HYDROSTATIC FORCES

ON SURFACES
Engr. Angelica A. Losares
OBJECTIVES
1. Define Hydrostatic Forces on Surfaces and its
application

2. Derive formulas in solving Hydrostatic forces and

its location

3. Solve problems about Hydrostatic forces

OBJECTIVE # 1

Hydrostatic forces

• Resultant force caused by the pressure loading of a liquid

acting on submerged surfaces.

• The center of pressure is a point on the immersed surface

at which the resultant hydrostatic force acts.
Gate- in hydraulic engineering, movable barrier for controlling the passage of
fluid through a channel or sluice.
St. Bernard Levee
OBJECTIVE # 2
 Integrating the pressure
over the area,

න 𝑑𝐹 = න 𝑃𝑑𝐴

𝐹 = න 𝑃𝑑𝐴

𝐹 = 𝛾 න ℎ𝑑𝐴
Hydrostatic Force on an inclined plane
area
Note: ℎ = 𝑦𝑠𝑖𝑛𝛼
 𝐹 = 𝛾𝑠𝑖𝑛𝛼 න 𝑦𝑑𝐴

From calculus
න 𝑦𝑑𝐴 = 𝐴𝑦ത

𝐹 = 𝛾𝑠𝑖𝑛𝛼𝑦𝐴
ത

ഥ
𝑭 = 𝜸𝒉𝑨
where :
F – Total Hydrostatic force
If the plane is submerged under layers γ – Specific weight of the fluid
ℎത - Vertical distance from the surface
of different liquids or if the gage of the fluid to the centroid of the
pressure at the liquid surface is not zero plane area.
A – Area of the plane surface
pcg = pressure at the center of gravity
𝑭 = 𝒑𝒄𝒈 𝑨
 Location of F, (yp)
- The sum of the moments of all the
infinitesimal pressure forces acting on
the area A must equal
the moment of the resultant force A

Taking moment of force about O,

𝑦𝑝 F = න 𝑦𝑝𝑑𝐴

𝑦𝑝 F = න 𝑦(𝛾𝑦𝑠𝑖𝑛𝛼)𝑑𝐴

= 𝛾𝑠𝑖𝑛𝛼 න 𝑦 2 𝑑𝐴
From second moment of area about the x-axis

𝐼𝑥 = න 𝑦 2 𝑑𝐴

Therefore,

𝑦𝑝 F = 𝛾𝐼𝑥 𝑠𝑖𝑛𝛼
 Location of F, (yp)

By Parallel-Axis Theorem
𝐼𝑥 = 𝐼 ҧ + 𝐴𝑦ത 2

So,
𝛾(𝐼 ҧ + 𝐴𝑦ത 2 )𝑠𝑖𝑛𝛼
𝑦𝑝 =
𝛾𝑠𝑖𝑛𝛼𝑦𝐴 ത

Therefore
ത𝑰
ഥ+
𝒚𝒑 = 𝒚
𝑨ഥ 𝒚 Where: 𝒚𝒑 - the distance of the resultant force F from O
measured along inclined axis y.
ഥ - The distance from the centroid to point O
𝒚
Eccentricity, e 𝑨 – Area of the plane surface
ത𝑰 - Moment of Inertia about the centroidal axis
ത𝑰
𝒆=
𝑨ഥ 𝒚
Properties of Plane Area
 OBJECTIVE # 3

Sample Problems:

1. A vertical rectangular gate 1.5 m wide and 3 m high is submerged in water with its top edge 2
m below the water surface. Find the total hydrostatic force acting on one side of the gate and
its location from the bottom.

