BATAAN PENINSULA STATE UNIVERSITY

City Of Balanga, Bataan

College Of Engineering and Architecture
Civil Engineering Department

CE Correlation Course
Module: HGE 1
A FLUID is defined as a substance that deforms continuously when acted on by a shearing stress of any
magnitude. A shearing stress (force per unit area) is created whenever a tangential force acts on a surface.

The study of FLUID MECHANICS involves the same fundamental laws you have encountered in physics and
other mechanics courses. These laws include Newton’s laws of motion, conservation of mass, and the first
and second laws of thermodynamics. Thus, there are strong similarities between the general approach to
fluid mechanics and to rigid-body and deformable-body solid mechanics.

MEASURES OF FLUID MASS AND WEIGHT

• Defined as mass per unit volume. 𝑚𝑎𝑠𝑠

Density, ρ (rho) • Density is typically used to characterize the 𝜌=
𝑣𝑜𝑙𝑢𝑚𝑒
mass of a fluid system.
• Defined as its weight per unit volume. 𝑤𝑒𝑖𝑔ℎ𝑡
Unit Weight, γ (gamma) 𝛾= = 𝜌𝑔
• Used to characterize the weight of the system. 𝑣𝑜𝑙𝑢𝑚𝑒
• Defined as the ratio of the density of the fluid to 𝜌
Specific Gravity, SG the density of water at some specified 𝑆𝐺 =
𝜌𝐻2 𝑂@4°𝐶
temperature.

Acceleration due to Gravity Properties of Water at Standard Temperature

𝑚 𝑔 𝑘𝑔 𝑠𝑙𝑢𝑔𝑠
𝑔 = 9.81 2 𝜌𝑤 = 1 = 1000 3 = 1.94
𝑠 𝑐𝑚 3 𝑚 𝑓𝑡 3
𝑓𝑡 𝑁 𝑘𝑁 𝑙𝑏
𝑔 = 32.2 2 𝛾𝑤 = 9810 3 = 9.81 3 = 62.4 3
𝑠 𝑚 𝑚 𝑓𝑡

IDEAL GAS LAW

Gases are highly compressible in comparison to liquids, with changes in gas density directly related to changes in
pressure and temperature through the equation:

Where:
𝑝 p = Absolute pressure
𝜌=
𝑅𝑇 R = Gas constant
T = Absolute Temperature (Kelvin, °K = °C + 273; Rankine, °R = °F + 460)

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 BATAAN PENINSULA STATE UNIVERSITY
City Of Balanga, Bataan
College Of Engineering and Architecture
Civil Engineering Department

PRESSURE
Absolute Zero Atmospheric Pressure Gage Pressure
The lower limit of atmospheric Pressure exerted by the weight of The pressure measured relative to
pressure or the “perfect vacuum” air above us. the atmosphere
ATMOSPHERIC PRESSURE AT SEA LEVEL
1 atm 101.325 kPa 14.7 psi
760 mm Hg 29.9 in Hg 10.34 m. H2O 33.91 ft. H2O

Situation 1 - A tank contains Carbon tetrachloride which has a mass of 743 g and a total volume of 0.0015 m3.
A. Determine its weight.
B. Determine its density.
C. Determine its unit weight.
D. Determine its specific gravity.

Situation 2 - A compressed air tank has a volume of 0.84 ft3. The temperature is 70 °F and the atmospheric
pressure is 14.7 psi. When the tank is filled with air (R = 1716 ft-lb/slug-R) at a gage pressure of 50 psi, determine
the following:
A. Density of the air
B. Weight of air in the tank

PRESSURE VARIATION IN A FLUID AT REST

As we move from point to point in a horizontal plane, the pressure does not change. Since ρ depends only on depth,
we can conclude that pressure changes with elevation.

For liquids or gases at rest, the pressure gradient in the

𝑑𝑝
vertical direction at any point in a fluid depends only on = −𝛾
the specific weight of the fluid at that point. 𝑑𝑧

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 BATAAN PENINSULA STATE UNIVERSITY
City Of Balanga, Bataan
College Of Engineering and Architecture
Civil Engineering Department

In general, a fluid with constant density is called an

INCOMPRESSIBLE FLUID. For liquids the variation in density is
usually negligible, even over large vertical distances, so that the
assumption of constant specific weight when dealing with
liquids is a good one.

