CH 3
CH 3
CH 3
CHAPTER- THREE
3.0. H YDROSTATICS
INTRODUCTION:-
Hydrostatics deals with the study of fluids at rest or moving with uniform velocity as a
solid body, so that there is no relative motion between fluid elements (or layers). There is
no shear stress in a fluid at rest. Hence, only normal pressure forces are present in
hydrostatics.
Fluid Pressure
The pressure intensity or more simply the pressure on a surface is the pressure force per
dF
unit area expressed by the relation P but the force should be applied normal to the
dA
surface.
Pressure at a point
Consider a finite but small element (the small triangular prism) of liquid at rest, acted
upon by the fluid around it. The values of average unit pressures on the three surfaces are
P1, P2 and P3. In the Z direction the forces are equal and opposite and cancel each other.
Y
Pdsdz (Surface force)
Z
ds
X
Pxdydz
dz dy
900-
dx
Pydxdz
Px and Py are the average pressure in the horizontal and vertical directions.
Py=P
The pressure force can also considered and it will be the same with others.
P=Pz=PX=Py
As the triangular prism approaches a point, dy approaches zero as a limit and the average
pressures become uniform or even “point pressures”. Then putting dy = 0 in equation, we
obtain p1= p3 and hence p1 = p2 = p3. Therefore, the pressure is independent of its
orientation.
3.1 Pressure Distribution PASCAL’s Law
.
The pressure variation throughout a fluid at rest can be obtained by again applying
Newton’s second law to a differential element such as shown in Fig.3.2. Note that the
pressures shown are all compressive. This, by convention, is defined as positive pressure,
since tensile stresses in fluids are relatively rare. The pressure on the left hand face is
taken as P. If the rate of change of pressure (or pressure gradient) in the x direction is
p/x, then the total change in pressure between the left face and the right face is the rate
of change of pressure times the distance between the two faces, or (p/x) dx.
dP
P( )dz
dz
z
dz
dP
P P( )dy
dy
y dxdydz dx
x dy
For fluid element at rest FX=0, Fy=0, Fz=0, the pressure force in the opposite vertical
faces must be equal.
p.dx
Fx 0 p dy dz p dy dz 0
x
p
0
x
p.dy
Fy 0 p dx dz p dx dz 0
y
p
0
y
The preceding two equations show, respectively, that the pressure does not change in the
x and y directions. Thus, the pressure is constant throughout a horizontal plane.
Similar to the foregoing procedure, if the pressure on the bottom face is taken as P, the
pressure on the top face becomes p + (P/z) dz.
p
Fz pdx dy p dz dx dy dx dy dz 0
z
p
z
It has been shown that p is not a function of x or y. If it is further assumed that the
pressure does not change with time, the relationship may be replaced by the total
differential equation.
dp
dz
From the above equation the pressure variation is not a function of x and y.
This equation can now be integrated to give the actual pressure variation in the vertical
direction. The negative sign indicates that as z gets higher up ward, the pressure gets
smaller. For incompressible fluids, (where = constant) the above equation can be
directly used.
If the fluid can be assumed incompressible so that = constant, this can be integrated to
give
P + z = constant
This expression defines what is often referred to as the hydrostatic pressure variation, in
which the pressure increases linearly with decreasing elevation. The constant of
integration can be absorbed by integrating between two elevations z 1 and z2 with
corresponding pressure P1 and P2,
P2
Z
Z2
P1
Z1
P2 Z2
P Z
P1 Z1
Since the pressure at the surface is atmospheric it can be taken to be zero gage pressure.
So, the above expression will be P1 = (z2 - z1) But z2-z1=z and substituting,
P1 = z
And the pressure is proportional to the depth below the free surface. In other words, the
pressure at a point in a stationary liquid is the product of the depth of the point and the
specific weight of the fluid. If a free surface does not exist, for example in a closed
container completely filled with liquid, The above equation can be applied in reverse to
determine the position of a line of zero pressure, provided that the actual pressure is
known at some point in the container.
When water fills a containing vessel, it automatically seeks a horizontal surface upon
which the pressure is constant everywhere. In practice, the free surface of water in vessel
is the surface that is not in contact with the cover of the vessel. Such a surface may be
subjected to the atmospheric pressure (open vessel) or any other pressure that is exerted
in the vessel (closed vessel).
The pressure at a point within a fluid mass can be designated as either an absolute pressure
or a gage pressure.
In a region such as outer space, which is virtually void of gases, the pressure is essentially
zero. Such a condition can be approached very nearly in a laboratory when a vacuum pump
is used to evacuate a bottle. The pressure in a vacuum is called absolute zero, and all
pressures referenced with respect to this zero pressure are termed absolute pressures.
