HYDROSTATIC

PRESSURE ON
SURFACES
Engr. Angelica A. Losares
Vertical distance of the
centroid of submerged ħ
area (c.g) from the free
liquid surface.
3m

c.g (center of gravity) ? 3m

It is the point where the

total sum of a pressure
field acts on a body, cp
causing a force to act
through that point.
 It is the distance from center of
gravity of the plane surface to ȳ
the water surface measured
along the plane

It is the distance from center of

pressure of the plane surface
to the water surface measured
yp
along the plane

��
e= yp - ȳ yp =
�ȳ

Is = � � + � ȳ2

�� ������ �� ������� ���h ������� ��� .�

e = -ȳ +ȳ - ȳ
��
��  
e = �ȳ
Note: Icg = Ig
F = ħA
Pa

L
Pabs = Pa +

F = (Pa + )Abot

FR =?

FR = Pa Abot -(Pa + )Abot

FR = -��Abot F = ħA
1] A square frame 3m by 3m in dimension is submerged in
water vertically with its top 3m from the surface. If oil
(s=0.80) occupies the top meter;
a) Determine the horizontal Force acting on the frame
b) Determine the pressure at the top of the gate
c) Determine the pressure at the bottom of the gate

1m

2m

3m
F

3m
•
1m

2m

3m
F

3m

Determine the horizontal Force acting on the frame

F = ħA
ħ= 1+2+1.5
ħ =4.5 m
hoil = hh20
0.8(9.81)(1) = 1(9.81)(hh20 )
hh20 = 0.8 m
•ħ= 0.8+2+1.5
ħ = 4.3 m
F = ħA
F = 9.81(4.3)(3)(3)
F = 379.65 kN

Determine the pressure at the top of the gate

Answer: P = 27.47 kPa
Determine the pressure at the bottom of the gate
Answer: 56.90 kPa
2] A square plate having one of its side equal to 3m is
immerse in a water surface in a vertical position such that
the two edges of the square would be horizontal in order
that the center of pressure shall be 8 cm from the center 0f
gravity.
a) How far below the water surface should the upper plate
be submerged.
b) What is the distance of the center of pressure from the
water surface?
c) Determine the hydrostatic force acting on the plate at
this position.
ȳ̄
•a) How far below the water surface should the upper plate
be submerged.

ȳ̄
Eccentricity, e =
=
=
=
A = (3)(3)
A=9
•e =
0.08 =
= 9.375 m
y = 9.375 – 1.5
y = 7.875 m
•b) What is the distance of the center of pressure from the
water surface?
Distance = ȳ + e
Distance = 9.375 + 0.08
Distance = 9.455 m

c) Determine the hydrostatic force acting on the plate at

this position.
F = pA = ħA
F = 9.81(9.375) (3)(3)
F = 827.72 kN
The gate in the figure shown is 1.5 m wide, hinged at point
A, and rests against a smooth wall at B. Compute the
following:
(a) The total force on the gate due to seawater
(b) Eccentricity
(c) Reaction at B
Neglect the weight of the
gate.
(a) The total force on the gate due to seawater
F = ħA
ħ=3+
ħ=4m
F= ħ =?

F = 218.25 kN
= ?
d

=?

� 2 = 22 + 32
�= 3 . 6 �
2
tan θ=
3
θ=33 .69 °
(b) Eccentricity

e=

= ȳ
ħ =4 m
= m
.6
d = 3 =33.69
= 5.832
=33.69
4
sin 33 . 69=
ȳ
= 7.21 m
e=

e = 0.15 m
(c) Reaction at B

ΣMA = 0
RB (2) – F (x) = 0
For x
x = 1.8 – 0.15 m
x = 1.65 m 1.8
e
RB (2) – 218.25(1.65) = 0
RB = 180 kN
Determine the magnitude and location of the total hydrostatic force from the
bottom of the gate acting on the 2m x 4m gate shown in the figure.

Magnitude of Total Hydrostatic

Force

F=
Σ = 32 + (9.81 x 0.80)(1) + (9.81 x 1)
(1.5) + (1.26 x 9.81)(3)
Σ = 91.645 kPa

F=
F=
F=
Location of Total Hydrostatic Force

e=

= ȳ
ħ
= 10.667

60 °
For
F = ħA
���.�� = (9.81 x 1.26) ħ (2 x 4)
ħ = 7.414 m
e=
ħ z=2-e
sin 60 °=
ȳ e= z = 2 – 0.156
= 8.561 m z = 1.844 m
e = 0.156 m
•An inclined, circular gate with water on one side is shown in
the figure. Determine the total resultant force acting on the
gate.

ħ = 2 + 0.5 sin 60
ħ = 2.433 m

F = ħA
F = (9.81)(2.433)( x
F = 18.746 kN
The gate shown in the figure is hinged at A and rests on a
smooth floor at B. The gate is 3m square an oil of having
sp. Gr. of 0.82 stands to a height of 1.5 m above the hinge
A. The air above the oil surface is under a pressure of 7
kPa above atmosphere. If the gate weighs 5 kN, determine
the vertical force F required to open it.
P = ħA
ħ = 7 + (9.81 x 0.82 x 2.56)
ħ = 27.59 kPa
P=
P=
ħ
ΣMA= 0 m
5
W(x) + P(z) – F(m) = 0 1. 1.06 m
45
5(1.06) + 248.34(z) – F(m) = 0
x
For z:
For :
e=
m
= (9.81 x 0.82) ħ (3 x 3)
= ħ = 3.43 m
e=

= = e = 0.155 m
z = 0.155 + 1.5
= 6.75 = 4.85 m z = 1.655 m
W(x) + P(z) – F(m) = 0
5(1.06) + 248.34(z) – F(m) = 0
5(1.06) + 248.34(1.655) – F(2.12) = 0
F = 196.37 kN
Hydrostatic Forces Acting on Curve Surfaces
a) Horizontal Component of Hydrostatic Force (Ph)
- Horizontal component of the hydrostatic pressure to the
total pressure on the projection of that surface on a
vertical plane which is normal to the chosen axis.

b) Vertical Component of Hydrostatic Force (Pv)

- Vertical component of the hydrostatic pressure is equal to
the weight of that volume of water or liquid extending
vertically from the surface of the free surface of liquid.