Lesson 3.

1: Hydrostatic Forces on Plane and Curved

Surface

Lesson Summary
This section explains hydrostatic pressure distribution on one face of a panel with a resultant force
that passes through a point called the center of pressure. This information is relevant to
applications such as dams (which will be focused on the next lesson) and water towers. Moreover,
this also describes how to calculate forces on surfaces that have curvature. These results are
important for the design of components such as tanks, pipes, and curved gates

Challenge/Motivation
How do we calculate the hydrostatic forces on plane and curve surfaces and locate its center of
pressure?

Learning Outcome
At the end of the lesson, the students should be able to explain and calculate the total hydrostatic
force on plane and curved surfaces.

Time Frame: 240 minutes

Discussion

Omnidirectional Nature of Pressure

In developing the equation of hydrostatic pressure distribution, it was emphasized that pressure
forces were assumed to be perpendicular to the imaginary surfaces of the column of liquid.
However, this, taken to its logical conclusion, must mean that at any point in the fluid, the pressure
acts equally in all directions. Figure 13 will also be in equilibrium. This principle only ceases to
apply if there is relative motion between the liquid and the object.
 Figure 1. Pressure at a point in a liquid

Uniform Pressure Distribution

A plane surface or panel is a flat surface of arbitrary shape. A description of the pressure at all
points along a surface is called a pressure distribution. When pressure is the same at every point,
as shown in Fig. 14., the pressure distribution is called a uniform pressure distribution. The
pressure distribution in Fig. 13a can be represented by a resultant force as shown in Fig. 14b. For
a uniform pressure distribution, the magnitude of the resultant force is F where:

𝐹 = ∫ 𝑝𝑑𝐴 = 𝑝̅ 𝐴
𝐴

and 𝑝̅ is the average pressure. The resultant force F passes through a point called the center of
pressure (CP). Notice that the CP is represented using a circle with a “plus” inside. For a uniform
pressure distribution, the CP is located at the centroid of area of the panel.

Figure 2. (a) Uniform pressure distribution, and (b) equivalent force

Hydrostatic Pressure Distribution

When a pressure distribution is produced by a fluid in hydrostatic equilibrium, as shown in Fig.
15, then the pressure distribution is called a hydrostatic pressure distribution. Notice that a
hydrostatic pressure distribution is linear and that the arrows representing pressure act normal to
the surface. In Fig. 15b, the pressure distribution is represented by a resultant force that acts at
the CP. Notice that the CP is located below the centroid of the area.

Figure 3. (a) Hydrostatic pressure distribution, and (b) resultant force F acting at the center of the pressure

Magnitude of Resultant Hydrostatic Force

To derive an equation for the resultant force on a panel under hydrostatic loading, sum forces
using an integral. The situation is shown in Fig. 16. Line AB is the edge view of a panel submerged
in a liquid. The plane of this panel intersects the horizontal liquid surface at axis 0-0 with an angle
α. The distance from the axis 0-0 to the horizontal axis through the centroid of the area is given
by 𝑦̅ . The distance from 0-0 to the differential area dA is y. The pressure on the differential area
is
𝑝 = 𝛾𝑦𝑠𝑖𝑛𝛼

The differential force is

𝑑𝐹 = 𝑝𝑑𝐴 = 𝛾𝑦𝑠𝑖𝑛𝛼 𝑑𝐴
The total force on the area is

𝐹 = ∫ 𝑝𝑑𝐴 = ∫ 𝛾𝑦𝑠𝑖𝑛𝛼 𝑑𝐴
𝐴 𝐴

since γ and sinα are constants,

𝐹 = 𝛾𝑠𝑖𝑛𝛼 ∫ 𝑦𝑑𝐴
𝐴

Now, its integral is the first moment of the area. Consequently, this is replaced by its equivalent, 𝑦̅
. Therefore

𝐹 = 𝛾𝑦̅𝐴𝑠𝑖𝑛𝛼

which can be written as (also called the panel equation)

𝐹 = (𝛾𝑦̅𝑠𝑖𝑛𝛼)𝐴
̅𝑨
𝑭=𝒑
 ̅𝑨
𝑭 = 𝜸𝒉
Since 𝛾ℎ̅ is the unit pressure at the centroid of the plane area, 𝑝𝑐𝑔 , the formula may also be
expressed as:

𝑭 = 𝒑𝒄𝒈 𝑨

Figure 4. Distribution of hydrostatic pressure on a plane surface

Example (Hydrostatic force due to concrete)

Determine the force acting on one side of a concrete form 2.44 m high and 1.22m wide (8 ft by 4
ft) that is used for pouring a basement wall. The specific weight of concrete is 23.6 kN/m3.
Problem Definition
Situation:
1. Concrete in a liquid state acts on a vertical surface.
2. vertical wall is 2.44m high and 1.22 wide
Find: The resultant force (kN) acting on the wall.
Assumptions: Freshly poured concrete can be represented as a liquid.
Properties: Concrete, γ=23.6 kN/m3.
 Solution:
2.44
𝑝̅ = (𝛾𝑐𝑜𝑛𝑐𝑟𝑒𝑡𝑒 )( 𝑧𝑐𝑒𝑛𝑡𝑟𝑜𝑖𝑑 ) = (23.6)( )
2
𝑝̅ = 28.79 𝑘𝑃𝑎
𝐴 = (2.44)(1.22) = 2.977 𝑚2

𝐹 = 𝑝̅ 𝐴 = (28.79)(2.977) = 𝟖𝟓. 𝟕 𝒌𝑵

Line of Action of the Resultant Force

A general equation for the vertical location of the CP is derived next. The initial situation is shown
in Fig. 16. The torque due to the resultant force F will balance the torque due to the pressure
distribution.

