Republic of the Philippines

Mountain Province State Polytechnic College

Bontoc, Mountain Province

RELATIVE EQUILIBRIUM OF FLUIDS

Module 6 of 10 modules

Hydraulics
(New Curriculum)

MARCO M. GULUNGAN
Email Address: [email protected]
CP #: 09073563107/09667222636

Department of Engineering

2nd Semester, School Year 2020 - 2021

INTRODUCTION
This module covers the analysis of relative equilibrium of fluids. It focuses on the
condition of the fluid to be in its relative equilibrium. It includes the pressure
distribution in a liquid subject to horizontal acceleration, effect of vertical acceleration,
and the effect of inclined surface on the fluid in a vessel moving at a certain direction.

The number of hours required for this module is 6 hours. You are expected to
finish the module in a week.

LEARNING OUTCOMES
At the end of this module, you should be able to:
1. compute the force acting on the side of the tank and the volume of
water spilled out when the tank is accelerated horizontally;
2. compute the force and the pressure at the bottom of the tank moving
upward;
3. compute the angle of inclination of the water at the surface of the tank;
and
4. compute the vertical and horizontal component of the acceleration
when the tank is moving at an inclined plane.
PRETEST
Let us see how much you already know about relative equilibrium of fluids. Answer each
item below by encircling the letter of your correct answer. Take note of the items that
you do not yet know and discover the answer as you go through the module.
1. In the formula P = γℎ̅A, what is A?
a. Area of the container
b. Area occupied by the fluid
c. Area of the pressure diagram of the fluid
d. Area of the vertical projection of the fluid acting on the wall of the container
2. What is the formula in determining the pressure induced by fluid at the bottom
of the tank?
a. F = P/A
b. P = γℎ̅A
c. P = F/A
d. None of the preceding
3. What is the unit weight of water in lbs/ft3?
a. 62.4
b. 64.2
c. 32.2
d. 34.4
4. To convert the height of any liquid to a height of water, multiply the specific
gravity of any liquid to the unit weight of water then dived it by the specific gravity
of water.
a. True
b. False
𝑎
5. In the formula 𝑃 = 𝛾ℎ (1 ± 𝑔), when do we use the negative sign?
a. When the container is moving upward
b. When the container is moving downward
c. When the container is moving in an inclined plane
d. When the container is moving at a horizontal direction
𝑎
6. In the formula 𝑃 = 𝛾ℎ (1 ± 𝑔), when do we use the positive sign?
a. When the container is moving upward
b. When the container is moving downward
c. When the container is moving in an inclined plane
d. When the container is moving at a horizontal direction

1
7. What is the value of gravitational constant in lbs/ft3?
a. 9.81
b. 32.2
c. 62.4
d. 9810
8. In the formula W = mg, what is W?
a. Mass of both fluid and the container
b. Weight of the container
c. Weight of fluid
d. Weight of both fluid and the container
𝑎
9. In the formula 𝑡𝑎𝑛 𝜃 = 𝑔, what is θ?
a. Angle of the inclined surface where the vessel is travelling.
b. Angel of the moving vessel as it is accelerated in an inclined surface.
c. Angle of the surface of water that makes with the horizontal as it is
accelerated.
d. All of the preceding
10. What is the specific gravity of water?
a. 0.80
b. 0.85
c. 1.0
d. 1.03

2
LET’S ENGAGE
In this lesson, we will be discussing relative equilibrium of liquid. As we start the
lesson, what do you think are the possible effects of fluid inside a container when the
container is accelerated at a constant rate? What is its application in engineering works?

LET’S TALK ABOUT IT

Relative equilibrium of liquid is a condition where the whole mass of liquid
including the vessel in which the liquid including the vessel in which the liquid is
contained, is moving at a uniform accelerated motion with respect to the earth, but every
particle of liquid have no relative motion between each other.
A. Moving Vessel With constant Acceleration (Horizontal Motion)
If a mass of fluid moves horizontally along a straight line at constant
acceleration “a”, liquid surface assume an angle “θ” with the horizontal as shown in
the figure below.

Source: https://mathalino.com/reviewer/fluid-
mechanics-and-hydraulics/rectilinear-translation-
moving-vessel

For any value of “a”, the angle θ can be found by considering a fluid particle
of mass “m” on the surface. The forces acting on the particle are the weight, W =
mg, inertia force or reverse effective force, REF = ma, and the normal force N
which is the perpendicular reaction at the surface. These three forces are in
equilibrium with their force polygon shown in the figure below.

