LESSON 3: Total Hydrostatic Force on Surface

If the pressure over a plane area is uniform, as in the case of a horizontal surface
submerged in a liquid or a plane surface inside a gas chamber, the total hydrostatic force or
total pressure is given:
𝑭 = 𝑷𝑨
Where: P – uniform pressure
A – area
In the case of an inclined or vertical plane submerged in a liquid, the total pressure can
be found by the following formula.

𝑑𝐹 = 𝑝𝑑𝐴
Where: p = ϒh
p = ϒysinθ
𝑑𝐹 = 𝛾𝑦𝑠𝑖𝑛𝜃𝑑𝐴

∫ 𝑑𝐹 = 𝛾𝑠𝑖𝑛𝜃 ∫ 𝑦 𝑑𝐴

∫ 𝑦 𝑑𝐴 = 𝐴𝑦̅

𝐹 = 𝛾𝑠𝑖𝑛𝜃𝐴𝑦̅
𝐹 = 𝛾(𝑦̅𝑠𝑖𝑛𝜃)𝐴
ℎ = 𝑦̅𝑠𝑖𝑛𝜃
̅𝑨
𝑭 = 𝜸𝒉
 Since 𝛾ℎ̅ is the unit pressure at the centroid of the plane area, Pcg the formula may be
also expressed as:
𝑭 = 𝑷𝒄𝒈𝑨

Location of F (yp):

𝐹𝑦𝑝 = ∫ 𝑦 𝑑𝐹

𝐹 = 𝛾𝑠𝑖𝑛𝜃𝐴𝑦̅

𝛾𝑠𝑖𝑛𝜃𝐴𝑦̅𝑦𝑝 = ∫ 𝑦 (𝛾𝑦𝑠𝑖𝑛𝜃𝑑𝐴)

𝛾𝑠𝑖𝑛𝜃𝐴𝑦̅𝑦𝑝 = 𝛾𝑠𝑖𝑛𝜃 ∫ 𝑦 2 𝑑𝐴

∫ 𝑦 2 𝑑𝐴 = 𝐼𝑠

𝐴𝑦̅𝑦𝑝 = 𝐼𝑠
𝑰𝒔
𝒚𝒑 = ⁄𝑨𝒚
̅
𝑰
̅ + 𝒈⁄𝑨𝒚
𝒚𝒑 = 𝒚 ̅
𝑰𝒈
𝒆= ⁄𝑨𝒚
̅

Examples:
1. From the figure shown, find the total pressure acting on one side of the gate and its location
from the surface. Use ϒ = 9.79 kN/m3, d = 4m and b = 3m.
Solutions:
𝐼𝑔 To find the location of the total pressure from the surface,
𝑒=
𝑆𝑆 𝑑
we use ℎ𝑐𝑝 = 𝑒 + 3 . ℎ𝑐𝑝 is the distance from the cp (center
𝑏𝑑3 of pressure) up to the liquid surface, e, eccentricity is the
𝑒 = 36 distance between the center of gravity of the gate and the
𝑏𝑑 𝑑 𝑑
center of pressure and is the centroid of triangle measured
2 (3) 3
𝐼𝑔
from the base, b. The eccentricity, e is solved using 𝑒 = 𝑆
𝑑 𝑆
𝑒= where 𝐼𝑔 is the centroidal moment of inertia of triangle
6
𝑏𝑑 3
given as and 𝑆𝑆 is the section modulus of the gate,
𝑑 𝑑 𝒅 36
ℎ𝐶𝑃 = + = computed as 𝐴𝑦̅. 𝐴 is the wetted area and 𝑦̅ is the distance
3 6 𝟐
measured from the center of gravity of the gate up to the
ℎ𝐶𝑃 = 2𝑚 liquid surface but parallel to the plane or orientation of the
gate.

𝐹 = 𝛾ℎ̅𝐴 To solve for the total pressure (also called as total

hydrostatic force or total force), we use the equation
4 1
𝐹 = 9.79 ( ) ( (4)(3)) 𝐹 = 𝛾ℎ̅𝐴. 𝐹 is the total pressure, 𝛾 is the unit weight of the
2 2 liquid, ℎ̅ is the distance from the center of gravity of the
𝑭 = 𝟏𝟏𝟕. 𝟒𝟖 𝒌𝑵 gate to the liquid surface and 𝐴 is the covered or wetted
area.

