KIG1010 FLUID MECHANICS 1

NAME: E’MIR DANIEL BIN NOOR E’SHAM

MATRIC NUMBER: 22052836

LAB REPORT: HYDROSTATIC PRESSURE

FACULTY OF ENGINEERING
UNIVERSITY OF MALAYA
KUALA LUMPUR

2022
ABSTRACT

Hydrostatic Pressure Systems allow for the measurement and development of hydrostatic force
and center of pressure equations and values necessary to build and evaluate fluid systems. To
demonstrate this capability, known masses were added to one end of an Edibon Hydrostatic
Pressure System, and water was added into the system until the arm was level (balancing the
moment about the pivot). The corresponding height of the water was recorded and used to
calculate the center of pressure and hydrostatic force on the vertical rectangular quadrant. These
values were plotted against the height of the water. This process was repeated for both partially
and fully submerged surfaces. For the partially submerged surface, the center of pressure had a
linear relationship with the height of the water, while there was a power relationship between
these variables for a fully submerged surface. For the partially submerged surface, hydrostatic
force had a power relationship with the height of the water, and, for a fully submerged surface,
hydrostatic force had a linear relationship with the height of the water. Thus, in both cases, the
data collected verified the relationships of center of pressure and hydrostatic force against height
presented in the given equations. Because the moment about the pivot must be zero, the
relationship between mass and height further confirmed these findings. In order to assess the
accuracy of the measurements taken by the pressure system, the theoretical heights were
compared to the experimental values of height. Because the slope of this relationship was nearly
one, the accuracy of the pressure system was confirmed, and no calibration was needed. The plot
of standard deviation between theoretical and measured height against measured height supports
this result. Keywords. Hydrostatic Pressure System, hydrostatic force, center of pressure
1 INTRODUCTION

1.1 Background of Study

Hydrostatic forces are the resultant force caused by the pressure loading of a liquid acting on
submerged surfaces. Calculation of the hydrostatic force and the location of the center of pressure
are fundamental subjects in fluid mechanics. The center of pressure is a point on the immersed
surface at which the resultant hydrostatic pressure force acts.

1.2 Importance Of Study & Outline overall approach

Hydrostatic pressure. In water, for every 33 feet equivalent to 10.05 m you go down, the pressure
increases by 1 bar, The lower you go in a fluid, the more intense the hydrostatic pressure gets.
That’s because gravity pulls on the substance at a constant rate. Whether you’re in a swimming
pool or the depths of the ocean, the hydrostatic pressure is greatest at the bottom because of the
weight of all the water above. In other words, the deeper you go, the more water there is above
you to press down. Hydrostatic pressure is why deep-sea diving requires special safety equipment.
Our bodies are not specialized for the high hydrostatic pressure of the deep ocean. Instead, we’re
optimized to operate at the lower hydrostatic pressure of the air at the surface of Earth-1 bar. The
hydrostatic pressure of air also changes depending on elevation, which is why the air is “thinner”
at higher elevations (like at the tops of mountains or in an airplane).

1.3 Purpose of investigation

Hydrostatic pressure is the pressure exerted by a fluid at rest due to the weight of fluid above the
surface. Hydrostatic pressure and its resulting force have a wide variety of applications. These
applications are as widespread as assembly line processes to irrigation and studies of soil
properties. Thus, it is important to be able to measure and develop equations for hydrostatic force
due to pressure as well as the center of pressure at which this force acts (Çengal and Cimbala,
2014). One device used to measure hydrostatic force is an Edibon Hydrostatics Pressure system.
This device is based on the principle that the sum of the moments about the pivot must be equal
to zero. Thus, the moment due to the weight of the masses applied to the left end must be equal
to the moment due to the hydrostatic force acting on the vertical rectangular quadrant
(Humpherys, 1991). When known masses are applied to the end of the system, the pivot rotates.
In order to balance the moment caused by the weight of the masses and return the pivot to
equilibrium, water is added into the chamber of the pressure system.
2 OBJECTIVES

2.1. To determine hydrostatic thrust force acting upon a clay surface that is submerged partially
or fully into the fluid.

