ABSTRACT

An experiment was conducted to determine the center of pressure of the hydrostatic force on a body
submerged in water. A circular quadrant was used to simplify calculation of moment, and confine all
hydrostatic forces of consequence to the vertical surface. Our results were close to the theoretical
predictions, but different enough to suggest experimental error played a role.

INTRODUCTION

Many engineering structures such as dams, flood control gates and fluid storage tanks are essential
components of large hydraulic structures. Many of these structures are constructed to provide water
supply and irrigation and they play an important role in maintaining the well-being of mankind. The
design of these components necessitates the understanding of how fluid forces act. Such designs require
not only determination of the magnitude of the resultant force but also its point of action, which is
known as the “centre of pressure” (yP). With this information, engineers can design the hydraulic
structure to withstand the hydrostatic forces.

In this experiment, you will be using an immersed quadrant tank (Figure 1) pivoted at a knife-edge pivot
to determine the centre of pressure for different values of hydrostatic force. This is achieved by
computing the moment, M required to counter the moment induced by the hydrostatic force due to
water acting on the quadrant tank. The restoring (counter-clockwise) moment needed to overcome the
clockwise moment (about the pivot) caused by water is effected by placing known weights on the left-
hand end of the apparatus. In the experiment, if the clockwise moment (induced by water) just balances
the counter-clockwise moment (caused by the weights), the moment arm and hence the centre of
pressure can be computed. The latter can then be compared with that calculated theoretically.

Figure 1. Hydrostatic Forces Apparatus – Quadrant Tank

THEORY

-LITERATURE REVIEW

OBJECTIVE

• To determine the hydrostatic thrust acting on a plane surface immersed in water

• To determine the position of the line of action of the thrust (centre of pressure) and to compare
the position determined experimentally and that determined theoretically.

APPARATUS & EXPERIMENTAL PROCEDURE

The apparatus:
components are a Plexiglas box for holding water or any other working fluid, and a fabricated
quadrant mounted on a balance arm, which pivots on knife-edge. The pivot point coincides with
the axis of the quadrant. Thus, the only hydrostatic forces acting on the quadrant giving rise to
the moment about the pivot point is the force on the vertical face. All other forces cancel out or
pass through the point of rotation, hence, do not contribute to the moment about the pivot.
EXPERIMENTAL PROCEDURE
The following procedure was used to obtain the basic experimental data:

1. Position the empty tank on the hydrostatic bench, or any working surface.
2. Adjust the screwed feet until the built-in circular spirit level (If available) indicates that
the base is horizontal.
3. Move the counter-balance weight until the balance arm is horizontal.
4. Fill up the tank with water; make sure that the drain valve is closed.
5. Add the weights to hanger to retain the balance of beam.

6. Empty the tank, clean the working space, wipe out any water.

RESULT

DISCUSSION

REFFERENCE