Many pressure-measuring devices measure not absolute pressure but only difference in
pressure. For example, a Bourdon-tube gage indicates only the difference between the
pressure in the fluid to which it is tapped and the pressure in the atmosphere. In this case,
then, the reference pressure is actually the atmospheric pressure. This type of pressure
reading is called gage pressure. For example, if a pressure of 50 kPa is measured with a
gage referenced to the atmosphere and the atmospheric pressure is 100 kPa, then the
pressure can be expressed as either p = 50 kPa gage or p = 150 kPa absolute.
Whenever atmospheric pressure is used as a reference, the possibility exists that the
pressure thus measured can be either positive or negative. Negative gage pressures are
also termed as vacuum or suction pressures. Hence, if a gage tapped into a tank indicates
a vacuum pressure of 31 kPa, this can also be stated as 70 kPa absolute, or -31 kPa gage,
assuming that the atmospheric pressure is 101 kPa absolute.
Water surface in contact with the earth’s atmosphere is subjected to the atmospheric
pressure, which is approximately equal to a 10.33-m- high column at sea level. In still
water, any element located below the water surface is subjected to a pressure greater than
the atmospheric pressure.
Measurement of pressure
Since pressure is a very important characteristic of a fluid field, it is not surprising that
numerous devices and techniques are used in its measurement
All the devices designed for measurement of the intensity of hydraulic pressure are based
on either of the two fundamental principles of measurement of pressure: firstly by
balancing the column of liquid (whose pressure is to be found) by the same or another
column of liquid and secondly by balancing the column of liquid by spring or dead
weight.
1. Mercury Barometer
The measurement of atmospheric pressure is usually accomplished with a mercury
barometer, which in its simplest form, consists of a glass tube closed at one end with the
open end immersed in a container of mercury as shown in Fig. The tube is initially filled
with mercury (inverted with its open end up) and then turned upside down (open end down)
with the open end in the container of mercury. The column of mercury will come to an
equilibrium position where its weight plus the force due to the vapor pressure (which
develops in the space above the column) balances the force due to the atmospheric
pressure. Thus,
Patm = h + Pvapor
Where: is the specific weight of mercury. For most practical purposes the contribution
of the vapor pressure can be neglected since it is extremely small at room temperatures
(e.g. 0.173 Pa at 20oC).
Pvapor
h
Patm
2. Manometry
A standard technique for measuring pressure involves the use of liquid columns in
vertical or inclined tubes containing one or more liquid of different specific gravities.
Pressure measuring devices based on this technique are called manometers. In using a
manometer, generally a known pressure (which may be atmospheric) is applied to one
end of the manometer tube and the unknown pressure to be determined is applied to the
other end. In some cases, however, the difference between pressures at ends of the
manometer tube is desired rather than the actual pressure at the either end. A manometer
to determine this differential pressure is known as differential pressure manometer.
The mercury barometer is an example of one type of manometer, but there are many
other configurations possible, depending on the particular application. The common types
of manometers include the piezometer tube, the U-tube manometer, micro- manometer
and the inclined - tube manometer.
i. Piezometer Tube
The simplest type of manometer consists of a vertical tube, open at the top, and attached
to the container in which the pressure is desired, as illustrated in Fig.3.5. Since
manometers involve columns of fluids at rest, the fundamental equation describing their
use is the Eq.
P = h + P0
Which gives the pressure at any elevation within a homogeneous fluid in terms of a
reference pressure p0 and the vertical distance h between p and p0? Remember that in
fluid at rest pressure will increase as we move downward, and will decrease as we move
upward. Application of this equation to the piezometer tube Fig.3.5 indicates that the
pressure PA can be determined by a measurement of h1 through the relationship.
PA = 1h1
Where, 1 is the specific weight of the liquid in the container. Note that since the tube is
open at the top, the pressure Po can be set equal to zero (we are now using gage pressure),
with the height h1 measured from the meniscus at the upper surface to point (1). Since
point (1) and point A within the container are at the same elevation, PA =P1.
Although the piezometer tube is a very simple and accurate pressure-measuring device, it
has several disadvantages. It is only suitable if the pressure in the container is greater than
atmospheric pressure (otherwise air would be sucked into the system), and the pressure to
be measured must be relatively small so that required height of the column is reasonable.
Also, the fluid in the container in which the pressure is to be measured must be a liquid
rather than a gas.