2.2. To measure the line of action of hydrostatic thrust force that determined and to compare
experiment value with theoretical value that can be calculated using given equation.
4. THEORETICAL BACKGROUND

3.1 Hydrostatic Force

The magnitude of resultant hydrostatic force (F) applied to an immersed surface is given by:
F = 𝐹 = 𝑃𝐶 𝐴 = ρg𝑦𝑐 𝐴 --------------------- (2)

Where:
𝑃𝐶 : pressure at the centroid of the immersed surface,

A : area of the immersed surface,

𝑦𝑐 : centroid of the immersed surface measured from the water surface,

𝜌: density of the fluid , and

g: acceleration due to gravity.

The hydrostatic force acting on the vertical face of the quadrant can be calculated as:

• Partially immersed vertical plane

1
F = 2 𝜌gB𝑑2 -----------------(3a)

• Fully immersed vertical plane

𝐷
F = 𝜌𝑔𝐵𝐷(𝑑 − ) -----------------(3b)
2

Where:

B: width of the quadrant face.

d: depth of water from the base of the quadrant, and

D: height of the quadrant face

3.2 Theoretical Determination of Center of Pressure

The center of pressure is calculated as:

𝐼
𝑦𝑝 = 𝐴𝑦𝑥 ----------(4)
𝑐

𝐼𝑥 is the second moment of area of immersed body about an axis in the free surface. By use of
the parallel axes theorem:
𝐼𝑥 = 𝐼𝑐 + 𝐴𝑦𝑐 2 -----------(5)

where 𝑦𝑐 is the depth of the centroid of the immersed surface, and 𝐼𝑐 is the 2𝑛𝑑 moment of area
of the immersed body about the centroidal axis. 𝐼𝑥 is calculated as:

• Partially immersed vertical plane:

𝐵𝑑 3 𝑑 2 𝐵𝑑 3
𝐼𝑥 = 12
+ 𝐵𝑑 ( 2 ) = 3
----------(6a)

• Fully immersed vertical plane:

𝐷2 𝐷
𝐼𝑥 = 𝐵𝐷 [ 12 + (𝑑 − 2 )2 ] ----------(6b)

The depth of the center of pressure below the pivot point is given by:
y = 𝑦𝑝 + 𝐻 − 𝑑 ------------(7)

In which H is the vertical distance between the pivot and the base of the quadrant. Substitution
of Equation (6a and 6b) and into (4) and then into (7) yields the theoretical results, as follow:

• Partially immersed vertical plane:

𝑑
y = 𝐻 − 3 ----------(8a)

• Fully immersed vertical rectangular plane:

𝐷2 𝐷 2
+ (𝑑− )
12 2
𝑦= 𝐷 +𝐻−𝑑 ----------(8b)
𝑑−
2

3.3 Experiment Determination of Center of Pressure

For equilibrium of the experimental apparatus, moments about the pivot are given by Equation
(1). By the substitution of the derived hydrostatic force, F from equation (3a and b), we have:

• Partially immersed vertical plane:

𝑚𝑔𝐿 2𝑚𝐿
𝑦 = 𝐹 = 𝜌𝐵𝑑2 ----------(9a)

• Fully immersed vertical rectangular plane:

𝑚𝐿
𝑦= 𝐷 ----------(9b)
𝜌𝐵𝐷(𝑑− )
2
5. EQUIPMENT/APPARATUS

a. Counterbalance

b. Drain valve

c. Adjustable feet

d. Spirit Level

e. Weight hanger

f. Level indicator

g. Balance arm

h. Clamping screw

i. Knife edge Pivot

j. Quadrant with scale

k. Water jug

l. Wiping cloth

m. Steel ruler
6. PROCEDURES

1.Wipe the quadrant by using wiping cloth to make sure dust free from it based on (Figure 1)
below.

Figure 1 : Quadrant.

2. Make sure tank at flat/same level surface by looking at spirit level (Figure 2).

Figure 2 : Spirit level.

