MODULE 1 LESSON 4: PRESSURE VARIATION IN STATIC FLUID AND MANOMETERS

Consider two points 1 and 2 lie in the ends of fluid prism having a cross-sectional area dA and
length L. The difference in elevation between these two points is h as shown in Figure 02
below. The fluid is at rest and its surface is free. The prism is therefore in equilibrium and all
forces acting on it sums up to zero.

Note: FFS stands for Free Fluid Surface which refers to fluid surface subject to zero gauge
pressure.

The volume of the prism is equal to the length times the base area of the fluid.
V=LdA

The weight of the fluid prism shown is equal to the product of the unit weight and volume.
W=γV
W=γLdA

Sum up all the forces in x-direction

ΣFx=0
F2=F1+Wx
F2−F1=Wsinθ
p2dA−p1dA=γLdAsinθ
p2−p1=γLsinθ
but L sin θ = h, thus
p2−p1=γh
Therefore, in any homogeneous fluid at rest, the difference in pressure between any two
points is equal to the product of the unit weight of the fluid and the difference in elevation of
the points.

If h = 0 so that points 1 and 2 are on the same horizontal plane, p2 - p1 = 0 or

p1=p2
Therefore, in any homogeneous fluid at rest, the pressures at all points along the same
horizontal plane are equal.

If point 1 lie on the FFS, the gauge pressure p1 = 0, making p2 - 0 = γh or simply

p=γh
This means that the pressure at any depth h below a continuous free fluid surface at rest is
equal to the product of the unit weight of fluid and the depth h.

Transmission of Pressure

We can write the equation p2 - p1 = γh into the form

p2=p1+γh
which means that any change in the pressure at point 1 would cause an equal change of
pressure at point 2. In other words, a pressure applied at any point in a liquid at rest is
transmitted equally and undiminished to every other point in the liquid.

Pressure Head

The equation p = γh may be written into the form

h=p/γ
where h or its equivalent p/γ is in hydraulics called the pressure head. Pressure head is the
height of column of homogeneous fluid of unit weight γ that will produce an intensity of
pressure p.

To convert pressure head of liquid A to the equivalent pressure head of liquid B

hB=(sA/sB)hA=(ρA/ρB)hA=(γA/γB)hA

To convert pressure head of any liquid to equivalent pressure head of water

hwater=sliquid×hliquid
where,
s = specific gravity
γ = unit weight
ρ = density

Properties of Water

• s = 1.0
• γ = 9.81 kN/m3 (or 62.4 lb/ft3 in English system)
• ρ = 1000 kg/m3 (or 1.94 slugs/ft3 in English system)

SAMPLE PROBLEMS:

1. Determine the pressure in a vessel of mercury, specific gravity 13.6, at a point 20 cm below
the surface. Express the answer in N/m2.

2. Take sea water to be 3% heavier than fresh water and assume it is incompressible. What is
the pressure, in metric ton per square meter, at 3.22 km below the surface of the ocean if fresh
water weighs 9.79 kN/m3?
3. What height of mercury column will cause a pressure of 680 kPa? What is the equivalent
height of water column?

4. If the pressure in the tank of oil (sp gr 0.80) is 60 psi, what is the equivalent head: (a) in feet
of oil, (b) in feet of water, and (c) in inches of mercury?