Course: FLUID MECH 313

Module 2:
FLUID STATICS

Description:

Describes the pressure variation in static fluid, absolute and gage pressure, pressure measuring
devices, force and plane areas, center of pressure, force on curve surfaces, buoyancy and stability of submerge
and floating bodies.

Objectives:

• State Pascal’s Law and Archimedes’ Principle

• To calculate the pressure at any depth in a liquid
• To calculate the magnitude and location of a force acting on a surface (horizontal, vertical or
inclined) due to fluid pressure
• To calculate the magnitude and location of buoyancy forces.

Duration

Start:
End:

Contents :

 FLUID STATICS
Many fluid problems do not involve motion rather concerned with the pressure distribution in a static
fluid. When the fluid velocity is zero, known as hydrostatic condition, the pressure variation is due to weight of
the fluid. The important areas of fluid statics include;

• Pressure distribution in atmospheres and oceans

• Design of manometer pressure instruments
• Forces on submerged flat and curved surfaces
• Buoyancy on a submerged body

• Behavior of floating bodies

 HYDROSTATIC PRESSURE FOR FLUIDS

A. FLUID PRESSURE (P)

The term ‘pressure’ is used to indicate the normal force per unit area at a point acting on a given plane
within the fluid mass of interest.
𝑭
𝑷=
𝑨

Where:

P = pressure, N/m2 or Pascal, lb/in2

F = force, N, lb.

A = area, m2, ft2

 Component of a force

F
Fy
ϴ

Fx

Horizontal component

𝐹𝑥
cos 𝜃𝜃 =
𝐹

𝐹𝑥 = F cosϴ

Vertical component

𝐹𝑦
sin 𝜃𝜃 =
𝐹

𝐹𝑦 = F sinϴ

Concurrent Forces

- +
+ B
+
A

β ϴ
α ρ

─ +
─ ─
D
C

R = �∑ 𝑋 2 + ∑ 𝑌 2

─ ┼ ∑X = Ax + Bx +Cx + Dx

Ax = + Acosϴ

Bx = ─ Bcosβ

Cx = ─ Ccosα
 Dx = + Dcosρ

∑X = + Acosϴ ─ Bcosβ ─ Ccosα + Dcosρ

∑Y = Ay + By +Cy + Dy
─
┼

Ay = + Asinϴ

B = +Bsinβ

Cy = ─ Csinα

Dy = ─ Dsinρ

∑Y = + Asinϴ +Bsinβ ─ Csinα ─ Dsinρ

For the resultant force

R = �∑ 𝑋 2 + ∑ 𝑌 2

tan σ= ∑Y
∑X

σ= tan─1
∑Y
∑X
B. PASCAL’S LAW

Pascal’s Law states that, when a pressure is applied to a contained fluid, the pressure is transmitted
throughout the fluid without loss. The pressure at any point in a fluid is the same in all directions.

Liquid Surface

z Fz
y
Fx 𝜃𝜃
A= zL
A= yL

A= xL
x Fy

from
𝑭
𝑷= but, A= L× 𝑊
𝑨

𝑥
𝑭 = 𝑷𝑨 sin 𝜃𝜃 =
𝑧

𝑦
cos 𝜃𝜃 =
𝑧

𝐹𝑦 = 𝑃𝑦 𝐴𝑦 𝐹𝑥 = 𝑃𝑥 𝐴𝑥

Also

- + ∑ 𝐹𝑣𝑒𝑟𝑡𝑖𝑐𝑎𝑙= 0 - + ∑ 𝐹ℎ𝑜𝑟𝑖𝑧𝑜𝑛𝑡𝑎𝑙= 0

𝐹𝑦 - 𝐹𝑧 sin 𝜃𝜃 = 0 𝐹𝑥 - 𝐹𝑧 cos 𝜃𝜃 = 0

𝐹𝑦 = 𝐹𝑧 sin 𝜃𝜃 𝐹𝑥 = 𝐹𝑧 cos 𝜃𝜃

𝑃𝑦 𝐿𝑋 = 𝑃𝑧 𝐿𝑍 sin 𝜃𝜃 𝑃𝑥 𝐿𝑌 = 𝑃𝑧 𝐿𝑍 cos 𝜃𝜃

𝑥 𝑦
𝑃𝑦 𝐿𝑋 = 𝑃𝑧 𝐿𝑍 � � 𝑃𝑥 𝐿𝑌 = 𝑃𝑧 𝐿𝑍 � �
𝑧 𝑧
 𝑃𝑦 𝐿𝑋 = 𝑃𝑧 𝐿𝑋 𝑃𝑥 𝐿𝑌 = 𝑃𝑧 𝐿𝑌

𝑷𝒚 = 𝑷𝒛 𝑷𝒙 = 𝑷𝒛

Therefore:

