Sustainable Renewable Energy Engineering

Summer 2016
Fluid Mechanics Lab
Experiment 3
Hydrostatic Forces and Center of Pressure
Section: 11 - U, T 1:00 p.m.
Group: C
Student Name
ID
Mona Ibrahim Albawab
U00038472
Mounia Boukhenoufa
U14123818
Kholood Abdollah
U14121356
Ayat Mohammed Ahmed
U00032083
Dr.
Mohammed
Ali Abdul Kareem
Lab
Instructor
Mohammed
Lab Engineer
Eng. Monadhel Alchadirchy
Experiment Date
21-June-2016
Report Submission
26-June- 2016
Date

Table of Contents
Abstract
..........
.............. Page 4
Objectives
..........
.............. Page 4
Theoretical Background

... Page
Apparatus

... Page
Procedure
.
.. Page
Experimental results and completed tables:
.
.. Page
Calculations
..
. Page
Discussion
..........................................................................
Page
Conclusion
.
.. Page
References
.
.. Page

List of Figures and/or Tables:

Page
Number

Figures Title

Figure -2- Hydrostatic force

apparatus
Table 1: Results for partial
immersion
Table 2: Results for compete
immersion

Abstract:
In this experiment we will study about Hydrostatic force that can be very important in
designing any aircraft or sail. This lab is divided into two parts in the 1st part we will
determine the experimental hydrostatic force along with the theoretical one and the center
of pressure for a partly submerged body and in the 2nd part we will do the same but this
time for a fully submerged body. In both parts we will find the error by comparing the
experimental value of the hydrostatic force to the theoretical one.
Objectives:
To determine the hydrostatic force acting on a partly or fully submerged body.
To determine the position of the center of pressure.
To compare the experimental values to the exact theoretical values.
Theoretical Background:
Apparatus and Procedure:
Experimental Apparatus:
Hydraulic bench
Perspex tank equipped with:
A bridge piece at one end with integral pivot
supports whilst at the other end of the tank there is
balance arm restraint and datum level indicator
Spirit level attached to the base of the tank. Drain
cock at the base of the tank extended to a drain
tube.

Figure -2- Hydrostatic force

apparatus 3

A balance arm pivoted on a knife pivot with a groove to hold the weight hanger (balance
pan) on one side and screw bolt for the adjustable counter balance on the other side.
A fabricated quadrant, which has dimensions of 100 mm internal radius, 300 mm outer
radius and 75 mm width, acting as the immersed body.
A set of weights that can be attached to the balance ban.
A scale fixed to the quadrant.
Experimental Procedure:
1. Ensure the balance arm is resting in the knife pivot.
2. Adjust the adjustable counter balance to balance the pivoted arm assembly to the horizontal
position as shown by the beam level indicator.
3. Add very gently, all the provided weights through the balance ban.
4. Wet the surface of the scale to avoid capillary rise by the surface tension on the scale
graduation.
5. Add water to the Perspex tank with slow rate until the arm is on the same horizontal position
indicated by the beam level indicator.
6. Reduce weight or increase water to bring the arm to the position specified above.
7. Use the drain knob to drain water if necessary.
8. When satisfying the above items read the weights and the water level on the scale.
9. Tabulate your results according to table 1 and 2.

Experimental results and completed tables:

Part a: Partial immersion:
Water Temperature = 25oC

Total counter balance mass M

(g)
Measured depth of water y
(mm)
Experimental force on area (N)

Fexp

ad

Trial 3
150

83

91

97

1.651

2.180

2.545

2.527

3.037

3.451

55.34

60.67

64.67

34.7%

28.2%

26.3%

Trial 1
250

Trial 2
270

Trial 3
290

122

129

134

y
3

1
gby 2
2

Depth of center of pressure

(mm)

HP

Trial 2
130

MgL

Theoretical force on same area

(N)

Fth

Trial 1
100

2y
3

Fth Fexp
Fth

100%

Table 1: Results for partial

immersion

Part b: Complete immersion:

Water Temperature = 25oC

Total counter balance mass M

(g)
Measured depth of water y
(mm)

