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2 FLUID PRESSURES
By definition, a fluid must deform continuously when a shear stress of any
magnitude is applied. Therefore when a fluid is either at rest or moving in
such a manner that there is no relative motion between adjacent particles,
there will be no shear forces acting and, therefore all forces exerted
between a fluid and a solid boundary must be normal (i.e. right angle to
the given surface).
Pressure is used to indicate the normal force per unit area at a given point
acting on a given plane.
δz ps
δs
px
δy
θ
δx
py
P.2-1
Fluid Mechanics Chapter 2 - Pressures
∴ px δy δz - ps δy δz = 0
⇒ px = ps
and py δx δz - ps δx δz -γ δxδyδz/2 = 0
⇒ py - ps = γ δy/2
As δy approaches to zero, pz = ps
P.2-2
Fluid Mechanics Chapter 2 - Pressures
p+dp
Area, A
h+dh
Fluid
density ρ
p
Fig. 3 Vertical variation of pressure
Suppose Pressure at h =p
Pressure at h + δh = p + δp (h increases in upward direction)
pA - (p + δp)A - ρgA(δh) = 0
δp
= -ρg
δh
dp
or = -ρg
dh
P.2-3
Fluid Mechanics Chapter 2 - Pressures
If P and Q are two points at the same level in a fluid at rest, a horizontal
prism of fluid of constant cross-sectional area A will be in equilibrium.
The forces acting on this element horizontally are P1A at P and P2A at Q.
p1 p2
mg
Fig. 4 Equality of pressure at the same level
Since the fluid is at rest, there will be no horizontal shear stresses on the
sides of the element. For static equilibrium the sum of the horizontal
forces must be zero.
p1A = p2A
p1 = p2
Thus the pressure at any two points at the same level in a body of fluid at
rest will be the same.
dp
In a fluid of constant density, = -ρg can be integrated immediately to
dh
give
p = -ρgh + constant
However in practice, the depth of liquid is usually measured from the top
free water surface downward, i.e. h = -h, the pressure will then be
P.2-4
Fluid Mechanics Chapter 2 - Pressures
Patm
Liquid
h Density ρ
p = ρgh + constant
and since the pressure at the free surface will normally be atmospheric
pressure patm (i.e. at h = 0, p = patm),
p = ρgh + patm
A
Gauge pressure A
Atmospheric Pressure
Gauge pressure B
B Absolute
pressure A
Barometer
Absolute reading
pressure B
Vaccum
P.2-5
Fluid Mechanics Chapter 2 - Pressures
p = ρgh
The gauge pressure at a point can be defined by stating the vertical height h,
called the head, of a column of a given fluid of mass density ρ.
p
i.e. h= m
ρg
Note that when pressure is expressed as head, it is essential that the mass
density ρ is specified.
P.2-6
Fluid Mechanics Chapter 2 - Pressures
Worked examples:
Answer
ρ = 1025 kg/m3
g = 9.81 m/s2
h = 1000 m (pressure head)
Since p = ρgh
= 1025 * 9.81 * 1000
= 10,055,000 N/m2
= 100.55 bar (1 bar = 105 N/m2)
Answer
P.2-7
Fluid Mechanics Chapter 2 - Pressures
Many instruments for pressure measurement use the fact that a pressure is
equivalent to a head of liquid.
2.5.1 Piezometer
p = γh vacuum = γh
or pressure = -γh
Fig. 7 Piezometers
This device is only suitable if the pressure in the container is greater than
atmospheric pressure, and the pressure to be measured must be relatively
small so the required height of column is reasonable.
If a heavier liquid is used to balance the pressure, the gauge will become
more compact. For example, 2 m of water is equivalent to only 147 mm of
mercury. However a different arrangement is necessary in order to prevent
the mixing of two liquids of different densities.
P.2-8
Fluid Mechanics Chapter 2 - Pressures
open water
open 13.6h
h Level of
separation
Fig. 8 Manometers
open
γ1
1
A
h2
h1
2 3
γ2
pA = p1
P.2-9
Fluid Mechanics Chapter 2 - Pressures
As we move from point (1) to point (2) the pressure will increase by γ1h1.
Also p2 = p3
∴ pA + γ1h1 - γ2h2 = 0
or pA = γ2h2 - γ1h1
A major advantage of the U-tube manometer lies in the fact that the gauge
fluid can be different from the fluid in the container in which the pressure
is to be determined.
Pointer
Flattened
tube
The instrument consists of a hollow coil closed at one end and the other
end being connected to the pressure being measured. When the internal
pressure is greater than the outside pressure, the tube tends to straighten,
causing the pointer to move.
This gauge measures pressure relative to the pressure surrounding the tube,
and therefore gives values of gauge pressure.
P.2-10
Fluid Mechanics Chapter 2 - Pressures
Worked examples:
Answer
60mm
D
40mm
B C
Hg
Let pressure at A be pA
pC = pB (level of separation)
= pA + 0.1*γw
pD = pC – 0.04*γHg
= pA + 0.1*γw – 0.04*γHg (-ve means going upward)
P.2-11
Fluid Mechanics Chapter 2 - Pressures
Ethylene glycol
SG=1.1
B
10mm
A
Gasoline
SG=0.72
30mm
E
Hg
50mm
C D
Answer
Let pressure at A be pA
pD = pC (level of separation)
= pA + 0.08*γeg
pE = pD – 0.05*γHg
= pA + 0.08*γeg – 0.05*γHg (-ve means going upward)
pB = pE – 0.04*γgas
= pA + 0.08*γeg – 0.05*γHg – 0.04*γgas
or pA - pB = 6.09 kPa
P.2-12
Fluid Mechanics Chapter 2 - Pressures
1 2
water
0.6m
A A0.12m
mercury
Answer
pA = p1 + (0.6-0.12)*γw + 0.12*γHg
= p1 + (0.6-0.12)*9.81 + 0.12*13.6*9.81
= p1 + 20.72 kPa
pA = p2 + 0.6*γw
= p2 + 0.6*9.81
= p2 + 5.89 kPa
P.2-13
Fluid Mechanics Chapter 2 - Pressures
1 2
S.G. = s
venturi meter
13.6
[( – 1)*h]
s
P.2-14
Fluid Mechanics Chapter 2 - Pressures
For a gauge pressure at A of –10.89 kPa, find the specific gravity of the
gauge liquid L in the figure below.
air
3.429m E
D
3.2m A
F 3.048m
G
2.743m
B C
Liquid L
S.G.=1.6
(0.994)
P.2-15
Fluid Mechanics Chapter 2 - Pressures
water
B
water 75mm
200mm
A
75mm
30 S.G.=2.6
2 Vessels A and B contain water under pressure of 276 kPa and 138 kPa,
respectively. What is the deflection of the mercury, h in the
differential gauge?
A 4.877m
h B 3.048m
3 For a gauge reading at A of -15 kPa, determine (a) the levels of the
liquids in the open piezometer columns E, F, and G and (b) the
deflection of the mercury in the U-tube gauge in the figure below.
E F G
A
12.5m Air
2m D h1
C S.G. 13.6
P.2-16