SOLUTIONS

ES 3003 Homework #3

1. Problem 3-70E

2. Problem 3-72

3. Problem 3-101

4. Problem 3-153
 Chapter 3 Pressure and Fluid Statics
3-70E
Solution A dam is filled to capacity. The total hydrostatic force on the dam, and the pressures at the top and the
bottom are to be determined.
Assumptions Atmospheric pressure acts on both sides of the dam, and thus it can be ignored in calculations for
convenience.
Properties We take the density of water to be 62.4 lbm/ft3 throughout.
Analysis The average pressure on a surface is the pressure at the centroid
(midpoint) of the surface, and is determined to be
Pavg = ρ ghC = ρ g ( h / 2 )
⎛ ⎞
= ( 62.4 lbm/ft 3 )( 32.2 ft/s 2 ) ( 200 / 2 ft ) ⎜
1 lbf 2h/3
2 ⎟
⎝ 32.2 lbm ⋅ ft/s ⎠ FR h=200 ft
= 6240 lbf/ft 2

h/3
Then the resultant hydrostatic force acting on the dam becomes

FR = Pave A = ( 6240 lbf/ft 2 ) ( 200 ft × 1200 ft ) = 1.50 × 109 lbf

Resultant force per unit area is pressure, and its value at the top and the bottom of the dam becomes

Ptop = ρgh top = 0 lbf/ft 2

⎛ ⎞
Pbottom = ρ ghbottom = ( 62.4 lbm/ft 3 )( 32.2 ft/s 2 ) ( 200 ft ) ⎜
1 lbf
2 ⎟
= 12 , 480 lbf/ft 2 ≅ 12,500 lbf/ft 2
⎝ 32.2 lbm ⋅ ft/s ⎠
Discussion The values above are gave pressures, of course. The gage pressure at the bottom of the dam is about 86.6
psig, or 101.4 psia, which is almost seven times greater than standard atmospheric pressure.

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 Chapter 3 Pressure and Fluid Statics
3-72
Solution The cross-section of a dam is a quarter-circle. The hydrostatic force on the dam and its line of action are to
be determined.
Assumptions Atmospheric pressure acts on both sides of the dam, and thus it can be ignored in calculations for
convenience.
Properties We take the density of water to be 1000 kg/m3 throughout.
Analysis We consider the free body diagram of the liquid block enclosed by the circular surface of the dam and its
vertical and horizontal projections. The hydrostatic forces acting on the vertical and horizontal plane surfaces as well as the
weight of the liquid block are:

Horizontal force on vertical surface:

FH = Fx = Pavg A = ρ ghC A = ρ g( R / 2 )A
Fy = 0
⎛ 1N ⎞
= (1000 kg/m3 )( 9.81 m/s 2 ) (10 / 2 m )(10 m × 100 m ) ⎜ 2 ⎟
⎝ 1 kg ⋅ m/s ⎠
= 4.905 × 10 N
7
R = 10 m
FH
Vertical force on horizontal surface is zero since it coincides with the free
surface of water. The weight of fluid block per m length is

FV = W = ρgV = ρg[ w × πR 2 / 4] W

⎛ 1N ⎞
= (1000 kg/m 3 )(9.81 m/s 2 )[(100 m)π (10 m) 2 /4]⎜⎜ ⎟
⎟
⎝ 1 kg ⋅ m/s 2 ⎠
= 7.705 × 10 7 N
Then the magnitude and direction of the hydrostatic force acting on the surface of the dam become

( 4.905 ×10 N ) + ( 7.705 ×10 N )

2 2
FR = FH2 + FV2 = 7 7
= 9.134 × 107 N ≅ 9.13 × 107 N
FV 7.705 × 107 N
tanθ = = = 1.571 → θ = 57.5°
FH 4.905 × 107 N

Therefore, the line of action of the hydrostatic force passes through the center of the curvature of the dam, making 57.5°
downwards from the horizontal.
Discussion If the shape were not circular, it would be more difficult to determine the line of action.

