CHAPTER 2.

Fluid Statics
Grand Coulee Dam

How does the pressure in a fluid

vary from point to point ?
 CHAPTER 2. Fluid Statics

• Pressure is defined as a normal force exerted

by a fluid per unit area.
• Units of pressure are N/m2, which is called a
Pascale (Pa).
• Since the unit Pa is too small for pressures
encountered in practice, kilopascal (1 kPa =
103 Pa) and megapascal (1 MPa = 106 Pa) are
commonly used.
• Other units include bar, atm, kgf/cm2,
lbf/in2=psi.
 PRESSURE
68 kg 136 kg
Pressure: A normal force exerted by a
fluid per unit area

Afeet=300cm2

0.23 kgf/cm2 0.46 kgf/cm2

P=68/300=0.23 kgf/cm2

The normal stress (or “pressure”) on the feet of a chubby

person is much greater than on the feet of a slim person.

Some basic
pressure gages.

3
• Absolute pressure: The actual pressure at a given position. It is
measured relative to absolute vacuum (i.e., absolute zero pressure).
• Gage pressure: The difference between the absolute pressure and
the local atmospheric pressure. Most pressure-measuring devices are
calibrated to read zero in the atmosphere, and so they indicate gage
pressure.
• Vacuum pressures: Pressures below atmospheric pressure.
Throughout this
text, the pressure P
will denote
absolute pressure
unless specified
otherwise.

4
• Fluid Statics deals with problems associated with
fluids at rest.
• In fluid statics, there is no relative motion between
adjacent fluid layers. Gravity and
normal stress
• Therefore, there is no shear stress only!

in the fluid trying to deform it.

• The only stress in fluid statics
is normal stress
– Normal stress is due to pressure
– Variation of pressure is due only to the weight of the fluid
Fluid statics is only relevant in presence of gravity fields!.
• Applications: Floating or submerged bodies, water
dams and gates, liquid storage tanks, etc.
Questions:

1. Does the pressure at a point depend on the direction???

2. If “yes”: How pressure at a point depend on the direction???

3. How to calculate hydrostatic force which acts on

a submerged surface ???
 2.1 Pressure at a Point
1. Does the pressure at a point depend on the direction???
Consider two – dimensional case (axis “y” and “z”)!
Pascal’s Law: The Pressure at a point in a fluid at rest is independent of
the direction !

1. Does the pressure at a point depend on the direction??? NO!

2. How about rigid body motion?
2.2 Basic Equation for Pressure Field
2.2 Basic Equation for Pressure Field

DEL - operator
Pressure at the rest does not depend on X or Y coordinates, but
does change with Z

Z2, p2

Z1, p1

Z=0
Y
 Variation of Pressure with Depth
When the variation of density with
elevation is known

The pressure of a fluid at rest Free-body diagram of a rectangular

increases with depth (as a result of added fluid element in equilibrium.
weight).
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 In a room filled with a gas,
the variation of pressure
with height is negligible.

Pressure in a liquid at rest

increases
linearly with distance from
the free surface.

The pressure is the same at all

points on a horizontal plane in
a given fluid regardless of
geometry, provided that the
points are interconnected by
the same fluid.

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 =-ρ g p2 – p1= - ρg (z2 – z1)
p2 = p1 - ρg (z2 – z1)

h1

Pressure at the point “A” ?

Assumptions:
Force F
P= = Incompressible fluid;
Area A ∆P = ρ g h We are near by the sea level;
T is constant
Does the pressure at the point H the same as the
pressure at the point I ?
Does the pressure at the point “H” is the same
straight line with the same slope?
Pressure changes linearly (for the constant density!!!) with the depth !
Pressure is the same at the same depth for the same liquid at the same temperature!
Pascal’s law: The pressure applied to a
confined fluid increases the pressure
throughout by the same amount.

The area ratio A2/A1 is called

the ideal mechanical
advantage of the hydraulic lift.

Lifting of a large weight

by a small force by the
application of Pascal’s
law. 17
In stacked-up fluid layers, the pressure change
across a fluid layer of density ρ and height h is ρgh.

18
 Example 2.1
A gas is contained in a vertical, frictionless piston–cylinder device. The piston has
a mass of 3.2 kg and a cross-sectional area of 35 cm2. A compressed spring above
the piston exerts a force of 150 N on the piston. If the atmospheric pressure is 95
kPa, determine the pressure inside the cylinder.
Assumptions The air pressure in the tank is uniform (i.e., its variation with
elevation is negligible due to its low density), and thus we can determine the
pressure at the air-water interface.
Properties The densities of mercury, water, and oil are given to be 13,600, 1000,
and 850 kg/m3, respectively.