Thus, for the U- tube manometer shown in Fig.3.5, using SS method we will start at point
A and work around to the open end. The pressure at points A and (1) are the same, and as
we move from point (1) to (2) the pressure will increase by 1h1. The pressure at point (2)
is equal to the pressure at point (3), since the pressures at equal elevation in a continuous
mass of fluid at rest must be the same. Note that we could not simply “jump across” from
point (1) to a point at the same elevation in the right – hand tube since these would not be
points within the same continuous mass of fluid. With the pressure at point (3) specified
we now move to the open end where the pressure is zero. As we move vertically upward
the pressure decreases by an amount 2h2. In equation form these various steps can be
expressed as
PA + 1h1 - 2h2 = 0
And therefore, the pressure PA can be written in terms of the column heights as
PA = 2h2 - 1h1
A major advantage of the U- tube manometer lies in the fact that the gage fluid can be
different from the fluid in the container in which the pressure is to be determined. For
example, the fluid in A in Fig. 3.5b can be either a liquid or a gas. If A does contain a
gas, the contribution of the gas column, 1h1, is almost always negligible so that PA p2
and in this instance the above Eq. becomes.
PA = 2h2
Thus, for a given pressure the height, h2 is governed by the specific weight, 2, of the
gage fluid used in the manometer. If the pressure PA is large, then a heavy gage fluid,
such as mercury, can be used and a reasonable column height (not too long) can still be
maintained. Alternatively, if the pressure PA is small, a lighter gage fluid, such as water,
can be used so that a relatively large column height (which is easily read) can be
achieved.
The U- tube manometer is also widely used to measure the difference in pressure
between two containers or two points in a given system. Consider a manometer
connected between container A and B as is shown in Fig.3.5. The difference in pressure
between A and B can be found by again starting at one end of the system and working
around to the other end. For example, at A the pressure is PA, which is equal to p1, and as
we move to point (2) pressure increases by 1h1. The pressure at p2 is equal to p3, and as
we move upward to from point (4) to (5) the pressure decreases by 3h3. Finally, P5 = PB,
since they are at equal elevation. Thus,
PA + 1h1 - 3h3 = PB
Inverted U-tube manometer is used for measuring pressure differences in liquids. The
space above the liquid in the manometer is filled with air which can be admitted or
expelled through the tap on the top, in order to adjust the level of the liquid in the
manometer.
Capillarity due to surface tension at the various fluid interfaces in the manometer is
usually not considered, since for a simple U –tube with a meniscus in each leg, the
capillary effects cancel (assuming the surface tension and tube diameters are the same at
each meniscus), or we can make the capillary rise negligible by using relatively large
bore tubes (with diameters of about 0.5 in, or larger). Two common gage fluids are water
and mercury. Both give a well –defined meniscus, a very important characteristic for a
gage fluid, and their properties are well known. Of course, the gage fluid must be
immiscible with respect to the other fluids in contact with it. For highly accurate
measurements, special attention should be given to temperature since the various specific
weights of the fluids in the manometer well vary with temperature.
To measure small pressure changes, a manometer of the type shown in Fig. 3.6 is
frequently used. One leg of the manometer is inclined at an angle, and the differential
reading 2 is measured along the inclined tube. The difference in pressure PA – PB can be
expressed as
Where it is to be noted that the pressure difference between points (1) and (2) is due to
the vertical distance between the points, which can be expressed as 2 sin. Thus, for
relatively small angles the differential reading along the inclined tube can be made large
even for small pressure differences. The inclined- tube manometer is often used to
measure small differences in gas pressures so that if pipes A and B contain a gas then
pA pB 2 2 sin
Or
p A pB
2
2 sin
Where the contributions of the gas columns h1 and h3 have been neglected. The above
Equation shows that the differential reading 2 (for a given pressure difference) of the
inclined –tube manometer can be increased over that obtained with a conventional U-tube
manometer by the factor 1/sin. Recall that sin 0 as 0.
Although manometers are widely used, they are not well suited for measuring very high
pressures, or pressures that are changing rapidly with time. In addition, they require the
measurement of one or more column heights, which although not particularly difficult,
can be time consuming. To overcome some of these problems numerous other types of
pressure –measuring instruments have been developed. Most of these make use of the
idea that when a pressure acts on an elastic structure the structure will deform, and this
deformation can be related to the magnitude of the pressure. Probably the most familiar
device of this kind is the Bourdon pressure gage, which is shown in Fig.3.7.
The essential mechanical element in this gage is the hollow, elastic curved tube (Bourdon
tube) which is connected to the pressure source as shown in Fig. As the pressure within
the tube increases the tube tends to straighten, and although the deformation is small, it
can be translated into the motion of a pointer on a dial as illustrated. Since it is the
difference in pressure between the outside of the tube (atmospheric pressure) and the
inside of the tube that causes the movement of the tube, the indicated pressure is gage
pressure. The Bourdon gage must be calibrated so that the dial reading can directly
indicate the pressure in suitable units. A zero reading on the gage indicates that the
measured pressure is equal to the local atmospheric pressure. This type of gage can be
used to measure a negative gage pressure (vacuum) as well positive pressure.
