LAB 3 - HYDROSTATIC FORCES

ON SUBMERGED SURFACES
This lab explores the resultant hydrostatic forces on vertical and diagonal surfaces created by a
static fluid. Using Pascal's law the pressure on the surface can be calculated as a linearly
varying pressure.

Pascal's Law is named after the French scientist, mathematician and philosopher Blaise Pascal
(1623-1662). Pascal observed and studied the behavior of a liquid when a force is applied to its
surface. He concluded:

1. a uniform pressure is created in any point of a liquid

2. a fluid pressure originates forces perpendicular to the walls of a container.

OBJECTIVES:

1. Demonstrate and calculate the equipollent resultant force that results from fluid pressure
on a plane surface that is vertical and diagonal.
2. Understand why the experimental apparatus
only measures the equipollent force on the
plane surface even though pressure is also
applied to the curved surface.

In class hydrostatic loading on prismatic surfaces was

discussed. In this lab the hydrostatic loading of flat-
prismatic surfaces will be experimentally evaluated. In the
lab there are two types of experimental set-ups (Figure 1
and Figure 2). Choose one of the two experimental set-
ups.

STEP 1: Level the platform using the threaded feet

for adjustment and the bubble gage as a guide.

STEP 2: Balance/trim the plastic vessel using the appropriate amount of mass from a mass sets (or
add water to the trim tank) so that:

First the tank is in the horizontal position and the plane surface is oriented vertically
and
Secondly the tank is oriented 30 degrees to the horizontal

STEP 3: Add 600ml of water to the vessel

weight the 600ml of water

draw a free-body diagram of the water in the
vessel when the top of the vessel is in the
horizontal position
draw a free-body diagram of the vessel when
the top of the vessel is in the horizontal position
calculate the distribution of pressure on the flat
surface of the vessel
calculate the amount of mass that has to be

added to balance the vessel such that the top is

 in the horizontal position

sTEP 4: Add an additional 600ml of water to the vessel

draw a free-body diagram of the water in the vessel when the top of the vessel is in the
horizontal position
draw a free-body diagram of the vessel when the top of the vessel is in the horizontal position
calculate the distribution of pressure on the flat surface of the vessel
calculate the amount of mass that has to be added to balance the vessel such that the top is in

the horizontal

STEP 5: Calculate the appropriate amount of mass to

hold the flat surface at an angle of 30 degrees to the

vertical. Experimentally demonstrate your result.

REPORTING REQUIREMENTS

1. Write the prelab questions and your answers.

2. Go to the LabWrite Website and read the PostLab
section on Methods (Section One). Using figures
and diagrams, prepare a methods section for this
lab. This section should include:
1. Figures provided on this page.
2. Free body diagrams that illustrate the
loading involved.
3. An appropriate data table.
4. A figure that illustrates the the results of the
lab.