MM222-Week 3 - Lab 4

MM 222 – Fluid Mechanics
The University of the South Pacific

School of Engineering and Physics
Lab 1: Hydrostatic Force
Lab Session Time: Wednesday 5- 8pm

Student Name: Mohammed Arif Khan, Tashif Hussein
Student ID#: S11157296,
AIM
To investigate the pressure acting on a submerged surface and to determine the position of the
Center of pressure.
INTRODUCTION
Water at rest (or relatively slow moving water) exerts a hydrostatic force (pressure) on the walls of dams, large
ducts, canals and against canal gates (in canal locks). This hydrostatic force is not the same as that fluid force at the
bottom of the dam or canal, as it is applied at a steeper angle (usually right angle) and changes with the height of
water (submersion of the plane). Engineers need to know how to predict this force to help understand the strength
and design of structures needed to resist it.
The design of these components necessitates the understanding of how fluid forces act. Such designs require not
only determination of the magnitude of the resultant force but also its point of action, which is known as the ‘’center
of pressure "(yp).With this information, engineers can design the hydraulic structure to withstand the hydrostatic
forces.
In this experiment, we will be using an immersed quadrant tank pivoted at a knife e-edge pivot to determine the
center of pressure of different values of hydrostatic force. This is achieved by computing the moment, M required to
counter the moment induced by the hydrostatic force due to water acting on the quadrant tank. The restoring
(counter-clockwise) moment needed to overcome the clockwise moment (about the pivot) caused by water is
effected by placing known weights on the left-hand end of the apparatus. In the experiment, if the clockwise
moment (induced by water) just balances the counter-clockwise moment (caused by the weights), the moment arm
and hence the center of pressure can be computed. The latter can then be compared with that calculated
theoretically.
EQUIPMENT
 Hydraulic bench
 Hydrostatic Pressure Apparatus
METHODOLOGY
1. The dimensions a, b and d of the quadrant was measured and the distance between the
Pivot and the weight hanger L.
2. The quadrant was inserted into the tank locating the balance arm on the knife edges. Adjust the
Counter-balance weight until the balance arm is horizontal, as indicated on the datum level
Indicator.
3. The tank was filled with water and later on masses was added to balance the balance arm.
4. More water was filled and masses was increased to balance the balance arm.
5. Same procedure was repeated and the results were recorded.
Lab Report Page 1

RESULTS
Table 1
Experimental Data
r q m yc Theoretical (mm) Experimental (mm) Force

(mm) (mm) (kg) (mm) yn yp yn yp N
101 99 0.22 50.5 166.33 67.33 158.47 59.47 3.75
107 93 0.245 53.5 164.33 71.33 157.24 64.24 4.20
112 88 0.260 56 162.67 74.67 152.30 64.30 4.61
115 85 0.270 57.5 161.67 76.67 150.02 65.02 4.86
SAMPLE CALCULATIONS
Using the constants:
P = 275 mm
b = 75 mm
d = 100 mm
ρwater = 998 kg/m3
Theoretical Values
r 2
yc= y p= r y n= y p + q
2 3
101 2
¿ = (101) =67.33+99
2 3
= 50.5 = 67.33 =166.33
Experimental Values
2 Pm
y n= y p= y n−q
ρb r 2
(2)(275)(0.22)
¿ = 158.47 - 99
(9.98 ×10¿ ¿−7)(75)(1012 )¿
= 158.47 = 59.47
DISCUSSION
In this experiment, the quadrant was immersed by adding water to the tank, the hydrostatic force applied to
the vertical surface of the quadrant was determined by considering the following:
 The hydrostatic force at any point on the curved surfaces is normal to the surface and resolves
through the pivot point because it is located at the origin of the radii. Hydrostatic forces on the upper and
lower curved surfaces, therefore, have no net effect – no torque to affect the equilibrium of the assembly
because the forces pass through the pivot.
 The forces on the sides of the quadrant are horizontal and cancel each other out (equal and opposite).
 The hydrostatic force on the vertical submerged face is counteracted by the balance weight. The
resultant hydrostatic force on the face can, therefore, be calculated from the value of the balance weight and
the depth of the water.
Lab Report Page 2

 The system is in equilibrium if the moments generated about the pivot points by the hydrostatic force
and added weight (=mg) are equal, i.e.:
Where:
m: mass on the weight hanger,
L: length of the balance arm
F: Hydrostatic force, and
y: distance between the pivot and the center of pressure
CONCLUSION
The hypothesis to consider moments created by hydrostatic forces on the curve faces is zero. Where the
center of pressure on an object will increase as the object is submerged more into the water; i.e. water depth
increases. The errors present in the experiment has caused a slight difference from the theoretical values
from the experiment values but the errors are not significant.
REFERENCE
B.R. Munson, D.F. Young, and T.H. Okiishi, Fundamentals of Fluid Mechanics, 4th ed., 2002, Wiley and Sons, New
York
Lab Report Page 3

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MM 222 – Fluid Mechanics

The University of the South Pacific

Lab 1: Hydrostatic Force

Lab Session Time: Wednesday 5- 8pm

Lab Report Page 1

r q m yc Theoretical (mm) Experimental (mm) Force

Lab Report Page 2

m: mass on the weight hanger,

L: length of the balance arm

F: Hydrostatic force, and

y: distance between the pivot and the center of pressure

Lab Report Page 3

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