The manometer in its various forms is an extremely useful type of pressure measuring
instrument, but suffers from a number of limitations.
While it can be adapted to measure very small pressure differences, it cannot be used
conveniently for large pressure differences - although it is possible to connect a number
of manometers in series and to use mercury as the manometric fluid to improve the range.
(Limitation)
A manometer does not have to be calibrated against any standard; the pressure difference
can be calculated from first principles. (Advantage)
Some liquids are unsuitable for use because they do not form well-defined menisci.
Surface tension can also cause errors due to capillary rise; this can be avoided if the
diameters of the tubes are sufficiently large - preferably not less than 15 mm diameter.
(Limitation)
A major disadvantage of the manometer is its slow response, which makes it unsuitable
for measuring fluctuating pressures. (Limitation)
It is essential that the pipes connecting the manometer to the pipe or vessel containing the
liquid under pressure should be filled with this liquid and there should be no air bubbles
in the liquid. (Important point to be kept in mind)
Tutorial Problems
1. What is the pressure at a point 10m below the free surface in a fluid that has a
variable density in kg/m3 given by 450 ah , in which a 12Kg / m 4 and h is
the distance in meters measured from the free surface.
2. Express a pressure of 50Kpa in a) mm of mercury b)m of water c)m of acetylene
tetra bromide, S=2.94.
3. Determine the heights of column of water; kerosene, S=0.83; and acetylene tetra
bromide, S=2.94 equivalent to 300mmHg.
4. The tube in fig.3 is filled with oil. Determine the pressure at A and B in meters of
water.
5. Calculate the pressure at A, B, C and D of fig.4 in Pascals.
6. In fig.1 S1 =0.86, S2=1.0, h1=150mm, and h2=90mm.Find PA in mmHg gage. If
the barometric reading is 720mmHg, what is PA in meters of water absolute?
Fig.1 Fig.2
7. Gas is contained in vessel A of the fig.1 with water being the manometer fluid and
h1=75mm. Determine the pressure at A in mmHg.
8. In fig.2, S1=1.0, S2=0.95, S3=1.0, h1=h2=280mm and h3=1m. Compute PA-PB in
mm of water.
9. In problem 8 find the gage difference h2 for PA-PB= -350 mmH2O.
10. In the fig. 5 A contains water, and the manometer fluid has a specific gravity of
2.94. When the left meniscus is at zero on the scale, PA=100mmH2O. Find the
reading of the right meniscus for PA=8KPa with no adjustment of the U-tube or
scale.
11. In Fig.6 find the pressure at A in pascals. What is the pressure of the air in the
tube?
12. The differential mercury manometer of fig. 7 is connected pipe A containing
gasoline (S=0.65), and to pipe B containing water. Determine the differential
reading, h, corresponding to a pressure in A of 20KPa and a vacuum of 150mmHg
in B.
13. Determine the angle of the inclined tube shown in Fig. 8 if the pressure at A is
2 psi greater than that at B.
Fig.6
Fig.4
Fig.7
Fig.8
Fig.5
When a surface is submerged in a fluid, forces develop on the surface due to the fluid.
The determination of these forces is important in the design of storage tanks, ships,
dams, and other hydraulic structures. For fluid at rest we know that the force must be
perpendicular to the surface since there are no shearing stresses present. We also know
that the pressure will vary linearly with depth if the fluid is incompressible.
The distributed forces resulting from the action of fluid on a finite area can be
conveniently replaced by resultant force. The magnitude of resultant force and its line
of action (pressure center) are determined by integration, by formula and by using the
concept of the pressure prism.
i. Horizontal surfaces
x
A A PdA=PdA=PA
The elemental forces PdA acting on A are all parallel. The summation of all elements
yields the magnitude of the resultant force. Its direction is normal to the surface.
To find line of action of the resultant, the moment of resultant is equated to the
moment of the distributed system about any axis (y-axis).
1
A A
x1= x dA x p-is constant.
A plane surface which is inclined to the water surface may be subjected to hydrostatic
pressure. For a plane inclined 0 from the horizontal, the intersection of the plane of area
and the free surface is taken as the x-axis. The y-axis is taken in the plane of the area with
origin 0 at the free surface. Thus, the x-y plane portrays the arbitrary inclined area. We
wish to determine the magnitude, direction and line of the action of the resultant force
acting on one side of this area due to the liquid in contact with the area.
For an element area A at y distance from the origin, the magnitude of the force F
acting on it is
F = P A = hA = y sin A
Since all such elemental forces are parallel, the integral over the area yields the
magnitude of force, F, acting on one side of the area.
