Experiment No.

5
Hydrostatic Forces on Plane Surfaces
1. Objective(s):

This activity aims to determine the magnitude and location of hydrostatic force on plane surface using
the hydrostatic pressure apparatus.

2. Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs):

The students shall be able to:

1. Apply their knowledge about the principles of hydrostatics in determining the magnitude of
force on the submerged plane surface using the hydrostatic pressure apparatus.

2. Understand the application of these principles in designing for hydraulic structures such as
gates, dams, and weirs.

3. Discussion:

Hydrostatic forces are important in several areas in engineering which includes designing hydraulic
structures involving submerged bodies such as gates, dams and weirs. Evaluation of these forces can be
conducted using the hydrostatic pressure apparatus.

Figure 4.1: Pressure Profile of Submerged Plane Surface

The plane surface is subjected to the pressure by the fluid which varies linearly with depth as shown in
the figure. The resultant force caused by this pressure can be computed by the formula:
𝐹𝑟 = 𝛾𝑓 ℎ̅𝐴 (5.1)

Where 𝛾𝑓 is the unit weight of fluid in (kN/m3), ℎ̅ is the distance of the free surface to the center of
gravity of the plane (m) and A is the cross-sectional area of the plane surface (m2).
Determination of the location of the hydrostatic force which is the center of pressure is also essential as
to determine the required force on the supports to sustain the force. The eccentricity between the center
of gravity and center of pressure is given by the formula.
̅
𝐼𝑥
𝑒= (5.2)
𝐴ℎ̅

4. Resources/Instruments Required:

• Hydrostatic Pressure Apparatus

• Rider
• Set of Weights
• Pitcher

5. Procedure:

1. Adjust the angle of the water vessel to 0o using the detent.

2. Ensure that the stop pin is at the center by adjusting the rotating slider.
3. Measure the weight of the rider using the weighing scale.
4. For the first trial, fill up the water vessel up to 50 mm.
5. Mount the rider and put additional weight until the system is balanced. You may also adjust
the lever arm. Record the weight added and the lever arm in your data sheet.
6. Repeat steps 4 and 5 using different water levels listed on the data sheet.
7. Determine the theoretical value of resultant force using the equation. The width of the water
vessel is 75 mm.

𝐹𝑟 = 𝛾𝑓 ℎ̅𝐴 (5.3)

8. Calculate for the location of the center of pressure.

• Water level ℎ is less than 100 mm:

1
𝑒= ℎ (5.4)
6
1
𝑦𝑝 = 200 𝑚𝑚 − ℎ (5.5)
3

• Water level is greater than 100 mm:

1 (100)2
𝑒= ∗
12 (ℎ − 50) (5.6)
 𝑦𝑝 = 150 𝑚𝑚 + 𝑒 (5.7)

9. For the actual value of 𝐹𝑟 , use the moment equation based on the figure below. Use the total
weight which includes the weight of the rider.

𝑊𝑥 = 𝐹𝑟 𝑦𝑝 (5.8)

10. Determine the percent error of the actual value of resultant force.

𝐹𝑟 𝑡ℎ𝑒𝑜𝑟𝑒𝑡𝑖𝑐𝑎𝑙 − 𝐹𝑟 𝑎𝑐𝑡𝑢𝑎𝑙
%𝑒𝑟𝑟𝑜𝑟 = × 100% (5.9)
𝐹𝑟 𝑎𝑐𝑡𝑢𝑎𝑙
Data and Results:
Course: Section:
Experiment No.: Date Performed:
Group No.: Date Submitted:
Group Leader: Instructor:
Group Members:
1. 4.
2. 5.
3. 6.

Measured Data

Additional Total
Water Level, h Lever Arm, x
Trial No. Weight, Wa Weight, W
(mm) (mm)
(N) (N)

1 50
2 75
3 100
4 120
5 140

Resultant Hydrostatic Force, Fr

Theoretical Actual
Pressure at Center of Percentage
Trial Plane Area Resultant Resultant
CG Pressure, Error
No. (mm2) Force, Fr Force, Fr
(N/mm2) yp (mm) (%)
(N) (N)
1
2
3
4
5
Sample Computations:

Observations:
Conclusions:
Assessment (Rubric for Laboratory Performance):

BEGINNER ACCEPTABLE PROFICIENT

CRITERIA SCORE
1 2 3

I. Laboratory Skills
Members do not Members occasionally
Manipulative Members always demonstrate
demonstrate needed demonstrate needed
Skills needed skills.
skills. skills
Members are able to set- Members are able to set-up
Experimental Members are unable to
up the materials with the material with minimum
Set-up set-up the materials.
supervision. supervision.
Members do not Members occasionally
Members always demonstrate
Process Skills demonstrate targeted demonstrate targeted
targeted process skills.
process skills. process skills.
Members follow safety
Safety Members do not follow Members follow safety
precautions most of the
Precautions safety precautions. precautions at all times.
time.
II. Work Habits
Timeliness of Members do not finish on Members finish ahead of time
Members finish on time
Work time with incomplete with complete data and time to
with incomplete data.
data. revise data.
Members have defined
Members do not know Members are on tasks and
responsibilities most of
their tasks and have no have defined responsibilities
Cooperative and the time. Group conflicts
defined responsibilities. at all times. Group conflicts
Teamwork are cooperatively
Group conflicts have to are cooperatively managed at
managed most of the
be settled by the teacher. all times.
time.
Clean and orderly
Clean and orderly workplace
Neatness and Messy workplace during workplace with
at all times during and after
Orderliness and after the experiment. occasional mess during
the experiment.
and after the experiment.
Members require Members require
Members do not need to be
Responsibility supervision by the occasional supervision
supervised by the teacher.
teacher. by the teacher.
Other Comments/Observations: Total Score

(𝑇𝑜𝑡𝑎𝑙 𝑆𝑐𝑜𝑟𝑒)
𝑅𝑎𝑡𝑖𝑛𝑔 = × 100
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