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Example 2.1

Fspring

Patm

W = mg

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 Example 2.2
The maximum blood pressure in the upper arm of a healthy person is about 120
mm Hg. If a vertical tube open to the atmosphere is connected to the vein in the
arm of the person, determine how high the blood will rise in the tube. Take the
density of the blood to be 1050 kg/m3.
Assumptions: 1 The density of blood is constant. 2 The gage pressure of blood is
120 mmHg.
Properties The density of blood is given to be ρ = 1050 kg/m3.

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Example 2.2

Discussion Note that the blood can rise about one and a half meters in a tube connected to the vein. This
explains why IV tubes must be placed high to force a fluid into the vein of a patient.

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Sample Problem
Sample Problem
 2.3.2 Compressible Fluid
Density = F(p!)

Pressure will no longer vary linearly with the depth !

(Assuming that T=const!)
2.4 Standard Atmosphere
( T= variable!)

For troposphere :

T=Ta-βZ
Sample Problem
Sample Problem
 2.5 Measurement of Pressure
Pgage = Pabs − Patm

Pvac = Patm − Pabs

Where the +Pgage is used when Pabs > Patm and –Pgage is used for a vacuum gage.

The relation among atmospheric, gage, and vacuum pressures:

Local
atmospheric
pressure

35
2.6 Manometry
 P0

P
Allows to measure the pressure less than atmospheric
Examples
Examples
The pressure in a pressurized water tank is measured by a multi-fluid manometer.
The gage pressure of air in the tank is to be determined.
Assumptions The air pressure in the tank is uniform (i.e., its variation with
elevation is negligible due to its low density), and thus we can determine the
pressure at the air-water interface.
Properties The densities of mercury, water, and oil are given to be 13,600, 1000,
and 850 kg/m3, respectively.

43
Examples

Discussion Note that jumping horizontally from one tube to the next and realizing that pressure remains
the same in the same fluid simplifies the analysis greatly.

44
2.7 Mechanic and Electronic Pressure Measuring Devices
Sample Problem
Sample Problem
Sample Problem
Sample Problem
Sample Problem
Sample Problem
Sample Problem
Sample Problem
Sample Problem
Sample Problem
2.8 Hydrostatic Force on a Plane Surface

GATES
 Forces Acting on Body

• Body force: weight

• Surface forces: stresses

Fnormal = pA
Ftangential = τA

2/4/2014 12:56 PM 2
 Normal & Shear Stresses

Fn
p=
A  du 
τ = µ 
τ=
Ft  dy 
A

3
 Fluid Statics

• No relative motion between adjacent fluid layers

o No shear stress in the fluid trying to deform it
o Normal stress only
 Normal stress is due to pressure
 Variation of pressure is due only to the weight of the fluid

• Applications:
 Water dams and gates
 Liquid storage tanks
 Floating or submerged bodies, etc

4
 1. Submerged Horizontal Surface

• Accounts for the pressure variation with depth

• The effect of atmospheric pressure often cancels

5
p=
ρgh =γh
 Resultant Force, FR

• FR of a static fluid on a plane surface is due to the hydrostatic

pressure distribution on the surface
• FR is defined with magnitude, point of action & direction
6
 Magnitude & Direction, FR

FR = ∫ pdA
A

FR = ( ρgh ) A
FR = pA

• FR is defined with magnitude, point of action & direction

7
 Resultant Force, FR

FR = ∫ pdA
A

FR = ( ρghc ) A
FR = ( γhc ) A
FR = pc A

• FR acts at the center of pressure (≡ centroid, for this case)

• hc – the vertical distance from the free surface to the c
• Magnitude = (pressure acting at the centroid of the area) * (total area)

8
 2. Submerged Vertical Surface

• Does the centroid coincide with the center of pressure?

 Centroid (c) of the area - the area would be balanced if
suspended from that point
 The center of pressure (p) - the point through which the resultant
force acts

9
 2. Submerged Vertical Surface

• Does the centroid coincide with the center of pressure?

 Centroid (c) of the area - the area would be balanced if suspended from
that point
 The center of pressure (p) - the point through which the resultant force
acts
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 Pressure Prism

FR = ∫ pdA ρgh
A =
FR p=
av A A
FR = ( ρghc ) A 2
1 1
FR = ( γhc ) A FR = ( )( ) γV
ρgh bh =
2 2
FR = pc A 11
 Vertical Rectangular Surface

FR = ∫ pdA
A

FR = ( ρghc ) A
FR = ( γhc ) A
FR = pc A

12
Inclined Plane Area

17
3. Submerged Inclined Surface

• Determine the
direction, location, and
magnitude of the
resultant force acting
on one side of area due
to the liquid in contact
with the area

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 Resultant Force: 1. Magnitude, FR
1. Determine depth of centroid hc for the area (A) in contact with
the fluid
2. Determine the pressure at the centroid pc
3. Calculate FR = pcA

19
 Resultant Force: 2. Line of Action, FR
• FR does NOT act
through the
centroid
• Its line of action
passes through
the center of
pressure

