TABLE OF CONTENT

NO.

CONTENT

PAGES

1.0

INTRODUCTION

2.0

OBJECTIVE

3.0

THEORY/BACKGROUND

4.0

APPARATUS

5.0

PROCEDURES

6.0

RESULTS

5-6

7.0

SAMPLE CALCULATION

6-7

8.0

DISCUSSION

9.0

CONCLUSION

10.0

REFERENCES

3-4
4

1.0 INTRODUCTION
Hydrostatic pressure is, the pressure exerted by a fluid at equilibrium due to the force of
gravity. A fluid in this condition is known as a hydrostatic fluid. So our Hydrostatic pressure lab
was to determine the hydrostatic pressure of water on a flat surface. Adding weight and then
filling the tank with water to the point where the apparatus was in equilibrium. so we can
calculate the force on the flat surface using the given equations.
If a liquid sits in a tank, then it exerts force on the side of the tank. This force is caused
by gravity, and the greater the depth of the liquid then the greater the force. Pascals principle
asserts that the force exerted by a body of water depends on depth alone, and is the same in all
directions. Thus the force on a point in the side of the tank is defined to be the depth of the
liquid at that point times the density of the liquid. Naturally, if we want to design tanks which will
not burst their seams, it is important to be able to calculate this force precisely.
Hydrostatic pressure is, the pressure exerted by a fluid at equilibrium due to the force of
gravity. A fluid in this condition is known as a hydrostatic fluid. So our hydrostatic pressure lab
was to determine the hydrostatic pressure of water on a flat surface. Adding weight and the
filling the tank to the point where the apparatus was in equilibrium. So we can calculate the
force on the flat surfaces using the given equations.
The study of pressure force acting on plane submerged surfaces is a fundamental topic
in the subject of hydrostatic involving assessment of the value of the net thrust and the concept
of the center of pressure, which are so important in the design innumerable item of hydraulic
equipment and civil engineering project.

2.0 OBJECTIVE

i.
ii.

To understand the hydrostatic pressure distribution.

To verify the location of center of pressure.

3.0 THEORY/BACKGROUND

The hydrostatic pressure of liquid is the gravitational pressure phyd. It rises due to the intrinsic
weight as depth (t) increases and is calculated from : phyd = .g.t
density of water
g acceleration due to gravity (g=9.81)
t distance from liquid surface
To calculate force acting on masonry dams or ships hulls, for example, from the hydrostatic
pressure, two steps are required:

Reduce the pressure load on an action surface down to a resultant force (Fp), Which is
applied at a point of application of force, the center of pressure vertical to the active
surface.

Determine the position of the center of pressure by determining a planar center of force
on the active surface. It is first demonstrated how the center of pressure can be
determined. The resultant force (Fp) is then calculated.

4.0 APPARATUS

i.

Water vessel
3

ii.
iii.
iv.
v.
vi.
vii.
viii.

Detent
Cylinder
Stop pin
Water level scale
Rider
Weights
Handles

5.0 PROCEDURE

1.
2.
3.
4.
5.

Places the empty tank on the Bench and position the balance arm on the pivot.
Places the balance pan in the groove at the end of the balance arm.
Level the tank
Position the counterbalance weight until the balance arm is horizontal.
Add a known amount of weight to the balance pan. Pour water into the tank until the
balance arm is horizontal again. (Note : it maybe easier to over fill than use the drain to
level it). When the arm is level this means that the force on the vertical faces of the

quadrant balance out the force due to added weight.

6. Read the depth of immersion from the scale on the faces of the quadrant.
7. Repeat the experiment by adding more weight until you have at least two measurements
in which the vertical faces is complete submerged.
8. Calculate the magnitudes and location of the force for each weight combination.
9. Compare these location with the theoretical positions.

6.0 RESULTS
Angle ( )
0
Level arm
L (mm)
150
150

LOWEST WATER LEVEL St

HIGHEST WATER LEVEL Sh
(mmWC)
(mmWC)
0
100
Appended
Water level
Calculated lever
Resultant force
Weight FG (N)
Reading s (mm)
Arm lD (mm)
FD (N)
1.0
48
184
0.84
1.5
59
180
1.30
4

150
150
150
150
150

2.0
2.5
3.0
3.5
4.0

68
77
84
92
98

177
174
172
169
167

1.70
2.18
2.60
3.11
3.53

Angle ( )
10
Level arm
L (mm)
150
150
150
150
150
150
150

LOWEST WATER LEVEL St

HIGHEST WATER LEVEL Sh
(mmWC)
(mmWC)
0
100
Appended
Water level
Calculated lever
Resultant force
Weight FG (N)
Reading s (mm)
Arm lD (mm)
FD (N)
1.0
52
183
0.93
1.5
62
179
1.34
2.0
71
176
1.82
2.5
76
174
2.04
3.0
90
170
2.88
4.0
103
165
3.67
4.5
116
162
4.63

