FLUID STATIC

Lecturer: Dr. Jacqueline Isabella Gisen

Section: 02
 Chapter Outlines

2.1 Absolute and Gauge Pressure

2.2 Relationship between Pressure and Elevation

2.3 Pressure Measurement : Manometer and Barometer

2.4 Hydrostatic force: Horizontal Flat Surfaces, Rectangular Wall (vertical and
inclined wall)

2.5 Determination the Centre of Pressure on the Surfaces

2.6 Hydrostatic force : Submerged Plane Area and Submerged Curved Surface

2.7 Buoyancy and Stability

 2.1 ABSOLUTE AND GAUGE PRESSURE
2.1.1 Pressure Head

The height of a column of fluid necessary to develop a specific pressure

or the pressure of water at a given point in a pipe arising from the
F P pressure in it.
Free
L R surface pgauge = 0
U O Static pressure
I P profile
D E h m
R
T Figure 2.1: The
I proportionality of
pgauge = gh pressure and height.
E
S cylinder
=

= = = , = =

 1.1.2 Absolute, Gauge and Vacuum Pressure

Absolute pressure: The actual pressure at a given position. It is

measured relative to absolute vacuum.

Gauge pressure: The difference between the absolute pressure and the
local atmospheric pressure. Most pressure-measuring devices are
F P calibrated to read zero in the atmosphere, and so they indicate gage
pressure.
L R
U O Vacuum pressures: Pressures below atmospheric pressure.
I P
= +
D E
R =
T
I =
E
S patm pgauge

pvac
patm pabs Vacuum
patm range
pabs Pabs = 0
 Example Problem 2.1

A vacuum gauge connected to a chamber reads 40 kPa at location where

the atmospheric pressure is 100 kPa. Determine the absolute pressure in
the chamber.
F P
L R
U O
I P
D E
R
T
I
E
S
 In class Exercise 2.1

Determine the gauge and absolute pressure at a depth of 10 m in a tank

filled with water. The atmospheric pressure is 100kN/m2.

F P
L R
U O
I P
D E
R
T
I
E
S
 Example Problem 2.2

A container is filled with a fluid at a gage pressure of 200kN/m2.

a) What is the head in terms of water ?

b) What is the head in terms of mercury if the density is 13540 kg/m3.
F P c) If the atmospheric pressure is 100kPa, what is absolute pressure in
L R the container?
U O
I P
D E
R
T
I
E
S
 In Class Exercise 2.2

a) Determine the pressure at a point in a liquid if the head is 60mm of

mercury with density of 13540 kg/m3.

b) A container is filled with oil of specific gravity 0.85. Determine the

pressure at a depth of 2.5m. What is the head in m of water?
F P
L R
U O
I P
D E
R
T
I
E
S
 2.2 PRESSURE AND ELEVATION

2.2.1 Pressure variation with elevation

The change in pressure in a homogeneous liquid at rest due to a

change in elevation can be calculated from :
F P
L R =
U O
I P Points on the same horizontal level have the same pressure.
D E
R Pressure varies linearly with the change in elevation and depth.
T
I Decrease in elevation causes increase in pressure; Increase in
E elevation causes decrease in pressure.
S
Equation does not apply to gases because its specific weight changes
with pressure, unless there is a large change in elevation which
produce significant change in pressure.
 Pressure height variation

F P
L R
U O
I P
D E
R
T
I
E
S
Figure 2.2: In a room filled with a gas, the Figure 2.3: Pressure in a
variation of pressure with height is negligible. liquid at rest increases linearly
with distance from the free
surface.
 Variation of pressure with depth

F P
L R
U O
I P Figure 2.4: The pressure of a Figure 2.5: Free-body diagram
D E fluid at rest increases with depth of a rectangular fluid element in
(as a result of added weight). equilibrium.
R
T = 2 1 = =
I
= + = +
E
S = + =

When the variation of density with elevation is known:

2
= 2 1 = z
1
 Consistent pressure at a depth of same fluid

F P
L R
U O
I P
D E
R
T
I
E
S
The pressure is the same at all points on a horizontal plane in a given fluid at
rest regardless of geometry, provided that the points are interconnected by the
same fluid.
 Pressure variation of different fluids