2. In the figure shown, the gate AB is hinged at A and restrained by a stopper at B. The gate
has a height of 3ft. and width of 5ft. Determine the critical water depth if the stopper at B will
break due to the 9,000 lb force acting on it.

Solutions:
𝐹 = 𝛾ℎ̅𝐴
𝐹 = 62.4(ℎ − 1.5)(5)(3)
𝐹 = 936(ℎ − 1.5)

∑ 𝑀𝐴 = 0

9000(3) = 𝐹(1.5 + 𝑒)
0.75
27000 = 936(ℎ − 1.5) (1.5 + ℎ−1.5) (eq. 1)

1. To find the critical depth of water, we may use the

𝐼𝑔 equation for F. 𝛾 of the water is 62.4 lb/ft3, ℎ̅ can be
𝑒= rewritten as h – 1.50 and A = (width, 5 x base, 3).
𝑆𝑆
2. Take the moment at A = 0, consider F = 936(ℎ −
5(3)3
𝐼𝑔 = = 11.25 1.5) as computed from the equation of F, rotating
12 counterclockwise from A having its moment arm
𝑆𝑆 = 𝐴𝑦̅ equal to (1.50 + e) and P = 9000 lb rotating clockwise
having a moment arm of 3ft.
𝑆𝑆 = 3(5)(ℎ − 1.5) 𝐼
3. Solve for e using 𝑒 = 𝑆𝑔 . The eccentricity will be
11.25 0.75
𝑆
𝑒= computed as 𝑒 = and substitute this value to
15(ℎ − 1.5) ℎ−1.5
equation 1.
0.75
𝑒= 4. Solve for h
ℎ − 1.5

𝒉 = 𝟐𝟎. 𝟐𝟑 𝒇𝒕.

3. Compute the location of the center of pressure if the top of the gate is 2m from the surface
and the radius is 2m.
Solutions: To find the location of the total pressure from the
4𝑟
0.11𝑟 4 surface, we use ℎ𝑐𝑝 = 2 + (𝑒 + 3𝜋) from the figure.
𝒆= ℎ𝑐𝑝 is the distance from the cp (center of pressure) up
𝜋𝑟 4
(2.85)
2 to the liquid surface, e, eccentricity is the distance
between the center of gravity of the gate and the center
0.11(𝑟)4 4𝑟
𝑒= of pressure and 3𝜋 is the centroid of semi - circle
𝜋(𝑟)4
2 (2.85) measured from the diameter, d. The eccentricity, e is
𝐼𝑔
solved using 𝑒 = 𝑆 where 𝐼𝑔 is the centroidal moment
𝒆 = 𝟎. 𝟎𝟗𝟖 𝒎 𝑆
of inertia of triangle given as 0.11𝑟 4 and 𝑆𝑆 is the
ℎ𝐶𝑃 = 2.85 + 0.098 section modulus of the gate, computed as 𝐴𝑦̅. 𝐴 is the
4𝑟
𝒉𝑪𝑷 = 𝟐. 𝟗𝟓 𝒎 wetted area and 𝑦̅ = 2 + 3𝜋 is the distance measured
from the center of gravity of the gate up to the liquid
surface but parallel to the plane or orientation of the
gate. And solve for ℎ𝑐𝑝 .