𝑷𝒙 = 𝑷𝒚 = 𝑷𝒛

 PRESSURE VARIATION IN LIQUID

Liquid Surface

P 1 and P 2 are gage pressure

h1

x 1
y
h2

L F1 = P1A1
h

2 ϴ
W

F2 = P2A2

Rotated axes

F2 F1

ϴ
W
− +
← → ∑ 𝐹𝑥 = 0

F 2 – F 1 - Wsinϴ = 0

𝑃2 𝐴2 − 𝑃1 𝐴1 − 𝑊 sin 𝜃𝜃 = 0

Where:

𝐴2 = 𝐴1 = 𝐴
 Also:
𝑊
γ=
𝑉

W = γV

W = γLA

So,

𝑃2 𝐴2 − 𝑃1 𝐴1 − 𝑊 sin 𝜃𝜃 = 0

𝑃2 𝐴2 − 𝑃1 𝐴1 − γ𝐿𝐴sin 𝜃𝜃 = 0 But,

𝑃2 − 𝑃1 − γ𝐿sin 𝜃𝜃 = 0 L
h
𝑃2 − 𝑃1 = γ𝐿sin 𝜃𝜃
ℎ
sin 𝜃𝜃 = ϴ
𝐿

Lsin 𝜃𝜃 = h

𝑷𝟐 − 𝑷𝟏 = γ h

Therefore, the difference in pressure between any points two points in a homogenous fluid at rest is
equal to the product of the unit of the fluid to the vertical distance between two points .

𝑷𝟐 = 𝑷𝟏 + γ h

If point 1 lie on the free liquid surface, then the gage pressure P 1 is zero, the equation becomes:

P=γh

h
P

EXAMPLE

What is the pressure 13.5 m below the ocean? Use SG = 1.03 for salt water

Solution:
P = γf h

Where: h =13.5m
𝛾𝑓
SG =
𝛾𝑤
γf = SG𝛾𝑤 P

So, P = SG𝛾𝑤 h
𝐾𝑁
P = �1.03 × 9.81 � (13.5 𝑚)
𝑚3
P = 136.41 Kpa
EXAMPLE

If the depth of 1m of liquid causes a pressure 8 Kpa. What is the specific gravity of the liquid?

Solution:
P=γh

Where:
h= 1m
γf = SG𝛾𝑤

P = SG𝛾𝑤 h P
𝑃
𝑆𝐺 = (𝛾𝑤 ℎ)
8000 𝑁� 2
𝑚
SG= (1𝑚)×9810 𝑁� 3
𝑚

SG = 0.815

EXAMPLE

If the pressure at the point in the ocean is 55 Kpa. What is the pressure 25 meters below this point?

Solution: LS

P1 

h = 25 m

P2


•

P 2 = 55 𝐾𝑝𝑎 + (1.03)(9.81 𝐾𝑁⁄𝑚3 )(25𝑚)

P 2 = 307.6 Kpa

 BASIC EQUATION OF FLUID STATICS APPLIED TO GASES

h 𝑷𝟐 = 𝑷𝟏 - γ h
h2

h1
Sea level

 ATMOSPHERIC, GAGE, ABSOLUTE PRESSURE

 P abs = P atm+ P gage + P gage
Pressure

Atmospheric Pressure

- P gage Vacuum Pressure

P abs

P atm

P = 0atm
Zero Absolute Pressure Vacuum point

 ATMOSPHERIC PRESSURE (P atm )

The atmospheric or barometric pressure is the pressure exerted by the atmospheric air exerts a
normal pressure on every surface with which come in contact. This pressure is measured by a mercury
barometer and it varies with elevation above sea level

Under normal conditions at sea level:

P atm = 101.325 Kpa

= 14.7 psi
= 760 mm Hg
= 29.921 in Hg
= 1.01325 bar
= 1.0332 kg/cm2

 GAUGE OR GAGE PRESSURE (P gage )

The gage pressure is the pressure measured by means of pressure measuring instruments above
or below the atmospheric level. When the pressure is above the atmospheric i.e. the gage pressure is
positive and negative when it is below atmospheric i.e. vacuum or negative pressure.