F P
L R
U O
I P
D E
R
T
I
E
S 1 = + 1 1 + 2 2 + 3 3

In stacked-up fluids layers at rest, the pressure change across a fluid

layer in accordance to their density and height h.
 Example Problem 2.3

Fig. 2.4 below shows a tank of oil with one side open to the atmosphere
and the other side sealed with air above the oil. The oil has specific
gravity of 0.90. Calculate the gauge pressure at points A, B, C, D, E and
F P F and the air pressure in the right side of the tank.
L R
U O
I P
D E
R Set as reference 0
T
I
E
S
 2.3 PRESSURE MEASUREMENT & DEVICES
2.3.1 Barometer
A barometer is a device used to measure atmospheric pressure; thus, the
atmospheric pressure is often referred to as the barometric pressure.

A frequently used pressure unit is the standard atmosphere, the pressure

F P produced by a column of mercury at 760 mm in height at 0C (Hg =
L R 13540 kg/m3) under gravitational acceleration (g = 9.81 m/s2).
U O
I P For most practical purposes the contribution of the vapor pressure in the
closed end can be neglected since it is very small.
D E
R Vapor pressure
The length or the
T cross-sectional area of
I the tube has no effect
on the height of the
E fluid column of a
S barometer, provided
that the tube diameter
is large enough to
avoid surface tension
(capillary) effects.
= +
 Example Problem 2.4

(See Fig)

F P
L R
U O
I P
D E
R
T
I
E
S
 Example Problem 2.5

A mountain lake has an average temperature of 10 C and a maximum

depth of 40 m. A barometric pressure installed at the lake reads 598
mmHg. Determine the absolute pressure (in Pa) at the deepest part of
the lake. Given specific weight for mercury is 133 kN/m3 and specific
F P weight for water at 10C is 9.804 kN/m3.
L R
U O
I P
D E
R
T
I
E
S
 2.3 PRESSURE MEASUREMENT & DEVICES
2.3.2 Manometer

Is a pressure measuring devices using a technique that involving the

use of liquid columns in vertical or inclined tubes.

F P It is commonly used to measure small and moderate pressure

L R differences. A manometer contains one or more fluids such as
U O mercury, water, alcohol, or oil.
I P
Measure the pressure drop across a flow section or a flow device by
D E
a differential manometer.
R
T
I
E 1 + 1 + 2 1 = 2
S
1 2 = 2 1
 Types of Manometer

There are three types of manometer:

U-tube
A. Piezometer

F P B. U-tube manometer
L R
U O C. Inclined-tube manometer
I P
D E Inclined Piezometer
R tube
T
I
E
S
 A. Piezometer

Consists of a vertical tube, open at the

p0 = patm = 0
top, and attached to the container in
which the pressure desired.

Since this method is involving column of

F P fluid at rest, the basic equation for
L R pressure (for incompressible fluid) can
U O be used to relate a reference pressure
with the desired pressure and the height
I P
of the column.
D E
R Equation that relates between the height of the column and the
T pressure desired is given as:
I
E = + 0
S
Or if we set atmospheric pressure as reference (using as gage
pressure):

= 1 1
 Pro and Con of Piezometer

Advantages

Simple

F P Accurate
L R
U O Disadvantages
I P
D E Only suitable if the pressure in container is greater than atmospheric
R pressure; otherwise air would be sucked into the system.
T
I The pressure to be measured must be relatively small so the required
E height of the column is reasonable.
S
The fluid in the container in which the pressure is to be measured
must be liquid rather than gas.
 B. U-Tube Manometer

Consists a tube formed into the shape of U; the fluid in the

manometer is called GAGE FLUID.

The advantages of using U-tube manometer are:

F P
L R The gage fluid can be different from fluid in the container
U O in which the pressure is to be determined.
I P
D E This manometer is often to be used for measuring the
R difference between 2 container.
T
I
E
S
 Working procedure

To find pressure PA in terms of various column heights, we start at one

end of the system and work our way around to the other end, simply
utilizing the basic equation for pressure (incompressible fluid).

i. Pressure at A and point (1) are the same.