3. Takes measurement of Height (Figure 3) and width (Figure 4) of the quadrant using steel ruler.

Figure 3 : Height Quadrant. Figure 4 : Width Quadrant.

4. Takes measurement for the length of balance arm (Figure 5) from pivot point until groove
surface and the height from bottom pivot point to bottom of the quadrant (Figure 6).

Figure 5 : Length of Balance arm. Figure 6 : Height.

5. Placing the quadrant into the floatation tank (Figure 7).

Figure 7 : Placing quadrant into floatation tank.

6. Hang the weight hanger at the groove (Figure 8) and adjusting the counterbalance to ensure the
balance arm is at the central point of the level indicator (Figure 9).

Figure 8 : Weight hanger at groove Figure 9 : Balance arm at stable state

7 Put weight 50g at the weight hanger. After that, pour water into the floatation tank until the
balance arm is at central of the level indicator.

8. Measure and take the data of the water level by using scale that been installed at quadrant (
Figure 10)

Figure 10 : scale that been installed at quadrant.

9. Repeat the process from point 7 to 8 until it reached the maximum weight 500g (Figure 11).

Figure 11 : At maximum level of water and weight.

10. Remove the weight 50g and reverse the process. Empty the water in the tank by using drain
valve.

11. takes the data and measurement about the reverse process.

12. Repeat the process from point 10 to 11 until the weight is no longer at weight hanger and the
water is empty at the tank.
 7. RESULT

7.1 Experiment Data

Horizontal distance from the weight to pivot. L=0.275m

Vertical distance from the bottom of pivot to the bottom plane surface, H=0.20m
Height of the end face of the quadrant, D=0.10m
Width of the end face of the quadrant, B=0.075m

7.2 Tabulation of Data (Partially submerged)

1
Hydrostatic Force, F = 2 𝜌gB𝑑2

2𝑚𝐿
Center of pressure (experiment), 𝑦 = 𝜌𝐵𝑑 2

𝑑
Center of pressure (theoretical), y = 𝐻 −
3

Table 7.2: (Partially Submerged Plane)

Mass, Depth of immersion, d (m) Hydrostatic Theoretical Depth Experimental Percentage

m force, F (N) of Center of Depth of Center difference
(kg) Filling Drawing Average pressure,𝒚𝒕𝒉𝒆𝒐 (m) of (%)
tank tank Pressure,𝒚𝒆𝒙𝒑(m)

0.05 0.045 0.045 0.045 0.745 0.181 0.185 2.16

0.10 0.065 0.065 0.065 1.554 0.174 0.178 2.25

0.15 0.081 0.081 0.081 2.414 0.178 0.173 2.89

0.20 0.095 0.095 0.095 3.320 0.163 0.168 2.98

Average percentage difference = (2.16 + 2.25 + 2.89 + 2.98)/4 = 2.57%

 Graph 7.2: Partially submerged 𝒚𝒆𝒙𝒑 against 𝒚𝒕𝒉𝒆𝒐

y_𝒆𝒙𝒑 Against 𝒚_𝒕𝒉𝒆𝒐

0.186

0.184

0.182

0.18

0.178
𝒚_𝒆𝒙𝒑 (m)

0.176

0.174

0.172

0.17

0.168

0.166
0.162 0.164 0.166 0.168 0.17 0.172 0.174 0.176 0.178 0.18 0.182
𝒚_𝒕𝒉𝒆𝒐 (m)
 7.3 Tabulation of Data ( Fully submerged)

𝐷
Hydrostatic pressure F = 𝜌𝑔𝐵𝐷(𝑑 − 2 )

𝑚𝐿
Center of pressure (experiment), 𝑦 = 𝐷
𝜌𝐵𝐷(𝑑− )
2

𝐷2 𝐷 2
+ (𝑑− )
12 2
Center of pressure (theoretical), 𝑦 = 𝐷 +𝐻−𝑑
𝑑−
2

Table 7.3: (Fully Submerged Plane)