Required: a. Total hydrostatic force, F

b. Location from the bottom, z Liq. surface

Solution: 2m
a. Total hydrostatic force , F
𝐹 = 𝛾ℎ𝐴ത h
𝑘𝑁
𝐹 = 9.81 3 2 + 1.5 𝑚 1.5 𝑚 (3 𝑚) 1.5 m
𝑚 cg
3m
𝐹 = 154.51 𝑘𝑁 e
cp
z = 5 - hp
b. Location from the bottom, z
𝐼ҧ 𝑏ℎ3
ℎ𝑝 = ℎത + ҧ
; 𝑛𝑜𝑡𝑒: 𝐼 = 1.5 m
𝐴ℎത 12
1.5 𝑚 3 𝑚 3
ℎ𝑝 = 3.5 𝑚 +
12(1.5𝑚)(3𝑚)(3.5𝑚)
ℎ𝑝 = 3.7143 𝑚
𝑧 = 5 − ℎ𝑝
𝑧 = 5 𝑚 − 3.7143 𝑚
𝑧 = 1.2857 𝑚
2. A vertical triangular gate with top base horizontal is 1.5 m wide and 3 m high. It is submerged in
oil having sp. gr. of 0.82 with its top base submerged to a depth of 2 m. Determine the magnitude
and location of the total hydrostatic pressure acting on one side of the gate.

Required: a. Total hydrostatic force, F

b. Location for the Total hydrostatic force, hp Liq. surface
Solution:
2m
a. Total hydrostatic force , F 1.5 m
𝐹 = 𝛾ℎ𝐴ത
h
𝑘𝑁 1 1.0 m cg
𝐹 = 9.81 3 0.82 2 + 1 𝑚 1.5 𝑚 (3 𝑚) e
𝑚 2 cp 3m
𝐹 = 54.3 𝑘𝑁
b. Location of the total hydrostatic force, hp
𝐼ҧ 𝑏ℎ3
ത
ℎ𝑝 = ℎ + ҧ
; 𝑛𝑜𝑡𝑒: 𝐼 =
𝐴ℎത 36
1.5 𝑚 3 𝑚 3
ℎ𝑝 = 3 𝑚 +
1
36 1.5𝑚 3𝑚 (3𝑚)
2
ℎ𝑝 = 3.167 𝑚
3. The figure below shows a vertical circular gate in a 3-m diameter tunnel with water on one
side and air on the other side. Assume that force due to air pressure is uniformly distributed.
Calculate:

a. The horizontal reaction at the hinge

b. How far from the invert of the tunnel is the hydrostatic force acting on the gate?
c. Where will be the hinge support be located (measured from the invert) to hold the gate in
position?
Given:
ℎത = 12 − 1.5 = 10.5 𝑚
𝑑 =3𝑚
𝑃𝑎𝑖𝑟 = 45 𝑘𝑃𝑎 ℎത = 10.5 𝑚
ℎ𝑝
Required:
𝑎. 𝑅𝐻
𝑏. 𝑥 𝐹𝐴𝑖𝑟 cg
𝑐. 𝑧
𝐹 𝑅𝐻 cp
𝑥
Solution:
For the Total Hydrostatic Force
exerted by the fluid on the gate, 𝐹
𝐹 = 𝛾ℎ𝐴ത
𝑘𝑁 𝜋 2
𝐹 = 9.81 3 10.5𝑚 3𝑚
𝑚 4 a. For the horizontal reaction on the hinge,
𝐹 = 728.1 𝑘𝑁 𝑅𝐻 +
σ 𝐹𝑥 = 0
For the force due to air pressure, 𝐹 = 𝐹𝑎𝑖𝑟 + 𝑅𝐻
𝐹𝑎𝑖𝑟 728.1 = 318.1 + 𝑅𝐻
𝐹𝑎𝑖𝑟 = 𝑃𝑎𝑖𝑟 𝐴 𝑅𝐻 = 410 𝑘𝑁
𝑘𝑁 𝜋 2
𝐹𝑎𝑖𝑟 = 45 2 3𝑚
𝑚 4
𝐹𝑎𝑖𝑟 = 318.1 𝑘𝑁
b. For the distance of the total hydrostatic force
from the invert, 𝑥
For ℎ𝑝 :
𝐼ҧ 𝜋𝐷4
ℎ𝑝 = ℎത + ; 𝑤ℎ𝑒𝑟𝑒 𝐼 ҧ =
ഥ ℎത = 10.5 𝑚
𝐴ℎ 64 ℎ𝑝
𝜋 3𝑚 4
ℎ𝑝 = 10.5𝑚 + 𝜋
(64) 4 3𝑚 2 (10.5𝑚) 𝐹𝐴𝑖𝑟
ℎ𝑝 = 10.554 𝑚
So, 𝐹 𝑅𝐻
𝑥
𝑥 = 12 − 10.554
𝑥 = 1.446 𝑚