Situation 3 - If the pressure in a tank is 50 psi, find the equivalent pressure head of:
A. Water
B. Mercury
C. Heavy fuel oil with a specific gravity of 0.92

Situation 4 - A pressure gage 7.0 m. above the bottom of a tank containing a liquid reads 64.94 kPa; another gage
at height 4.0 m. reads 87.53 kPa.
A. Compute the specific weight of the fluid.
B. Compute the mass density of the fluid.

Situation 5 - A mountain lake has an average temperature of 10 °C and a maximum depth of 40 m. The barometric
pressure is 598 mmHg. Use γHG = 133 kN/m3, and γw @ 10 °C = 9.804 kN/m3.
A. Determine the absolute pressure (in Pascals) at the deepest part of the lake.

Situation 6 - The fluid in A has a specific gravity of 0.9 and the fluid in B is water.
A. Determine the difference pressure between A and B based on the initial configuration shown.
B. Determine the new differential reading along the inclined leg of the mercury manometer if the pressure in
pipe A is decreased 10 kPa and the pressure in pipe B remains unchanged.

Situation 7 - A manometer is attached to a tank containing three different fluids, as shown. What will be the
difference in elevation of the mercury column in the manometer, ‘y’?

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 BATAAN PENINSULA STATE UNIVERSITY
City Of Balanga, Bataan
College Of Engineering and Architecture
Civil Engineering Department

Situation 6 Situation 7

HYDROSTATIC FORCE ON PLANE SURFACES

When a surface is submerged in a fluid, forces develop on the surface due to the fluid. The determination of these
forces is important in the design of storage tanks, ships, dams, and other hydraulic structures. For fluids at rest, we
know that the force must be perpendicular to the surface since there are no shearing stresses present. We also know
that the pressure will vary linearly with depth if the fluid is incompressible.

Since the pressure is constant and uniformly The pressure on the ends of the tank is not uniformly
distributed over the bottom, the resultant force acts distributed. Although our intuition might suggest that
through the centroid of the area as shown. the resultant force should pass through the centroid of
the area, this is not actually the case.

FORMULA FOR HYDROSTATIC FORCE ON PLANE SURFACES

Where: Where:
F = Hydrostatic Force e = eccentricity
γ = Unit weight of Liquid 𝐼𝑁𝐴 INA = Moment of inertia
𝐹 = 𝛾ℎ̅𝐴 𝑒= 𝑠𝑖𝑛𝜃
ℎ̅ = depth of c.g. of submerged area from 𝐴ℎ̅ about the neutral axis
free surface θ = Angle of inclination of
A = Submerged Area plane surface

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 BATAAN PENINSULA STATE UNIVERSITY
City Of Balanga, Bataan
College Of Engineering and Architecture
Civil Engineering Department

Situation 8 - A homogeneous, 4-ft-wide, 8-ft-long rectangular gate weighing 800 lb is held in place by a horizontal
flexible cable as shown. Water acts against the gate which is hinged at point A. Friction in the hinge is negligible.
A. Determine the hydrostatic force acting on the rectangular gate.
B. Determine the location of the hydrostatic force (measured along the gate) from the hinge at A.
C. Determine the tension in the cable.

Situation 9 - Gate AB shown is semicircular, and hinged at B.

A. Determine the hydrostatic force acting on Gate AB.
B. Determine its distance from hinge B.
C. Determine the horizontal force P required at A for equilibrium.

Situation 10 - Water in a tank is pressurized to 85 cm Hg.

A. Determine the hydrostatic force per meter width on panel AB. (Use γw = 9.79 kN/m3)

Situation 8 Situation 9 Situation 10

HYDROSTATIC FORCE ON CURVED SURFACES

Many surfaces of interest (such as those associated with dams, pipes, and tanks) are nonplanar. Although the
resultant fluid force can be determined by integration, this is generally a rather tedious process and no simple,
general formulas can be developed. As an alternative approach we will consider the equilibrium of the fluid volume
enclosed by the curved surface of interest and the horizontal and vertical projections of this surface.

