Study Notes: CE 306 - Hydraulics

Module 2: Principles of Hydrostatics

PRESSURE
Pressure - is defined as the force acting normal to an area divided by this area

Unit Pressure (p)- is the intensity of pressure at any point in a fluid is the amount of pressure
per unit area.
If the unit pressure is the same at every point on any area A, on which the total pressure is P.

If the total pressure is different at different pressure points, the unit pressure at any point is
equal to the total pressure on a small differential areaq surrounding the point divided by the
differential area:

If the surface has a finite area and the pressure is uniformly distributed over this are, the the
average pressure is:

Pressure can have the units:

Pascal - Pa - N/m2
Pound per square foot - psf - lb/ft2
Pound per square inches - psi - lb/in2
Direction of Resultant Pressure
The resultant pressure on any plane in a liquid at rest is normal to
that plane.
Pascal’s Law
- At any point in a fluid at rest, the pressure is the same in all directions.
- The intensity of the pressure acting at a point in a fluid is the same in all directions.
Free Surface of a Liquid
A liquid having a free surface is one on whose surface is absolutely no pressure. The free
surface of the liquid that is not in contact with the cover of the containing vessel.
Atmospheric Pressure
All gasses possess mass and consequently have weight. The atmosphere, being a fluid
composed of a mixture of gasses, exerts a pressure on every surface it comes in contact.

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 Study Notes: CE 306 - Hydraulics

Vacuum
A perfect vacuum, that is, a space which there is no
mater either the solid, liquid or gaseous form, and has never
been obtained.
In practice, the word “vacuum” is used in connection with
any space having a pressure less than atmospheric pressure.
And the term “amount of pressure” means the amount the
pressure is less than atmospheric pressure.
Absolute and Gage Pressure
If a fluid such as air were removed from its container, a
vacuum would exist and the pressure within the container
would be zero. This is commonly referred to as zero absolute pressure. Any pressure that is
measured above this va1ue is referr1ed to as the absolute pressure (Pabs). For example,
standard atmospheric pressure is the absolute pressure that is measured at sea level and at a
temperature of 15°C (59°F). Its value is
1 Patm = 101.3 kPa = 14.70 psi = 1atm
1atm = 1.013 bar = 29.921 inHg
Any pressure m1easured above or be]ow the atmospheric pressure is called the gage
pressure, (Pg), because gages are often used to measure pressure relative to the atmospheric
pressure. The absolute pressure and the gage pressure are therefore related by :
Pabs = Patm + Pg
Example:
1. If Pabs = 301.3 kPa
Then: Pg = 301.3 - 101.3 = 200 kPa

2. If Pabs = 51.3 kPa

Then : Pg = 51.3 - 101.3 = - 50 kPa
(negative value producing a suction or a vacuum)

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Variation of Pressure with Depth in a Fluid

P = ɣh

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Pressure Head (h)
Pressure head is the height of a column of liquid that produces the (gage) pressure P.
Example:
1. If the gage pressure is 50 kPa, then the pressure heads of water (ɣw = 9.81 kN/m2)
and mercury (ɣHg = 133 kN/m2) are :

2. Determine the pressure on the face of a dam at a point 40 ft below the water surface, in
(a) Pound per square foot gage
(b) Pound per square inch gage``
(c) Pound per square foot absolute
(d) Pound per square inch absolute
Solution:

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Vapor Pressure
Whenever the free surface of any liquid is exposed to the atmosphere, evaporation is
continually taking place. If however, the surface is in contact with an enclosed space,
evaporation takes place only until the space becomes saturated with vapor. This vapor
produces a pressure, the amount of which depends only upon the temperature and is entirely
independent of the presence or absence of air or other gasses within the enclosed space. The
pressure exerted by a vapor within a closed space is called Vapor Pressure.

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 Study Notes: CE 306 - Hydraulics

Measurement of Static Pressure

There are several ways in which engineers measure the absolute and gage pressures at points
within a static fluid, here we will discuss some of them:

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 Study Notes: CE 306 - Hydraulics

References :
Hibbeler, H.C.(2016), Engineering Mechanics: Statics and Dynamics, 14th Edition,
Pearson Prentice Hall
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