Fig.
hc=yc.sin
F dF PdA
A
Let xp and yp be distances measured from the y-axis and x-axis to the pressure
center respectively, then
1
F . y p y. dF ,
F
yP
ydF
2
But, Io = AY +Ig
Ig
yp Y
AY
y p Y 0 , b / c I g is positive.
This shows that center of pressure is below the center of gravity (or centroid).
Where Ig-is the moment of inertia of the plane with respect to its own centroid.
I xy X .Y .A I xyg
I xyg
Xp X (Product of inertia at (x, y)).
AY
When the elemental forces pA vary in direction, as in the case of a curved surface, they
must be added as vector quantities that is, their components in three mutually
perpendicular directions are added as scalars and then the three components are added
vector ally. With two horizontal components at right angle and with vertical component-
all easily computed for a curved surface the resultant can be determined. The lines of
action of the components also are readily determined.
The horizontal component of pressure force on a curved surface is equal to the pressure
force exerted on a vertical projection of the cured surface. The vertical plane of the
projection is normal to the direction of the component.
Thus, the magnitude and the line of action of the horizontal component of force on a
curved surface can be determined by using the relations developed for plane surface.
The vertical component of pressure force on a curved surface is equal to the weight of
liquid vertically above the curved surface and extending up to the free surface and acts
through the center of gravity of the fluid mass within the volume.
A circular pipe under the action of an internal pressure is in tension around its periphery.
Assuming that no longitudinal stress occurs, the walls are in tension, as shown in Fig.
below.
1 unit
T1 T1
T1 T2
FH
y
T2 T2
Fig. Internal forces on walls of a pipe. A section of pipe of unit length is considered
The bursting of a pipe can be thought of as a tendency for the top half to separate from
the bottom half. The only force acting against this tendency is the hoop tension (T) of the
pipe walls then the bursting pressure force must exactly equal the hoop tension.
For high pressures the pressure centre can be taken at the pipe centre; then T1 = T2
T = Pr
T pr
For wall thickness t, the tensile stress in the pipe wall, =
t t
For larger variations in pressure b/n top and bottom of pipe, the location of pressure
centre y is computed.
T1 = py T2 = p (2r-y)
A general class of problems involving fluid motion in which there are no shearing
stresses occur when a mass of fluid undergoes rigid body motion. For example, if a
container of fluid accelerates along a straight path, the fluid will move as a rigid mass
(after the initial sloshing motion has died out) with each particle having the same
acceleration. Since there is no deformation, there will be no shearing stresses and
similarly if a fluid is contained in a tank that rotates about a fixed axis, the fluid will
simply rotate with the tank as a rigid body. In both cases there is no relative motion
between particles; hence no shear stress occurs in the fluid. This condition of fluid is
called relative equilibrium. Generally there is no motion between the fluid and the
containing vessel, however, there is an additional force acting to cause the acceleration.
Specific results for these two cases (rigid body uniform motion and rigid body rotation)
are developed in the following two sections. Although problems relating to fluids having
rigid body motion are not strictly speaking, “fluid static” problems, they are induced in
this chapter because as we will see the analysis and resulting pressure relationships are
similar to those for fluid at rest. (Laws of fluid static’s can still be applied by modifying
to allow for effects of acceleration.)
Consider a small rectangular element of fluid of size x, y and z as shown in the figure
below, z being measured perpendicular to the paper.
Constant pressure
planes
ay
y y
ax x P ax
W=xyz
x
p 1
P x
x 2
p
and on the right face P 1 / 2 x
x
p p
P x 1 / 2x P x 1/ 2 x yz x y z ax
p
x y z x y z a x
x
p
ax (*)
x
p
x y z xyz x y z a y
y
p
pa y
y
p ay
1 (**)
y g
p p p
dp .dx d y dz (az 0)
x y z
ay
dp ax d x 1 dy
g
ay
P ax x 1 Y C
g
If x = y = 0
P = C = P0
ay
P = - ax x - 1Y P0
g
ay
1 Y P ax x
g
P ax x
Y
a a
y 1 y 1
g g
ax p
Y x (* * *)
ay g ay
1
g
Y =mx+b
a
The slope of the free surface will be m = - x
ay g
P
and the y – intercept b
a
y 1
g
Along a free surface the pressure is constant, so that for the accelerating mass shown in
the figure the free surface will be inclined if ax 0. In addition, all lines of constant
pressure will be parallel to the free surface.
Note:
Pressure along the bottom of a liquid filled tank which is resting i.e accelerating
upward will be increased over that which exists when the tank is at rest (or moving
with a constant velocity).
For a freely falling fluid mass (ay = -g) the pressure gradients in all the three
coordinate directions are zero which means that if the pressure surrounding the
mass is zero the pressure throught will be zero.
