluid comes in contact with a surface (plane or curved),
a force is exerted by fluid on the surface and this force always acts normal (perpendicular) to
the surface. The pressure on the surface due to this force is called Total pressure.

𝐹1 𝐹2 𝐹3
𝑝= + + +⋯
𝑎1 𝑎2 𝑎3

Centre of Pressure: It is the point of application of total pressure on the surface. In other words
it can be defined as the point through which the resultant force passes.

Centroid: Centroid is a point on a plane area. It is defined with respect to the geometry of the
body. It is a point, where the moment of area about any axis through that point is zero.

Depth of Centroid (x̅): It is the vertical distance between the free liquid surface and the centroid
of the plane area considered.

Depth of Centre of Pressure (h̅ ): It is the vertical distance between the free liquid surface and
the centre of pressure.

GANESH H., ASST. PROF., DEPT. OF CIVIL ENGG., R.Y.M.E.C., BALLARI 1

 FLUID MECHANICS, MODEL – 2, PART – A

There are four possibility of submerged surfaces on which depth of centroid and depth of centre
of pressure can be determined.

i) Horizontal Plane Surface submerged in static fluid,

ii) Vertical Plane Surface submerged in static fluid,
iii) Inclined Plane Surface submerged in static fluid and
iv) Curved Surface submerged in static fluid.

2.2 HORIZONTAL PLANE SURFACE SUBMERGED IN A STATIC FLUID

Consider a horizontal plane surface submerged / immersed

in a static fluid (say liquid) at a depth ‘h’ from free liquid
surface. As the plane is horizontal, every point of the sur-
face is at the same depth (h) from the free liquid surface.
So, the pressure intensity will be equal on the entire surface,
i.e., p = ρgh, where ρ is density of liquid, g is acceleration
due to gravity and h is depth of plane surface.
Let, ‘A’ be the total area of the surface.
Then total force on the surface, F = p x A = ρghA = ρgx̅A = ρgh̅A
where x̅ is depth of centroid and h̅ is depth of centre of pressure.
For horizontal plane submerged in liquid, h= x̅= h̅

2.3 VERTICAL PLANE SURFACE SUBMERGED IN A STATIC FLUID

Consider a vertical plane surface of irregular shape is submerged / immersed in a static fluid
(say liquid). Let ‘A’ be the area of the surface.

2.3.1 Total Pressure Force (F)

Total pressure force on the surface is determined by di-

viding the entire surface into a number of strips. The
force on small strip is calculated and then the total pres-
sure force on the surface is calculated by integrating the
force on the small strip. Consider a small elemental strip
of thickness ‘dh’ and width ‘b’ at a depth ‘h’ from the
free liquid surface.

GANESH H., ASST. PROF., DEPT. OF CIVIL ENGG., R.Y.M.E.C., BALLARI 2

 FLUID MECHANICS, MODEL – 2, PART – A

From figure,
h – Depth of elemental strip from free liquid surface
b – Width of the strip
dh – Thickness of the strip
C.G. – Point of centre of gravity of plane surface
C.P – Point of centre of pressure of plane surface
x̅ – Vertical distance of C.G. from free liquid surface
h̅ – Vertical distance of C.P. from free liquid surface.

Pressure intensity on the strip, p = ρgh

Area of the strip, dA = dh x b
Pressure force on the strip, dF = pressure x area = p x dA = ρgh x b x dh
⸫Total pressure force on the surface, F=∫ dF = ∫ ρgh x b x dh = ρg ∫ h x b x dh = ρg ∫ h x dA
But, ∫ h × dA = First moment of area about free liquid surface
= Distance of C.G. from free surface × Area of surface
= x̅ ×A
⸫Total pressure force on the surface, F= ρgx̅A
Note: g is 9.81 m/s2, for water ρ is 1000 kg/m3 and the force will be in Newton.

