CE 326 – HYDRAULICS

MODULE

MODULE 3:

Total Hydrostatic Force on Surfaces

Introduction

When designing gates, vessels, dams, or other bodies that are submerged in a liquid, it is
important to be able to obtain the resultant force caused by the pressure loading of the liquid, and
to specify the location of this force on the body. In this chapter, we will show how this is done on
a plane and curved surfaces by using a derived formula.

Objective

At the end of this chapter, students are expected to be able to:

1. To learn the concept of hydrostatic force when applied on a submerged body.

2. To determine the magnitude of the hydrostatic force acting on a plate either plane or
curved.
3. To solve problems regarding total hydrostatic forces.

Discussion Proper

Total 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 = 𝑝𝐴

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

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 = 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 = 𝛾ℎ̅𝐴

Where ℎ̅ is the depth of liquid above the centroid of the submerged area.
 Derivation of Formulas

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 an inclined plane surface

The differential force dF acting on the element dA is

𝑑𝐹 = 𝑝𝑑𝐴

𝑑𝐹 = 𝛾ℎ𝑑𝐴

From the figure ℎ = 𝑦𝑠𝑖𝑛𝜃

𝑑𝐹 = 𝛾(𝑦 sin 𝜃) 𝑑𝐴

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

𝐹 = 𝛾 sin 𝜃 ∫ 𝑦 𝑑𝐴

Recall from calculus that ∫ 𝑦 𝑑𝐴 = 𝐴𝑦̅

𝐹 = 𝛾 sin 𝜃 𝐴𝑦̅

𝐹 = 𝛾(𝑦̅ sin 𝜃)𝐴

From the figure,𝑦̅ sin 𝜃 = ℎ̅, thus,

 ̅𝑨
𝑭 = 𝜸𝒉

̅ is a unit pressure at the centroid at the plane area, thus, the formula
The product 𝜸𝒉
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(𝑦 sin 𝜃) 𝑑𝐴

𝐹 = 𝛾(𝑦̅ sin 𝜃)𝐴

[𝛾(𝑦̅ sin 𝜃)𝐴] 𝑦𝑝 =∫ 𝑦 [𝛾(𝑦 sin 𝜃) 𝑑𝐴]

(𝛾 sin 𝜃) 𝐴𝑦̅ 𝑦𝑝 =(𝛾 sin 𝜃) ∫ 𝑦 2 𝑑𝐴

𝐴𝑦̅ 𝑦𝑝 =∫ 𝑦 2 𝑑𝐴

Again from Calculus ∫ 𝑦 2 𝑑𝐴 is called moment of inertia denoted by I since our

reference point is S.

𝐴𝑦̅ 𝑦𝑝 =𝐼𝑠

Thus,

𝑰𝒔
𝒚𝒑 =
̅
𝑨𝒚

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

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

 𝑰𝒈
𝑬𝒄𝒄𝒆𝒏𝒕𝒓𝒊𝒄𝒊𝒕𝒚 = 𝒆 =
̅
𝑨𝒚

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.

Note: the discussion here is also applicable to plane surfaces.

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. The resultant force of the horizontal
component can be located through the center of pressure of this projection.

𝑭𝒉 = 𝒑𝒄𝒈 𝑨

Where A is the vertically projected area of the curved surface.

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. The resultant of the vertical component
can be located through the centroid of this column.

𝑭𝒗 = 𝜸𝑽

Where V is the volume of water (real or virtual) above the curved surface.

Total Hydrostatic Force

𝑭 = √𝑭𝑯 𝟐 + 𝑭𝑽 𝟐

𝐹𝑉
Acting normally to the surface at an angle 𝜃𝑥 = tan−1 ( ) with respect to the
𝐹𝐻
horizontal.

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.
Examples:

1. The tank is filled with water. Determine the resultant force and the location of the center of
pressure, measured from the top of the tank.

a. acting on the triangular plate A (4.83 kN, 1.77m)

b. acting on the semicircular plate B (6886.89 kN, 1.798m)

c. acting on the trapezoidal plate C (9.18 kN, 1.75m)

2. A triangular plate oh height 1.20 m and base 0.90 m is installed in a position that its plane is
inclined 60 degrees with the horizontal with its vertex at the top and the base is parallel to the
water surface. The vertex is at a depth of 2m vertically below the water surface. Fresh water is
on one side of the gate.

