Benghazi University

Faculty of Engineering
Civil Engineering Department

Fluid Mechanics Laboratory

CE 327

Experiment (1)
Determination of Center of Pressure of a Fluid on
Partially or Fully Submerged Plane Surface

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Date:

Spring 2021
 Determination of Center of Pressure of a Fluid on
Partially or Fully Submerged Plane Surface

1 Introduction

Hydrostatic forces are the resultant force caused by the pressure loading of a liquid acting
on submerged surfaces. The center of pressure is a point on the immersed surface at
which the resultant hydrostatic pressure force acts. The location and magnitude of water
pressure force acting on water-control structures, such as dams, levees, and gates, are
very important to their structural design. Hydrostatic force and its line of action is also
required for the design of many parts of hydraulic equipment.

2 Objective

The objectives of this experiment are:

- To determine the hydrostatic force due to water acting on a partially or fully

submerged surface.
- To determine, both experimentally and theoretically, the center of pressure on the
rectangular face of the toroid.

3 Theory

In this experiment, when the quadrant is immersed by adding water to the tank, the
hydrostatic force applied to the vertical surface of the quadrant can be determined by
considering the following [1]:

 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.
 The system is in equilibrium if the moments generated about the pivot points by the
hydrostatic force and added weight are equal.

The magnitude of the resultant hydrostatic force (F) applied to an immersed surface is
given by:

𝐹 = 𝑔𝜌ℎ𝑐 𝐴
𝐹 = 𝛾ℎ𝑐 𝐴
Where:

𝑔 : Gravity

𝜌 : Fluid density

ℎ𝑐 : The vertical distance from the free surface to the center of gravity

𝐴 : Area of plane surface

𝛾 : Specific weight (Weight density)

3.1 Partially Submerged Vertical Plane Surface

Moment about the pivot (o) is given by

∑ 𝑀𝑜 = 𝑧𝑒𝑟𝑜
𝑦
𝑊. 𝐿 = 𝐹( 𝑎 + 𝑑 − )
3
Where:
𝑊 : Weight
𝐿 : Length of the balance arm
𝐹 : is the pressure at centroid of the immersed surface
𝑎 : Depth from the balance arm to the top of the quadrant plane face
𝑑 : Height of the quadrant face
𝑦 : Depth of water from the base of the quadrant
As shown in figure (2)
𝑦
𝑀. 𝑔. 𝐿 = 𝛾ℎ𝑐 (𝑏𝑦)( 𝑎 + 𝑑 − )
3
𝑦 𝑦
𝑀. 𝑔. 𝐿 = 𝜌𝑔 (𝑏𝑦)( 𝑎 + 𝑑 − )
2 3
Divide both sides by 𝑔𝐿𝑦 2

𝑀 𝜌𝑏 𝜌𝑏
= ( 𝑎 + 𝑑 ) − 𝑦
𝑦 2 2𝐿 6𝐿
This equation is a first degree linear equation (𝑦 = 𝑐 − 𝑚𝑥)
𝜌𝑏 𝜌𝑏
Where 𝑐 is the y-intercept = ( 𝑎 + 𝑑), and 𝑚 is the slope of the equation=−
2𝐿 6𝐿

Figure 1.Forces on Partially Submerged Vertical Plane Surface

3.2 Fully Submerged Vertical Plane Surface

𝐼𝑥
𝑦𝑐.𝑝 =
𝐴𝑦
2
𝐼𝑐 + 𝑦
𝑦𝑐.𝑝 =
𝐴𝑦
𝐼𝑐
𝑦𝑐.𝑝 = +𝑦
𝐴𝑦

𝑦𝑐.𝑝 = 𝑒 + 𝑦
Moment about the pivot (o) is given by

∑ 𝑀𝑜 = 𝑧𝑒𝑟𝑜

𝑑
ℎ𝑐 = 𝑦 − =𝑦
2
𝑦
𝑊. 𝐿 = 𝐹( 𝑎 + 𝑑 − )
3
𝑑
𝑀𝑔𝐿 = 𝜌𝑔𝑦𝑏𝑑( 𝑎 + + 𝑒)
2
Divide both sides by 𝑔𝐿𝑦
𝑀 𝜌𝑏𝑑 𝑑
= ( 𝑎 + + 𝑒)
𝑦 𝐿 2

𝑀 𝜌𝑏𝑑 𝑑 𝜌𝑏 3 𝑑 1
= (𝑎+ )+
𝑦 𝐿 2 12𝐿 𝑦
This equation is a first degree linear equation (𝑦 = 𝑐 − 𝑚𝑥)
𝜌𝑏𝑑 𝑑 𝜌𝑏3 𝑑
Where 𝑐 is the y-intercept = ( 𝑎 + ), and 𝑚 is the slope of the equation=
𝐿 2 12𝐿

Figure 2.Forces on Fully Submerged Vertical Plane Surface

4 Apparatus and devices used

Armfield F1-12 Hydrostatic Pressure Apparatus, as shown in figure (3), with a set of
weights is required to carry out this experiment.
 Figure 3. Armfield F1-12 Hydrostatic Pressure Apparatus

Where

1- A rectangular transparent water tank.