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 Chapter 3 Pressure and Fluid Statics
3-101
Solution An irregularly shaped crown is weighed in air and then in water with a spring scale. It is to be determined if
the crown is made of pure gold.
Assumptions 1 The buoyancy force in air is negligible. 2 The crown is completely submerged in water.
Properties We take the density of water to be 1000 kg/m3. The density of gold is given to be 19300 kg/m3.
Analysis The mass of the crown is

Wair 31.4 N ⎛ 1 kg ⋅ m/s 2 ⎞

m= = ⎜ ⎟ = 3.20 kg
g 9.81 m/s 2 ⎜ 1N ⎟
⎝ ⎠
The difference between the weights in air and in water is due to the buoyancy
force in water, and thus
FB = Wair − W water = 31.4 − 28.9 = 2.50 N Water
FB Air
Noting that FB = ρ water gV , the volume of the crown is determined to be Crown,
m, V
FB 2.50 N
V = = = 2.548 × 10 − 4 m 3
ρ water g 3
(1000 kg/m )(9.81 m/s ) 2

Then the density of the crown becomes Wwater = 2.95 kgf Wwir = 3.20 kgf

m 3.20 kg
ρ= = = 12,560 kg/m 3
V 2.548 ×10 − 4 m 3

which is considerably less than the density of gold. Therefore, the crown is NOT made of pure gold.
Discussion This problem can also be solved without doing any under-water weighing as follows: We would weigh a
bucket half-filled with water, and drop the crown into it. After marking the new water level, we would take the crown out,
and add water to the bucket until the water level rises to the mark. We would weigh the bucket again. Dividing the weight
difference by the density of water and g will give the volume of the crown. Knowing both the weight and the volume of the
crown, the density can easily be determined.

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 Chapter 3 Pressure and Fluid Statics
3-153
Solution A rectangular gate hinged about a horizontal axis along its upper edge is restrained by a fixed ridge at point
B. The force exerted to the plate by the ridge is to be determined.
Assumptions Atmospheric pressure acts on both sides of the gate, and thus it can be ignored in calculations for
convenience.
Properties We take the density of water to be 1000 kg/m3 throughout.
Analysis The average pressure on a surface is the pressure at the centroid
(midpoint) of the surface, and multiplying it by the plate area gives the resultant 2m
hydrostatic force on the gate,
FR = Pavg A = ρ ghC A A
yp
⎛ ⎞
= (1000 kg/m3 )( 9.81 m/s 2 ) ( 3.5 m ) ( 3 × 6 m 2 ) ⎜
1 kN
2 ⎟
⎝ 1000 kg ⋅ m/s ⎠
3m
= 618 kN
The vertical distance of the pressure center from the free surface of water is
FR
b b2 3 32
yP = s + + = 2+ + = 3.71 m
2 12( s + b / 2) 2 12(2 + 3 / 2)

Discussion You can calculate the force at point B required to hold back the gate by setting the net moment around
hinge point A to zero.

3-154
Solution A rectangular gate hinged about a horizontal axis along its upper edge is restrained by a fixed ridge at point
B. The force exerted to the plate by the ridge is to be determined.
Assumptions Atmospheric pressure acts on both sides of the gate, and thus it can be ignored in calculations for
convenience.
Properties We take the density of water to be 1000 kg/m3 throughout.
Analysis The average pressure on a surface is the pressure at the centroid
(midpoint) of the surface, and multiplying it by the wetted plate area gives the resultant
hydrostatic force on the gate, A
FR = Pave A = ρghC A
⎛ 1 kN ⎞ 3m
= (1000 kg/m 3 )(9.81 m/s 2 )(1 m)[2 × 6 m 2 ]⎜ ⎟
⎜ 1000 kg ⋅ m/s 2 ⎟
⎝ ⎠ yP
= 118 kN
FR
h=2m
The vertical distance of the pressure center from the free surface of water is
2h 2(2 m )
yP = = = 1.33 m
3 3
Discussion Compared to the previous problem (with higher water depth), the force is much smaller, as expected. Also,
the center of pressure on the gate is much lower (closer to the ground) for the case with the lower water depth.

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educators for course preparation. If you are a student using this Manual, you are using it without permission.