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ADDIS ABABA SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY UNIVERSITY

COURSE: Hydraulics (CEng2106)
ASSIGNMENT TITLE: Laboratory Report II
Year and Section: 2C
Members:

Mesfin Alemayehu ETS 0960/16 Mohammed Siraj ETS 1012/16

Yonathan Birhane ETS 1506/16 Mahlet Masresha ETS 0890/16
Kalkidan Eristu ETS 0776/16 Meron Debebe ETS 0947/16
Mufid Fowzi ETS 1025/16 Mohammed Adem 1007/16
Kirubel Tesfaye ETS 0842/16 Lidya Tesfahunegn ETS 0869/16
Menata Tesfaye 0941/16 Khalid Mustefa ETS 0806/16
Meseret Kasaye ETS 0958/16 Yoseph Deneke ETS 1536/16

Submitted to: Seifu Sisay Submission Date: 04/06/25

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Table of Contents
Determining the hydrostatic forces acting on partially and fully submerged surfaces....................2
Objective:.....................................................................................................................................3
Theory:.........................................................................................................................................3
Equipment:...................................................................................................................................3
Procedure:....................................................................................................................................3
Results and Calculations:.............................................................................................................4
Conclusion:..................................................................................................................................4
Reference:...................................................................................................................................5
Determination of metacentric height...............................................................................................6
Objective:.....................................................................................................................................6
Theory:.........................................................................................................................................6
Equipment:...................................................................................................................................6
Procedure:....................................................................................................................................6
Results and calculation................................................................................................................6
Conclusion...................................................................................................................................7
References:..................................................................................................................................7

Experiment 1
Determining the hydrostatic forces acting on partially and fully
submerged surfaces
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Objective:
The objective of this experiment is to find both theoretically and experimentally, the center of
pressure for an object fully and partially immersed in a body of water, and the forces acting on it.

Theory:
When an object, in this case a quadrant, the hydrostatic forces acting on the vertical plane
immersed in fluid can be determined using a series of formulae relating the dimensions of the
quadrant, the density of the fluid and a few other constants. These formulae are used in
equilibrium conditions. Therefore, we can surely assume that the moments generated by the
forces are equal as well. The weights hanged on a balance that counteract the action of the
buoyant forces can be written as:
mg * L
While we can describe moment made by hydrostatic forces as
F*h
The equilibrium equation is written as
mg * L = F * h
The following formulae can be used for theoretical and experimental measurement of hydrostatic
forces and centers of pressure:
Centroid = h/2, Area = w * h
Experimental:
Fexp = m * g
hcp, th = M/Fth = Fexp * L/Fth,
Theoretical:
Fth = ρgAh, Fth = ρgBD(d-D/2)
hcp, exp = M/Fth, hcp, exp = mL/ρBD(d-D/2)…fully immersed

Equipment:

Armfield F1-12 Hydrostatic Pressure Apparatus, a jug, and calipers or rulers, for measuring the
actual dimensions of the quadrant.

Procedure:
We first wipe the quadrant dry to prevent any unwanted fluid interactions like tension. Then we
measure the dimensions of our quadrant, which include the radius of the arc and height and
width of the vertical plane. We then put our quadrant in the open chamber for experimentation.
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We add a hanger to the free end of the lever arm, adjusting it with a counter-balance for an
equilibrium. We begin by adding a 50-gram weight to the hanger, filling the apparatus with water
till it levels the tilting caused by the weights, and measuring the height of the water, in that order.
We repeat this until all weights have been added and enough water is added to fully submerge the
quadrant (the vertical plane is fully immersed). We repeat the experiment by going backwards.
Removing the weights, then draining the water and recording height.

Results and Calculations:

Partially submerged

Test Mass (grams) Depth (mm)

1 50 50
2 150 81
3 250 110
4 (Fully Immersed) 350 130

Depth of quadrant = 75mm

Width of quadrant = 75 mm
Height of quadrant endface = 200mm
L = 275mm

Test Mass Depth Fexp Fth hcp,th hcp, exp

1 50 0.05 0.4905 3.6788 0.1583 0.0367
2 150 0.081 1.4175 5.9596 0.1228 0.0679
3 250 0.11 2.4525 8.0933 0.1156 0.0833
4 350 0.13 3.4335 14.7150 0.1333 0.0642
Calculating the percentage error between the experiments, we find the following values

Test %error
1 76.82
2 44.71
3 27.94
4 51.84
Conclusion:
We have found our needed values for force acting on the plane and the height of center of
pressure for each experiment, including the % error. The errors are incredibly high. This is due to
the fact that theoretical values assume a fluid is ideal, thus frictionless. Furthermore, when
theoretical values are small, and written in decimals, small denominator effects result in a big
change for the values, tension also tends to skew our readings. More experimentation required.
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Reference:

 University of Texas at Arlington. (n.d.). Applied Fluid Mechanics Lab Manual. Retrieved
from: https://uta.pressbooks.pub/appliedfluidmechanics/chapter/experiment-1
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Experiment 2
Determination of metacentric height

Objective:
Finding the metacentric height of a model pontoon

Theory:

When a ship or pontoon floats, its center of gravity is at G and center of buoyancy at B. For
equilibrium, both lie on the same vertical line, and the buoyant force equals the body’s weight.
When tilted slightly (by angle θ), the center of buoyancy shifts to B₁. A vertical line through B₁
intersects the original centerline at M, called the metacenter. The distance GM is the
metacentric height, indicating the body’s stability. The buoyant force acts upward through B₁,
while weight acts downward through G.
Metacentric height can be found using the formula: GM = ∆mx/mtanΘ, where ∆m is the mass of
the movable weight X is the distance of movable weight from central position in mm, M is the
mass of assembled pontoon in kg and Θ is the angle of the heel in degrees.
From analytical determination of metacentric height, we can get the formula for the distance
between center of buoyancy and metacenter. BM = I/V, I = L * b3/12, so GM = BM – BG.

Equipment:
Metacentric height apparatus

Procedure:
We first obtain the mass of the transversely movable weight; we then assemble the pontoon with
rider near top and obtain mass of the assembled pontoon. Determine the position of center of
gravity of the pontoon by obtaining point of balance. Fill the sink, then float the pontoon, with
mass centered. Move the mass 10mm until scale is covered. Repeat this for the left side as well.
Proceed to calculations.

Results and calculation

Length of pontoon: 0.35m
Width of pontoon: 0.2m
Depth of pontoon: 0.073m
Weight of pontoon: 1.305 kg
Inclining weight (P) = 0.305
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We get the following table

Distance Angl Experimental Position Posistio BM(m) BG(m) Analytical

of e of GM(m) of n of GM(m)
inclining heel inclining CM(m)
weight(m) weight(m)

0.01 2.0 0.0668 0.01 0.000 0.0456 0.0212 0.0456

0.02 4.0 0.0669 0.02 “” “” 0.0213 0.0456

0.03 5.7 0.0665 0.03 “” “” 0.0209 0.0456

0.04 7.5 0.0664 0.04 “” “” 0.0208 0.0456

0.05 9.3 0.0665 0.05 “” “” 0.0209 0.0456

Conclusion
With the given data, we have determined the metacentric height of our experimental floating
body. We can now apply this into real life to create stable floating bodies without the risk of them
capsizing or at least having the precautions required to halt their impacts.

References:

 https://seismicconsolidation.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/Metacentric-height-of-
floating-bodies.pdf
 https://www.jazanu.edu.sa/sites/default/files/2022-02/experiment-no4stability-of-
floating-bodies.pdf