F P
L R ii. Move from point (1) to (2), pressure increase for 1h1.
U O
I P iii. Pressure at point (2) and (3)
are the same; note that we
D E cannot simply jump across 1
R from point (1) to the point at
T the same level at the right
I hand tube.
E h1
iv. Pressure is equal ONLY for
S
pressure at the same
elevation within a
continuous mass of a fluid at
rest.
 Working procedure (cont)

v. With the pressure at (3) is specified, we move to the open end

where the pressure is zero (gage pressure) and pressure decrease
for 2h2.

vi. Finally we get the following relationship:

F P
L R + 1 1 2 2 = 0
U O
I P = 2 2 1 1
D E 1
2
R For gases
T
I h2
If container A contain gas, the
E contribution of the gas column, 1h1 h1
S is almost always negligible so that
pA p2 , so that :

= 2 2
 Closed End Manometer

F P
L R
U O
I P
D E
R
T
I
E
S
+ 1 1 2 2 =

= + 2 2 1 1
 Example 2.6 (U-tube manometer)

Figure shows a closed tank contains

compressed air and oil (SGoil = 0.90). A
U-tube manometer using mercury (SGHg
= 13.6) is connected to the side of the
tank. Given the pressure head h1 = 36
F P cm, h2 = 6cm and h3= 9cm, determine
L R the pressure reading (in kPa) of the gage.
U O
I P
D E
R
T
I
E
S
 Example Problem 2.7 (U-tube manometer)
F P
L R
U O
I P
D E
R
T
I
E
S
 In Class Exercise 2.3

F P
L R
U O
I P
D E
R
T
I
E
S
 C. Inclined-Tube Manometer

Used to measure small pressure differences accurately.

One leg of the manometer is inclined at an angle, (in radian) and the
differential reading l2 is measured along the inclined tube.
F P
L R
U O
I P
D E
R
T + 1 1 2 2 =
I = 2 2 + 1 1
E
S Note that the pressure difference between points (1) and (2) is due to
the vertical distance between the points, l2sin.

For relatively small angles the differential reading along the inclined
tube can be larger even for small pressure differences.
 For Gases

If container A and B contain gas then:

F P
L R
U O
I P
D E
R
T = 2 2
I
E
S 2 =
2
 2.4 Hydrostatic Force
Hydrostatic is the study of pressure exerted by liquid to a surface at
rest.

Direction of pressure is perpendicular/normal to the surface in

contact.
F P
Resultant Force FR is defined as the force due to the total pressure
L R
exerted by a fluid at rest onto a surface.
U O
I P Centre of Pressure hp is the point of application of the resultant
D E force on the surface.
R
Hydrostatic Law
T
I Rate of increase of pressure in vertical direction is equal to weight
E density.
S
=

=

=
 2.4.1 Horizontal Flat Surfaces

The pressure exerted on a horizontal flat surfaces under liquids is

uniformly distributed and the force at the bottom can be determined by F
= pA.

F P
L R
U O
I P
D E
R
T
I
E Figure 2.6 (a) Cylinder drum; (b) Cone drum
S
Pressure at the bottom of both cylindrical drums will be the same as the
elevation of the pressure are the same (the small difference in volume of
liquid can be ignored according to the law of Pascals paradox).
 Example Problem 2.7

If the drum in Figure 2.6 (a) is open to the atmosphere at the top, calculate
the force on the bottom.

F P
L R
U O
I P
D E
R
T
I
E
S
 2.4.2 Rectangular Wall

Figure 2.7 shows two types of typical rectangular walls exposed to a

fluid pressure varying from zero on top to maximum pressure at the
bottom.

F P
L R
U O
I P
D E
R
T
I
E
Figure 2.7 Rectangular walls
S

The force due to the fluid pressure tends to overturn the wall or break it.
 Vertical Wall

F P
L R
U O
I P
D E
R
T Figure 2.8 Vertical rectangular wall
I
E
=
S
= /2

= /2
 Hydrostatic Forces Considering Atmospheric Pressure

A plate, such as a gate valve in a dam, the wall of a liquid storage

tank, or the hull of a ship at rest, is subjected to fluid pressure
distributed over its surface when exposed to a liquid.