2.3.2 Depth of Centre of Pressure (h̅ )

Depth of centre of pressure can be determined by using the Principle of Moments which states
that “the moment of the resultant force about an axis is equal to the sum of moments of the
components about the same axis” (in this example we consider free liquid surface as the refer-
ence axis).

The total force on the surface will act at a point called as centre of pressure (C.P.), which is at
a distance of h̅ from the free liquid surface.
Moment of resultant (total) force about free liquid surface = F × h̅ = ρgx̅A × h̅
Moment of force (dF) acting on the strip about free liquid surface = dF × h
Sum of moment of all such forces about free liquid surface = ∫ dF ×h = ∫ ρgh ×dA ×h
= ρg ∫ h2 × dA
But, ∫ h2 × dA = Second moment of area / Moment of Inertia about free liquid surface
= Distance of C.P. from free surface × Area of surface
= I0

GANESH H., ASST. PROF., DEPT. OF CIVIL ENGG., R.Y.M.E.C., BALLARI 3

 FLUID MECHANICS, MODEL – 2, PART – A

⸫ Sum of moment of all such forces about free liquid surface = ρgI0

From Principle of Moments,

F × h̅ = ∫ dF × h

ρgx̅A × h̅ = ρgI0
x̅Ah̅ = I0
From Parallel Axis Theorem,
I0 = IG +Ax̅ 2
where IG is Moment of Inertia of area about an axis passing through the C.G. of the area and
parallel to the free surface of the liquid.
x̅Ah̅ = IG +Ax̅ 2
IG
h̅= + x̅
x̅A

Note: Centre of pressure of the surface lies below the centre of gravity.

2.4 INCLINED PLANE SURFACE SUBMERGED IN A STATIC FLUID

Consider a plane surface of irregular shape is submerged / immersed in a static fluid (say liquid)
in such a way that the plane of the surface makes an angle θ with the free surface of the liquid.
If the plane of the surface is produced, it meets the free liquid surface at Z. Z –Z be the axis
perpendicular to the plane of the surface. Let ‘A’ be the area of the surface.

2.4.1 Total Pressure Force (F)

Total pressure force on the surface is determined by di-

viding the entire surface into a number of strips. The
force on small strip is calculated and then the total pres-
sure force on the surface is calculated by integrating the
force on the small strip. Consider a small elemental strip
of area dA at a depth ‘h’ from the free liquid surface.

From figure,
h – Depth of elemental strip from free liquid surface
y – Distance of strip from Z – Z axis
C.G. – Point of centre of gravity of plane surface
C.P – Point of centre of pressure of plane surface

GANESH H., ASST. PROF., DEPT. OF CIVIL ENGG., R.Y.M.E.C., BALLARI 4

 FLUID MECHANICS, MODEL – 2, PART – A

x̅ – Vertical distance of C.G. from free liquid surface

h̅ – Vertical distance of C.P. from free liquid surface
y̅ – Distance of C.G. from free liquid surface from Z – Z axis
s̅ – Vertical distance of C.P. from free liquid surface from Z – Z axis.

Pressure intensity on the strip, p = ρgh = ρg(y × Sinθ)

Pressure force on the strip, dF = pressure x area = p x dA = ρg(y × Sinθ) × dA
⸫Total pressure force on the surface, F=∫ dF = ∫ ρg(y × Sinθ) × dA = ρgSinθ ∫ y × dA
But, ∫ y × dA = First moment of area about free liquid surface
= Distance of C.G. from free surface × Area of surface
= 𝑦̅ ×A
⸫Total pressure force on the surface, F= ρg Sinθ y̅ A
Note: g is 9.81 m/s2, for water ρ is 1000 kg/m3 and the force will be in Newton.

2.4.2 Depth of Centre of Pressure (h̅ )

Depth of centre of pressure can be determined by using the Principle of Moments which states
that “the moment of the resultant force about an axis is equal to the sum of moments of the
components about the same axis” (in this example we consider free liquid surface as the refer-
ence axis).

