Hydrostatic forces on curved surfaces

(a) Liquid above the surface

Magnitude: We are interested in computing the hydrostatic force acting on the curved surface shown in the above figure. Consider the differential element in the above figure. Let us analyze the force acting on it. Vertical Component: The line of action of this force is a long the center of mass of the fluid volume and act downward. Horizontal Component:
dFx = h dAy Fx = h dAy

dAx

dFy

dA dF dAy dFx

CP

Consider then the forces acting on the differential element shown in the figure.
dF dF y b u t F y F y h d A x

d W

( a ct in g

Rule #1: The vertical component of pressure force on a curved surface is equal to the weight of liquid vertically above the curved surface and extending up to the free surface or its extension.

= h Ay = yAy
D C

Fy

where Ay is the horizontal projection of the curved surface onto a vertical plane. h = y is the distance from the free surface to the centroid of the projected area (Ay). Rule #2: The horizontal component of pressure force on a curved surface is equal to the pressure force exerted on the horizontal projection of the curved surface onto a vertical plane normal to the component.

dF , P

Fx

The line of action is determined from the plane surface formula

ycp = y + I yA

PdA h dA h dA x

do wn wa r d

where is I

the

second

moment

of

the

projected area along the Centroidal axis. A is the projected area, (Ay).

(b) Liquid below the surface

To analyze this problem, we vertically project the curved surface onto the free surface extension. Then we imagine that the volume ABCD is filled
D Imaginary fluid C

curved surface and extending up to the free surface or its extension. The line of action of this force is a long the center of mass of the imaginary fluid volume and acting upward. Horizontal Component:

P, dF

h
A

P , dF

dA

The magnitude and the line of action of the horizontal component is computed exactly as we did in Part A

Final Note on the horizontal component

B

with an imaginary fluid similar to the real fluid. Consider then the differential element shown in the figure. The pressure at this element point is the same in all direction as was proved earlier. Hence,
P = P

Closed Surface

Curved surface with equal elevation ends

Curved surface with different elevation ends

multiply both sides by dA

dF = P dA = h dA

where h is the distance from the free surface (or its extension) to the differential element. Now we have a problem similar to part a. Hence, i.e. F = V =W
y

The horizontal component of pressure force on a closed surface or a curved surface with equal elevation for both ends is always zero, since on opposite sides of the body the area-element projections have opposite signs as shown on in the figures. However, if the ends of the curved surface do not have same elevations, then there will be a net horizontal force.

( acting upward )

Rule #3: The vertical component of pressure force due to liquid below a curved surface is equal to the weight of imaginary liquid vertically above the

The line of action is along the centroid of the displaced volume of fluid.

Buoyancy forces
Having obtained the necessary tools to analyze curved surfaces, we are now able to compute the buoyancy force acting on a totally (or partially) submerged body.
Q M

Concept of Hydrometry
A hydrometer uses the principle of

buoyant force to determine the specific gravities of liquids.

stem
C

A D

0 FB

We split the body into two surfaces, namely, ABC and ADC (due to liquid is above the former and below the latter) (Fy)ABC = fluid VABCMQ = VABCMQ (Fy)ADC = fluid VADCMQ = VADCMQ (Fy)net = fluid VABCD = VABCD fluid.
Q M Q M

Whydrometr

If we immerse a hydrometer in a fluid then it gives us the reading S (specific gravity, = /water)
stem = h Astem

= weight of the displaced

WABCMQ
B A A C

WADCMQ
C D B

A force balance in the y direction gives:

A D

WABCD

3
C

FB = Whydrometer ( + ) = Whydrometer 0 stem ( + ) S water = Whydrometer 0 stem S = Whydrometer ( + ) water 0 stem

Stability of Immersed Bodies

A body is said to be in a stable equilibrium position if, when displaced, it returns to its equilibrium position. Conversely, it is in an unstable equilibrium position if, when displaced (even slightly), it moves to a new equilibrium position.
Stable Equilibrium Position

Unstable Equilibrium Position If Center of gravity is above the centroid, the body is unstable. An overturning restoring moment will bring the body to a new equilibrium position.

If Center of gravity is below the centroid, the body is stable. A restoring moment will bring the body back to its original position.

Stability of Floating Bodies

M G C F
b Old position of the centroid New position of the centroid

G
Righting moment

C F
b

New position of Center of gravity

G M
Over-turning Moment

Metacenter (M) intersection point of the line of action of the buoyant force before and after the tilt. Metacenteric Hight (GM) distance from G to M. If M is above G then the body is stable otherwise it is not.

is defined as the

is defined as the

Old position of the centroid

C F
b