At sea level:
P gage = 0

 ABSOLUTE PRESSURE ( P abs )

The absolute pressure is the pressure measured relative to absolute vacuum or absolute zero
pressure. A pressure of absolute zero can exist only in complete vacuum.

P abs = P atm + P gage

EXAMPLE

Express a gauge pressure of 155 kPa in terms of:

a. psi
b. mm Hg
c. kg/cm2
d. bar
e. Kpa absolute
Solution:

14.7 𝑝𝑠𝑖
a. P gage = (155 𝐾𝑝𝑎) × � �
101.325 𝐾𝑝𝑎

 P gage = 22.49 psi

760 mm Hg
b. P gage = (155 𝐾𝑝𝑎) × � �
101.325 𝐾𝑝𝑎
 P gage = 1,162.6 mmHg

1.0332 kg/cm2
c. P gage = (155 𝐾𝑝𝑎) × � �
101.325 𝐾𝑝𝑎
 P gage = 1.58 kg/cm2

d. P abs = P atm + P gage

P abs = (155 𝐾𝑝𝑎) + (101.325 𝐾𝑝𝑎)

 P abs = 256.325 Kpa

EXAMPLE

Determine the pressure in a vessel of mercury at a point 5m below the level surface.
a. N/m2 gage pressure
b. N/m2 absolute

Solution:
h
a. Pg = γ h P 
= (𝑆𝐺 × 𝛾𝑤 )( 5m)
= (13.6 × 9810 𝑁⁄𝑚3 ) (5𝑚)
Pg = 667,080 Pa

b. P abs = P atm + P gage

= (101325 𝑁⁄𝑚2 ) + (667080 𝑁⁄𝑚2 )

P abs = 768405 𝑁⁄𝑚2
PRESSURE HEAD (h)

The pressure head is the intensity of pressure exerted by a liquid at rest. It is directly proportional
to the weight density of liquid or specific weight. The pressure head maybe expressed in the height of a
column of homogeneous liquid.

Fom:
P= γ h
𝑃
h=
𝛾
where:

h = pressure head STATIC FLUID

γ = specific wt. h
P = pressure

To convert pressure head in meters of fluid A and produce pressure head in meters of fluid B

𝑆𝐺𝐴
hB = ℎ𝐴
𝑆𝐺𝐵

P1
A hA

B hB

C hC

D hD

P2 

So,

𝑃2 = 𝑃1 + (𝛾ℎ)𝐴 + (𝛾ℎ)𝐵 + (𝛾ℎ)𝑐

Where:
𝑆𝐺𝐴 𝛾𝐴 𝜌𝐴
hB = ℎ𝐴 = ℎ𝐴 = ℎ𝐴
𝑆𝐺𝐵 𝛾𝐵 𝜌𝐵

To convert any fluid to water, just multiply its height by its specific gravity

h water = h Fluid (SG Fluid )

EXAMPLE

An open tank contains 1.8m of water covered with 2.2m of kerosene ( γ = 7.8 KN/m3). Find the pressure
at the interface and at the bottom of the tank.

Solution:

a. Interface pressure

P A = 𝛾𝑘 ℎ𝑘
P A = ( 7.8 KN/m3) (2.2 m)
kerosene 2.2m
P A = 17.6 Kpa
1.8m
water A

b. Pressure at the bottom B

P b = ∑ 𝛾ℎ

P b = 𝛾𝑤 ℎ𝑤 + 𝛾𝑘 ℎ𝑘
P b = ( 9.81 KN/m3) (1.8 m) + ( 7.8 KN/m3) (2.2 m)
P b = 32.258 KN/m3
EXAMPLE

Change the height of oil to a height of water

Given: h oil = 10 m (SG oil = 0.8), SG water =1
Solution:
𝑆𝐺𝑜𝑖𝑙
ℎ𝑤 = ℎ𝑜𝑖𝑙
𝑆𝐺𝑤𝑎𝑡𝑒𝑟

0.8
ℎ𝑤 = (10𝑚)
1

ℎ𝑤 = 8m

EXAMPLE

Change the height of oil to a height of mercury

Given: h oil = 20 m (SG oil = 0.8), SG Hg =13.6

Solution:
𝑆𝐺𝑜𝑖𝑙
ℎℎ𝑔 = ℎ𝑜𝑖𝑙
𝑆𝐺𝑤𝑎𝑡𝑒𝑟

0.8
ℎℎ𝑔 = (20𝑚)
13.6

ℎℎ𝑔 = 1.18m
EXAMPLE

What height of mercury will cause a pressure of 101.3 Kpa. What is the equivalent to water?
Solution:
𝑃
a. h=
𝛾
101.3𝐾𝑁⁄𝑚2
ℎℎ𝑔 = (13.6)(9.81𝐾𝑁⁄𝑚3 )