𝑦𝑐𝑝 = ∫ 𝑦 𝑑𝐹

The differential force dF is given by dF = pdA; therefore,

𝑦𝑐𝑝 𝐹 = ∫ 𝑦 𝑝 𝑑𝐴

Also, 𝑝 = 𝛾𝑦𝑠𝑖𝑛𝛼, so

𝑦𝑐𝑝 𝐹 = ∫ 𝛾𝑦 2 𝑠𝑖𝑛𝛼 𝑑𝐴

Since 𝛾 and 𝑠𝑖𝑛𝛼 are constants,

𝑦𝑐𝑝 𝐹 = 𝛾𝑠𝑖𝑛𝛼 ∫ 𝑦 2 𝑑𝐴

where 𝐹 = 𝛾𝑠𝑖𝑛𝛼 𝐴𝑦̅

𝑦𝑐𝑝 𝛾𝑠𝑖𝑛𝛼 𝐴𝑦̅ = 𝛾𝑠𝑖𝑛𝛼 ∫ 𝑦 2 𝑑𝐴

From calculus, ∫ 𝑦 2 𝑑𝐴 = 𝐼𝑠 (moment of inertia about O)

𝐴𝑦̅𝑦𝑐𝑝 = 𝐼𝑠
𝑰𝒔
𝒚𝒄𝒑 =
̅
𝑨𝒚

by transfer formula of moment of inertia:

𝐼𝑠 = 𝐼𝑔 + 𝐴𝑦̅ 2
𝐼𝑔 + 𝐴𝑦̅ 2
𝑦𝑐𝑝 =
𝐴𝑦̅
 𝑰𝒈
̅+
𝒚𝒄𝒑 = 𝒚
̅
𝑨𝒚
Since 𝑦𝑐𝑝 = 𝑦̅ + 𝑒
𝑰𝒈
𝐸𝑐𝑐𝑒𝑛𝑡𝑟𝑖𝑐𝑖𝑡𝑦, 𝒆 =
̅
𝑨𝒚
Sample Problem:
An elliptical gate covers the end of a pipe 4 m in diameter. If the gate is hinged at the top, what
normal force F is required to open the gate when water is 8 m deep above the top of the pipe and
the pipe is open to the atmosphere on the other side? Neglect the weight of the gate.
Forces on Curved Surfaces
This section describes how to calculate forces on surfaces that have curvature. These results are
essential for the design of components such as tanks, pipes, and curved gates.
Consider the curved surface AB in Fig. 17. The goal is to represent the pressure distribution with
a resultant force that passes through the center of pressure. One approach is to integrate the
pressure force along the curved surface and find the equivalent force. However, it is easier to
sum forces for the free body shown in the upper part of Fig. 17b. The lower sketch in Fig. 3.17b
shows how the force acting on the curved surface relates to the force F acting on the free body.
Using the FBD and summing forces in the horizontal direction shows that

𝐹𝑥 = 𝐹𝐴𝐶
 Figure 5. (a) Pressure distribution and equivalent force, (b) Free-body diagram and action-reaction force pair.

The line of action for the force FAC is through the center of pressure for side AC, as discussed in
the previous section, and designated as ycp.
The vertical component of the equivalent force is

𝐹𝑦 = 𝑊 + 𝐹𝐶𝐵

where W is the weight of the fluid in the free body and F CB is the force on the side CB. The force
FCB acts through the centroid of surface CB, and the weight acts through the center of gravity of
the free body. The line of action for the vertical force may be found by summing the moments
about any convenient axis.

Sample Problem
Surface AB is a circular arc with a radius of 2m and a width of 1m into the paper. The distance
EB is 4 m. The fluid above surface AB is water, and atmospheric pressure prevails on the free
surface of the water and on the bottom side of surface AB. Find the magnitude and line of action
of the hydrostatic force acting on surface AB.
Table 1. Properties of Common Plane Sections
Sample Problems:
1. A vertical rectangular plane of height d and base b is submerged in a liquid with its top
edge at the liquid surface. Determine the total force F acting on one side and its location
from the surface.

Solution:

Using the pressure diagram:

The location of F is at the centroid of the pressure diagram

Note: For the rectangular surface (inclined or vertical) submerged in a fluid with top edge
fludge on the liquid surface, the center of pressure from the bottom is 1/3 of its height.

2. A vertical triangular surface of height d and horizontal base width b is submerged in a

liquid with its vertex at the liquid surface. Determine the total force F acting on one side
and its location from the liquid surface.
Using the pressure diagram:

F is located at the centroid of the diagram, which is ¼ of the altitude from the base.
3. A closed cylindrical tank 2m in diameter and 8 m deep with axis vertical contains 6m deep
of oil (sp.gr =0.8). The air above the liquid surface has a pressure of 0.8 kg/cm2. Determine
the total normal force in kg acting on the wall at its location from the bottom of the tank.

Solution
Using the pressure diagram

4. Determine the magnitude of the force on the inclined gate 1.5m by 0.5m shown in the
Figure 001. The tank of water is completely closed and the pressure gage at the bottom
of the tank reads 90,000 N/m2. Use 9,800 N/cu.m. for water.
5.
 Solution

6. The gate in the figure shown weights 5 kN for each meter normal to the paper. Its center
of the gravity is 0.5m from the left face and 0.6m above the lower face. Find h for the gate
just to come up to the vertical position.

Solution

Considering 1m length