4. A rectangular gate 1.20m wide rests against smooth wall at A. It is hinged at B located at
5.2m below the water surface. A is 2.92m to the right of B and 2.2m above B.
a. Compute the force on the gate due to sea water pressure (𝛾𝑠𝑤 = 10𝑘𝑁/𝑚3 ).
b. Compute the horizontal force exerted by the wall at point A.
c. Compute the reaction at hinged B.
Solutions:
a. Force on the gate due to sea water pressure.
2.20 1. To solve for the total pressure (also called as total
𝑡𝑎𝑛 𝜃 =
2.92 hydrostatic force or total force), we use the equation
𝜃 = 37° 𝐹 = 𝛾ℎ̅𝐴. 𝐹 is the total pressure, 𝛾 is the unit weight
of the liquid, ℎ̅ is the distance from the center of
𝐴𝐵 𝑠𝑖𝑛 37° = 2.20 gravity of the gate to the liquid surface and 𝐴 is the
covered or wetted area.
𝑨𝑩 = 𝟑. 𝟔𝟔 𝒎
𝐴𝐵
3.66 2. 𝛾 = 10 kN/m3 as given, ℎ̅ = 5.20 − 𝑠𝑖𝑛 37° and
2
ℎ̅ = 5.20 − 𝑠𝑖𝑛 37° 𝐴 = (𝐴𝐵)(1.2).
2
̅ = 𝟒. 𝟏𝟎𝒎
𝒉 3. AB is computed using Pythagorean Theorem as
with the base and height of the gate is given or by
𝐹 = 𝛾ℎ̅𝐴 using Sine function taking first the Tangent function
to get θ.
𝐹 = 10(4.10)(3.66)(1.2)
4. Substitute the values required for the formula of F,
𝑭 = 𝟏𝟖𝟎. 𝟎𝟕 𝒌𝑵 then solve the total pressure.

b. Horizontal force exerted by the wall at point A.

𝐼𝑔
𝑒=
𝑆𝑆 1. To solve for the horizontal force exerted by the wall
at point A, RA, take the moment at B = 0. Consider RA
1.2(3.66)3 rotating counterclockwise from B having its moment
𝑒= 12 arm equal to the adjacent side of 2.20 m or 3.66 sin
1.2(3.66)(6.81) 37o and F = 180.07 kN as computed in (a) rotating
3.66
𝒆 = 𝟎. 𝟏𝟔𝟒 𝒎 clockwise having a moment arm of ( 2
− 𝑒) based
from the figure shown.
𝐼 𝑏𝑑 3 1.2(3.66)3
5.2 3.66 2. Solve for 𝑒 = 𝑆𝑔 . Use 𝐼𝑔 = 12
= 12
,
𝑦̅ = − 𝑆
𝑠𝑖𝑛 37° 2 centroidal moment of inertia for rectangular
5.2 3.66
̅ = 𝟔. 𝟖𝟏 𝒎
𝒚 section and 𝑆𝑠 = 𝐴𝑦̅. 𝑦̅ = 𝑠𝑖𝑛 37° − 2 = 6.81 𝑚
from the figure. The eccentricity will be computed as
𝑒 = 0.164 𝑚 and substitute this value to equation 1.
3. Solve for RA.
∑ 𝑀𝐵 = 0

𝑅𝐴 (3.66)𝑠𝑖𝑛37° = 180.07(1.67) (eq. 1)

𝑹𝑨 = 𝟏𝟑𝟔. 𝟐𝟎 𝒌𝑵

c. Reaction at hinged B

∑ 𝐹𝑥 = 0
1. To solve for the reaction at point B, RB, first take
the horizontal component of B since the support of B
𝑅𝐵𝑥 + 180.07(𝑠𝑖𝑛37°) = 136.20 is hinged. Consider summing forces along horizontal
𝑹𝑩𝒙 = 𝟗𝟑. 𝟖𝟕 𝒌𝑵 forces equal to 0, we have
𝑅𝐵𝑥 + [𝐹𝑋 = 180.07(𝑠𝑖𝑛37°)] = [𝑅𝐴 = 136.20],
then solve for 𝑅𝐵𝑥 .
2. Consider now summing forces along vertical forces
∑ 𝐹𝑣 = 0
equal to 0, we have
𝑅𝐵𝑦 − [𝐹𝑌 = 180.07(𝑐𝑜𝑠37°)] = 0 then solve for
𝑅𝐵𝑦 = 180.07(𝑐𝑜𝑠37°)
𝑅𝐵𝑦 .
𝑹𝑩𝒚 = 𝟏𝟒𝟑. 𝟖𝟏 𝒌𝑵
3. Solve for RB by Pythagorean Theorem.
𝑅𝐵 = √(143.81)2 + (93.87)2
𝑹𝑩 = 𝟏𝟓𝟎. 𝟑𝟓 𝒌𝑵