2- A fabricated quadrant.
3- A balance arm.
4- An adjustable counter-balance weight.
5- A water-level measuring device.
6- A drain valve at one end of the water tank.
7- Three adjustable screwed-in feet on the tank base for leveling the apparatus.
8- Knife edge pivot.
 9- Weight hanger.
10- A level indicator.
11- Clamping screw.

5 Method
Begin the experiment by measuring the dimensions of the quadrant vertical endface
(b and d) and the distances (H and L), and then perform the experiment by taking the
following steps:

 Wipe the quadrant with a wet rag to remove surface tension and prevent air bubbles from
forming.
 Place the apparatus on a level surface, and adjust the screwed-in feet until the built-in
circular spirit level indicates that the base is horizontal. (The bubble should appear in the
center of the spirit level.)
 Position the balance arm on the knife edges and check that the arm swings freely.
 Place the weight hanger on the end of the balance arm and level the arm, using the
counter weight, so that the balance arm is horizontal.
 Add 50 grams to the weight hanger.
 Add water to the tank and allow time for the water to settle.
 Close the drain valve at the end of the tank, then slowly add water until the hydrostatic
force on the end surface of the quadrant is balanced. This can be judged by aligning the
base of the balance arm with the top or bottom of the central marking on the balance rest.
 Record the water height, which displayed on the side of the quadrant in mm. If the
quadrant is partially submerged, record the reading in the partially submerged portion of
the Raw Data Table.
 Repeat the steps, adding 50 g weight each time, until the final weight of 500 g is reached.
When the quadrant is fully submerged, record the readings in the fully submerged part of
the Raw Data Table.
 Repeat the procedure in reverse by progressively removing the weights.
 Release the water valve, remove the weights, and clean up any spilled water.
 6 Results and Measurements
 Table (s) of raw data
 Table (s) of results
 Plots of the following graphs:

- For the partially submerged plane vertical surface

(M/y2) against (y)

- For the fully submerged plane vertical surface

(M/y) against (1/y)

6.1 Data

The following are the dimensions of the Hydrostatic Pressure Apparatus used in the lab:
Width of quadrant (b) =7.581 cm
Height of quadrant (d) =10 cm
Length of balance (L) =27.5 cm
Quadrant to pivot (a) =10 cm
Total height (H) = a + d =20 cm

6.2 Results

Table 1. Laboratory results

Depth of
Mass
Immersion
Test No.1 'm'
'y'
(g)
(mm)
1 50 47
Submerged Submerged
Partially

2 100 67
3 150 82
4 200 96
5 250 111
6 300 123
Fully

7 350 135
8 400 147
 6.3 Calculations

Calculate the following for the partially and fully submerged quadrants, and record them
in the Result Table:

 Hydrostatic force (F)

 Theoretical depth of center of pressure below the pivot
 Experimental depth of center of pressure below the pivot

6.3.1 Partially Submerged Vertical Plane Surface

Table 2. Partially Submerged Vertical Plane Surface Calculations

y M y2 M/y2 c c m m
2 (gr/mm2)
(mm) (gr) (mm ) theoretical experimental theoretical experimental
47 50
67 100
82 150
96 200

4.5

4 c 𝛥𝑦
3.5 𝑚=
𝛥𝑥
3
M/y2

2.5

2 𝛥𝑦
1.5
Δ𝑥
1

0.5

0
0 0.5 1 1.5 2 2.5 3
y

Figure 4.
*Sample of Calculation
6.3.2 Fully Submerged Vertical Plane Surface

Table 3. Fully Submerged Vertical Plane Surface Calculations

y M M/y 1/y c c m m
(mm) (gr) (mm/gr) (1/mm) theoretical experimental theoretical experimental
111 250
123 300
135 350
147 400

*Sample of Calculation

7 Analysis of Results

Comment on and explain the discrepancies between the experimental and theoretical
result.

Comment on errors Systematic errors (due to imperfect measurement techniques) and

random errors (due to environmental changes).

8 Conclusion

 Briefly restate the purpose of the experiment (the question it was seeking to
answer)
 Identify the main findings (answer to the research question)

9 References