From the force triangle, we can now determine the value of θ;

𝑅𝐸𝐹
𝑡𝑎𝑛 𝜃 = 𝑊
; REF = ma
W = mg

3
 Therefore;
𝑎
𝑡𝑎𝑛 𝜃 =
𝑔

where: θ – angle of inclination with the horizontal

a – acceleration of the vessel
g – gravitational constant
W – weight of the fluid

B. Vertical Motion
If the acceleration is vertical, the free surface will remain horizontal.
Ordinarily if the container is at rest, the pressure at any point in the container is
γh. But if it will accelerate up, the pressure at that point changes. Let us assume
a vertical prism of liquid having a height “h” and an area “A”, subject to an
upward acceleration “a”, then at a depth below the surface, where the pressure
is “P”.

Source:Bulu, (ND)

The upward accelerating force F = Forces due to pressure “P” – weight of

the prism.
𝐹 = 𝑃𝐴 − 𝛾ℎ𝐴

By Newton’s second law,

𝐹 = 𝑀𝑎𝑠𝑠 𝑜𝑓 𝑝𝑟𝑖𝑠𝑚 𝑥 𝐴𝑐𝑐𝑒𝑙𝑒𝑟𝑎𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛

𝐹 = 𝑃ℎ𝐴 𝑥 𝑎
Therefore;
𝑃𝐴 − 𝛾ℎ𝐴 = 𝑃ℎ𝐴𝑎
𝑎
𝑃 = 𝛾ℎ (1 + )
𝑔

If the acceleration “a” is downward towards to the center of the earth as

gravitational acceleration, the equation will take the form of:

𝑎
𝑃 = 𝛾ℎ (1 − )
𝑔

where: P – pressure
γ – unit weigth of water
h – hiegth of liquid
a – acceleration
g – gravitational constant, 9.81 m2/s

4
 C. Inclined Motion
Consider a mass of fluid being accelerated up an incline “α” from horizontal.
The horizontal and vertical components of inertia force REF would be
respectively, x = mah and y = mav. See the figure below.

Source: https://mathalino.com/reviewer/fluid-mechanics-and-
hydraulics/rectilinear-translation-moving-vessel

From the force triangle above;

𝑥
tan 𝜃 = 𝑊+𝑦

𝑚𝑎 cos 𝛼
tan 𝜃 = 𝑚𝑔+𝑚𝑎 sin 𝛼

𝑎 cos 𝛼
tan 𝜃 =
𝑔+𝑎 sin 𝛼

But 𝑎 cos 𝛼 = ah and 𝑎 sin 𝛼 = av, hence

𝑎ℎ
tan 𝜃 = 𝑔+𝑎𝑣

𝑎ℎ
tan 𝜃 = *Use (+) sign for upward motion and (-) sign for
𝑔 ± 𝑎𝑣
downward motion.

where: 𝑎ℎ - horizontal component of the acceleration

𝑎𝑣 – vertical component of the acceleration
𝜃 – slope of the water surface when it is accelerated

Example 1: An open tank 1.82 m, square, weighs 3425 N and contains 0.91 m of water.
It is acted by an unbalanced force of 10400 N parallel to a pair of sides.
 Find the acceleration of the tank.
 What is the force acting on the side with the greatest depth?
 What is the force acting on the side with the smallest depth?

5
Solution:
Acceleration of the tank

a
y

h 0.91 m

0.91 m 0.91 m

F = ma

𝑊𝑎
𝐹= 𝑔
; W = 3425 + 1.82 (1.82) (0.91) (9810)
W = 32 995.13 N

32 995.13 𝑎
10 400 =
9.81

a = 3.092 m/s2

Force acting on the side with the greatest depth

h
P

𝑃 = 𝛾ℎ̅𝐴

𝑎
tan 𝜃 = 𝑔

𝑦 3.092
= ; 𝑦 = 0.287
0.91 9.81

Greatest depth, h = 0.91 + 0.287

Greatest depth, h = 1.197 m

1.197
𝑃 = (9810) ( ) (1.197)(1.82)
2

𝑷 = 𝟏𝟐 𝟕𝟗𝟏 𝑵

6
 Force acting on the side with the smallest depth

0.623
P

𝑃 = 𝛾ℎ̅𝐴

0.623
𝑃 = 9810 ( ) (0.623)(1.82)
2

𝑷 = 𝟑𝟒𝟔𝟓 𝑵

Example 2: An unbalanced vertical force of 270 N upward accelerates a volume of 0.044

m3 of water. If the water is 0.90 deep in a cylindrical tank,
 What is the acceleration of the tank?
 What is the pressure at the bottom of the tank in N/m2?
 What is the force acting on the bottom of the tank in N?