On a plane surface, the hydrostatic forces form a system of parallel

F P forces, and we often need to determine the magnitude of the force
L R and its point of application, which is called the center of pressure.
U O
When analyzing hydrostatic forces on submerged surfaces, the
I P atmospheric pressure can be subtracted for simplicity when it acts on
D E both sides of the structure.
R
T
I
E
S

Hoover Dam
 Example Problem 2.8

In Figure 2.8, the fluid is gasoline (sg=0.68) and the total depth is 3.7m.
The wall is 12.2m long. Calculate the magnitude of the resultant force
on the wall and the location of the center of pressure.

F P
L R
U O
I P
D E
R
T
I
E
S
 Inclined Wall

F P
L R
U O
I P
D E
R Figure 2.9 Inclined rectangular wall
T
I Two centre of pressure: vertical and inclined distance from the bottom
E
S
:
h
L
=
sin
 Example Problem 2.9

Figure 2.9 shows a dam 30.5 m long that retains 8 m of fresh water and
is inclined at an angle of 60. Calculate the magnitude of the resultant
force on the dam and the location of the center of pressure.

F P
L R
U O
I P
D E
R
T
I
E
S
 2.5 Centre of Pressure on The Surfaces

Shape A C. from base IC

B

C B B4
Square B2
F P B/2 2 12
L R
U O B
I P
D E C H BH3
R Rectangle BH
H/2 2 12
T
I
E
S
BH H BH3
Triangle C
2 3 36
D/3
B
 Shape A C. from base IC

D
C D2 D D4
Circle
4 2 64
F P
L R
U O
I P
Semi- C r2 4r
D E 0.1102r4
Circle 2 3
R r 4r/3
T
I
E a
2 + 2 + 4
S (a+B)H (B+2a) . H +
Trapezium C H
2 (B+a) 3 3

B 36
 2.6 Hydrostatic Force on Submerged Surfaces
2.6.1 Submerged Verical Plane Area
Free surface of liquid

Pressure distribution profile

h
F P b
hc hp
L R
U O dF dh
I P FR C
D E p
R
T
I Resultant pressure FR
E
Pressure Force on small strip = =
S
Total resultant force = =

= = =
 Position of the centre of pressure from free surface of liquid hp

Moment of Resultant Force from the surface MR =

= = = 2
F P
L R Say moment of inertia of the surface of liquid = 0 = 2
U O
I P = 0
D E
R = 0
T 0
I =

E
S By parallel axis theorem, 0 = + 2

+ 2
= = +

 2.6.2 Submerged Inclined Surfaces
Free surface of liquid

hp FR hc dF h
Lp

Lc
F P
L R dA
U O C
p y
I P
D E dy
R
T Resultant pressure FR
I
Pressure Force on small strip = =
E
S Total pressure force on the whole area = =

Depth of small strip from surface = sin

= sin = sin

= sin =
 Position of the centre of pressure from free surface of liquid hp

Moment of Resultant Force from the surface =

Pressure force on small strip = = = sin

Moment on small strip = = sin = 2 sin

F P
L R Total moment of force = 2 sin = sin 2 = sin 0
U O
Moment of resultant force, = sin 0
I P
D E sin 0
R =

T
I sin 0 sin2 0
= ; =
E sin
S
By parallel axis theorem, 0 = + 2

2 sin2
= + 2 = +
sin
 Example Problem 2.10

An inclined rectangular gate, 1.5m by 1.0m with water on one side

is shown in Figure below. Determine :

a) The total resultant force acting on the gate

b) The location centre of pressure
F P
L R
U O
I P
D E
R
T
I
E
S
 Example Problem 2.11

One plat with radius 75cm submerged in water.

Find:
a) The total resultant force acting on the gate
b) The location centre of pressure
F P
L R
U O
I P
D E
R
T
I
E
S
 2.6.3 Submerged Curved Surfaces

System is separated
F P into two parts: Top
L R (vertical) and Bottom
U O (curved)
I P
D E
b
R
T
I
E
S
 Horizontal Component

Horizontal forces including F1, F2a, FH and F2b.

