Contents:

 Introduction
 Total pressure
 Total Pressure on an Immersed Surface
 Total Pressure on a Horizontally Immersed Surface
 Total Pressure on a Vertically Immersed Surface
 Total Pressure on an Inclined Immersed Surface
 Centre of Pressure
 Centre of Pressure on a Vertically Immersed Surface
 Centre of Pressure on an Inclined Immersed Surface
 Centre of Pressure of a Composite Section
Hydrostatic Force on a Curved Surface
 Application Hydrostatics
Hydrostatics is the branch of fluid mechanics that
studies incompressible fluids at rest.

Hydrostatics is fundamental to hydraulics, the engineering of

equipment for storing, transporting and using fluids.

Figure : Hydrostatic Pressure

Total pressure : The 'total pressure' is the sum
of the static pressure, the dynamic pressure, and the
gravitational potential energy per unit volume. It is therefore
the sum of the mechanical energy per unit volume in a fluid.
Ptotal = P1+ P2+ P3 …………..

Total Pressure on an Immersed Surface: The total pressure exerted by a

liquid on an immersed surface. The position of an immersed surface may
be:-
 Horizontal
 Vertical and
 Inclined
Total Pressure on a Horizontally Immersed Surface:
Consider a plane horizontal surface immersed in a liquid as
shown in figure:

Let,
W= Specific weight of the
liquid. A= Area of the liquid.
X= Depth of the horizontal surface
from the liquid level in meters.

Now, Total pressure on the surface,

P =Weight of the liquid above

the immersed surface
= Sp. Wt. of liquid x Volume
of liquid
= Sp. Wt . Of liquid x Area of
surface x Depth of liquid
Total Pressure on a Vertically Immersed Surface:
Consider a plane vertical surface immersed in a liquid as
shown in figure:

First of all, let us divide the whole

immersed surface into a number of small
parallel strips as shown in figure.

Let, w= specific weight of the liquid.

A= Total area of the immersed surface
x= Depth of center of gravity of the
immersed
surface from the liquid surface.

Let us consider a strip of thickness dx, width b and at a depth x from the
free surface of the liquid as shown in figure.

Now, The intensity of pressure on the strip = wx

And area of the strip = b.dx
Total Pressure on a Vertically Immersed Surface:

So, Pressure on the strip,

P = Intensity of pressure x
Area

= wx.bdx

Now, Total pressure on the surface,

P = ʃ wx . bdx
= wʃ x.

But, ʃ x . bdx
bdx = Moment of the surface area about of the liquid
level.
= Ax

So, P = wAx
Total Pressure on an Inclined Immersed Surface:
Consider a plane inclined surface immersed in a liquid
as shown in figure:
First of all, let us divide the whole
immersed surface into a number of small
parallel strips as shown in figure.

Let, w= specific weight of the liquid.

A= Total area of the surface
x= Depth of center of gravity of the
immersed surface from the liquid
surface.
θ = Angle at which the immersed surface
is inclined with the liquid surface.

Let us consider a strip of thickness dx, width b and at a distaance l from O.

Now, The intensity of pressure on the strip = wl sinθ

And area of the strip = b.dx
So, Pressure on the strip,
P
Total Pressure on an Inclined Immersed Surface:

Now, Total pressure on the surface,

P = ʃ wl sinθ.bdx
= w sinθ ʃ l . bdx

But, ʃ l . bdx = Moment


of the surface about
O.
Ax
=
sin
A x
So, P = w sinθ x
sin
 
= wA
x
Center of pressure:

The center of pressure is the point where the total sum of a pressure
field acts on a body, causing a force to act through that point. The total
force vector acting at the center of pressure is the value of the integrated
vectorial pressure field. The resultant force and center of pressure
location produce equivalent force and moment on the body as the
original pressure field. Pressure fields occur in both static and dynamic
fluid mechanics. Specification of the center of pressure, the reference
point from which the center of pressure is referenced, and the associated
force vector allows the moment generated about any point to be
computed by a translation from the reference point to the desired new
point. It is common for the center of pressure to be located on the body,
but in fluid flows it is possible for the pressure field to exert a moment
on the body of such magnitude that the center of pressure is located
outside the body.
Centre of Pressure on a Vertically Immersed Surface:
Consider a plane surface immersed vertically in a liquid
as
shown in figure:
First of all, let us divide the whole immersed
surface into a number of small parallel strips
as shown in figure. h
G

Let, w= specific weight of the liquid. p

A= Total area of the immersed surface

x= Depth of center of gravity of the
immersed surface from the liquid
surface.

Let us consider a strip of thickness dx, width b and at a depth x from the
free surface of the liquid as shown in figure.

Now, The intensity of pressure on the strip = wx

And area of the strip = b.dx
Centre of Pressure on a Vertically Immersed Surface:

So, Pressure on the strip,

P = Intensity of pressure x Area
= wx.bdx

Moment of this pressure about the liquid surface,

= (wx . bdx) x = wx2 . h
bdx G

Now, The Some of moments of all such pressures about

p

the liquid surface ,

M = ʃ wx2 . bdx
= w ʃ x2 . bdx
But, ʃ x2 . bdx= I0 (i.e. moment of inertia of the surface about the liquid
level)
So, M= w I0 ..................(i)
We know that, the sum of the moments of the pressure = P x h..............(ii)
Where, p= Total pressure on the surface and
h= Depth of center of pressure from the liquid surface.
Centre of Pressure on a Vertically Immersed Surface:
Now, equating equation (i) and (ii)

P * h  w.I0
 
wA x* h  wI0
 I0
h
Ax
........ axis
We know the theorem of parallel

........ ...(iii)
that, I0 =IG+ Ah2
Where, IG=Moment of inertia of the figure, about horizontal axis through its

center of gravity
h= Distance between the liquid surface and the center of2gravity of
Now rearranging
the figure. (the equation
x in this case) 


(iii), h  IG  A x
A
 IG x 
h  x
A
x
Centre of Pressure on an Inclined Immersed Surface:

Consider a plane inclined surface immersed in a liquid

as
shown in figure:
First of all, let us divide the whole immersed
surface into a number of small parallel strips 
h
as shown in figure.