ℎℎ𝑔 = 0.76m = 760 mmHg

𝑆𝐺ℎ𝑔
b. ℎ𝑤 = ℎℎ𝑔
𝑆𝐺𝑤𝑎𝑡𝑒𝑟

13.6
ℎ𝑤 = (0.76𝑚)
1

ℎ𝑤 = 10.34m of H 2 O

TRANSMISSION OF PRESSURE
Another law of fluid statics attributes to Pascal on the transmission of pressure which state that
‘the pressure at any point is transmitted equally and undiminished to every point in the liquid.
P 2 = P 1 + γh
This law has its application in the hydraulic jack, a device used for lifting heavy objects through
the action of relatively small forces.

1
A W
h
h1

3
B

FLUID (SG)
2 4

EXAMPLE
 In the figure shown, the areas of the plungers A and B are 50 cm2 and 4000 cm2 respectively and
the weight B is 3000 kg. The vessel connecting the passages are filled with oil with SG = 0.8. What force F is
required for equilibrium neglecting weight of A?

P1

h = 7m W= 3000 Kg
A

P2 
3
B

FLUID (SG OIL= 0.8)

Solution:

P 2 = P 1 + γh
P 1 = P 2 - γh

Where: F
↑ + ∑ 𝐹𝑣 = 0

F1 = F
F1

But,
𝐹1
𝑃1 =
𝐴𝐴

𝐹1 = 𝑃1 (𝐴𝐴 ) → 1

W= 3000 Kg
Also, P2 = P3

↑ + ∑ 𝐹𝑣 = 0

F3 = W
F3
F 3 = W= mg= (3000kg)( 9.81m/s2)

F 3 = 29,430 N= 29.43KN

𝐹3 29.43KN
𝑃3 = = (.4𝑚2 )
𝐴𝐵

𝑃3 = 73.575 Kpa note: P 2 = P 3 →same elevation

 For
P 1 = P 2 - γh
P 1 = 73.575 Kpa - (0.8)(9.81KN/m3)(7m)
P 1 = 18.64 Kpa
Therefore:
F = F1 = P1 AA
F = F 1 = (18.64 KN/m2)(.005m2)

F = F 1 = 0.093 KN

EXAMPLE

The piston A has a cross sectional area of 600 cm2, while that of B is 100 cm2. The difference in
elevation between A and B is 2m. If the intervening passages are filled with oil, what force P is required to
maintain equilibrium?

P 1.2m 0.6m

B
4000kg

A h 2

1

FLUID (SG)

Solution: 4000kg
F

F1

F = W = mg = (4000kg)( 9.81m/s2)= 39.2 KN

𝐹1 39.2KN
𝑃1 = = 1𝑚2
𝐴𝐴 �60𝑐𝑚2 𝑥 �
1002 𝑐𝑚2

𝑃1 = 654 KPa
 For P 2

P 2 = P 1 - γh

P2 = 654 KN/m2 – (0.8)(9.81)(2)

P2 = 638.304 KPa

FB

F2

F2 = FB
𝐹2
𝑃2 =
𝐴𝐵

F2 = P2AB
1𝑚2
F 2 = 638.304 KN/m2 (100𝑐𝑚2 𝑥 )
1002 𝑐𝑚2

F 2 = 6.38 KPa

P
1.2m 0.6m
D

F 2 = 6.38 KN/m2

∑M D = 0

P ( 1.8 ) – 6.38 ( .6 ) =0
6.38 𝐾𝑁(.6)
P=
1.8

P = 2.13 KN

REFERENCES:

HYDRAULICS
by H. W. KING, C.O. WISELER, J.G WOODBURN FIFTH EDITION

FLUID MECHANICS WITH ENGINEERING APPLICATIONS

BY R. L. DAUGHTERTY

POWER PLANT ENGINNERING

 BY R.S. CAPOTE, J.A. MANDAWE

HYDRAULICS (REFERENCE . TEXT)

BY RUBEN DELA FUENTE, Ma, TRINIDAD E. DELA ROSA, PEDRO T. TEMPLO Jr.

FLUID MECHANICS and HYDRAULICS

BY DIT GILLASENIA