20
 FR = ∫ pdA
A

FR = (ρghc ) A
FR = pc A

21
 Center of Pressure, p (xR, yR)
• h is measured from
the free surface
• x, y, and L are
measured in the plane
of the submerged
surface

FR : P ( xR , yR )
FR = pc A
I xc
=
yR + yc
yc A
I xyc
=
xR + xc
xc A
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 Moments of Inertia About Centroid of the
Area (c)

• Centroid of the area is the point (c) at which the area would be
balanced if suspended from that point
• The center of pressure is the point (p) through which the
resultant force acts
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Appendix L: Properties of Areas

31
 Summary

1. FR is determined from the pressure at centroid of the surface

times the area in contact with the fluid

2. The centroid is NOT the location of the resultant force

3. The location of the resultant force will be at the center of

pressure, at location below the centroid

32
 Summary

1. Find area in contact with fluid

2. Locate centroid of that area
3. Find hydrostatic pressure pc at the centroid
4. Find force FR = pcA
5. Location will not be at c, but below centroid

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 Example: Surface at Angle

• The rectangular gate is 5 m

wide. It is hinged at point B,
and rests against a smooth
wall at point A. Compute:
(a)the force on the gate due to
seawater pressure,
(b)the horizontal force P exerted
by the wall at point A, and
(c)the reactions at hinge B.

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Solution

35
 Problem
• A large open tank contains water and is connected to a 6 ft diameter
conduit. A circular plug is used to seal the conduit. Determine the
magnitude, direction and location of the force of the water on the
plug.

40
 Problem
• A homogeneous, 4 ft wide, 8 ft long rectangular gate weighing
800 lb is held in place by a horizontal flexible cable. Water acts
against the gate which is hinged at point A. Determine the
tension in the cable.

41
Example: Net Force – Two Fluids

• Find the net hydrostatic

force per unit width on
the rectangular gate AB,
as well as its line of
action.

42
Example: Surface at Angle, Two Fluids

• Gate AB is a
homogeneous mass of 180
kg, 1.2 m wide, hinged at
A, and resting on a
smooth bottom at B. All
fluids are at 200C. For
what depth h will the
force at point B be zero?

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 2.10 Hydrostatic Forces on the curved Surface
• The equations developed in the previous Section for the
magnitude and location of the resultant force acting on a
submerged surface only apply to plane surfaces.
• Many surfaces of interest such as those associated with
dams, pipes, and tanks, are non-planar.
• The resultant fluid force can be determined by integration,
as was done for the plane surfaces, which is generally a
rather tedious process
• As an alternative approach we will consider the
equilibrium of the fluid volume enclosed by the curved
surface of interest and the horizontal and vertical
projections of this surface.
Parallelepiped Example: Forces on Curved
(Rectangle) Surfaces.
(Quarter
circle) Problem Solution
Force magnitude? Line of action?
 Example: Forces on Curved Surfaces. Problem Solution
Magnitudes ?
Find the resultant force (magnitude and
location) on a 1 m wide section of the 3m W1
circular arc.
F= W1 + W2 , Weight of the fluid
water 2m
V

above the curved surface W2

Weight= γ × volume
2m
= γ × (volume × width of the
surface in or out of the paper )
FV (3 m)(2 m)(1 m)γ + 1/ 4π (2 m)2(1 m)γ
= 89.7 kN Applicable to vertical

FH = γ hc A FR = γhc A surface:
Sin θ = 1, yc= hc
3

A : Projected area of the curved surface

hc : depth of the center of pressure of the
projected area from the free surface 2

FH = γ (3
 + 1) (2 ×1)= 78.5 KN
hc 1
 Example: Forces on Curved Surfaces
Lines of action?
The vertical component line of action goes through the centroids of
the 2 volumes of water above the surface (because of the uniform X
distribution of the pressure in horizontal direction!
Y

A
Take moments about a vertical axis “y”
through A.
4R 3m W1
4( 2 m ) 3p pi
xR FV = (1 m)W1 + W2 water 2m
3π Fv
4(2 m) 2m W2
(1 m)(58.9 kN) + (30.8 kN)
xR = 3π
(89.7 kN)
=0.948 m (measured from A) with magnitude of 89.7 kN
 Example: Forces on Curved Surfaces
x
The location of the line of action of the horizontal y
component is given by A
I xc
yR = + yc
yc A b 3m W1

ba 3 water 2m
I xc = a
12
2m W2
I xc = (1 m)(2 m)3/12 = 0.667 m4 FH

yc = 4 m
0.667 m 4
yR = + (4 m ) = 4.083 m
(4 m )[(2 m )(1 m )]
 Cylindrical Surface Force Check

XR F V

0.948 m 89.7kN • All pressure forces pass

C through point C.
YY R
• The pressure force applies no
moment about point C.
1.083 m
• The resultant must pass
through point C.

78.5kN
FH
(78.5kN)(1.083m) - (89.7kN)(0.948m) = ___
0