Department of Construction Centre of Pressure

Fluids Laboratory
Laboratory Test Instruction Sheets

Course: Unit:
Higher Diploma in Civil Engineering Fluid Mechanics

Experiment: Centre of Pressure Expected Duration: 1 Hour

Objective:

To investigate the hydrostatic pressure on a submerged variable angle inclined plane with
relation to the depth and to determine the position of the centre of pressure.

Apparatus:

Hydrostatic Pressure Apparatus, weights, filling jugs.

Theory:

The following analysis applies to the condition of a plane surface at various angles when it
is wholly or partially submerged in a fluid.

Breath of quadrant =b
density of fluid
= 

The following expressions

the hydrostatic force, F = ghA
and the position of centre of pressure (from water surface),
Department of Construction Centre of Pressure
Fluids Laboratory
Laboratory Test Instruction Sheets

IGG
=CP sin 2   h
Ah
(where  is the angle between the water surface to the plane surface) may be applied to give
a expressions for the moment of the hydrostatic force about the knife axis.

Case I Partial Immersion

y
h= and A = by/sin
2
1
F = gby2
2 sin 
2
and CP = y
3

a
m
water surface

y
d

Partial Immersion

Moment M of F about knife-edge axis is given by:

1 1
M = gby2[a+d-y ]
2 sin  3sin 

Also, M = mgLsin
where m = mass added to balance pan
L = distance from knife-edge axis to balance pan suspension rod axis

1 ad y
mL = by2[ 2  ] (1)
2 sin  3sin 3 

m b a  d y
or 2
= [ 2  ]
y 2L sin  3sin 3 
Department of Construction Centre of Pressure
Fluids Laboratory
Laboratory Test Instruction Sheets

Case II Complete Immersion

F = gbd h

d 2 sin 2 
CP = h
12h




a
m
water surface
y

Partial Immersion

d d 2 sin 
& M = gbd h [a+d-(  )]
2 12h

ad d2
mL = bd h ( 2  ) (2)
sin  12h
d
where h= y- sin
2

Procedures:

1. Locate the torrid on the two dowel pins.

2. Measure the dimensions a, b and d and the distance L from the knife-edge axis to the
balance pan axis.
3. Level the perspex tank on work surface by using the adjustable feet in conjunction with
the spirit level.
4. Direct the exit of the hose attached to the drain cock to the sink.
5. Adjust the counter-balance weight until the balance arm is at an angle marked ()on the
apparatus (i.e. 0, 5, 10 or 15). (Note that  = 90 - )
6. Pour water into the perspex tank by the filling jug until the water is level with the
bottom edge of the torrid.
7. Place the weight hanger on the balance pan (50 g).
Department of Construction Centre of Pressure
Fluids Laboratory
Laboratory Test Instruction Sheets

8. Fill in the tank with water by the filling jug until the balance arm is back to the angle set
at step 5. Measure the immersed depth y with a measuring rule .
9. Fine adjustment of the water level may be achieved by squeeze bottle or drain cock.
10. Repeat the steps 7 to 9 by adding a further 50 g weight until the total weight up to 400g.
11. Repeat the steps 5 to 10 by adjusting the balance arm to any other angle marked on the
apparatus.

Calculations:

For y < d (partial immersion)

m m
Tabulate 2 and plot 2 against y
y y
m b a  d y
Since = [ 2  ]
y2 2L sin  3sin 3 
b
The slope of this graph should be 
6L sin 3 
b ( a  d)
and the intercept should be
2 L sin 2 

For y > d (complete immersion)

d
Tabulate h = y- sin , and plot m against h
2
ad 2
Since = bd h (
mL 2 d )
sin  12h
bd (a  d / 2)
From (2) the slope of this graph should be
L sin 
bd 3
and the intercept should be
12 L
Calculate the position of centre of pressure for each case.

Discussion:

In both y<d and y>d cases, the graphs should be straight lines.
(i) Draw a best straight line for each of the case you have done.
(ii) From your graphs, check the slope and intercept of the best straight lines with the
theoretical values as given in above. Report for any discrepancies observed.
(iii) Give reasons for the discrepancies, if any, between the measured and predicted
values for the graph parameters.
(iv) Comment on the positions of the centre of pressure.

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