CEWB 121 FLUID MECHANICS LABORATORY

LABORATORY EXPERIMENT NO. 7

HB 012 HYDROSTATIC PRESSURE
SECTION: 02
GROUP NO.: 01
GROUP MEMBERS:
1. Lim Cheng Chuan
2. Tay Boon Long
3. Lian Kian Hoe
4. Lim Siew Ching
5. The Ann Jie
6. Loo Evon
7. Ang Yee Wen

CE077635
CE078588
CE078132
CE077637
CE077653
CE077639
CE078003

DATE OF LABORATORY SESSION:

DATE OF REPORT SUBMISSION:

16 January 2006
23 January 2007

LAB INSTRUSTOR: Nur Irfah Bt Mohd Pauzi

LAB REPORT MARKING

Description

Marks (%)

Cover Page
Table of content
Summary
Statement of purpose, introduction/ objective
Theory
Equipment/ description of experimental apparatus
Procedure
Data and observation
Analysis/ results
Discussion
Conclusion
TOTAL

5
5
5
5
5
5
5
15
15
20
15
100

Given Marks
(%)

TABLE OF CONTENT
Content

Page

Summary

Statement of purpose/ introduction/ objective

Theory

3-6

Equipment/ description of experimental apparatus

Procedure

Data and observation

Analysis/ results

9 - 11

Discussion

12

Conclusion

13

SUMMARY
In this experiment, we are required to determine the center of pressure of a plane
submerged in water and compare the theoretical and experimental results. Besides, the
percentage of error was also calculated by using the formula given. The formula that we
used to calculate is as below.

And

F = ghA
Where = Density of water = 1000 kg/m
g = Acceleration due to gravity = 9.81 m/sec
h = Depth of the centroid m = (h1 + 50) 10-3 m
A = Submerged surface area = (75)(100)(10-6) m
__
Theoretical Xp = X + ICG
AX
Experimental =

mL
- 100 + h1
(h1 + 50)A

Before the experiment starts, were required to make sure that the equipment is in
horizontal position. Firstly, we need to adjust the weight W to balance the quadrant, beam
and weight hanger when there is no water on the tank. Then we fill in the water into the
tank until the quadrant is nearly complete submerged, we notice that the weight hanger
end is now tilted upward. After that the weight is added until the beam is about to but not
tilted downward. The water from the tank then was drained slowly and the valve was
closed immediately when the bean is horizontal. The different weight will get different
water level. Then, the water level and the applied weight was measured and recorded.
Were required to repeat the experiment by reducing the weight for 100g for each
experiment until the final weight is 100g. From the results, we applied it in the
calculation later to get the theoretical and experimental value of center of pressure.
From the results, we know that the weight is proportional to the water level or the
depth of the liquid and the weight was also found directly proportional to the
experimental and theoretical canter of gravity. Besides, the percentage error obtained lie
between 0.15454% to 94.7788% which probably cause by parallax errors, such as
equipment set was not centered, difficulty in make the beam balance and others.
However, the percentages of error are still reasonable and the objective of the experiment
was achieved.

OBJECTIVE
The objective of this experiment is to determine the center of pressure of a plane surface
submerged in the water with different weight, and compare the theoretical and
experimental results and the last is to determine the errors of this experiment. Besides, the
purpose of this experiment is also to gain an understanding of the basic principle of
pressure being the ratio of force to unit area.

THEORY
2.1 Hydrostatic pressure of a liquid is proportional to its depth.
P = gh

----------------------------------------

(1)
When P = Pressure

Newton/m

= Density

Kg/m

g = Acceleration due to gravity

9.81 m/sec

h = Depth of liquid

If P1 is pressure at depth h1 and P2 is pressure at depth h2

P2 - P1 = g (h2 - h1)
Since

= h 2 - h1

Thus

P2 - P1 = gh

Or

P2

= P1 + gh

If (1) is at the surface of the liquid; P1 is the atmospheric pressure

Thus

P2

= Patm + gh

----------------------------------------

(2)

Patm

= 0 gauge pressure

Thus

P2

= gh

2.2 Hydrostatic force on the submerged surface is equal to pressure at the centroid
times area of the submerged surface.
F=ghA

----------------------------------------

F = Hydrostatic force

Newton

(3)
When h = Depth of the centroid

A = Submerged surface area

and g are same as in (1)

Consider submerged surface A is at an angle to the liquid surface as in Fig 3.

Pressure on small area dA at a depth of h.

