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Lecture - 5 Pressure Distribution

1) In hydrostatic conditions, pressure in a fluid acts equally in all directions and is dependent only on depth. 2) The pressure gradient is equal to the density times the gravitational acceleration, resulting in an increase in pressure with depth. 3) For a static fluid, the pressure at any point can be calculated as the pressure at the surface plus the density times gravitational acceleration times the depth.

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50 views6 pages

Lecture - 5 Pressure Distribution

1) In hydrostatic conditions, pressure in a fluid acts equally in all directions and is dependent only on depth. 2) The pressure gradient is equal to the density times the gravitational acceleration, resulting in an increase in pressure with depth. 3) For a static fluid, the pressure at any point can be calculated as the pressure at the surface plus the density times gravitational acceleration times the depth.

Uploaded by

jahir
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© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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18/01/2016

LECTURE – 5

Pressure distribution in a fluid:

 There are many instances where the fluid is in stationary condition. That is the movement
of liquid (or gas) is not involved.
 Yet, we have to solve some engineering problems involving stationary liquids (similar to
what you have studied in statics of the course Engineering Mechanics).
 The condition of fluid, for such case is termed as hydrostatic.
 Recall, a fluid at rest cannot resist shear.
 Therefore, the normal stress on any plane through a fluid element at rest is called fluid
pressure, p. (Recall you have studied normal stress & shear stress in Solid Mechanics
course).
 This normal stress, when fluid is at rest, is taken positive for compression (conventionally
taken through & across various course).
 To describe about this pressure, let us describe through equilibrium of forced in a small
wedge of fluid at rest. ( again recall principles of statics)

Δs
Δy

b
θ
Δx

 For a body in static condition you should satisfy


∑Fx = 0
∑Fy = 0
∑Fz = 0
 The above fluid element is also in static equilibrium.

 As this element is isolated from its surroundings, we need to incorporate corresponding


forces (Free body diagram).
 By convention the compressive forces may be acting on the wall of the fluid element, i.e.,
forces act into the plane in respective directions.
 Let px be the force per unit area acting on the plane b∆z.
 Let pz be the force per unit area acting on the plane b∆x.
 Let py be the force per unit area acting on the plane ∆x∆z.
 Let ps be the force per unit area acting on the plane b∆s.

For ∑Fx = 0;

pxbz  psbs sin   0 ……………………… (1)

For ∑Fz = 0;

1
pz bx  psbs cos    g xzb  0 ………. (2)
2
For ∑Fy = 0;

1 1
 py xz  py xz  0 ………………….. (3)
2 2
From (1),

pxbz  ps bs sin   0


pxbz  ps bz
px  ps

From (2),

1
pz bx  psbx   g xzb  0
2
1
pz  ps   g z
2

For limit (∆z → 0; ∆x → 0) pz → ps

So, pz = ps = px = py = p = pressure

At a static point, pressure is a scalar property without any orientation. P(x,y,z,t)


Pressure force on fluid element:
Due to pressure, forces act on the respective plane of interest.
Let us consider a rectangular elemental prism of volume ∆x∆y∆z

Net x force on an element due to pressure variation


(Source: Fluid Mechanics by F.M. White)

 Force due to pressure is called pressure force.


 At any mathematical point pressure is described as p(x,y,z,t) as it is a scalar quantity.
 Therefore, let us suggest that in x direction there are two planes normal.
 On the left plane, let p be the pressure.
p
 On the right plane, pressure will be p  x
x
So, net force due to pressure acting in the x direction will be:

p
Fpx  pyz  ( p  x) y  z
x
p
=- xyz
x
Similarly, net force in y direction:

p
Fpy   x y  z
y
Similarly, net force in z direction due to pressure

p
Fpz   x y  z
z
Force is a vector & the net pressure force is given by,

F p  Fpxiˆ  Fpy ˆj  Fpz kˆ

p ˆ p ˆ p ˆ
 [ i-  j  k]x y z
x y z

As the volume ∆x∆y∆z is arbitrary & choosen by us,


the net pressure force per unit volume

p ˆ p ˆ p ˆ
f p  [ i-  j  k]
x y z
=p

= gradient of pressure
i.e., it is the gradient of pressure that cause force in the fluid.

Gage Pressure & Vacuum Pressure:


In the physics classes, you might have already seen how pressure is expressed.

 The units are N/m2 or Pa or kPa etc.


 Might have heard about 1. Absolute pressure,
2. Gage pressure,
3. Vacuum pressure

Hydrostatic Pressure Condition:

 If a fluid is in rest, it will not have any shear force.


 Similarly, in a static liquid, there will not be any viscous force.
 For the same rectangular prism element of the fluid in rest (or static):
We should apply principles of statics
∑F = 0
 As the fluid is in static, the forces acting on it will be
 pressure force
 gravity force

ρg

g  0iˆ  0 ˆj  gkˆ
p
i.e. ∑Fx = 0 means  xyz  0
x
p
Or, 0
x
p
Similarly, ∑Fy = 0 implies 0
y

p
Similarly, ∑Fz = 0 means  xyz   g z xyz  0
x
p
Or,   gz
z

It can be also expressed as,

∑𝐹 = 0 , pxyz   g xyz  0
⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗

p   g

p
i.e.,   g
z

or p   g

In hydrostatic condition, it is now clear that,

p p
 0 and 0
x y
That is, there won’t be variation of pressure in horizontal direction for the same fluid.

p dp
So, we can hence write as in static conditions.
z dz
dp
  gz
dz

dp    g z dz B
B B

 dp    g z dz
A A z2
A

pB  pA    g z ( z2  z1 ) z2 z

pA  pB   g z ( z2  z1 )

If B is water surface, then PB = atmospheric pressure = 0 (gage pressure)

So, pA = ρgz(z2 – z1) = ρgh, where h = height of water surface level from surface.

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