Solution:
W

water

h = 0.90 m

F = 270 N

Acceleration of the tank

𝑊 = 0.044 (9810) = 431.64 𝑁

𝑊𝑎
𝐹 = 𝑚𝑎 ; 𝐹= 𝑔

(431.64)(𝑎)
270 = 9.81

𝒂 = 𝟔. 𝟏𝟒 𝒎/𝒔𝟐

Pressure at the bottom of the tank in N/m2

𝑎
𝑃𝑏𝑜𝑡𝑡𝑜𝑚 = 𝛾ℎ (1 + )
𝑔

7
 6.14
𝑃𝑏𝑜𝑡𝑡𝑜𝑚 = (9810) (0.90) (1 + )
9.81

𝑷𝒃𝒐𝒕𝒕𝒐𝒎 = 𝟏𝟒 𝟑𝟓𝟓 𝑵/𝒎𝟐

Force acting on the bottom of the tank

𝐹 = 𝑃𝑏𝑜𝑡𝑡𝑜𝑚 (𝐴)

V = Ah

0.044 = A (0.90)

A = 0.0489 m2
𝐹 = (14 355) (0.0489)

𝑭 = 𝟕𝟎𝟐 𝑵

Example 3: An open vessel of water accelerates up a 300 plane at 2 m/s2.

 What is the horizontal component of the acceleration?
 What is vertical component of the acceleration?
 What is the angle that the water surface makes with the
horizontal?
Solution:

Source: Besavilla, 1996

Horizontal component of the acceleration.

𝑎ℎ = 2 cos 300

𝒂𝒉 = 𝟏. 𝟕𝟑 𝒎/𝒔𝟐

Vertical component of the acceleration

𝑎𝑣 = 2 sin 300

𝑎𝑣 = 1 𝑚/𝑠 2

Angle that the water surface makes with the horizontal

𝑎ℎ
tan 𝜃 =
𝑔 + 𝑎𝑣

1.73
tan 𝜃 =
9.81 + 1

𝜽 = 𝟗. 𝟎𝟗𝟎

8
Example 4: An open tank 3m by 3m in horizontal section weighs 3.6 KN and contains
water to a depth of 1m. It is acted by an unbalanced force of 16 KN parallel to a pair of
sides.
 Determine the acceleration of the tank.
 What must be the height of the tank so that no water will spill out?
 If the acceleration is increased by 4 m/s2, how much water will be
spilled out?

Solution:

1.5 m

a
y
water
θ
h = 1.0 m
h 1m

3m F = 16 KN

Acceleration of the tank

𝑊𝑎
𝐹 = 𝑚𝑎 ; 𝐹= 𝑔

𝑊 = 3.6 + 3 (3) (1) (9.81) = 91.89 𝐾𝑁

91.89 (𝑎)
16 = 9.81

𝒂 = 𝟏. 𝟕𝟏 𝒎/𝒔𝒆𝒄𝟐

Height of the tank

𝑎
tan 𝜃 =
𝑔

𝑦 1.71
1.5
= 9.81
; 𝑦 = 0.26 𝑚

Therefore;
ℎ = 1 + 0.26
𝒉 = 𝟏. 𝟐𝟔 𝒎

Volume of water spilled out if acceleration is increased to 4 m/s2

𝑎 = 1.26 + 4 = 5.71 𝑚/𝑠 2

1.5 m

a = 5.71
y

θ
h 1m

9
 𝑎 5.1
tan 𝜃 = 𝑔
= 9.81

𝜃 = 30.200

1.26 1.26
tan 𝜃 = 𝑥
; tan 30.200 = 𝑥

𝑥 = 2.16 𝑚

Therefore;

(1.26)(2.16)(3)
Volume spilled out = (3)(3)(1) − 2

𝐕𝐨𝐥𝐮𝐦𝐞 𝐬𝐩𝐢𝐥𝐥𝐞𝐝 𝐨𝐮𝐭 = 𝟒. 𝟗𝟐 𝒎𝟑

Example 5: An open tank moves up an inclined plane as shown with constant

acceleration.
 Compute the angle that the water surface in the tank makes with the
horizontal line.
 Calculate the acceleration required for the water surface to move to
the position indicated.
 Compute the vertical component of the acceleration.

Source: Besavilla, 1996

Solution:

Angle that the water surface in the tank makes with the horizontal line.

𝑎ℎ
tan 𝜃 = 𝑔+ 𝑎𝑣
; 𝑎ℎ = 𝑎 cos 14.040
𝑎ℎ = 0.97 𝑎

𝑎𝑣 = 𝑎 sin 14.040
𝑎𝑣 = 0.2425 𝑎

1
tan 𝛽 = = 0.25
4
𝛽 = 14.040

0.97 𝑎
tan 𝜃 =
9.81 + 0.2425 𝑎

10
 1
tan(𝜃 + 𝛽) = 2

tan 𝜃 +tan 𝛽 1
1− tan 𝜃 tan 𝛽
= 2

tan 𝜃 +0.25 1
1− tan 𝜃 (0.25)
= 2

𝜽 = 𝟏𝟐. 𝟓𝟑𝟎

Acceleration required for the water surface to move to the position

indicated.

