Chapter 3

Fluid Statics

Prepared By:
Dishank Upadhyay
Mechatronics Department
TeamLease Skills University
Vadodara
 Objectives
• to compute the hydrostatic forces and pressure
distribution on plane or curved submerged
bodies ; that helps in design of structures and
equipments like dams, ships and hydraulic
actuators etc.
• stability of immersed and floating body
• understand the concept of buoyancy and
floatation
 Content
• Pressure
• Pascal’s law
• Hydrostatic Law
• Pressure variation for an incompressible fluid
• Atmospheric, gauge, Absolute and Negative pressure
• Force on horizontal submerged plane surface
• conditions for floating
• Archimedes’ Principle
• Reasons for buoyancy and three possibilities
• Application of buoyancy and floatation
• Stability of floating bodies
 What is Fluid Statics?
• the study of the fluid at rest
• includes situations where fluids are
– Actually at rest
– in Uniform acceleration in container.
– or rotate as a solid mass
• No shear force is present as the no motion is
there in fluid.
 Pressure
• Fluid element act upon 2 category of forces
1. Body force
• on fluid elements are caused by agencies such as
gravitational force, electric or magnetic field.
• magnitude of such forces is proportional to the mass of
fluid
2. Surface Force
• it represents the action of surrounding fluids on the
elements under consideration through direct contact.
• these are because of surface stresses like pressure and
shear.
 Intensity of Pressure
• Mathematical definition in absence of shear is
𝑑𝐹
– 𝑝=
𝑑𝐴
• where dF represent the resultant force acting normal
to the infinitesimal area dA.
• if F acts uniformly over are A
𝐹
– 𝑝=
𝐴
• units
– Pascal = N/m2
– Bar or atmosphere
 Pascal’s Law
• “Intensity of pressure at a
point in a fluid at rest is
same in all direction.”
• Example”:
– if we push the piston the
water will come out of the
bulb with same pressure
from all holes.
 Pascal’s Law - Proof
• Consider stationary fluid
• Tetrahedral fluid element
• element has unit depth
perpendicular to the
plane of paper
• Pressure Px, Py, Ps
• on faces ABEF, CDEF, •
•
Forces on
ABEF = Px dy dz
ABCD • ABCD = Ps ds dz
• CDEF = Py dx dz
 Pascal’s Law - Proof
• take depth of element dz = 1
• take force in x & y direction
• Forces in X direction:
– Force in ABEF due to dx
– Force due to Ps
– Force due to dy = 0
• Summation of all forces = 0
• 𝐹𝑥 + 𝐹𝑥𝑠 + 𝐹𝑦 = 0
• 𝑃𝑥 𝑑𝑦 − 𝑃𝑠 𝑑𝑦 + 0 = 0
• 𝑃𝑥 𝑑𝑦 = 𝑃𝑠 𝑑𝑦
• 𝑃𝑥 = 𝑃𝑠 ------------------------ Eq 1
 Pascal’s Law - Proof
• Forces in Y direction:
– Force in CDEF due to dy
– Force due to Ps
– Force due to dx = 0
– Due to its weight = Negligible
• Summation of all forces = 0
• 𝐹𝑦 + 𝐹𝑥𝑠 + 𝐹𝑥 + 𝜌𝑔𝑉 = 0
• 𝑃𝑦 𝑑𝑥 − 𝑃𝑠 𝑑𝑥 + 0 = 0
• 𝑃𝑦 𝑑𝑥 = 𝑃𝑠 𝑑𝑥
• 𝑃𝑦 = 𝑃𝑠 -------------------- Eq 2
 Pascal’s Law - Proof
• From Eq 1 & Eq 2
• 𝑃𝑥 = 𝑃𝑦 = 𝑃 𝑠
• it means
– Pressure at any point is the same in all directions.
 Pascal’s Law - Applications
• Hydraulic press
• Hydraulic jack
• Hydraulic lift
• Measuring Instruments
Pascal’s Law - Applications
Pascal’s Law - Applications
• A per the Pascal's law
• Pressure on Smaller side = Pressure of Larger
side
• Ps = Pl
• to find out how much weight will be lifted on
larger side, we can take :
• Ps = Pl
𝐹𝑠 𝐹𝑙
• =
𝐴𝑠 𝐴𝑙
𝐴𝑙
• 𝐹𝑙 = 𝐹𝑠
𝐴𝑠
• the equation indicates that by applying a
small force Fs we can lift larger load on the
other side.
 Pressure-Density-Height Relation
(Hydrostatic Law)
• “Rate of increase of pressure in a vertical
direction is equal to the weight density (Specific
weight) of the fluid.”
𝑑𝑃
• = 𝜔
𝑑𝑌
• Where ;
– dP = Change in Pressure
– dY = Change in vertical direction
– 𝜔 = Specific weight
 Pressure-Density-Height Relation
(Hydrostatic Law) - Proof P A
2