a. Evaluate the total hydrostatic force on the gate (14.26 kN)

b. Locate the point of action of the total hydrostatic force from the vertex of the plane of the
gate. (0.286m)

c. If the gate is hinged at the bottom, evaluate the force normal to the gate at its vertex that will
require to open it. (4.45 kN)
3. 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.

a. Find the horizontal reaction at the hinge. (410.01kN)

b. How far from the invert of the tunnel is the hydrostatic force acting on the gate?(1.4464m)

c. Where will the hinge support be located (measured from the inert) to hold the gate in
position? (1.4048m)

Solution:

Force on the gate due to air pressure

1
𝐹𝑎𝑖𝑟 = 𝑝𝑎𝑖𝑟 𝐴 = 45 [ 𝜋(3)2 ]
4

𝐹𝑎𝑖𝑟 = 318.09 𝑘𝑁

Force on the gate due to water

1
𝐹𝑤𝑎𝑡𝑒𝑟 = 𝛾ℎ̅𝐴 = 9.81(12 − 1.5) [ 𝜋(3)2 ]
4

𝐹𝑤𝑎𝑡𝑒𝑟 = 728.10 𝑘𝑁
Horizontal force at the hinge support

∑ 𝐹𝑥 = 0

𝑅𝑜 = 728.10 − 318.09

𝑹𝒐 = 𝟒𝟏𝟎. 𝟎𝟏 𝒌𝑵

Location of 𝐹𝑤 from the invert

𝜋 4
𝐼𝑔 (3 )
𝑒= =𝜋 64
𝐴𝑦̅ (32 ) × 10.5
4

𝑒 = 0.0536 𝑚

𝑦 = 1.5 − 𝑒 = 1.5 − 0.0536

𝒚 = 𝟏. 𝟒𝟔𝟒 𝒎

Location of the hinged support

∑ 𝑀𝑜 = 0
(𝑦 − 𝑧)𝐹𝑤 = (1.5 − 𝑧)𝐹𝑎𝑖𝑟

(1.4464 − 𝑍)(728.10) = (1.5 − 𝑍)(318.09)

𝒛 = 𝟏. 𝟒𝟎𝟒𝟖 𝒎

4. The quarter-circular arched gate is 3 ft wide, is pinned at A, and rests on the smooth support
at B. Determine the reactions at these supports due to the water pressure.

Solution:

The horizontal component of the resultant force acting on the gate is equal to the pressure force
on the vertically projected area of the gate.

𝐹𝐻 = 𝛾ℎ̅𝐴

𝐹𝐻 = 62.4(3)(6 × 3)

𝐹𝐻 = 3369.6 𝑙𝑏
The vertical component of the resultant force acting on the gate is equal to the weight of the
column of water above the gate shown:

𝐹𝑉 = 𝛾𝑉𝑜𝑙

1
𝐴𝐴𝐵𝐷 = (6 × 6) − ( × 𝜋 × 62 ) = 7.7257 𝑓𝑡 2
4

𝑉𝑜𝑙 = 𝐴𝐴𝐵𝐷 × 𝑤𝑖𝑑𝑡ℎ = 7.7257 × 3 = 23.177𝑓𝑡 3

𝐹𝑉 = 62.4(23.177) = 1446.245 𝑙𝑏

1 4×6
(6 × 6)(3) − ( × 𝜋 × 62 ) ( )
𝑥̅ = 4 3𝜋 = 4.6598 𝑓𝑡
1
(6 × 6) − ( × 𝜋 × 62 )
4
∑ 𝑀𝐴 = 0

𝐹𝑉 (4.6598) + 𝐹𝐻 (4) − 𝑁𝐵 (6) = 0

1446.245(4.6598) + 3369.6(4) − 𝑁𝐵 (6) = 0

𝑵𝑩 = 𝟑𝟑𝟔𝟗. 𝟔 𝒍𝒃 or 3.37 kips

∑ 𝐹𝑥 = 0

3369.6 − 𝐴𝑥 = 0

𝑨𝒙 = 𝟑𝟑𝟔𝟗. 𝟔 𝒍𝒃 or 3.37 kips

∑ 𝐹𝑦 = 0

3369.6 − 144624 − 𝐴𝑦 = 0

𝑨𝒚 = 𝟏𝟗𝟐𝟑. 𝟑𝟔 𝒍𝒃 𝒐𝒓 𝟏. 𝟗𝟐 𝒌𝒊𝒑𝒔

5. Gate AB has a width of 0.5 m and a radius of 1 m. Determine the horizontal and vertical
components of reaction at the pin A and the horizontal reaction at the smooth stop B due to the
water pressure.
Solution:

𝐹𝐻 = 𝛾ℎ̅𝐴

𝐹𝐻 = 9.81(0.5)(1 × 0.5)

𝐹𝐻 = 2.4525 𝑘𝑁
𝐹𝑉 = 𝛾𝑉𝑜𝑙

1
𝐴 = (1 × 1) − ( × 𝜋 × 12 ) = 0.2146 𝑚2
4

𝑉𝑜𝑙 = 𝐴𝐴𝐵𝐷 × 𝑤𝑖𝑑𝑡ℎ = 0.2146 × 0.5 = 0.1073 𝑚3

𝐹𝑉 = 9.81(0.1073) = 1.05262 𝑘𝑁

1 4×1
(1 × 1)(0.5) − ( × 𝜋 × 12 ) ( )
𝑥̅ = 4 3𝜋 = 0.7766 𝑚
1
(1 × 1) − ( × 𝜋 × 12 )
4

∑ 𝑀𝐴 = 0

2
1.05262(0.7766) + 2.4525 ( × 1) − 𝐹𝐵 (1) = 0
3

𝑭𝑩 = 𝟐. 𝟒𝟓𝟐 𝒌𝑵

∑ 𝐹𝑥 = 0

2.452 − 2.452 − 𝐴𝑥 = 0
 𝑨𝒙 = 𝟎

∑ 𝐹𝑦 = 0

1.05262 − 𝐴𝑦 = 0

𝑨𝒚 = 𝟏. 𝟎𝟓𝟐𝟔𝟐 𝒌𝑵

6. The sluice gate for a water channel is 1.5 m wide and in the closed position, as shown.
Determine the magnitude of the resultant force of the water acting on the gate. Solve the problem
by considering the fluid acting on the horizontal and vertical projections of the gate. Determine
the smallest torque T that must be applied to open the gate if its weight is 30 kN and its center of
gravity is at G?

Solution:

1.5m

2 sin 40

𝐹𝐻 = 𝛾ℎ̅𝐴
 2 sin 40
𝐹𝐻 = 9.81(2 + )(1.5 × 2𝑠𝑖𝑛40)
2

𝐹𝐻 = 49.994 𝑘𝑁

1.5(2 sin 40)3

𝑒= 12 = 0.0521 𝑚
2 sin 40
1.5(2 sin 40)(2 + )
2

𝐹𝑉 = 𝛾𝑉𝑜𝑙

1 𝜋 1
𝐴 = (2 − 2 cos 40) (2) + [ (22 ) (40° × ) − (2 cos 40)(2 sin 40)] = 1.3473 𝑚2
2 180° 2

𝑉𝑜𝑙 = 𝐴𝐴𝐵𝐷 × 𝑤𝑖𝑑𝑡ℎ = 1.3473 × 1.5 = 2.209 𝑚3

𝐹𝑉 = 9.81(2.209) = 19.825 𝑘𝑁
 2 − 2𝑐𝑜𝑠40
𝑥1 = 2 cos 40 + (
̅̅̅ ) = 1.7660 𝑚
2

2𝑟 sin 𝜃 2 2 sin 20
𝑟̅ = = ( ) = 1.3064 𝑚
3𝜃 3 20 × 𝜋
180

𝑥2 = 1.3064 cos 20 = 1.2276 𝑚

̅̅̅

2
𝑥3 = (2cos 40) = 1.0214
̅̅̅
3
1 𝜋 1
(2 − 2 cos 40) (2)(1.766) + [ (22 ) (40° × ) (1.2276) − (2 cos 40)(2 sin 40)(1.0214)]
𝑥̅ = 2 180° 2
1 2 𝜋 1
(2 − 2 cos 40) (2) + [ (2 ) (40° × ) − (2 cos 40)(2 sin 40)]
2 180° 2

𝑥̅ = 1.7523 𝑚

The magnitude of the resultant force is

𝐹 = √𝐹𝐻 2 + 𝐹𝑉 2 = √49.9942 + 19.8252 = 𝟓𝟑. 𝟕𝟖 𝒌𝑵

Refer to the figure:

∑ 𝑀0 = 0

2 sin 40
30(1.5 cos 20) + 49.995( + 0.05211) − 19.825(1.7524) − 𝑇 = 0
2

𝑻 = 𝟒𝟐. 𝟐𝟖𝟔𝟓 𝒌𝑵 − 𝒎