The total force on the surface will act at a point called as centre of pressure (C.P.), which is at
a distance of h̅ from the free liquid surface.
Moment of resultant (total) force about Z – Z axis = F × s̅ = ρg Sinθ y̅ A × s̅
Moment of force (dF) acting on the strip about Z – Z axis = dF × y
Sum of moment of all such forces about Z – Z axis = ∫ dF ×h = ∫ ρg(y × Sinθ) × dA × y
= ρgSinθ ∫ y 2 × dA
But, ∫ y 2 × dA = Second moment of area / Moment of Inertia about free liquid surface
= Distance of C.P. from free surface × Area of surface
= I0

⸫ Sum of moment of all such forces about free liquid surface = ρg Sinθ I0

From Principle of Moments,

F × s̅ = ∫ dF × y

GANESH H., ASST. PROF., DEPT. OF CIVIL ENGG., R.Y.M.E.C., BALLARI 5

 FLUID MECHANICS, MODEL – 2, PART – A

ρg Sinθ y̅ A × s̅ = ρg Sinθ I0
y̅As̅ = I0
From Parallel Axis Theorem,
I0 = IG +Ay̅ 2
where IG is Moment of Inertia of area about an axis passing through the C.G. of the area and
parallel to Z – Z axis.
y̅As̅ = IG +Ay̅ 2
IG
s̅ = + y̅
y̅A
x̅ h̅
But, sin θ = and sin θ =
y̅ s̅

h̅ IG x̅
= +
sin θ x̅
A sin θ
sin θ
IG (sin θ)2
h̅ = + x̅
x̅A

If θ = 90˚, the above equation will be same as the equation of vertical plane submerged / im-
mersed in a static fluid.

2.5 CURVED SURFACE SUBMERGED IN A STATIC FLUID

Consider a curved surface AB, submerged in a static fluid

(say liquid) as shown in the figure. Consider a small strip at
a depth ‘h’ from the free liquid surface and let dA be the
area of that strip.

Pressure intensity on the strip, p = ρgh

Pressure force acting on the strip, dF = p x area = ρgh x dA
Note: Force always acts normal to the surface.
Total pressure force on the surface, F= ∫ ρghdA

As the surface has a curved shape, at different points on the surface, the force will be acting in
different directions. Hence, integration of the above equation is impossible for the curved sur-
faces. So, this problem can be solved by resolving the force dF in two components i) dFx and
ii) dFy in the x and y directions respectively. The total force Fx and Fy along x and y directions
are obtained by integrating dFx and dFy.

GANESH H., ASST. PROF., DEPT. OF CIVIL ENGG., R.Y.M.E.C., BALLARI 6

 FLUID MECHANICS, MODEL – 2, PART – A

Force acting on the strip in x direction, dFx = ρghdA x Sinθ

Force acting on the strip in y direction, dFy = ρghdA x Cosθ
Total force acting on the surface in x direction, Fx = ∫ dFx = ∫ ρghdA Sinθ = ρg ∫ hdA Sinθ
Total force acting on the surface in y direction, Fy = ∫ dF𝑦 = ∫ ρghdA Cosθ = ρg ∫ hdA Cosθ
Fx = Total pressure force on the projected area of the curved surface on vertical plane.
Fy = Weight of liquid supported by the curved surface upto free surface of liquid.

Total force acting on the strip, 𝐹 = √𝐹𝑥 2 + 𝐹𝑦 2

Fy
Inclination of resultant force with horizontal, ∅= tan-1 F
x

Note: If the curved surface is not supporting any fluid. In

such case, Fy is taken as equal to the weight of the imaginary
liquid supported by the curved surface upto free liquid sur-
face. The direction of Fy will be taken in upward diection.

GANESH H., ASST. PROF., DEPT. OF CIVIL ENGG., R.Y.M.E.C., BALLARI 7