Practice Problem Sheets on FM-I

Problem Set-2: Fluid Statics

GROUP A

A. Pressure
1. A spherical balloon, of diameter 1.5 m and total mass 1.2 kg, is released in the
atmosphere. Assuming that the balloon does not expand and that the temperature lapse
rate () in the atmosphere is 0.0065 K/m, determine the height above sea-level to
which the balloon will rise. Atmospheric temperature and pressure at sea-level are 15C
and 101 kPa respectively; for air, R = 287 J/ kg K.

Hints: use following equation

[Ans. z = 5708 m]

B. Manometer
2. Vessels A and B contain water under
pressure of 274.68 kPa and 137.34
kPa respectively. What is the
deflection of the mercury in the
differential gauge shown in the
accompanying figure (Fig. 2.20)?

[Ans. 1.27 m]

3. For a compound manometer shown

in the figure below, what is the gauge
pressure at C if the manometric fluid
is mercury and if the fluid in the pipe
and in the tubing which connects the
two pipes is water (Fig. 2.21)?

[Ans. PC = 3.9013 kg/cm2]

 4. As shown in the accompanying figure
(Fig. 2.24), the pipe and the
connection B are full of oil of specific
gravity 0.9 under pressure. If the U
tube contains mercury, find the
elevation of point A in metres.

[Ans. 112.76 m]

C. Hydrostatic Thrust

5. A circular plate 2.5 m diameter is immersed in water its greatest and least depth below
the free surface being 3 m and 1 m respectively. Find the total pressure on side of the
plate and the position of the centre of pressure.
[Ans. 96.309 kN, 2.125 m]

6. Calculate the total pressure and the x, y coordinates of the centre of pressure of a vertical
right-angled triangular plane (of 2.4 m height and 2.0 m base) immersed in the water.
[Ans. 37.67 kN, xp=0.75 m, yp=1.8 m]

7. A sector gate of radius 4 m and length 5 m,

controls the flow of water in a horizontal
channel. For the conditions shown in Fig. 3.18,
determine the total thrust on the gate.

[Ans. 205.713 kN, 1730’ with horizontal]

8. For a 2.5 m length of gate AB shown in the

figure, find the compression in strut due to
water pressure if points B, C and are hinged.

[Ans. 67.885 kN]

9.

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