• Fluid density 𝜌
• Area A
• Bottom pressure P1 at Z1 Level
• Top Pressure P2 at Z2 level
• Fluid at rest & equilibrium sum of all forces Area A
in vertical direction = 0
Z2
• Vertical forces on the body are Fluid
– Force due to P1 on A = P1A density 𝜌
– Force due to P2 on A = P2A
– Force due to weight of element
• F = mg
• F = 𝜌gV
– Where V = Volume = Area x Height = A(Z2 – Z1) Z1
Datum P1A
 Pressure-Density-Height Relation
(Hydrostatic Law) - Proof P A
2

• in equilibrium condition
summation of all forces are
0. Area A
• P1A –P2A - 𝜌gA(Z2-Z1) = 0
Z2
• P1 – P2 = −𝜌g (Z1-Z2) Fluid
density 𝜌
• dP = −𝜌g dZ
𝑑𝑃
• = −𝜌𝑔 = −𝜔 Z1
𝑑𝑍 Datum P1A
 Pressure-Density-Height Relation
(Hydrostatic Law) - Proof P A
2

𝑑𝑃
• = −𝜌𝑔 = −𝜔
𝑑𝑍
• thus, fluid under gravity
pressure decreases with Area A
increasing in height. Z2
• if there are absolute forces we Fluid
density 𝜌
can write the equation line
– 𝑃 = 𝜔𝑍 𝑜𝑟 𝑃 = 𝜔ℎ
– 𝑃 = 𝜌𝑔ℎ Z1
Datum P1A
 Hydrostatic Paradox
• Pressure density depends on
height of column not on size
of the column.
• Weight of water/Fluid is
different in different shape of
vessels.
• This situation is referred as
hydrostatic paradox.
 Pressure variation for an incompressible fluid.

• For incompressible fluid

– Specific weight independent of pressure
– constant with height

• P2 – P1 = −𝜔 (Z2-Z1)
𝑃2−𝑃1
• = 𝑍2 − 𝑍1
𝜔
𝑃2 𝑃1 • Where
• + 𝑍2 = + 𝑍1 • Z = Position head
𝜔 𝜔 𝑃
• = Pressure Head
𝑃 𝜔
• + 𝑍 = 𝐶𝑜𝑛𝑠𝑡𝑎𝑛𝑡 •
𝑃
+ 𝑍 = Piezometric head
𝜔 𝜔
 Pressure variation for an incompressible fluid.
• Representing difference in
elevation between two points
by “h”= 10 m
• Pressure measuring from free
liquid surface where
atmospheric pressure prevails
• P = Pat + wh ;
– As pressure P is partially due to
atmospheric
– and partially due to weight of
the fluid in given height • The Pressure intensity depends on the
• if Pat = 0 on pressure scale height of the column not on the size of the
• P = wh column
– When it is above atmospheric • Figure shows shame pressure intensity in all
pressure it is called Positive the shapes.
pressure or gauge pressure
Atmospheric / Absolute / Gauge and Negative Pressure
1. Atmospheric Pressure :
– Pressure by air surrounding the earth
surface
– Measured by mercury barometer
– We can write,
• Pat – Pvp = w h
– but Pvp = 0.17 N/m2 = very low in comparison
with 105 N/m2 atmospheric pressure. so,
• Pat = w h
– at sea level
• Pat = 1.01325 bar
• = 760 mm of hg
• = 10.33 m of water
Atmospheric / Absolute / Gauge and Negative Pressure

2. Absolute Pressure
– A zero pressure intensity
occurs when molecular
momentum is zero and it
occurs at perfect vacuum.
– Pressure intensity
measured from this state
of vacuum or zero
pressure is called absolute
pressure.
Atmospheric / Absolute / Gauge and Negative Pressure

