Hydrostatic Forces

Student Manual

r0219
1. Theory/Background
A. Hydrostatic Pressure1
In a fluid at rest, all frictional and inertial stresses vanish and the state of stress of the system is called
hydrostatic.
Since many liquids can be considered incompressible, a reasonably good estimation can be made by
assuming a constant density throughout the liquid. Since the height (h) of the fluid column between z
and z0 is often reasonably small compared to the radius of the Earth, one can neglect the variation of
gravity (g) under these circumstances:
𝑝 − 𝑝𝑜 = 𝜌 g ℎ
Where:
 h Height of the liquid column between the test volume and the zero reference point of the
pressure (m)
 P Hydrostatic pressure (Pa)
 Ρ Fluid Density (kg/m3)
 g gravitational acceleration (m/s2)
B. Hydrostatic Force on Submerged Surfaces
The horizontal and vertical components of the hydrostatic force acting on a submerged surface are given
by the following:
𝐹𝐻 = 𝑝𝑐 𝐴
𝐹𝑉 = 𝜌 g 𝑉
Where:
 pc Pressure at the centroid of the vertical projection of the submerged surface
 A Area of the same vertical projection of the surface
 ρ Density of the fluid
 g Acceleration due to gravity
 V Volume of fluid directly above the curved surface

1
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hydrostatics, 2/13/18
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2. Equipment
A. Equipment Diagram

Figure 1 F1-12 Hydrostatic Pressure Apparatus

B. Overview
A fabricated quadrant is mounted on a balance arm which pivots on knife edges. The specific gravity of
the quadrant material is approximate 1.0; buoyancy force is thus negligible. The knife edges coincide
with the center of arc of the quadrant. The hydrostatic forces acting on the quadrant, when immersed in
water, only act on the rectangular end face, gives rise to a moment about the knife edges (forces on the
curved surfaces resolve through the pivot and have no effect on the moment). This moment is
counteracted by weights at a fixed distance from the pivot, allowing the magnitude and position of the
hydrostatic force to be determined for different water depths. The quadrant can be operated with the
vertical end face partially or fully submerged.
The balance arm incorporates a weight hanger for the weights supplied and an adjustable
counterbalance weight to adjust such that the balance arm is horizontal before immersing the quadrant
in water.
A level indicator attached to the side of the tank shows when the balance arm is horizontal.
Water may be drained through a cock in the side of the tank. The water level is indicated on a scale on
the side of the quadrant.
C. Balance arm, weight hanger and counterbalance
The balance arm incorporates two locating dowels and a clamping screw for securing the quadrant in
the correct position on the arm. The arm pivots on top of the flotation tank via machined knife edges.
The balance arm incorporates a locating groove to ensure that the weight hanger is correctly positioned
relative to the pivot. Rotation of the counterbalance weight allows it to be moved relative to the pivot,
allowing the assembled balance arm to be levelled before immersing the quadrant in water.
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 D. Clear acrylic flotation tank
The flotation tank must be levelled before levelling the balance arm by adjusting the screwed feet.
Correct alignment is indicated by a circular spirit level mounted on the base of the tank. A level indicator
mounted on the end of the flotation tank shows when the balance arm is horizontal.
E. General Case/Apparatus Theory
When the quadrant is immersed in water it is possible to analyze the forces acting on the surfaces of the
quadrant as follows:
The hydrostatic force at any point on the curved surfaces is normal to the surface and therefore
resolves through the pivot point because this is located at the origin of the radii. Hydrostatic
forces on the upper and lower curved surfaces therefore have no net effect – no torque to affect
the equilibrium of the assembly because all of these forces pass through the pivot.
The forces on the sides of the quadrant are horizontal and cancel out (equal and opposite).
The hydrostatic force on the vertical submerged face is counteracted by the balance weight. The
resultant hydrostatic force on the face can therefore be calculated from the value of the balance
weight and the depth of the water as follows:
When the system is in equilibrium, the moments about the pivot point are equal:
𝑚 g 𝐿 = 𝐹 ℎ′′
Where:
 m Mass on the weight hanger (kg)
 g Acceleration due to gravity (m/s2)
 L Length of the balance arm (m)
 F Hydrostatic thrust (N)
 h'' Distance between the pivot and the center of pressure (m)
By calculating the hydrostatic thrust and center of pressure on the end face of the quadrant, theoretical
and experimental results can be compared.
F. Partially Submerged Vertical Plane Case
For the case where the vertical face of the quadrant is partially submerged:

The forces shown are F, the hydrostatic thrust, and m g, the weight.

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 where:
 L Horizontal distance between the pivot point and the weight hanger (m)
 H Vertical distance between the pivot and the base of the quadrant
 D Height of the quadrant face
 B Width of the quadrant face
 d Depth of water from the base of the quadrant
 h' Vertical distance between the surface and the center of pressure
i. Hydrostatic Thrust
The hydrostatic thrust can be defined as:
𝐹 =𝜌𝑔𝐴ℎ
Where
 A Area (m2) 𝐴=𝐵𝑑
𝑑
 ℎ Mean Depth of Immersion (m) ℎ=2

Therefore:
1
𝐹 = 𝜌 𝑔 𝐵 𝑑2
2
ii. Experimental Depth of Pressure
The moment, M, can be defined as:
𝑀 = 𝐹 ℎ′′
A balancing moment is produced by the weight, W, applied to the hanger at the end of the
balance arm. The moment is proportional to the length of the balance arm, L.
For static equilibrium the two moments are equal, i.e.:
𝐹 ℎ′′ = 𝑊 𝐿 = 𝑚 𝑔 𝐿
By substitution of the derived hydrostatic thrust, F :
𝑚𝑔𝐿 2𝑚𝐿
ℎ′′ = =
𝐹 𝜌 𝐵 𝑑2
iii. Theoretical Depth of Pressure
The theoretical result for depth of pressure P below the free surface is:
𝐼𝑥
ℎ′ =
𝐴ℎ
Where Ix is the 2nd Moment of Area of the immersed section about an axis in the free-surface. By
use of the parallel axes theorem:
𝐼𝑥 = 𝐼𝑐 + 𝐴 ℎ2
𝐵 𝑑3 𝑑 2 𝐵 𝑑3
= +𝐵𝑑 ( ) =
12 2 3
The depth of the center of pressure below the pivot point is therefore given by:
ℎ′′ = ℎ′ + 𝐻 − 𝑑

Substitution then gives the result as:

𝑑
ℎ′′ = 𝐻 −
3

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 G. Fully Submerged Vertical Plane Case
For the case where the vertical face of the quadrant is fully submerged:

Where:
 d Depth of Submersion (m)
 F Hydrostatic Thrust (N)
 h' Depth of the center of pressure (m)
 h'' Distance between the pivot and the center of pressure (m)
 B Width of the quadrant surface (m)
 D Depth of the quadrant surface (m)
 m Mass on the weight hanger (kg)
i. Hydrostatic Thrust
The hydrostatic thrust can be defined as:
𝐷
𝐹 = 𝜌 𝑔 𝐴 ℎ = 𝜌 𝑔 𝐵 𝐷 (𝑑 − )
2
ii. Experimental Depth of Pressure
The moment, M, can be defined as:
𝑀 = 𝐹 ℎ′′
A balancing moment is produced by the weight, W, applied to the hanger at the end of the
balance arm. The moment is proportional to the length of the balance arm, L.
For static equilibrium the two moments are equal, i.e.:
𝐹 ℎ′′ = 𝑚 𝑔 𝐿

By substitution of the derived hydrostatic thrust, F :

𝑚𝐿
ℎ′′ =
𝐷
𝜌 𝐵 𝐷 (𝑑 − )
2

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 iii. Theoretical Depth of Pressure
The theoretical result for depth of pressure P below the free surface is:
𝐼𝑥
ℎ′ =
𝐴ℎ

Where Ix is the 2nd Moment of Area of the immersed section about an axis in the free-surface. By
use of the parallel axes theorem:
𝐼𝑥 = 𝐼𝑐 + 𝐴 ℎ2
𝐵 𝑑3 𝑑 2 𝐵 𝑑3
= +𝐵𝑑 ( ) =
12 2 3
The depth of the center of pressure below the pivot point is therefore given by:
ℎ′′ = ℎ′ + 𝐻 − 𝑑

Substitution then gives the theoretical result of:

𝐷 2⁄ + (𝑑 − 𝐷⁄ )2
′′
ℎ =𝐻+ 12 2
𝐷
𝑑 − ⁄2
The turning moment can now be calculated.
3. Equipment Setup (completed by Lab Manager)
A. Equipment Set Up
1. Position the empty F1-12 flotation tank on a suitable level surface. Adjust the screw feet until the
built-in circular spirit level indicates that the tank is level in both planes.
2. Adjust the position of the balance arm in the knife edges until the balance arm swings freely up
and down between the extremes of the gate on the level indicator at the end of the flotation tank.
3. Locate the empty weight hanger in the groove at the end of the balance arm.
4. Place the empty weight hanger in the notch at the end of the balance arm.
5. Adjust the position of the counterbalance weight until the balance arm is horizontal (flat on
balance arm adjacent to central index mark on level indicator).

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4. Exercise A
A. Objectives
To determine the hydrostatic thrust acting on a plane surface immersed in water when the surface is
partially submerged or fully submerged.
B. Method
By achieving an equilibrium condition between the moments acting on the balance arm of the test
apparatus. The forces acting are the weight applied to the balance and the hydrostatic pressure on the
end face of the quadrant.
C. Equipment Required
In order to complete the demonstration the following equipment is required:
 F1-12 Hydrostatic Pressure Apparatus (including weights)
 Jug and/or beaker
 Calipers
D. Procedure
1. Place a weight (typically 50 g) on the weight hanger.
2. Close the drain valve at the end of the tank, then slowly add water to the tank. Avoid wetting the
balance arm or the quadrant above the water level in the tank.
3. Fill the flotation tank with water initially until the balance arm rises. Continue to add water until
the balance arm is horizontal, checking this by aligning the flat of the balance arm with the central
mark on the level indicator. It may be easier to slightly over-fill the tank and obtain the
equilibrium position by opening the drain cock to allow a small outflow.
4. When the arm is horizontal, read the depth of immersion from the scale on the face of the
quadrant. Care should be taken to avoid potential meniscus parallax.
5. Repeat the above procedure for different load increments by adding further weights to the weight
hanger in 50 g increments.
6. Continue until the water level reaches the top of the upper scale on the quadrant face.
7. Repeat the procedure in reverse, by progressively removing 50 g increments.
E. Results
 Determine and comment on the variation of thrust with depth.
 Determine and comment on the relationship between the depth of the center of pressure and the
depth of immersion.
 For both of the above, contrast the differences when the plane becomes fully submerged.
 Note and explain any discrepancies between the experimental and theoretical results for the
depth of center of pressure.

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Appendix A - Data Sheet
(Make copies if required)
Measured Distance to
Mass Turning Hydrostatic Center of Turning
Added Moment Depth Thrust Pressure Moment
m d F h
(kg) (N∙m) (m) (N) (m) (N∙m)

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Appendix B Nomenclature

Name Unit Symbol Type Definition

Vertical height of quadrant face
Height of Quadrant m D Given
(0.1 m).

Horizontal width of quadrant face

Width of Quadrant m B Given
(0.075 m).

Length of Balance arm m L Given Length of balance arm (0.275 m).

Distance from base of vertical quadrant

Quadrant To Pivot m H Given
face to pivot (0.2 m).

Mass kg m Measured Weights applied to the weight hanger.

Depth of base of vertical quadrant face

Depth of Immersion m d Measured
beneath the free surface.

Partially Submerged Body

𝐵𝑑2
Hydrostatic Thrust N F Calculated 𝐹 =𝜌g
2
𝑚𝑔𝐿
Experimental Center of Pressure m h'' Calculated ℎ′′ =
𝐹
𝑑
Theoretical Center of Pressure m h'' Calculated ℎ′′ = 𝐻 −
3

Fully Submerged Body

𝐷
Hydrostatic Thrust N F Calculated 𝐹 = 𝜌 g 𝐵 𝐷 (𝑑 − )
2
𝑚𝐿
Experimental Center of Pressure m h'' Calculated ℎ′′ =
𝐷
𝜌 𝐵 𝐷 (𝑑 − 2 )

𝐷 2⁄ + (𝑑 − 𝐷⁄ )2
Theoretical Center of Pressure m h'' Calculated ℎ′′ = 𝐻 + 12 2
𝐷
𝑑 − ⁄2

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