c. For the location of the hinge relative to

the invert, 𝑧
σ 𝑀𝑂 = 0 ↻ +
𝐹 𝑥 − 𝑧 = 𝐹𝑎𝑖𝑟 (1.5 − 𝑧)
728.1 1.446 − 𝑧 = 318.1 1.5 − 𝑧
𝑧 = 1.404 𝑚
4) 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 = 𝛾ħA
2
ħ=3+
2

ħ=4m

F = 1.03 𝑥 9.81 4 (1.5 x 3.6) ħ =?

F = 218.25 kN

𝑑 2 = 22 + 3 2
𝑑 = 3.6 𝑚

2
tan θ =
3
θ = 33.69°
(b) Eccentricity
𝐼𝑔
e=
𝐴ȳ
𝑏 ℎ 3
𝐼𝑔 =
12
(1.5) 3.6 3
𝐼𝑔 =
𝐼𝑔 = 5.832 𝑚4
12
ȳ
ħ =4 m
4
sin 33.69 =
ȳ
ȳ = 7.21 m

5.832
e=
1.5 𝑥 3.6 (7.21)

e = 0.15 m
(c) Reaction at B

ΣMA = 0

RB (2) – F (x) = 0

For x

x = 1.8 – 0.15
x = 1.65 m
e
RB (2) – 218.25(1.65) = 0

RB = 180 kN
5. 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 = 𝛾ħ𝐴

Σ𝜸ħ = 32 + (9.81 x 0.80)(1) + (9.81 x 1)(1.5) +

(1.26 x 9.81)(3)
Σ𝜸ħ = 91.645 kPa

F = 𝛾ħ𝐴
F = 91.645(2 𝑥 4)

F = 𝟕𝟑𝟑. 𝟏𝟔 𝒌𝑵
 Location of Total Hydrostatic Force

𝐼𝑔
e=
𝐴ȳ
2 4 3
𝐼𝑔 =
12

𝐼𝑔 = 10.667 m4 ȳ
For ȳ ∶
ħ
F = 𝛾ħA
60°
𝟕𝟑𝟑.𝟏𝟔 = (9.81 x 1.26) ħ (2 x 4)
ħ = 7.414 m

ħ
sin 60° =
ȳ
𝐼𝑔
ȳ = 8.561 m e=
𝐴ȳ
10.667
z=2-e
e=
2 𝑥 4 (8.561) z = 2 – 0.156
e = 0.156 m
z = 1.844 m
6) 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 = 𝜸ħA

𝜸ħ = 7 + (9.81 x 0.82 x 2.56)

𝜸ħ = 27.59 kPa

P = (27.59)(3 x 3)
P = 248.34 kN
ħ
ΣMA= 0
W(x) + P(z) – F(m) = 0 1.06 m
45°
5(1.06) + 248.34(z) – F(m) = 0

For z:
𝐼𝑔
e= For ȳ :
𝐴ȳ

𝑏 ℎ 3 248.34 = (9.81 x 0.82) ħ (3 x 3) 6.75

m
𝐼𝑔 = e=
12 (3 𝑥 3)(4.85)
ħ = 3.43 m W(x) + P(z) – F(m) = 0
e = 0.155 m
3.43
3 3 3 ȳ= 5(1.06) + 248.34(z) – F(m) = 0
sin 45°
𝐼𝑔 =
12
z = 0.155 + 1.5 5(1.06) + 248.34(1.655) – F(2.12) = 0
𝐼𝑔 = 6.75 𝑚 4 ȳ = 4.85 m
z = 1.655 m F = 196.37 kN