0.97 𝑎
tan 12.530 =
9.81 + 0.2425 𝑎

2.1802 + 0.0539 𝑎 = 0.97 𝑎

0.9161 𝑎 = 2.1802

𝒂 = 𝟐. 𝟑𝟖 𝒎/𝒔𝟐

Vertical component of the acceleration

𝑎𝑣 = 0.2425 (2.38)

𝑎𝑣 = 0.577 𝑚/𝑠 2

IT’S YOUR TURN

Exercises 1: To test what you have learned in this lesson, solve the following worded
problems. Write your answer in a separate sheet of long bond paper. Copy the problem
first before answering. (Please see the attached rubrics for the activity).

1. A vessel 10 ft. in diameter containing 8 ft. of water is being raised.

 Find the pressure at the bottom of the vessel in lbs./ft.2 when the
velocity is constant. (5 pts.)

2. A vessel 10 ft. in diameter containing 8 ft. of water is being raised. Find the
pressure in KN/m2 at the bottom of the same vessel when it is accelerating
at 7200 ft/min2. (5 pts.)

11
POST ASSESSMENT
To test what you learned from this module, solve algebraically the following
worded problems. Write your answer in a separate sheet of long bond paper. Copy the
problem before answering. Show your complete solution.

1. (15 pts.) An open rectangular tank mounted on a truck is 5m long, 2m wide

and 2.5m high is filled with water to a depth of 2 m.
 What is the maximum horizontal acceleration can be imposed on the
tank without spilling any water?
 Determine the accelerating force on the liquid mass.
 If the acceleration is increased to 6 m/s2, how much water is spilled
out?

2. (5 pts.) A cylindrical tank used in lifting water to the top of a tower is 1.5 m
high, if the pressure at the bottom of the tank must not exceed 15 KPa, what
maximum vertical acceleration can be imposed in the cylinder when it is
filled with water.

3. (10 pts.) An open cubical tank with each side 1.5m contains oil of specific
weight 7.0 KN/m3 up to a depth of 1.3m. Find force acting on the side of the
tank when it is being moved with an acceleration of 3.5 m/s2 in vertically
upward and downward direction.

4. (5 pts.) An open tank 1.5m x 1m x 1.2m high is completely filled with water
when at rest. Determine the volume spilled out after the tank acquired a
linear uniform acceleration of 0.6 m/s2 in the horizontal direction.

5. (15 pts.) A rectangular tank 5 m long, 2m wide and 2m deep contains water
to a depth of 1 m. It is accelerated horizontally at 2.5 m/s2 in the direction
of its length. Determine:
 Slope of the surface
 Maximum and minimum pressure intensities at the bottom
 Total force due to water acting on each end of the tank.
Check the difference between these forces by calculating the
inertia force of the accelerated mass.

12
REFERENCES

Besavilla, V.I. (1996). Fluid mechanics and hydraulics (3rd Edition). Cebu City: VIB
Publisher

Besavilla, V.I. (1996). Fluid mechanics and hydraulics (2nd Edition). Cebu City: VIB
Publisher

Padilla, P.B. (2012). Civil engineering review manual series 1 lecture notes. Cebu City:
Perfecto Padilla Publishing

Potter, M.C., Wiggert, D.C., Ramadan, B.H. (2015). Mechanics of fluids (5th ed.).
Taguig City, Philippines: ESP Printers, Inc.

Relative equilibrium of liquids. Retrieved from:

https://mathalino.com/reviewer/fluid-mechanics-and-hydraulics/rectilinear-
translation-moving-vessel

Bulu, A. (ND). Fluid mechanics. Istanbul Technical University - College of Civil

Engineering. Retrieved from:
https://wen.itu.edu.tr/~bulu/fluid_mechanics_files/lecture_notes_01.pdf

Rubrics for the assessment of all the activities in this module

Scale I: Understanding the Problem (25 %)

4 - Complete understanding of the problem
3 - Misinterprets minor part of the problem
2 - Misinterprets major part of the problem
1 - Completely misinterprets the problem
0 - No attempt
Scale II: Solving the Problem (40 %)
4 - A plan that could lead to a correct solution with no arithmetic errors
3 - Substantially correct procedure with minor omission or procedural error
2 - Partially correct procedure but with major fault
1 - Totally inappropriate plan
0 - No attempt
Scale III: Answering the Problem (35 %)
2 - Correct solution
1 - Copying error; computational error, partial answer for problem with
multiple answers; no answer statement; answer labelled incorrectly
0 - No answer or wrong answer based upon an inappropriate plan
Source: Szetela, Walter and Nicol, Cynthia. Evaluating Problem Solving in Mathematics. Educational Leadership, May
1992, pp. 42-45. Retieved from
https://web.njit.edu/~ronkowit/presentations/rubrics/samples/math_probsolv_chicago.pdf

13