Experimental force on area (N)

Fexp

4.402

4.784

5.159

5.228

5.795

6.162

83.57

89.55

93.92

15.8 %

17.4 %

16.3 %

MgL
d
d2
a
2 12 H

Theoretical force on same area

(N)

Fth g y bd
2

Depth of center of pressure

(mm)

HP y

d
d2

2 12 H

Fth Fexp
Fth

100%

Table 2: Results for compete immersion

Calculations:
Constants Used:
o a= 100 mm = 0.1 m.
o b=75 mm = 0.075 m
o d= 100 mm = 0.1 m.
o L= 290 mm = 0.29 m.
o

water @ 25 C =997 kg/ m3

Part a: Partial immersion:

Fexp

MgL
ad

Experimental force on area (N)

Fth
Theoretical force on same area (N)

HP

y
3

1
gby 2
2

2y
3

Depth of center of pressure (mm)

Fth Fexp
Fth

100%

Error

Trial 1:
exp=

MgL
y
a+ d
3
F

1
th= g b y 2
2
F
p=

2y
3

0.19.81 0.29
0.083
0.1+0.1
3

= 1.651 N

1
997 9.81 0.075(0.083)
2

2 83
3

= 2.527 N

= 55.34 mm

F th Fexp
100 =
Fth

2.5271.651
100=
2.527

34.7 %

Trial 2:
exp=

MgL
y
a+ d
3
F

1
th= g b y 2
2
F
p=

2y
3

0.139.81 0.29
0.091
0.1+ 0.1
3

=2.180 N

1
997 9.81 0.075 (0.091)
2

2 91
3

= 3.037 N

= 60.67 mm

F th Fexp
100 =
Fth

3.0372.810
100=
3.037

28.2 %

Trial 3:
exp=

MgL
y
a+ d
3
F

1
th= g b y 2
2
F
p=

2y
3

0.159.81 0.29
0.097
0.1+0.1
3

= 2.545 N

1
997 9.81 0.075(0.097)
2

2 97
3

= 64.67 mm

F th Fexp
100 =
Fth

3.4512.545
100=
3.451

Part b: Complete immersion

H y

Fexp

d
2

MgL
d
d2
a
2 12 H

Fth g y bd
2

HP y

d
d2

2 12 H

Fth Fexp
Fth

= 3.451 N

100%

Trial 1:

26.3 %

d
0.1
y =0.122
2
2

MgL
d d
a+ +
2 12

Fexp =

th= g y

= 0.072 m

0.25 9.81 0.29

(0.1)
0.1
0.1+
+
2 12 0.072

d
0.1
b d=997 9.81(0.122
) 0.075 0.1
2
2
F

d d2
100 (100)
H p= y + =122
+
2 12
2 12 72

= 4.402 N

F th Fexp
100 =
Fth

= 5.228 N

= 83.57 mm

5.2284.402
100=
5.228

15.8 %

Trial 2:
H

d
0.1
y =0.129
2
2

MgL
d d
a+ +
2 12

Fexp =

th= g y

= 0.079 m

0.27 9.81 0.29

(0.1)
0.1
0.1+
+
2 12 0.079

d
0.1
b d=997 9.81(0.129
) 0.075 0.1
2
2
F

d d2
100 (100)
H p= y + =129
+
2 12
2 12 79

= 4.784 N

F th Fexp
100 =
Fth

= 5.795 N

= 89.55 mm

5.7954.784
100=
5.795

Trial 3:

17.4%

d
0.1
y =0.134
2
2
MgL
d d
a+ +
2 12

Fexp =

th= g y

= 0.084 m

0.29 9.81 0.29

(0.1)
0.1
0.1+
+
2 12 0.084

d
0.1
b d=997 9.81(0.134
) 0.075 0.1
2
2
F

2
d d
100 (100)
H p= y + =134
+
2 12
2 12 84

= 5.159 N

F th Fexp
100 =
Fth

= 6.162 N

= 93.92 mm

6.1625.159
100=
6.162

10

16.3 %