FORMULA FOR HYDROSTATIC FORCE ON CURVED SURFACES

Where: Where:
FH = Horizontal component of the FV = Vertical component of the
total hydrostatic force total hydrostatic force
𝐹𝐻 = 𝛾ℎ̅𝐴 γ = Unit weight of Liquid 𝐹𝑉 = 𝛾𝑉 γ = Unit weight of Liquid
A = Area of vertical projection of V = Fluid volume (Real or
curved surface Imaginary)
ℎ̅ = depth of c.g. of vertical projection
𝑇𝑜𝑡𝑎𝑙 𝐻𝑦𝑑𝑟𝑜𝑠𝑡𝑎𝑡𝑖𝑐 𝐹𝑜𝑟𝑐𝑒, 𝐹 = √𝐹𝐻2 + 𝐹𝑉2

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 BATAAN PENINSULA STATE UNIVERSITY
City Of Balanga, Bataan
College Of Engineering and Architecture
Civil Engineering Department

Situation 11 - The quarter-circular arched gate is 3 ft. wide, pinned at A, and rests on a smooth surface at B.
Determine the following due to the water pressure:
A. Horizontal component of the total hydrostatic force
B. Vertical component of the total hydrostatic force
C. Total hydrostatic force
D. Reaction at smooth surface B
E. Reaction at pin A

Situation 12 - Circular-arc Tainter gate ABC pivots about point O. Use R = h = 6 meters.
Hint: Centroid of sector measured along the center:
2𝑅𝑠𝑖𝑛𝛼
, 𝑤ℎ𝑒𝑟𝑒 𝛼 = 𝐻𝑎𝑙𝑓 𝑜𝑓 𝑐𝑒𝑛𝑡𝑟𝑎𝑙 𝑎𝑛𝑔𝑙𝑒
3𝛼𝑟𝑎𝑑
A. Determine the hydrostatic force acting on the gate (per meter width).
B. Determine the line of action of the hydrostatic force.
C. Does the hydrostatic force pass through point O?

Situation 11 Situation 12

BUOYANCY

Archimedes’ Principle: When a stationary body is completely submerged in a fluid, such as a hot air balloon, or
floating so that it is only partially submerged, the resultant fluid force acting on the body is called the BUOYANT
FORCE. A net upward vertical force results because pressure increases with depth and the pressure forces acting
from below are larger than the pressure forces acting from above.

FORMULA FOR BUOYANCY

Where:
BF = Buoyant Force
𝐵𝐹 = 𝛾𝐿 𝑉𝑠𝑢𝑏
γL = Unit weight of liquid
Vsub = Volume submerged/displaced

Situation 13 - A stone weighs 120 lb in air. When submerged in water, it weighs 73 lb.
A. Find the volume of the stone.
B. Find the specific gravity of the stone.

Situation 14 - A cylinder having a diameter of 1.20 m. and weighing 800 N is held in position in sea water (SG =
1.03) by a cable tied to an anchor block resting at the bottom of the sea such that 0.30 m. of the cylinder is below the

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 BATAAN PENINSULA STATE UNIVERSITY
City Of Balanga, Bataan
College Of Engineering and Architecture
Civil Engineering Department

surface of the water with its axis vertical. The anchor block has a volume of 0.50 m 3 and weighs 24 kN/m3 in air.
Neglect the weight and volume of the cable.
A. Determine the buoyant force acting on the cylinder at the position indicated.
B. Determine the tension on the cable at the position of the cylinder indicated.
C. Determine the rise in the tide that will lift the anchor block from the bottom of the sea.

Situation 15 - The uniform 8-ft board is pushed down into the water, so it makes an angle of θ = 30° with the water
surface. If the cross section of the board measures 3 in. by 9 in., and its specific weight is γ = 30 lb/ft3, determine the
following:
A. Length ‘a’ that will be submerged based on the position shown.
B. Vertical force ‘F’ needed to hold its end in this position.