3. Gauge Pressure & Vacuum

Pressure
– Instruments at gauges used to
measure fluid pressure like
• P - Patm
• where P = Unknown
– P > Patm = Gauge Pressure
– P < Patm = Vacuum / Rarefaction /
Negative Pressure
– Pabs = Patm + Pg
– Pabs = Patm - Pv
 Atmospheric / Absolute / Gauge and Negative Pressure
4. Static Pressure and Total Pressure
– Liquid flows inside the tube
– 2 tubes are there
• Static (with h1 height)
• Pilot/Dynamic (with h2 height)
– h1 shows a static pressure of the flow.
– as we insert the pilot tube the water will
rise in the tube higher than h1 as the area of
flow will increase, the fluid will rise at some
point (h2) that will be responsible height for
the total pressure of the flow
– the difference between the h2 and h1 shows
the dynamic pressure of the fluid.
– Total pressure – static pressure = Dynamic
pressure
Atmospheric / Absolute / Gauge and Negative Pressure
4. Static Pressure and Total Pressure
– Dynamic pressure will be derive as
– (Velocity pressure / impact
pressure)
– For incompressible fluid or for the
fluid flowing at low viscosity
– dynamic pressure = V2/2g
– K.E./V = V2/2g
– ½ mv2 / V = V2/2g
– ½ v2 m/V
1 2
– 𝑣 𝜌
2
 Examples

• Hydrostatic law
• Pascal’s law
• Pressure based
 Hydrostatic forces on surfaces
• The forces are always normal to the surface.
• Surfaces
– Horizontals surface
– Vertical surface
• Centre of pressure : Point of application of total
pressure on the surface is called centre of pressure
• Total pressure : Pressure acting on the centre of
gravity is called total pressure.
 Horizontal Plane Surface
• Here FREE SURFACE

– P = Centre of Pressure
– G = Centre of Gravity h*, 
–  = distance to COP
P,G
– h*= distance to CG
• in horizontal surface
all the points are at Area A
same height, So
• P = 𝜌g A or
• P = 𝜌g h*A
 Horizontal Plane Surface
• Examples FREE SURFACE

h*, 

P,G

Area A
 Vertical Plane surface
• Here FREE SURFACE
– P = Centre of Pressure
– G = Centre of Gravity h
–  = distance to COP 
h*
– h*= distance to CG dh
– h = height of the strip G
F P
– A = Area of the surface Area A
• Consider
b
– Plane vertical surface
– Arbitrary shape
– Strip of height dh to find out
over all pressure on the
shape.
 Vertical Plane surface
FREE SURFACE
• Total Pressure
– Centre of pressure in small strip h
– Strip thickness = dh 
– width = b h*
dh
– depth = h G
– dA = b x dh F P
Area A
– dF = p x Area
– dF = 𝜌𝑔ℎ 𝑑𝐴 b
– 𝑑𝐹 = 𝜌𝑔ℎ 𝑑𝐴
• ℎ 𝑑𝐴 = Moment of surface area
– Total Force :
about free surface
– F = 𝜌𝑔 ℎ 𝑑𝐴 • = Area of surface x Distance to C.G.
– F = 𝜌𝑔A • =Ax
 Vertical Plane surface
FREE SURFACE
• Centre of Pressure h
– it is calculated by using 
h*
dh
principal of moments
G
• Moment of resultant force F P
Area A
about an axis = sum of
moments of the components b
about the same axis.
– Moment of F @ P =
moment of dF on strip
– F x h* = dF x h
 Vertical Plane surface
FREE SURFACE
• dF x h = 𝜌𝑔ℎ ℎ 𝑑𝐴
• Total sum of moment of all such force h
about free axis 
h*
• 𝜌𝑔ℎ ℎ 𝑑𝐴 dh
• 𝜌𝑔ℎ2 𝑑𝐴 G
F P
• 𝜌𝑔I0 Area A
• F x h* = 𝜌𝑔I0
• 𝜌𝑔A h* = 𝜌𝑔I0 b
• h* = 𝐼0/(A)
• ℎ2 𝑑𝐴 = Moment of inertia
• Theorm of Parallel axis • I0 = ℎ2 𝑑𝐴
• I0 = IG + A 2