P
Force on area dA
But

Thus

gh

dF

g h dA

X sin

dF = gX sin dA

PdA

----------------------------------------

(4)
Intergrading (4)
F

However,

0A dF =

g sin 0A XdA

0A dA =

X dA

Distance from center 0 to centroid (CG)

Thus

g sin A X

ghA

----------------------------------------

(5)
h=
Therefore

X sin
F

2.3 Determination of Center of pressure, Cp Theoretical Method.

From Fig 3, turning moment about 0
dM

or

XdF

g h X dA

But

X sin

Thus

dM

g sin X dA

0A dM =

0A g Xsin dA

g sin 0A X dA

I0

2nd moment of area about 0

(1 / 12) LB

----------------------

(6)
Since0A X dA

Thus

g sin Io

However

Moment of hydrostatic force about 0

F Xp (see Fig.3)

Thus
From (5)

= F Xp =
F

g Io sin
g A X sin

Thus g A X Xp sin

or

(Io / AX)

Xp

---------------------- ( 7 )

g Io sin
----------------------

(8)
From Parallel Axis Theorem
Io

ICG +A X

Thus

Xp

(ICG + AX)/ AX

or

Xp

X + ICG /XA

----------------------

(9)
Xp

Distance from 0 to center of pressure (Cp)

Distance from 0 to centroid of surface A

ICG

Second moment of area A about the centroid

m4

Submerged surface

Thus the center of pressure is always lower than the centroid ICG of various
configuration may be found in text book on Mechanics.
2.4

Determination of Center of pressure, Experimental Method.

For HB 012 Hydrostatic Pressure, the submerged surface is always vertical or
= 90
This surface is 75mm wide and 100 mm high.
The quadrant inner radius is 100mm and outer radius is 200mm. Fulcrum is at the
center of the quadrant.

When there is no water in the tank, W is the counter weight to the quadrant, the
beam and weight hanger.
When there is water in the tank, a weight m is required to balance the hydrostatic
force. M is at a distance 280 mm from 0.
Under static balance condition

FY

mgL

mgL/F

( 10 ) At the same time

Thus

Y- R1+ h1

Xp

---------------------X+ (R1- h1)

----------------------

( 11 )

EQUIPMENT / DESCRIPTION OF EXPERIMENTAL APPARATS

This equipment is used to determine the center of pressure of a plane surface
submerged in water and compare the theoretical and experimental results.

Fig 1
Details of the equipment are:
1.1 A quadrant with the following dimensions.
Inner radius
=
100 mm
Outer radius
=
200 mm
Width
=
75 mm
Center of the quadrant is the same as fulcrum of the quadrant.
Fulcrum to weight hanger distance
=
280 mm
1.2 W is a counter weight to the quadrant and weight hanger when there is no
hydrostatic pressure. Position of W is adjustable horizontally.
1.3 A clear acrylic tank with fulcrum support for the quadrant. When the tank is
filled with water, hydrostatic pressure will turn the quadrant counter
clockwise which requires a balancing weight with the mass m.
7

Hydrostatic pressure on the circlar side of the quadrant exerts no turning moment
on the fulcrum. The same is hydrostatic pressure on the radial side of the quadrant. The
only pressure exerting turning moment on the fulcrum is that pressure acting on the
100mm 75mm surface which is maintained at vertical.

TEST PROCEDURE
1. The weight W was adjusted to balance the quadrant, beam and weight hanger
when there is no water in the tank
2. The tank was filled so that the quadrant is nearly completely submerged. The
beam at the weight hanger end was titled upward.
3. Add weight, W of 600g until the beam is about to but not tilted downward.
4. The water was slowly drained from the tank and the valve was close immediately
when the beam is horizontal. The water level and the weight, m is then recorded.
5. 100 grams was taken off, and the beam will be tilted upward and step 4 was
repeated.
6. Step 3 to 5 was repeated until all weight are removed.
7. The percentage of error between XPexp and XPexp was calculated.

DATA AND OBSERVATION

No.

h1
(mm)

W
(g)

h=
X

Icg
(mm4)

AX
(mm3)

h2
(mm)

XPexp

XPtheo

1
2
3
4
5
6

94.0
68.0
43.0
19.0
-8
-37

600
500
400
300
200
100

144.0
118.0
93.0
69.0
42.0
13.0

6250000
6250000
6250000
6250000
6250000
6250000

1080000
885000
697500
517500
369000
347250

194.0
168.0
143.0
119.0
99.2
96.3

149.5555556
126.1920904
103.5734767
81.31884058
69.77777778
150.1794872

149.787037
125.0621469
101.9605735
81.07729469
61.84126984
77.1025641

No.

