5/19/2022

ApplicAtion:
HydrostAtic pressure
Dolfus G. Miciano
Asst. Prof. IV, CEAFA

Some notes about Hydrostatic Pressure

• Definition: (Leithold, TC 7)
Supposed that a flat plate is submerged vertically in a fluid for
which a measure of its weight density is 𝜌. The length of the plate at
a depth of x units below the surface of the fluid is f(x) units, where f
is continuous on interval [a, b] and f(x) > 0 on [a, b]. Then if F is the
measure of the force due to fluid pressure on the plate
F = 𝜌 ∫ 𝑥𝑓(𝑥)𝑑𝑥
• Unit of measure:
English system - pound (lb); IS - Newton (N); CGS - dyne

Note: Alternate formula, F = 𝜌 ∫ 𝑟𝐿𝑑𝑡 where r=x and L=f(x) and dt=dx

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Example 1: The ends of a gasoline tank are semi-circular regions, each with
radius of 2 ft. Find the force due to fluid pressure on one end if the tank is
full of gasoline having weight density 41 lb/ft3.
Solution: Let 𝜌 = 41, curve - x2 + y2 = 4, the figure shown below

 
y = 4−𝑥
=x

Rotate by 90o to
make positive values (2, 0)

r=𝑥
Working Formula:  
L =2𝑦 = 2 4 − 𝑥
F= ∫ 𝑟𝐿𝑑𝑡 dt = dx
 
= 2(41)∫ 𝑥 4 − 𝑥 𝑑𝑥 [a, b] = [0, 2]

Cont. - Example 1:
   
F =2(41) = 41
Using the change of variable,
/
= −41∫ 𝑢 𝑑𝑢
Let u = 4 − 𝑥
𝑢 /
du = -2xdx = −41
-du = 2xdx 3/2
82
If x=2, u=0 =− 0 / −4 /
If x=0, u=4 3
656 Therefore, the force
= due to fluid pressure
3 is 219 lb.

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Example 2: A container in the shape of right circular cylinder having a base

of radius 3m is on its side at a bottom of a tank full of water. The depth of
the tank is 13m. Find the total force due to the water pressure on one end
of the container.
Solution: The figure drawn as shown at right Water Tank
y-axis
r = 10 – y
Working formula:  
L = 2x = 2 9 − 𝑦 10-y (0, 3) 10

dt = dy x
F = 𝜌 ∫ 𝑟𝐿𝑑𝑡 [a, b] = [-3, 3] y
x-axis

  Element
=𝜌∫ 10 − 𝑦 2 9 − 𝑦 𝑑𝑦 Container (0, -3)
To solve for x, use x2 + y2 = 9
x= 9−𝑦
   
= 2𝜌 ∫ 10 9 − 𝑦 𝑑𝑦 − 2𝜌 ∫ 𝑦   9 − 𝑦 𝑑𝑦
 
= 20𝜌 ∫ 9 − 𝑦 𝑑𝑦 − 2𝜌 ∫ 𝑦   9 − 𝑦 𝑑𝑦

Cont.- Example 2: F = 20𝜌 ∫    

9 − 𝑦 𝑑𝑦 − 2𝜌 ∫ 𝑦 9 − 𝑦 𝑑𝑦
  
For ∫  9 − 𝑦 𝑑𝑦 , use trigonometric substitution
 
= 3 cos (3 cos  𝑑) 3
Let y = 3sin    𝑦

 
 dy = 3cos d = 9 (cos ) 𝑑
 
9−𝑦
9
 
  = ( + 𝑠𝑖𝑛  cos )
9−𝑦  
1 2
=9 (1 + cos 2)𝑑  
 
= 9 − 9𝑠𝑖𝑛    2 9 𝑦 𝑦 9−𝑦
= 𝑎𝑟𝑐𝑠𝑖𝑛 + ·
= 9(1 − 𝑠𝑖𝑛 )
 
9 1 2 3 3 3
= ( + 𝑠𝑖𝑛 2)  
= 3cos 2 2 9 𝑦 𝑦 9−𝑦
= 𝑎𝑟𝑐𝑠𝑖𝑛 +
Use sin2 = 2sin cos 2 3 9

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Cont.: Example 2: Solving for the first integral

 
9 𝑦 𝑦 9−𝑦
∫
 
9 − 𝑦 𝑑𝑦 = 𝑠𝑖𝑛 +
2 3 9
   
9 3 3 9−3 9 −3 −3 9 − (−3)
= 𝑠𝑖𝑛 + − 𝑠𝑖𝑛 +
2 3 9 2 3 9
9
= 𝑠𝑖𝑛 (1) + 0 − 𝑠𝑖𝑛 (−1) + 0
2
9  9 −
= −
2 2 2 2
9 9  9
=
4
+
4
= =
2

Cont.: Example 2: Solving for the second integral 2𝜌 ∫ 𝑦   9 − 𝑦 𝑑𝑦

 
For ∫ 𝑦 9 − 𝑦 𝑑𝑦, using chain rule

 
= ∫ 9 − 𝑦 (−2𝑦)𝑑𝑦 Multiply -2 and -1/2 to facilitate chain
rule formula and rewriting terms
= ∫ (9 − 𝑦 ) /
(−2𝑦)𝑑𝑦
/
−1 (9 − 𝑦 )
=
2 3/2

−1 2
=  (9 − 𝑦 ) /
=0
2 3

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Example 2: A container in the shape of right circular cylinder having a base

of radius 3m is on its side at a bottom of a tank full of water. The depth of
the tank is 13m. Find the total force due to the water pressure on one end
of the container.

 F = 2𝜌 ∫ (10 − 𝑦) 9 − 𝑦 𝑑𝑦
 

   
= 20𝜌 ∫ 9 − 𝑦 𝑑𝑦 − 2𝜌 ∫ 𝑦 9 − 𝑦 𝑑𝑦
9
= 20𝜌 − 2𝜌0
2
Therefore, the force due to
= 90 𝜌 ; w𝑖𝑡ℎ 𝜌 = 9810 N fluid pressure is 882,900 N
.
= 882,900 𝑁

Exercises: Find the force due to fluid pressure

• A square plate of side 4 ft is submerged vertically in a tank of water
and its center is 4 ft below the surface. Find the force due to pressure
on one side of the plate. Ans. 3993.6 lb
• The face of the gate of a dam is in the shape of an isosceles triangle
4m wide at the top and 3m high. If the upper edge of the face of the
gate is 15m below the surface of the water, find the total force due to
water pressure on the gate. Ans. 942,000 N