FLUIDS IN RIGID BODY MOTION

Linear Motion – Vertical

When the container is accelerated upward, the liquid surface maintains its horizontal position; however, the
pressure within the liquid will change.

Pressure in a horizontal plane Pressure in a vertical plane

Situation 16 - A container has a rectangular base (3 ft by 3.5 ft) and is filled with crude oil (γ = 55.06 lb/ft 3) to a
height of 4 feet.

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 BATAAN PENINSULA STATE UNIVERSITY
City Of Balanga, Bataan
College Of Engineering and Architecture
Civil Engineering Department

A. Determine the resultant force that the oil exerts at the container’s bottom if a crane begins to hoist it
upward with an acceleration of 8 ft/s2.
B. Determine the resultant force that the oil exerts at the container’s side if a crane begins to hoist it upward
with an acceleration of 8 ft/s2.
C. If the container is accelerated downward, determine the required acceleration to reduce the pressure at
the bottom to zero.

Situation 17 - An unbalanced vertical force of 450 N downward accelerates a volume of 0.060 m3 of oil (SG = 0.88).
If the oil is 1.50 m. deep in a tank having a square base,
A. What is the acceleration of the tank?
B. What is the pressure at the bottom of the tank?
C. What is the force acting at the bottom of the tank?

Linear Motion – Horizontal

If a container undergoes a constant acceleration, the liquid surface will begin to rotate clockwise about the center of
the container and will eventually maintain a fixed tilted position θ. After this adjustment, all the liquid will behave
as though it were a solid. No shear stress will be developed between layers of the liquid since there is no relative
motion between the layers.

Constant acceleration, open Considering a vertical element Considering a horizontal element

container

Situation 18 - The truck carries an open container of water as shown.

A. Determine the maximum constant acceleration it can have without causing the water to spill out of the
container.
B. If it has a constant acceleration of 2 m/s2, determine the angle of inclination of the surface of the water
and the pressure at the bottom corners A and B.

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 BATAAN PENINSULA STATE UNIVERSITY
City Of Balanga, Bataan
College Of Engineering and Architecture
Civil Engineering Department

Situation 19 - An open tank has a square base with a 1-meter-side, contains 1.5 m of water, is accelerated
horizontally to the right at 4m/s2.

A. Determine the height of the tank so that no water will be spilled.

B. Using the height from above, determine the volume of water spilled if the acceleration is increased to 7
m/s2.
C. If the tank was closed initially and accelerated at 7m/s2, determine the hydrostatic force on the left wall.

Rotational Motion

If a liquid is placed into a cylindrical container that rotates at a constant angular velocity ω, the shear stress
developed within the liquid will begin to cause the liquid to rotate with the container. Eventually, no relative motion
within the liquid will occur, and the system will then rotate as a solid body. When this happens, the velocity of each
fluid particle will depend on its distance from the axis of rotation. Those particles that are closer to the axis will move
slower than those farther away. This motion will cause the liquid surface to form the shape of a FORCED VORTEX.

Liquid in a cylindrical container at ω = 0 Liquid in a cylindrical container at ω>0

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 BATAAN PENINSULA STATE UNIVERSITY
City Of Balanga, Bataan
College Of Engineering and Architecture
Civil Engineering Department

Situation 20 - An open cylindrical tank having a radius of 0.30 m. and a height of 1.20 m. is filled with water at a
depth of 0.90 m.
A. How fast will it be rotated about its vertical axis so that no water will be spilled out?
B. How fast will it be rotated about its vertical axis if half of its volume is spilled out?
C. How fast will it be rotated about its vertical axis to produce a zero pressure within 0.20 m. from the center
of the tank?

Situation 21 - A vertical cylindrical tank has a diameter of 0.50 m. and is 1.5 m. high and closed at the top. It contains
water to a depth of 1.2 m. The air above the water surface has a pressure of 49.05 kPa. When the tank is rotated
about its vertical axis at the rate of 200 rpm,
A. Determine the height of fluid above the top along its periphery.
B. Determine the pressure at the bottom of the tank at the center.
C. Determine the pressure at the bottom of the tank at the side (periphery).

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