Pressure force on the vertical wall top 1 = 2 at h/3 from bottom.

Pressure force on the curved surface bot = 2 =

F P
L R = = + /
U O
Location of the centre pressure 2 is
I P
D E
R = +

T
I 3
= +
E 12
S

= +

 Vertical Component

Vertical forces including weight of liquid acting downward W and upward

force FV.

Pressure force on the vertical component

F P = ()
L R
U O = ()
I P
Resultant Force
D E
R The resultant force is
T
I
= +
E
S
The resultant force act at an angle relative to the horizontal axis

=
 Example Problem 2.12

The tank in figure below is 3 m wide. Neglecting the atmospheric

pressure, compute the hydrostatic horizontal, vertical and resultant force
on quarter-circle panel BC. Draw the resultant force on that panel.

F P
L R
U O x1
I P
D E
R
T
I
E x2
S
 2.7 Buoyancy and Stability
2.7.1 Buoyancy

A body in a fluid, whether floating or submerged, is buoyed up by a

force equal to the weight of the fluid displaced.

F P 2.7.1 Buoyancy Force

L R
U O Buoyant force: The upward force a fluid exerts on a body immersed in
I P it. The buoyant force is caused by the increase of pressure with depth in
a fluid.
D E
R = =
T
Where : Fb = Buoyant force
I f = Specific weight of the fluid
E Vd = Displaced volume of the fluid
S W = weight of immersed body
 Example of buoyancy force

A flat plate of uniform thickness h submerged in a liquid parallel to the

free surface.

F P
L R
U O
I P
D E
R
T
The buoyant force acting on the plate is equal to the weight of the liquid
I
displaced by the plate.
E
S

For a fluid with constant density, the buoyant force is independent of the
distance of the body from the free surface. It is also independent of the
density of the solid body.
 Archimedes principle

The buoyant force acting on a body immersed in a fluid is equal to the

weight of the fluid displaced by the body, and it acts upward through the
centroid of the displaced volume.

F P
L R
U O
I P
D E
R
T
I
E The buoyant force FB acts upward through the centroid C of the
S displaced volume and is equal in magnitude to the weight W of the
displaced fluid, but is opposite in direction.

For a solid of uniform density, its weight Ws also acts through the
centroid, but its magnitude is not necessarily equal to that of the fluid it
displaces. (Here Ws > W and thus Ws > FB; this solid body would sink.)
 Example Problem 2.13

A cube of 80 mm on a side is made of a rigid foam material and floats in

water with 60 mm of the cube below the surface. Calculate the magnitude
and direction of the force required to hold it completely submerged in
glycerin, which has a specific gravity of 1.26.
F P
L R
U O
I P
D E
R
T
I
E
S
 2.7.3 Stability of Immersed and Floating Body

Stability

For floating bodies such as ships, stability is an important consideration

for safety.

F P
L R
U O
I P
D E Stability is
R easily
T understood
by analyzing
I a ball on the
E floor.
S
 Floating Body

A floating body possesses vertical stability,

while an immersed neutrally buoyant body
is neutrally stable since it does not return to
its original position after a disturbance.

F P An immersed neutrally buoyant body is (a)

stable if the center of gravity G is directly
L R
below the center of buoyancy B of the body,
U O (b) neutrally stable if G and B are
I P coincident, and (c) unstable if G is directly
D E above B.
R
T When the center of gravity G of an
immersed neutrally buoyant body is not
I vertically aligned with the center of
E buoyancy B of the body, it is not in an
S equilibrium state and would rotate to its
stable state, even without any disturbance.

A ball in a trough between two hills is

stable for small disturbances, but unstable
for large disturbances.
 Metacentric height GM

Metacentric height GM: The distance between the center of gravity G

and the metacenter Mthe intersection point of the lines of action of
the buoyant force through the body before and after rotation.

The length of the metacentric height GM above G is a measure of the

F P stability: the larger it is, the more stable is the floating body.
L R
U O A floating body is stable if the body is bottom-heavy and thus the
I P center of gravity G is below the centroid B of the body, or if the
metacenter M is above point G. However, the body is unstable if point
D E
M is below point G.
R
T
I
E
S