The flow of a fluid along a curved path or the flow of a rotating mass of fluid is known as
vortex flow. The vortex flow is of two types namely: forced vortex flow and free vortex
flow.
Liquid
Consider a small element of fluid to move in a circular path about an axis with radius r,
and angular velocity .
r2
r r1 z2
z1
For constant angular velocity , the particle will have an acceleration of 2r directed
radically inward.
p
2 r wr Fr mar
r g
P
0
p
Fy
y
These results show that for this type of rigid body rotation, the pressure is a function of
two variables r and y, and therefore the differential pressure is
dp dp
dp dy dr
dy dr
2
dp dy dr
g
This equation gives the var iation of pressureof a rotating fluid .
r2
p y 2 C
g 2
For r=0, y=0, P=C=P0
2r 2
P=P0-y +
2g
Consider two points 1 and 2in the fluid as shown above. Integrating the above equation
for point 1 and 2 we get,
2 2
2 2
dp
1 1 g
rdr dy
1
2
2 2
p2 p1 r y 1
21
2 g 1
2
p2 p1
2g
r 2
2
r12 y2 y1
2g
r 2
2
r12 y2 y1
If the points 1 and 2 lie on the free surface of the liquid, then p 1=p2 and hence the above
equation becomes
2g
r 2
2
r12 y2 y1 =0
y2-y1=
1
2g
r2 2 r12
If the point 1 lies on the axis of rotation, then the above equation becomes
2 r22
y2 y1
2g
Let y2-y1 = y, then
2 r22
y=
2g
Thus y varies with the square of r. Hence the equation is an equation of parabola. This
means the free surface of the liquid is a paraboloid.
Note: Volume of paraboloid of revolution is half of the volume of the circumscribing
cylinder.
Tutorial Problems
1. The tank below is accelerated in the x direction to maintain the liquid surface slope at
-5/3. What is the acceleration of the tank?
2. The closed tank shown, which is full of liquid, is accelerated downward at 2/3 gand to
the right at one g. Here L=2m H=3m, and the liquid has a specific gravity of 1.3.
Determine Pc-Pa and Pb-Pa.
L
Vertical
3 Liquid
5 H
Water
x C
B A
0.3m
30cm ax =2.45 m/s2
ax
1m A
B C
60cm
1.3m
3. The tube shown above is filled with liquid, s = 2.40. When it is accelerated to the
right 2.45 m/s2, draw the imaginary free surface and determine the pressure at A.
4. A cylindrical vessel, 100mm in diameter and 0.3m high, contains water when at rest
to a depth of 225mm. If the vessel is rotated about its longitudinal axis, which is
vertical calculate the speed at which the water will commence to spill over the edge,
and the speed when the axial depth is zero.
5. The open U tube of the following Fig. is partially filled with a liquid. When this
device is accelerated with a horizontal acceleration, a differential reading, h develops
between the monometer legs which are spaced a distance a part. Determine the
relationship between a, and h.
h a
6. A closed cylindrical vessel of diameter 15cm and length 100cm contains water up to a
height of 80cm. The vessel is rotated at a speed of 500r.p.m. about its vertical axis.
Find the height of paraboloid formed.
7. For the date given in question 3, find the speed of rotation of the vessel, when the
axial depth is zero.
8. If the cylindrical vessel of question 3, is rotated at 950 r.p.m. about its vertical axis,
find the area uncovered at the base of the tank
The buoyant force on a submerged body is the difference between the vertical
components of pressure force on its underside and the vertical component of pressure
force on its upper side. The buoyant force always acts vertically upward. There can be no
horizontal component of the resultant because the projection of the submerged body or
submerged portion of the floating body on a vertical plane is always zero.
PBdA
hB
PDdA
PBdA
hC
O x
PCdA
Assume a vertical cylindrical element of cross- sectional area dA. As dA is small, the
pressure on the exposed ends of the cylinder may be taken as p1 and p2.
Since p2> p1, there will be an upward force (p2 –p1) dA acting on the cylindrical element.
The entire body may be considered to be made up of small cylindrical elements, then
integrating over the complete body gives
v v
FB dFB dv dv V
The basic principle of buoyancy and flotation was fist discovered and stated by
Archimedes over 2200 years ago. Archimedes principle states that the up thrust or the
buoyancy on a body immersed in a fluid is equal to the weight, of the fluid displaced. The
up thrust will act through the center of gravity of the displaced fluid, which is called the
center of buoyancy.
To find the line of action of the buoyant force, moments are taken about a convenient
axis 0.
V x x. dv x The distance from the axis to the line of action.
1 v
v
x x.dv (Centroid of the displaced volume of fluid) i.e. B.
