5.

Fluid statics forces on submersed surface

5.1 Pressure forces:
When a stationary fluid comes in contact with solid surface either plane or curved, a force is
exerted by the fluid on the surface. This force is called total pressure or pressure force or
hydrostatic force. Since for a liquid at rest, no tangential force exists, the hydrostatic force acts in
the direction normal to the surface. The point of application of total pressure on the surface is
called center of pressure (CP). For example, assume water kept in a container as shown in Fig. 5.1
(below) exerts hydrostatic force on the bottom and the vertical wall of the container.

Fig. 5.1: Hydrostatic force acting on bottom (FRV) and vertical wall (FRH)of a container.
5.2: Hydrostatic Force acting on Plane Surface:
A plane surface may be immersed in a static liquid either in one position or combination of more
than one position:
(a) A plane surface immersed horizontally,
(b) A plane surface immersed Vertically, and
(c) A plane surface immersed at an angle i.e. Inclined position.
In every position of immersed plane surface, magnitude of total hydrostatic force and position of
center of total hydrostatic force are to be determined.
5.3.1: Total Hydrostatic force (F) on Horizontal Plane Surface:
Let a plane surface of area, A is immersed horizontally (Fig. 5.2) in a stationary liquid of known
specific weight, ω and at a depth of h below free surface of the liquid. If p is the pressure intensity
exerted by the liquid in stationary condition, then
𝑝 = 𝜔ℎ … (5.1)
Therefore, total hydrostatic force on the plane surface immersed horizontally, (FV) is
 𝐹 = 𝑝𝐴 … (5.2)
Or,
𝐹 = 𝜔ℎ𝐴 … (5.3)
Where,
F = total hydrostatic force acting on plane surface immersed
horizontally in downward direction (kg).
𝜔 = specific weight of liquid, (kg/m3). In case of water it is 1000 kg/m3.
ℎ = depth of the plane surface below free surface of the liquid, (m)
𝐴 = area of the plane surface (m2)

Fig. 5.2: Hydrostatic force acting on a plane surface immersed horizontally.

For such condition, since pressure intensity is uniform over the area, the total hydrostatic force
would pass through the centroid of the area (CG) and center of pressure (CP) coincide with each
other. The direction of total force (F) is normal to surface as it acts in the vertical downward
direction.
5.3.2.1: Total Hydrostatic force (F) on Vertical Plane Surface:
Let a plane surface immersed vertically (Fig. 5.3) in a stationary liquid of known specific weight,
ω. In this condition, the pressure intensity increases with the depth of liquid. Therefore, the center
of pressure (CP) for a vertically immersed plane surface lies between the the centroid of the surface
area.
Considering a horizontal strip of an area, da lying at a vertical depth x from free surface of
the liquid. For the strip, the pressure intensity (p) will be
𝑝 = 𝜔𝑥 … (5.4)
Total hydrostatic force on this strip (dF) is
𝑑𝐹 = 𝑝 𝑑𝑎 … (5.5)
Or, = 𝜔 𝑥 𝑑𝑎 … (5.6)

Fig. 5.3: Hydrostatic force acting on a plane surface immersed vertically.

Thus, total hydrostatic force on entire surface (F)
𝐹 = ∫ 𝑑𝐹

= ∫ 𝜔 𝑥 𝑑𝑎

𝐹 = 𝜔 ∫ 𝑥 𝑑𝑎 … (5.7)
By the definition of centroid,
∫ 𝑥 𝑑𝑎 = 𝐴 × 𝑥̅ … (5.8)
Where, 𝑥̅ is the depth of centroid of the surface area from the axis OO (Fig. 5.3)
From, equation (5.7) and (5.8)
𝐹 = 𝜔 𝐴 𝑥̅ … (5.9)
Where, A is the total area of plane surface immersed vertically. This is the general equation for
determination of total hydrostatic force on plane surface immersed vertically.
5.3.2.2: Position of center of pressure for Plane Surface immersed Vertically:
Let ℎ̅ be the vertical depth of the center of pressure, then the moment of total hydrostatic force (F) about
OO (Fig. 5.3)
= F ℎ̅ … (5.10)
The total force on a strip is dF
⸫ moment due to this force on single strip about OO (Fig. 5.3)
 = x dF
Assuming, a number of small strips, the sum of the moments of the total forces on all strips
= ∫ 𝑥 𝑑𝐹
= ∫ 𝑥 𝜔 𝑥 𝑑𝑎 (Using eq. 5.6)

= 𝜔 ∫ 𝑥 2 𝑑𝑎 … (5.11)
By using principle of moment
F ℎ̅ = 𝜔 ∫ 𝑥 2 𝑑𝑎 … (5.12)
∫ 𝑥 2 𝑑𝑎 represents the sum of the second moment of the area of the strip about axis OO which is equal to
moment of inertia (Io) of the plane surface about the axis OO (Fig. 5.3).

𝐼𝑂 = ∫ 𝑥 2 𝑑𝑎
From eq. (5.12),
F ℎ̅ = 𝜔 𝐼𝑂
𝜔 𝐼𝑂
⸫ ℎ̅ = 𝐹
𝜔 𝐼𝑂
ℎ̅ = (Using eq. 5.9)
𝜔 𝐴 𝑥̅
𝐼𝑂
Or, ℎ̅ = … (5.13)
𝐴 𝑥̅

From parallel axis theorem for moment of inertia,

𝐼𝑂 = 𝐼𝐺 + 𝐴 𝑥̅ 2
Where, IO is the moment of inertia of the area about the axis passing through the centroid and
parallel to the axis OO (Fig. 5.3). therefore, from eq 5.13:
𝐼𝐺 + 𝐴 𝑥̅ 2
ℎ̅ =
𝐴 𝑥̅
Or,
𝐼
ℎ̅ = 𝑥̅ + 𝐴𝐺𝑥̅ … (5.14)

This is the equation for position of center of pressure below the free surface of the liquid when a
plane surface is immersed vertically in a liquid of known specific weight.
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