FLUIDS AND THERMODYNAMICS

Laboratory Experiment
Thrust & Centre of Pressure
Individual Short Report

Student Name: _________________________

Student ID No: _________________________
Centre of Pressure Laboratory [Type here] Page 2
Objects:
1) To measure the total thrust (pressure force) on an inclined immersed surface.
2) To find the position of the centre of pressure on an inclined surface.

Apparatus:
Pressure force and centre of pressure test units, balance weights, tank and hose.

Procedure:
Both test apparatus are to be set up level before carrying out the experiments. Each has a 150
mm x 100 mm face inclined at 30 to the vertical.

Pressure Force
With the tank empty, add balance weights until the block is just supported with the hinges at
right angles.
Note the balance weight needed for this equilibrium position.
Fill the tank carefully, and adjust the balance weights until the block is again in equilibrium,
with the hinges again at right angles and the water level at the upper edge of the block face.
Determine the difference in balance weights, which represents the total thrust on the face of
the block.
Repeat the experiment with the water level 40 mm vertically above the upper edge of the
block face.

Centre of Pressure
The upper edge of the quadrant block is at a radius of 75 mm radius (x) from the pivot while
the balance weights are applied at a 250 mm radius (y).
With the tank empty, balance the quadrant so that the beam is level, and note the balance
weight needed for this equilibrium position.
Fill the tank carefully, and adjust the balance weights until the quadrant is again in
equilibrium, with the beam level and the water level at the upper edge of the quadrant block
face.
Determine the difference in balance weights, which when moments of it are taken about the
pivot, is equal to the moment of the total thrust (pressure force) on the quadrant face.
Repeat the experiment with the water level 40 mm vertically above the upper edge of the
quadrant face.

Result
Complete the result sheet for this experiment, comparing experimental and calculated results.
Comment on your results.
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Experimental Setup:

Thrust Experiment

Centre of Pressure Experiment

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Experimental Results and Calculations:
Mass
Thrust Force Centre of Pressure
Mass Empty (g) , = , =

Mass Level (g) , = , =

Mass Submerged (g) , = , =

Mass(Empty Level) (g) , , = , , =

Mass (Empty Submerged) (g) , , = , , =

Free Body Diagram

Thrust Force Experiment

Complete the free body diagram for the block with water level with the edge.

Centre of Pressure Experiment

Complete the free body diagram for the block with water level with the edge:
Centre of Pressure Laboratory [Type here] Page 5
Thrust Force
1) Level

Theoretical
Verify the following theoretical result
, = 9.56 N

Experimental
Calculate the thrust force from experimental data. Show working.

, = _______________________(N)

Variation
Calculate the variation between experimental and theoretical results
(, + , )
=
,
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2) Submerged

Theoretical
Verify the following theoretical result
, = 15.44 N

Experimental
Calculate the thrust force from experimental data. Show working.

, = ________________________(N)

Variation
Calculate the variation between experimental and theoretical results
(, + , )
=
,
Centre of Pressure Laboratory [Type here] Page 7
Centre of Pressure
1) Level

Theoretical
Verify the following theoretical results
, = 0.1 m
, = 0.086 m

Experimental
Calculate the centre of pressure from experimental data. Show working.

, = _________________________(m)

, = _________________________(m)

Variation
Calculate the variation between experimental and theoretical results
1
= (, , )
,

1
= (, , )
,

2) Submerged

Theoretical
Centre of Pressure Laboratory [Type here] Page 8
Verify the following theoretical results
, = 0.1367 m
, = 0.1184 m

Experimental
Calculate the centre of pressure from experimental data. Show working.

, = ______________________________(m)

, = _____________________________(m)

Variation
Calculate the variation between experimental and theoretical results
1
= (, , )
,

1
= (, , )
,
Centre of Pressure Laboratory [Type here] Page 9
Discussion:
Comment on the sources of difference between the theoretical and experimental results.

Conclusion:
What valid conclusions can you draw from the results of this lab?