Angle ( )
20
Level arm
L (mm)
150
150
150
150
150
150
150

LOWEST WATER LEVEL St

HIGHEST WATER LEVEL Sh
(mmWC)
(mmWC)
0
100
Appended
Water level
Calculated lever
Resultant force
Weight FG (N)
Reading s (mm)
Arm lD (mm)
FD (N)
1.0
52
182
0.99
1.5
62
177
1.45
2.0
71
173
1.85
2.5
75
171
2.07
3.0
90
169
2.98
3.5
103
167
3.90
4.0
116
164
4.95

Angle ( )
30
Level arm
L (mm)
150
150
150
150
150
150
150

LOWEST WATER LEVEL St

HIGHEST WATER LEVEL Sh
(mmWC)
(mmWC)
0
100
Appended
Water level
Calculated lever
Resultant force
Weight FG (N)
Reading s (mm)
Arm lD (mm)
FD (N)
1.0
70
177
1.47
1.5
81
173
2.28
2.0
90
170
2.94
2.5
98
167
3.53
3.0
106
165
4.12
3.5
112
163
4.56
4.0
120
160
5.15

Angle ( )
40
Level arm
L (mm)
150
150
150
150
150
150
150

LOWEST WATER LEVEL St

HIGHEST WATER LEVEL Sh
(mmWC)
(mmWC)
0
100
Appended
Water level
Calculated lever
Resultant force
Weight FG (N)
Reading s (mm)
Arm lD (mm)
FD (N)
1.0
84
172
2.47
1.5
98
167
3.53
2.0
106
165
4.12
2.5
114
162
4.70
3.0
120
160
5.15
3.5
128
157
5.73
4.0
136
155
6.32

7.0 SAMPLE CALCULATION

1. For 0 :
6

(S <100mm)
I d = 0.2m- 1/3(S)
= 0.2 1/3 ( 0.048 )
= 0.184m @ 184mm

Fp = Pc x Aact
(S < 100mm)
Pc = g x S/2

(where: Aact = S .b)

Fp = ((10 x 9.81) x (0.048/2)) x (0.048m x 0.075m)

= 0.84 N

2. For 30
(S >100mm)
I d = 0.15m + e

where: e = (1/12) x (100mm)/(S-50mm)

I d = 0.15m + ((1/12) x (0.1m)/ (0.120m-0.05m))

=0.16m @ 160mm

Fp = Pc x Aact
(S > 100mm)
Pc = g (S 50mm)

where: Aact = 100mm x b

Fp = ((10 x 9.81)x (0.12- 0.05m)) x (0.12m x 0.075m

= 5.15 N

8.0 DISCUSSIONS

The comparison had made between the resultant force values and appended weight
values. The result show the resultant force value doesnt agree well with the appended weight
values. This may due to human error, as in reading the measurements accurately at the correct
time, or apparatus error such as the vertical ruler being slightly off, or the pivot arm or counter
weight being not completely accurate when displaying equilibrium.
9.0 CONCLUSION
The experiment was done by follow the procedure that have been given. Unfortunately,
the experiment was not success because of the large error on collected data. This may due to
some aspect that had been discuss on discussion. So, we must do something to fix the problem
above such as get the new one of the apparatus and make sure it was in good condition. Beside
that, we must be more careful to conduct the experiment to avoid error on it.

10.0 REFERENCE
a. Reference books
i.

Munson Okiishi (2013). Fundamentals of fluid mechanics Seventh edition.. John

Wiley & Sons, Inc., 111 River Street, Hoboken, New Jersey.

b. Internet sources
i.

Raven (2011). How are submarines designed to withstand the pressure of

deep

sea

submersion?

Retrieved

September

2011

from

http://www.answers.com/Q/How_are_submarines_designed_to_withstand_th
e_pressure_of_deep_sea_submersion .
ii.

Aurelio Ramos (2010).What are things in everyday life that use hydrostatic
pressure.

.Retrieved

form

28

March

2010

from

http://www.madsci.org/posts/archives/2002-03/1015982024.Eg.r.html
iii.

Sarah Friedl (2011). Hydrostatic Pressure: Definition, Equation, and

Calculations.

Retrieved

from

August

2011

http://education-

portal.com/academy/lesson/hydrostatic-pressure-definition-equation-andcalculations.html#lesson
8

c. Others
i.

Lab report sheet