If the body is immersed so that part of its volume V1 is immersed in a fluid of density 1
and the rest of its volume V2 in another immiscible fluid of mass density 2,
Up thrust on upper part, R1 = 1gV1
acting through G1, the centroid of V1,
Up thrust on lower part,R2 = 2gV2
acting through G2, the centroid of V2,
Total up thrust = 1gV1 + 2gV2.
The positions of G1 and G2 are not necessarily on the same vertical line, and the centre of
buoyancy of the whole body is, therefore, not bound to pass through the centroid of the
whole body.
Hydrometers
Precise measurement of the specific weight of a liquid is done by utilising the principle of
buoyancy. The device used for this, the hydrometer, is a glass bulb that is weighted on
one end to make the hydrometer float in a vertical position and has a stem of constant
diameter extending from the other end. The hydrometer is so designed that only the stem
end extends above the liquid surface. Therefore, appreciable vertical movement of the
hydrometer is required to change the buoyant force or displaced volume of the device.
Because the buoyant force (equal to the weight of the hydrometer) must be constant, the
hydrometer will float deeper or shallower depending on the specific weight of the liquid.
Consequently graduation on the stem, corresponding to different depths of submergence
of the hydrometer, can be made to indicate directly the specific weight or specific gravity
of the liquid being measured. Consider the following figure
1.0
1.0
h
(Vo-V)S
Distilled Water
Vo
W
W
Vo S 1
h
a S
One common use of hydrometers is in checking the state of charge of a car battery. When
a battery is fully charged the specific gravity of the acid in it is about 1.28, and during
discharge this specific gravity falls. The instrument used to check the state of charge is
called a battery tester and it consists of a small hydrometer inside a glass container.
Exercise: People find that it is easier to float in salt water than in fresh water. Explain
If an egg is placed in a tall vessel and water is added, the egg remains on the
bottom, but if salt is added and the water is stirred, the egg rises and floats.
Why?
1. Submerged body
*B *G
* B, G
*G *B
B>G G>B G=B
For a submerged body, the centre of buoyancy remains constant. If an object is fully
submerged, whether it is a balloon in air or a submarine in water, it must be designed
that the centre of buoyancy lies some distance above the centre of gravity.
Exercise
Explain with example why the centre of buoyancy and the centre of gravity are
located at different points for a fully submerged object.
2. Floating body
The following figure shows a solid body floating in equilibrium (weight acts through G &
the buoyancy through B). Both act in the same straight line. When the body is displaced
from its equilibrium, weight continues to act at G. The volume of liquid displaced
remains constant but the shape of this volume will change and the position of its G and B
will move relative to the body.
The point at which the line of action of the buoyant force for the displaced position cuts
the original vertical through the center of gravity of the body G is called metacenter,
designated M stable equilibrium. Metacentric height is the distance GM.
The displaced fluid is rectangular in section (fig. a) but it is triangular in fig.b and the
center of buoyancy moves to B1. As a result F8 and W are not in the same straight line
producing a turning moment WX that is a righting moment.
l
c
a c
FB
a b O
a’ b’
G a
a G
B O
x
B B’ FB b
d
d
Fig.3.18 x –section and plan in upright position
Consider a non –prismatic floating object, such as a ship. Assume an outside force is
applied causing the body to tilt through a small angle . The relative position of the G
remains unchanged but B shifts from B to B’. The volume of fluid displaced is of course
unchanged and in effect a wedge shaped volume of water represented by aoa’ has shifted
across the central axis to bob’. These wedges represent a gain in the buoyant force on the
right side and a corresponding loss in buoyancy on the left side of c-d.
The buoyant force FB acting through B’ may be considered as the resultant of the original
buoyant force through B and the gain & loss of buoyant force.
F * BM sin FB *
B
(Moment of resultant = moment of
components.)
Consider an element of area dA in plan at a distance x, from O. The buoyant force acting
on this element is x dA. << Small tan sin
FB = * volume = x dA
FB * / 2 x 2 dA
FB * 2 x 2 dA
the fluid
FB * I
FB BM sin FB *
W BM I
I I I
BM
W v V
GM BM BG
Metacentric height I
BG
V
I
If the G is below B, then GM BG
V
I
GM BG
V
Attend the laboratory session for experimental determination of the metacentric height.
Time of oscillation
Y M
W
W FB
FB
d 2 d 2
GM = - (K2/g) ( ) or (K2
/g) ( ) + GM = 0
dt 2 dt 2
d 2 Gg
+ 0
dt 2 K2
GM g GM g
C1 sin 2
*t C2 Cos *t
K K2
i) at t=0, =0
ii) at t=(T/2), =0
Where T=time of one complete oscillation
Substituting the first boundary condition, C2=0
Mg T
Substituting the second boundary condition, we get 0= C1 sin *
K2 2
But C1 cannot be equal to zero and so the other alternative is
GM g T
sin * 0 sin
K2 2
GM g T K2
* or T 2
K2 2 GM g
This gives the time period of oscillation or rolling of a floating body.