Let, w= specific weight of the liquid.

A= Total area of the immersed surface Gp

x= Depth of center of gravity of the

immersed
surface from the liquid surface.
θ = Angle at which the immersed surface
is inclined with the liquid surface
Let us consider a strip of thickness dx, width b and at a depth x from the free surface
of the liquid as shown in figure.

Now, The intensity of pressure on the strip = wl sinθ

And area of the strip = b.dx
Centre of Pressure on an Inclined Immersed Surface:
So, Pressure on the strip,
P =
Intensity of pressure × Area
= wl sinθ.bdx
and moment of this pressure about 0,
= (wl sinθ.bdx) l = wl 2sinθ.bdx

So , M= ʃ wl2 sinθ.bdx = wsinθ ʃl 2.bdx

But, ʃl 2 .bdx= I0 (i.e. moment of inertia of the surface about 0)

so, M = wsinθ I0 .....................(i)

We know that the sum of the moments of all such pressure about

0,
ph
 sin ........ ........ ...
Where, (ii)
p= Total pressure on the surface and
h= Depth of center of pressure from the liquid
Centre of Pressure on an Inclined Immersed Surface:
Now equating equation (i) and 

(ii) ph
 w sin  0
sin
I  

wA x  h
sin  w sin  0

I  I sin 2

h 0 
A
x
We know the theorem of parallel axis that, I0 =IG+ Ah2
Where, IG=Moment of inertia of the figure, about horizontal axis through its center of gravity
h= Distance between the liquid surface and the center of gravity of the figure. ( l 1 in this case)

Now rearranging the equation (iii),

sin 2


 2   
 

h I  Al
2
sin    G
2
sin 
 G 1  I  A sinx    l1  x

A   
I x sin 
A  
 2  x 
h G
x
 
A
Hydrostatic Force on a Curved Surface:
On a curved surface the forces pδA on individual elements differ in
direction, so a simple summation of them may not be made. Instead, the
resultant forces in certain directions may be determined, and these forces
may then be combined vectorially. It is simplest to calculate horizontal
and vertical components of the total force.
Horizontal component of hydrostatic force:

Any curved surface may

be projected on to a
vertical plane. Take, for
example, the
surface illustrated
curved
figure. in
Its projection on to the vertical plane shown is represented by the trace
AC. Let Fx represent the component in this direction of the total force
exerted by the fluid on the curved surface. Fx must act through the
center of pressure of the vertical projection and
is equal in magnitude to the force F on the fluid at the vertical plane. In any
given direction, therefore, the horizontal force on any surface equals the
force
on the projection of that surface on a vertical plane perpendicular to the given
direction. The line of action of the horizontal force on the curved surface is the same
as that of the force on the vertical projection.

Vertical component of hydrostatic force:

The vertical component of the force on a curved surface may be determined by
considering the fluid enclosed by the curved surface and vertical projection
lines extending to the free surface. Thus FH= F2 = ρgzs
FV= F1 = ρgV
where V is the volume of the liquid between the free surface liquid and solid
curved surface. The magnitude of the resultant 2is obtained
2 form the equation
FR  FH  FV
Some Application Hydrostatics :

The Hydrostatics Pressure is either utilized in the working of a

Hydraulic Structure, or a Structure is checked to withstand
the Hydrostatic Pressure exerted on it.
01)Water Pressure on Sluice Gate:-
To regulate the flow of Water, in the path of a River, a Sluice Gate is
provided. The Sluice Gate is made to move up and down with the help of
Rollers fixed on Skin Plate, which travel on Vertical Rails called Guide.
These Rails are fixed on Piers or Vertical Walls.
In between these two Skin Plates, a number of I-beams are provided
horizontally to withstand the Water Pressure. The spacing between the I-
beam is lesser at the bottom than that at top of Sluice Gate, as the Water
Pressure varies in the depth.
02)Water Pressure on Lock Gate:-

The Water Level on both sides of the Dam will be different. If it is desired to have Boating in
such river, the Chamber, known as Lock, is constructed between these two different Water
Levels. Two sets of Lock Gates are provided in order to transfer a Boat from Higher Water Level
to Lower Water Level. The Upstream gates are opened, and the Water Level in the Chamber is
rises up to the Upstream Water level. The Boat is then shifted in the chamber, then Upstream
Gates are closed and Downstream Gates are opened and the Water Level in the Chamber is
lowered to the Downstream Water level. The procedure is reversed for the transfer of Boat from
Downstream to Upstream.
03)Wate Pressure
ron Masonry Walls:-
When Water on one side
of Masonry Walls, the
Water Pressure will act
perpendicular to the Wall.
A little consideration will
show, that the intensity of
Pressure at Water Level
will be Zero and will be
increase by a Straight
Line Law to wH at the
bottom. Thus the Pressure
of the Water on a
Vertical Wall will act
through a point at a
distance H/3 from the
bottom, where H is the
depth of Water.
Conditions for Stability of Dam.

1)The Resultant must pass within the base to safeguard Dam against Overturning.

2)The Resultant must pass through the middle third of the base, to avoid tension at the
base.

3)To prevent sliding, the maximum Frictional Force should be more than the
Horizontal Force.

4)The Maximum Stress developed at the bottom of the Dam should be within the
permissible Stress of the site.