Mass, Depth of immersion, d (m) Hydrostatic Theoretical Depth Experimental Percentage

m force, F (N) of Center of Depth of Center difference
(kg) Filling Drawing Average pressure,𝒚𝒕𝒉𝒆𝒐 (m) of (%)
tank tank Pressure,𝒚𝒆𝒙𝒑(m)

0.25 0.107 0.107 0.107 4.194 0.1608 0.165 2.54

0.30 0.120 0.120 0.120 5.150 0.1571 0.162 2.22

0.35 0.131 0.131 0.131 5.960 0.1584 0.160 1.00

0.40 0.144 0.144 0.144 6.916 0.1560 0.159 1.89

0.45 0.156 0.156 0.156 7.799 0.1556 0.158 1.52

0.50 0.168 0.168 0.168 8.682 0.1554 0.157 1.02

Average percentage difference = (2.54 + 2.22 + 1.00 + 1.89 + 1.52 + 1.02)/6 = 1.69%
 Graph 7.3: Fully submerged 𝒚𝒆𝒙𝒑 against 𝒚𝒕𝒉𝒆𝒐

y_𝒆𝒙𝒑 Against 𝒚_𝒕𝒉𝒆𝒐

0.166

0.165

0.164

0.163
𝒚_𝒆𝒙𝒑 (m)

0.162

0.161

0.16

0.159

0.158

0.157

0.156
0.155 0.156 0.157 0.158 0.159 0.16 0.161 0.162
𝒚_𝒕𝒉𝒆𝒐 (m)
 8 DISCUSSION

If you observe the data above, we see that if we combine for partially and fully immersed
data, as the weight and height of water increases, the location of center of pressure decreases.
From my perspective, I am measuring the location of center of pressure by making the pivot as
my reference point thus the location of center of pressure is the distance from the pivot to the
center of pressure at the submerged area of the quadrant end face. The location of center of
pressure decreasing is due to the distance between the centroid and the center of pressure is
decreasing, These means that as the depth of water increases, the location center of pressure is
nearing to the centroid. This may due to the fact that as the depth of water increases, the
pressure prism exerted onto the surface is slowly becoming a uniform distribution of pressure
across the surface of the quadrant which may result into the location of center of pressure and
the point of application of resultant force to be nearer to the centroid. If we to decrease the depth
of water, the pressure prism at the quadrant end face would be a more non-uniform distribution
of pressure as the bottom part of the pressure prism have higher pressure than the top. The
location of the resultant force will be lower than the centroid to cause equilibrium between the
upper and bottom part of the pressure prism. Thus, the center of pressure is located lower than
the centroid as the water depth decreases and the center of pressure is located nearer to the
centroid as the water depth increases.
9. CONCLUSION

1. Hydrostatic force had been calculated with both, partially and fully immersed in the
fluid. However, there are different formula used to calculated hydrostatic force, it is
because due to different level of centroid between partial and fully immersed in the fluid.

2. Experimental depth center of pressure had been calculated and been compared with
theoretical depth center of pressure. Total Average percentage difference for partially
immersed plane are much greater than total average percentage difference for fully
immersed plane. This error may due to parallax errors, precision of alignment,
assumptions that were made and so on. The location of center of pressure was found to be
lower than the centroid. This is mainly due to the pressure prism have an non-uniform
distribution of pressure exerted on the surface a lower height from the centroid is required
to balance both pressure or forces in the pressure prism which the resultant force acted
through this point of application at certain distance below the centroid is called center of
pressure. Hydrostatic pressure was used in determining the thickness of pressure hull in a
submarine
10. REFERENCE

10.1 BOOKS

1. Çengel, Y. A., & Cimbala, J. M. (2014). In Fluid mechanics: Fundamentals and

Applications (3rd ed., pp. 38-59). New York, NY: McGraw-Hill Higher Education.

2. Humpherys, A. S. (1991). Center-of-Pressure Gates for Irrigation. Applied Engineering

in Agriculture, 7(2), 185-192. (doi: 10.13031/2013.26209) @1991