Chapter 2

Fluid

Statics

Examples:
E 2-1 An inverted U-tube of the form shown in Fig. E2-1 is used to measure the pressure
difference between two points A and B in an inclined pipeline through which water is flowing
( H O = 10 3 kg/m3). The difference of level h=0.3m, a=0.25m and b=0.15m. Calculate the pressure
2

difference PB PA if the top of the manometer is filled with (a) air, (b) oil of relative density 0.8.
Fig.E2.1
Solution

In either case, the pressure at X-X will be the same in both limbs, so that
PXX = PA ga man gh = p B g (b + h),
p B p A = g (b a ) + gh ( man ).

(a) If the top is filled with air man is negligible compared with . Therefore,
p B p A = g (b a) + gh = g (b a + h).

Putting = H 2O = 10 3 kgm 3 , b =0.15m, a =0.25m, h =0.3m

p B p A = 10 3 9.81(0.15 0.25 + 0.3) =1.96210 N/m2
3

(b) If the top is filled with oil of relative density 0.8,

man = 0.8 H O = 0.8 10 3 kg/m3

2

p B p A = g (b a) + gh( man )

= 10 3 9.81(0.15 0.25) + 9.81 0.3 10 3 (1 0.8)

= 10 3 9.81(0.1 + 0.06)
= 0.392 N/m2
Fig.E2-1 schematic view of example E2-1

E 2-2 A sluice gate is in the form of a circular arc of radius 6 m as shown in Fig. E2-2.
Calculate the magnitude and direction of the resultant force on the gate, and the location with
respect to O of a point on its line of action.
SolutionSince the water reaches the top of the gate, Depth of water,
h = 2 6 sin 30 o = 6 m,

Horizontal component of force on gate= R h per unit length

=Resultant force on PQ per unit length
= g h h / 2 = gh 2 / 2
= (10 3 9.81 36) / 2
= 176.58 kN
Vertical component of force on gate = RV per unit length
=Weight of water displaced by segment PSQ
=(Sector OPSQ OPQ) g

= (60 / 360 6 2 6 sin 30 0 6 cos 30 0 10 3 9.81

=32.00kN
Resultant force on gate, R = ( R h2 + Rv2 )
= (176.58 2 + 32.00 2 ) = 179.46 kN
If R is inclined at an angle to the horizontal,
tan = RV / Rh = 32.00 / 176.58 = 0.18122

= 10.27 0 to the horizontal.

Since the surface of the gate is cylindrical, the resultant force R must pass through O.

Fig.E2-2

schematic view of example E2-2

Exercises:
2-1 Newfound Lake , a freshwater lake near Bristol, New Hampshire, has a maximum
depth of 60m, and mean atmospheric pressure is 91 kPa. Estimate the absolute pressure in kPa at
this maximum depth. (678400Pa)
2-2 Pressure gage B is to measure the pressure at point A in a water flow. If the pressure at
B is 87 kPa, estimate the pressure at A in kPa. Assume all fluids are at 20. See Fig.P2-34.
(96350Pa)
2-3

A closed tank contains 1.5m of SAE 30 oil( oil = 891 kg/m3), 1m of water

( H O = 1000 kg/m3), 20 cm of mercury ( Hg = 13600 kg/m3), and an air space on top, all at 20.
2

The absolute pressure at the bottom of the tank is 60kPa. What is the pressure in the air space?
(10500Pa)

Fig.2-34
2-4 A rectangular sluice door (Fig.2-35) is hinged at the top at A and kept closed by a
weight fixed to the door, The door is 120 cm wide and 901 cm long and the centre of gravity of the
Complete door and weight is at G, the combined weight being 9810N. Find the height of the water
(0.88m)
h on the inside of the door which will just cause the door to open.

Fig.2-35

schematic view of Prob.25

2-5 The quarter circle gate BC in Fig. 2-36 in hinged at C. Find the horizontal force P
required to hold the gate stationary.
(59kN)

Fig.2-36

schematic view of Prob.25