• h* =  + IG / A 
 Vertical Plane surface
FREE SURFACE
• We can say,
h
– Centre of pressure h* lies 
h*
below the centre of gravity of dh
vertical surface G
F P
Area A
– the distance of centre of
pressure from free surface of b
liquid is independent of the
density of the liquid.
 Vertical Plane surface
• Examples FREE SURFACE

h

h*
dh
G
F P
Area A

b
 Archimedes Principle
• “When an object is totally or partially
immersed in a fluid, it experiences an upthrust
equal to weight of the fluid displaced.”
W
Water
surface
G
B

FB
Archimedes Principle
 Buoyancy
• Buoyancy :
– body immersed in a fluid, an upward
force is exerted on the body . that
upward force is equal to the weight of
the fluid displaced by the body that is
called force of buoyancy or
buoyancy.
W
• Centre of buoyancy
– the point, through which the force of Water
surface
buoyancy is suppose to act. G
– centre of buoyancy is the centre of B
gravity of fluid displaced.

FB
Examples: Sinking & Floating objects

The reading of The reading of

spring balance is 2.7 N spring balance is 1.7 N
 Examples: Sinking & Floating objects

What is the reading of spring balance

if the wood is attached to it ?
 Examples: Sinking & Floating objects

What is the reading of spring balance

if the wood is attached to it ? ZERO
 Density and Buoyancy
• From Archimedes’ Principle:
• Buoyant Force = Weight of fluid displaced
• = mg
𝒎
• FB = 𝝆 𝑽𝒈 (𝒏𝒐𝒕𝒆: 𝝆 = )
𝑽
• Where ……
• FB = Buoyant Force or Upthrust
•  = Density of fluid
• V = Volume of fluid displaced or
• the volume of the object that immersed in the fluid.
 Buoyant Force and Floatation

• Buoyant force = weight  the object floats and stationary

• Buoyant force > weight  the object moves up
• Buoyant force < weight  the object moves down
 The law of Floatation

• Floating body displaces its own weight of fluid

which it floats.
 Think !!!!

• Why the depth of ship immersed in the water

different?
 Think !!!!

• Fresh water less dense than sea water and warm water
less dense than Coldwater so warm fresh water need to
be displaced more to keep the uptrust force equal with
weight of the boat so it still can float.
 Think !!!!

• If the plasticine is formed into a ball, it will sink.

But when it is formed into a hull it will float. Why?
Think !!!!
Applications
1. Hot Air Balloon
1. Rise Upwards
• (Upthrust > Weight of hot air (helium
gas) + weight of airship fabric +
weight of basket + weight of
passengers.)( balloon expand)
2. Descends
• (Upthrust < Weight of hot air (helium
gas) + weight of airship fabric +
weight of basket + weight of
passengers.)(balloon shrinks)
3. Stationary
• (Upthrust = Weight of hot air (helium
gas) + weight of airship fabric +
weight of basket + weight of
passengers.)( balloon size uncanged)
 Applications

2. PLIMSOLL LINE / INTERNATIONAL LOAD LINE / WATER LINE :

• The density of sea water varies with location and season. To ensure
that a ship is loaded within safe limits , the Plimsoll line marked on the
body of the ship acts as a guide.
 Applications

3. Submarine
• If ballast tanks empty : Upthrust > weight submarine rises to surface
• If ballast tanks full : Upthrust < weight submarine sinks to bottom
 Applications
An hydrometer is
an instrument
used to measure
the density of a
liquid.

lead shot to make it float upright

4. Hydrometer
• In a liquid of lesser density , the hydrometer is more submerged.
• The hydrometer floats higher in a liquid of higher density.
 Stability of floating body
• The stability of a floating body is determined from the position
of Meta – centre(M).In case of floating body ,the weight of body
is equal to the weight of the liquid displaced.
• The centre of buoyancy may take different positions w.r.t centre
of gravity, depending on the shape of the body and the position
in which it is floating
• Conditions of equilibrium of floating bodies
1. Stable equilibrium
2. Unstable equilibrium
3. Neutral equilibrium
Stability of floating body
 Thank You

• Prepared By:
– Dishank Upadhyay
Mechatronics Department
TLSU,Vadodara