EXPERIMENTS 1A, 1B, 1C and 1D:

HYDROSTATIC FORCE ON A PLANE SURFACE

1.

Aim

To investigate the hydrostatic force acting on a submerged rectangular plane surface and
compare experimental results with those obtained by theoretical analysis.
2.

Theory

The hydrostatic force F acting on a flat surface of any shape and orientation, and submerged in a
liquid, is given by:
F g hc A

(1.1)

where is the mass density of the liquid, g is the gravitational acceleration, A is the total
submerged area of the plane surface, and hc the vertical depth of the centroid of the submerged
area below the free liquid surface. The line of action of F is located at a distance y p along the
inclined plane from the free surface, such that
y p yc

I xx,c

(1.2)

A yc

where y c is the distance of the centroid along the inclined plane below the free surface and Ixx,c is
the second moment of area of the plane surface A about its centroid.
Therefore, note that the Centre of Pressure will always lie at a distance

I xx ,c

below the centroid of

Ay c
the area. The hydrostatic force F acts at right angles to the surface as shown in Figure 1.1.
Free Liquid Surface

hc

yc
yp

F = g hc A

Side
View

Flat Surface of
arbitrary shape,
Area A

Figure 1.1

Plan
View

Centre of
Pressure CP

Centroid
C

Hydrostatic Force on Plane Submerged Surface

Fluids Lab. Manual 2016 A/Prof M Sivakumar

(Contributions made to the previous versions by A/Profs M J Boyd, W K Soh and Dr Ajit Godbole are acknowledged)

Page 1

EXPERIMENTS 1A, 1B, 1C and 1D:

HYDROSTATIC FORCE ON A PLANE SURFACE
3.

Experimental Apparatus (1A, 1B, 1C and 1D)

The apparatus shown in Figure 1.2 consists of a perspex quadrant mounted so as to rotate on a
knife-edge fulcrum, about which the moments are measured. The curved surfaces have their radii
centred on the fulcrum; consequently all hydrostatic forces on them, acting normal to the curved
surfaces, have zero moment about the fulcrum.
Fulcrum
Jockey
Weight

Slot for hanging

pan + masses
Perspex
Quadrant with
Depth Scale

Test surface
Stop-Cock

Spirit Level
Leveling
Screws
Fig. 1.2

Experimental apparatus 1A, 1B, 1C, 1D

Fulcrum

Jockey
Weight

hd

m
hc

hp

Water level h
C
CP

F = g hc A

Figure 1.3 Schematic diagram Experimental Apparatus 1A, 1B, 1C, 1D

Fluids Lab. Manual 2016 A/Prof M Sivakumar

(Contributions made to the previous versions by A/Profs M J Boyd, W K Soh and Dr Ajit Godbole are acknowledged)

Page 2

EXPERIMENTS 1A, 1B, 1C and 1D:

HYDROSTATIC FORCE ON A PLANE SURFACE
Only the hydrostatic force on the front rectangular face of the quadrant produces a moment about
the fulcrum. All other forces either cancel each other or go through the fulcrum. The force on the
rectangular face is measured by balancing the moment due to the hydrostatic force with the
moment due to weights placed on the beam or on the balance pan. Since the rectangular face is
vertical y=h.
For static equilibrium

Mfulcrum = 0

(1.3)

Measured moment due to weights

Mexp = m g X

(1.4)

Theoretical moment due to hydrostatic force Mtheory

(1.5)

= F ( h p + h d)

where hd is the height of fulcrum above the free water surface.

Table 1.1 Dimensions of Apparatus
Equipment

1A, 1B, 1C, 1D

X (mm)

Plane face dimensions (mm)

Breadth (b)

Depth (d)

75

100

275

Face
Fully
Submerged
( hc hd ) (mm)

Face
Partially
Submerged *
(2 hc hd )(mm)

150

200

* Take special note of this case.

4. Experimental Procedure
(i)

Level the tank using the adjustable feet and spirit level.

(ii)

Move the counter balance jockey weight until the balance arm is horizontal and lock it with
the help of the locknut.

(iii)

Close the drain cock and pour water until the level reaches the bottom edge of the quadrant.

(iv) Place the balance pan of 50 g mass on the specified slot of the arm. Add water slowly into
the tank until the balance arm is horizontal.
(v)

Record the water level (h) on the quadrant and the weight on the balance pan. Fine
adjustment of the water level can be achieved by overfilling and slowly draining, using the
stop-cock or using a pipette.

(vi) Repeat the above for each increment of 50g mass til the total mass is 350g (a minimum of 7
water readings).
(vii) Add some more water to bring the arm in balance keeping total mass at 350g.
(viii) Now remove the water till the balance arm becomes level and take the water level reading
again.
(ix) Now start removing each decrement of mass noting mass and water levels until all the mass
has been removed.
Fluids Lab. Manual 2016 A/Prof M Sivakumar

(Contributions made to the previous versions by A/Profs M J Boyd, W K Soh and Dr Ajit Godbole are acknowledged)

Page 3

EXPERIMENTS 1A, 1B, 1C and 1D:

HYDROSTATIC FORCE ON A PLANE SURFACE
5. Experimental Measurements
Date:___________________________ Group Name:________________________
Student names: (Surname, First name)
______________________________________
______________________________________
______________________________________
______________________________________
Equipment used: (Specify 1A, 1B, 1C or 1D) Circle one.
Water Temperature: Start:__________oC
Finish:_____________oC
Table 1.2 Observations
Water level h (m)
Obs

Total
Mass
(kg)

Add

Remove

hd

hc

hp

(m)

(m)

(m)

Mean

Theoretical
Hydrostatic
Force F (N)
Eqn. 1.1

Moment about
Fulcrum (Nm)
M

exp

theory

Eqn.1.4

Eqn.1.5

1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
6.

Calculations to be undertaken during lab. class and should be shown to the tutor
(i)
Undertake hand calculations for one observation.
(ii)
Complete section 5 in the EXCEL spread sheet shown in the computer screen.
(iii)
Plot Mtheory versus Mexp.
(iv)
Plot of (a) F versus hc and (b) M versus hc.
(v)
Save the excel file in a USB drive for your records. (Must bring your own USB drive)

7.

Discussion and answer to questions

(i)
Discuss reasons for any discrepancies between experimental and theoretical results of
the Moment about the fulcrum.
(ii)
Comment on the variation of F and M with depth below the surface.
(iii)
Derivations of equations for each of the following:
Fully Submerged Flat Surface: (a) Hydrostatic Force F
(b) Theoretical Moment Mtheory
Partially Submerged Flat Surface: (a) Hydrostatic Force F
(b) Theoretical Moment Mtheory

Fluids Lab. Manual 2016 A/Prof M Sivakumar

(Contributions made to the previous versions by A/Profs M J Boyd, W K Soh and Dr Ajit Godbole are acknowledged)

Page 4