Fluid Force On A Plane Surface

THIS INTERACTIVE JAVA APPLET WAS DEVELOPED AT UT AUSTIN BY Brian Adams AND Lino Geo Lino Bailey, UNDER THE SUPERVISION OF PROFESSOR. Spyros A. Kinnas, 1997-98. PERMISSION TO LINK TO THIS JAVA APPLET AND TO DOWNLOAD OR TO USE THE RELATED JAVA SOURCE CODE, MUST BE GRANTED BY PROFESSOR Spyros A. Kinnas ( kinnas@mail.utexas.edu ).

This Applet is a visualization tool that simulates an experiment performed in the lab section of CE319F (Fluids). The Applet will calculate the weight needed to keep the apparatus in equilibrium so that the experimental pressure force can be calculated by statics. This experimental force can then be compared to the theoretical pressure force that is calculated based on the water height. The Applet, also, calculates the maximum pressure at the bottom of the tank (Max Pressure) and the total pressure force acting on the face of the apparatus (Pressure Force), so you can compare your calculations to the Applet's. The lab set-up is displayed below and all dimensions are labeled. The Applet will ignore all water heights that are greater than 9 in. or less than 0.0001 in.

Forces acting on the apparatus

To use the Applet type in a new water height and press enter, or drag the water to the desired height. All other commands will be ignored.

Apparatus The Armfield Hydrosta tic Pressure Apparat us, F1-12

Procedure - Equipment Calibration

Measure the dimensions B and D of the quadrant end-face and the distances H and L. Update the values in your results table as necessary.

Procedure - Equipment Set Up

Position the empty F1-12 tank on the hydrostatic bench, and adjust the screwed feet until the built-in circular spirit level indicates that the base is horizontal. Position the balance arm on the knife edges. Locate the weight hangar in the groove at the end of the balance arm. Ensure that the drain valve is closed and that a length of clear plastic pipe is attached to the drain cock. Direct the free end of this pipe to the sink in the bench. Take the free end of the delivery pipe which supplies water to the other apparatus on the bench and place it in the triangular aperture on top of the plastic tank. Move the counter-balance weight until the balance arm is horizontal.

Procedure - Taking a Set of Results

Add a small mass (50g) to the weight hanger. Add water until the hydrostatic thrust on the end-face of the quadrant causes the balance arm to raise. Ensure that there is no water spilled on the upper surfaces of the quadrant or the sides, above the water level. Continue to add water until the balance arm is horizontal, measuring this by aligning the base of the balance arm with the top or bottom of the central marking on the balance rest (either can be used, but it must be kept consistent during the experiment). You may find it easier to slightly over-fill the tank, and obtain the equilibrium position by opening the drain cock to allow a small outflow. Read the depth of immersion from the scale on the face of the quadrant; more accurate results can be obtained from reading with the line of sight slightly below the surface, to avoid the effects of surface tension. Repeat the above procedure for each load increment, produced by adding a further weight to the weight hanger. The weights supplied allow increments of ten, twenty, and fifty grams to be used, depending on the number of samples required. Fifty-gram intervals are suggested for an initial set of results, which will give a total of nineteen samples. Continue until the water level reaches the top of the upper scale on the quadrant face. Repeat the procedure in reverse, by progressively removing the weights.

Note any factors that you think are likely to affect the accuracy of your results.

Results
Your raw data should be presented in a table using the following headings: Mass, m (gm) Depth of immersion, d (mm)

Using the equations from the theory below, calculate the Hydrostatic Thrust F then calculate the experimental and theoretical position of the centre of pressure P, relative to the pivot, from your experimental results. Note that there will be different results for the case when the vertical plane is partly submerged and fully submerged. Your results should be tabulated as follows: Thrust, F (N) Depth of Centre of Pressure, h" experimental (mm) Depth of Centre of Pressure, h" theoretical (mm) Now plot graphs of the thrust against depth of immersion and the depth of the centre of pressure against the depth of immersion.

Conclusions
1. Comment on the variation of thrust with depth. 2. Comment on the relationship between the depth of the centre of pressure and the depth of immersion. For both (1) and (2) above, comment on what happens when the plane has become fully submerged. Comment on and explain any discrepancies between the experimental and theoretical results for the depth of centre of pressure.

Theory section

PRESSURE ON A SURFACE IMMERSED IN A LIQUID

Whilst the basic theory for the partly submerged and fully submerged plane is the same, it will be clearer to consider the 2 cases separately.

1.

Partly submerged vertical plane surface

Thrust on surface:
Hydrostatic thrust, Where A = B x d and d = depth of immersion. (Newtons) See figure above.

And

= depth of the centroid of the submerged area C,

Thus

. Eqn 1

Moment of thrust about pivot

Moment M = F x h (Nm)

Where h = depth of line of action of thrust below pivot. I.e. centre of pressure P.

Equilibrium condition
A balancing moment is produced by the weight (W) applied to the hanger at the end of the balance arm = W x L (Nm). For static equilibrium the two moments are equal. i.e. F x h = W x L = m x g x L (m = applied mass)

Thus

h =

(metres)

.Eqn 2

Remember,

so h =

, the gravity terms cancel, leaving you with Eqn 2

The theoretical result for depth of centre of pressure, P, below the free-surface of the fluid is:

h =

.Eqn 3

where Ix = 2nd moment of area of immersed section about an axis in the free water surface. So (using the parallel axis theorem)

Thus

which is =

(m4)

.Eqn 4

The depth of P below the pivot point will be:

h = h + H - d

(m)

and if you substitute Eqn 4 into equation 3 you will get :as the theoretical result.

h = H - d/3

In other words, the distance from the pivot to the centre of pressure is the depth to the bottom of the vertical plane, minus one third the depth of the submerged part of the

vertical plane. So the centre of pressure on a partially submerged plane will always be one third of d up from the base of the plane surface. However, when the plane is fully submerged, you now have to include the additional depth from the free water surface to the top of the vertical plane.

2.

Fully submerged vertical plane surface

Though it is not shown in the diagram above, the pivot point still lies on the top horizontal solid line.

Thrust on surface:
Hydrostatic thrust, Where A = B x D and D = depth of vertical surface. (Newtons) See figure above.

And

= depth of the centroid of the submerged area C,

Thus,

(Newtons)

Moment of thrust about pivot

Moment M = F x h (Nm) As in previous part.

Equilibrium condition
As before, a balancing moment is produced by the weight (W) applied to the hanger at the end of the balance arm = W x L (Nm). For static equilibrium the two moments are equal. i.e. F x h = W x L = m x g x L (m = applied mass)

But this time,

h =

(metres)

The theoretical result for depth of centre of pressure, P, below the free-surface of the fluid is:

h = where Ix = 2nd moment of area of immersed section about an axis in the free water surface. Thus: (using the parallel axis theorem)

Thus

(m4)

So, the depth of P below the pivot point will be: