University of Portsmouth School of Engineering Hydrostatic Pressure

JVF

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September 2011

1. Hydrostatic pressure Hydrostatic pressure is usually defined for a liquid, whose density can be considered constant, since a liquid is virtually incompressible. Cross sectional area A

Height h

Consider a cylinder of height h (m) and cross sectional area A (m 2) containing a liquid of density (kg/m 3). The weight of the liquid is Weight = mass x g Where i.e. Where mass = volume x density = V Weight = g V Volume = A h
kg m m2 N 3 2 m s

Now the weight of the liquid (a downward force) is balanced by the pressure exerted on the liquid by the base. Upward force = pressure x area = p hydrostatic A i.e. Then Weight = p A = g V = g A h p=gh

Thus hydrostatic pressure = density x g x vertical height Note that the hydrostatic pressure is a gauge pressure i.e. measured relative to the atmosphere. If we want the absolute pressure we must add the atmospheric pressure. Then p absolute = p hydrostatic + p atmospheric Note that pressure always acts normally (perpendicular to) a surface.

JVF

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September 2011

2. Forces on an immersed surface: 2.1 Force on a vertical surface: 2.1.1 One edge in the free surface Consider a vertical surface, with one edge in the liquid free surface. The surface is b (m) long and d (m) deep b h d p=gh

p=gd Fig 2 fig 3

The hydrostatic pressure varies linearly with depth (see fig 3)it is zero (atmospheric pressure!) at the top and g d at the bottom. At any height h, the pressure is g h The total force on the surface is calculated using calculus (if you dont know calculus, you can skip this bit!). b

h dh d

Fig 4 JVF Page 3 of 5

September 2011

Force on the element F = p b h (pressure x area)

d Summing up over the whole area F = g b h dh = g b d2/2 = g A d/2 0

Hence hydrostatic force is given by g multiplied by the area multiplied by the vertical depth of the centroid of the immersed surface from the liquid free surface.

i.e. 2.1.2

F = gA h

One edge submerged

Free surface Free surface

h b p=gz

top of plate
d G depth G p = h (z+d)

Fig 5

bottom of plate pressure distribution

JVF

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September 2011

Free surface

h b

dh d G horizontal axis through centroid G

Fig 6

The force on the element, h below the free surface, is given by

F = g b h h

Summing up all these forces from the top, where h = z, to the bottom, where h = z + d
z +d

F=

g b h dh
z

1 +d F = ( gb h2 )z z 2 i.e.
F= 1 g b ( z + h) 2 ( z ) 2 2

F= Then Rewriting

1 g b( z 2 + 2zd + d 2 z 2 ) 2 1 F = g b (d 2 + 2zd) 2 d F = g b d( + z ) = ( g )( b d)( h) 2

Or, in words hydrostatic force = g x area x vertical depth of the centroid

JVF Page 5 of 5

September 2011