XPexp
(mm)

1
149.5555556
2
126.1920904
3
103.5734767
4
81.3188406
5
69.7777778
6
150.1794872
ANAYLYSIS / RESULTS

XPtheo
(mm)

Absolute
error
(mm)

Absolute
percentage
error (%)

149.7870370
125.0621469
101.9605735
81.0772947
61.8412698
77.1025641

0.231481
-1.12994
-1.6129
-0.24155
-7.93651
-73.07692

0.15454
|-0.90351|
|-1.58189|
|-0.29792|
|-12.8337|
|-94.7788|

Sample calculation:
1. When water level is above the quadrant lower scale.
Centroid
From 3
F

G
h
A
Thus F
From X

Center of 75 mm 100 mm quadrant surface

=
=
=
=
=
=
=
=
=

ghA
Density of water
=
1000Kg/m
Acceleration due to gravity =
9.81 m/sec
Depth of the centroid m
(h1 + 50) 10-3 m
Submerged surface area
=
(75) (100) (10-6) m
(1000 Kg/m) (9.81 m/sec) (h1 + 50) (10-3 m) (7500) (10-6 m)
9.81 (h1 + 50) (75) (10-4 Kg-m/sec); Newton Kg-m/sec
h sin = h ; (=90)

Due to area of this experiment is rectangular, Horizontal width = 75 mm and

height = 100 mm.
Thus

ICG = (75)(1003) mm4

12
ICG =
(75)(1003)
a
AX
(12)(75)(100) (h1 + 50)

Theoretical Xp = X + ICG

AX
= (h1 + 50) +

(75)(1003)
am
(12)(75)(100) (h1 + 50)

From 11, experiment Xp = Y R1 + h1

= mgL R1 + h1
F
= mgL 100 + h1 = mL 100 +h1
ghA
hA
Xp =
mL
- 100 + h1
(h1 + 50)A
m and h1 are from the experiment
= 1000 kg/m
L = 280 mm
A = (75)(100) mm = (75)(100)(10-6) m

Calculation for w = 600g:

Recorded: h1 = 94mm; W = 600g
X = h = 50 + h1
= 50 + 94
= 144mm
Icg

= 75 1003 12
= 6.25(106) mm4 (constant)

= 75 100
= 7500mm2 (constant)

AX

= 7500 144
= 1.08(106) mm3

h2

= h1 + 100
= 94 + 100
= 194 mm

XPexp

mL
- 100 + h1
(h1 + 50)A
=
(0.6)(280)
- 100 + 94
(1 10-3)(0.144)(7500 10-6)
= 0.1495555556 m

10

= 149.5555556 mm
XPtheo

= X + ICG
AX
= (h1 + 50) +

6250000 a mm
(7500)((h1 + 50)
= 144 + 6250000 a mm
(7500)(144)
= 149.787037 mm
Percentage error

= | Xptheo - XPexp | 100%

Xptheo
= | 149.787037-149.5555556 | 100%
149.787037
= 0.15454 %

11

DISCUSSION
In this experiment, we can make sure that the weight applied is proportional to
the depth of liquid or the depth of centroid because the level was decrease to create a
smaller hydrostatic force to balance the decreasing weight. In general center of pressure
is in below the centroid because pressure increases with depth. Therefore, we also can
conclude that weight applied is inversely proportional to the center of pressure.
Base on the result we obtained, there are difference between the experimental
and theoretical center of pressure. This shows that there were errors and mistakes when
we conduct the experiment and these contribute to the percentage error. There are a few
errors that we might have done including: The pointer is unbalanced when we read the reading. The pointer is tends to vibrate
and difficult in make the beam balance. So that, we might not aware it at all during
experiment.
Parallax error such as our eye is not perpendicular to the pin when we take the
reading. It may also cause the inaccurate reading and affect our results.
Difficulty was faced when we try to decrease the water level to balance the
decreasing weight.

12

To improve this experiment, there few ways to do:

Make sure the pointer is parallel to the beam before taking the reading.
Try a best way to control the flow rate.
Parallax must be avoided during the experiment.
Be carefully when doing the experiment.

From the results, we know that the weight is proportional to the water level or the
depth of the liquid and the weight was also found directly proportional to the
experimental and theoretical center of pressure. Besides, the percentage error obtained lie
between 0.15454% to 94.7788%. However, the percentages of error are still reasonable
and this experiment still can be improved if all the errors were minimized throughout the
experiment.

CONCLUSION
As a conclusion, the percentage of error between theoretical and experimental
center of pressure is lies between 0.15454% to 94.7788%. The weight must be
proportional to the depth of liquid or depth of centroid, because the larger hydrostatic
fore, the heavier weight is applied. The graph we plotted is proportional but the some
percentage error that we found is quite big. These happenings may be cause by the errors
occurred in this experiment. In addition, the center pressure also must be proportional to
the depth of water in general.
The errors that occurred in this experiment will make this experiment become
inaccurate. The errors that occurred such as difficulty to make sure the water level s
parallel to the beam, parallax errors, and the unbalance equipment set and others.
The percentage of error calculated are still considered reasonable, so our result
can be conclude as successfully done. Besides, we must be carefully about all the
precautions. Our result can be more accurate if the errors is minimize.

13