Tutorial Problems
1. An object weighs 289.2N in air and 186.9N in oil of S= 0.75. Find its volume and
relative density.
2. Two cubes of the same size, 1m3, one of s=0.8 and the other of s=1.1 are connected
by a short wire and placed in water. What portion of the lighter cube is above the
water surface and what is the tension in the wire?
3. A solid cube of wood of specific gravity 0.9 floats in water with a face parallel to the
water line. If the length of one edge is 10cm, find its metacentric height.
4. A homogeneous block of density is floating between two liquids of densities 1<
and 2>. Determine the expression for the distance that the block protrudes in to the
top liquid.
5. A hydrometer weighs 0.035N and has a stem of 5mm in diameter. Compute the
distance between relative density markings 1.0 and 1.1.
6. A 1m diameter cylindrical mass M is connected to a 2m wide rectangular gate as
shown in Fig.1. The gate is to open when the water level, h, drops below 2.5m.
Determine the required value for M. Neglecting friction at the gate hinge and the
pulley.
7. Show that a cylindrical buoy of 1m diameter and 2m height weighing 7.848KN will
not float vertically in sea water of density 1030Kg/m3. Find the force necessary in a
vertical chain attached at the center of base of the buoy that will keep it vertical.
8. A uniform rectangular body 2m long 1m wide and 0.8m deep floats in water, the
depth of immersion being 0.6m.What is the weight of the body? Find also the position
of the methacenter. Is the equilibrium stable?
9. The two spheres each have s=1.4. Ignore friction and the weight of the support
system. If the system is balanced, what must be the diameter of the sphere that is
submerged in water?
4m
h
1m
Fig.2 Problem 9
Fig.1 Problem 6
10. The piston of the ball valve shown in Fig.3 Have an effective diameter of 10mm. The
valve just closes when ¼ of the volume of the ball is submerged. Calculate the
pressure in KN/m2 of the mains supply.
11. A pipeline has to be laid below the surface of a lake. The pipe is 300mm internal
diameter, its walls are 12.5mm thick and its weight per meter length is 150N. Will
buoyancy effects create any problems? Consider pipe full and pipe empty cases.
Fig.3 Problem 10
12. A rigid solid cone with apex angle of 300 is of density S relative to that of the liquid
in which it floats with apex downwards. Determine what range of s is compatible
with stable equilibrium.
13. A rectangular pontoon 10.5m long, 7.2m broad and 2.4m deep has a mass of
70,000kg. It carries on its upper deck a horizontal boiler of 4.8m diameter and a mass
of 50,000Kg. The centers of gravity of the boiler and the pontoon may be assumed to
be at their centers of figure and in the same vertical line. Find the metacentric height.
Density of seawater 1025Kg/m3.
14. A pail of water weighting 18N rests on scale B. a uniform density block having a
volume of 35cm3 and a specific gravity of 2.5 is hung from scale A and submerged in
the water as shown. Assume that no water spills. What will be the reading of scale A
and B? What will the scales read if the block is exactly half submerged?
120mm 120mm 5m
Hinge
Water Timber
Concrete
15. The timber in Fig. 2 is held in a horizontal position by the concrete anchor. The
120mm by 120mm by 5m timber has a specific gravity of 0.6, while that of concrete
is 2.5. What must be the minimum total weight of concrete?
16. Determine the metacentric height of the circular tube shown in Fig.3
17. A right circular cylinder of radius ro and height ho has a specific gravity S. It is
required to float in water with end faces horizontal. Determine the ratio of ro/ ho for
stable equilibrium.
r=30cm 3m
Water
R=1m
20. The 2m wide homogeneous rectangular gate of Fig.5 is hinged at A and a 6m3 block
of concrete (S=2.3) is connected to the gate through its centre of gravity. Determine
the minimum force P required to hold the gate closed. The weight of the gate can be
neglected and the hinge is smooth.
2m
7m
P Oil, S=0.9
Concrete
300
Fig.5
21. A ship 60m long and 12m broad has a displacement of 19620KN. A weight of
294.3KN is moved across the deck through a distance of 6.5m. The ship is tilted
through a50. The moment of inertia of the ship at water line about its for and aft axis
is 75% of moment of inertia of the circumscribing rectangle. The center of buoyancy
is 2,75m below waterline. Find the meta-centric height and position of center of
gravity of ship. Take sea water =10104N/m3.
22. Find the time period of rolling of a solid circular cylinder of radius 2.5m and 5m long.
The specific gravity of cylinder is 0.9 and is floating in water with its axis vertical.