GPS-2 Solutions

AM2530 Foundations of Fluid Mechanics

1. The gate shown is hinged at H. The gate is 3m wide normal to the plane of the diagram. Calculate the
force required at A to hold the gate closed.

Figure 1

Solution:
Here we need to find the value of the force F.
Here we have several assumptions: (1) ρ, g are constant. (2) There is no friction at the hinge. (3)
Hydrostatic approximation. Here we have the following governing equations:
wl3
(1) ∆p = ρgh, (2) FR = Pc × A, (3) y ′ = yc + yIcxx
×A and (4) Ixx = 12
Now hydrostatic force on the submerged surface is FR
Now FR = Pc × A = ρ × g × hc × A
=⇒ FR = ρ × g × (d + l sin θ
2 )×l×w
3 sin 30◦
=⇒ FR = 1000 × 9.81 × (1.5 + 2 × 3 × 3) = 198.65 kN
′ Ixx
Now the location from the origin is y = yc + yc ×A
w×l3 l2
=⇒ y ′ = yc + 12×yc ×w×l = yc + 12×yc

Now yc = sind30◦ + 2l
=⇒ yc = sin1.5 3
30◦ + 2 = 4.5m
32
Therefore, y ′ = 4.5 + 4.5×12 =4.67m
P
Now to find the restoring force, we take the moment about the hinge, we have M =0
′ d
=⇒ [FR × (y − sin 30◦ )] − [FA × l] = 0
FR ×(y ′ −2d) 198.65×(4.67−3)
=⇒ FA = l = 3 = 110.58 kN

1
2. The gate shown is 1.5m wide and pivoted at O; a = 1.0m−2 , D = 1.20m, and H = 1.40m. Determine (a)
the magnitude and moment of the vertical component of the force about O, and (b) the horizontal force
that must be applied at point A to hold the gate in position.

Figure 2

Solution:
Here we need to find the (1) Magnitude of the vertical component of force (FV ). (2) Moment of the
vertical component of the force about O, that is MV,O , and (3) Horizontal force to hold the gate.
Now here we have several assumptions: (1) ρ, g are constant. (2) Hydrostatic scenario. (3) gate weight is
neglected. (4) The gate is in static equilibrium.
Mo = 0, (3) y ′ FH = y · dFH , and
R P R
Now we have some governing equations: (1) FR,l = Al P · dAl , (2)
(4) x′ FV = x · dFV
R
R R
Now FR,y = FV = Ay P · dAy = P · w · dx
Now x = ay 3 =⇒ dx = 3ay 2 dy
RD
Therefore, FR,y = ρw · g · w h · dx = ρw · g · w (D − y) · dx = ρw · g · w 0 (D − y) · 3ay 2 · dy
R R
RD 4 4
=⇒ FR,y = FV = 3a · ρw · g · w 0 (D − y) · y 2 dy = 3a · ρw · g · w[ D3 − D4 ]
4
=⇒ FV = ρw ·g·w·a
4 D4 = 1000×9.81×1.5×(1.2)
4 = 7.63 kN
′
R
Now moment of FV , x FV = x · dFV
RD
=⇒ x′ FV = x · P · dAy = x · ρw · g · w · hdx = ρw · g · w x · (D − y)dx = ρw · g · w 0 ay 3 · (D − y) · 3ay 2 dy
R R R

RD 7
D7 D7
=⇒ x′ FV = 3ρw · g · w · a2 0
(D − y) · y 5 dy = 3ρw · g · w · a2 [ D6 − 7 ] = ρw · g · w · a2 · 14
7
=⇒ x′ FV = 1000 · 9.81 · 1.5 · 1 · (1.2)
14 = 3.77 kN m
Now to find F, we take the moment about O.
M = 0 =⇒ y ′ · FH + x′ · FV − H · F = 0 =⇒ F = H1 · (y ′ · FH + x′ · FV )
P

Now we have to find y ′ · FH .

RD
Now, y ′ · FH = y · dFH = y · P · dAx = y · ρw · g · w · hdy = ρw · g · w 0 y · (D − y)dy
R R R
3
D3 D3 (1.2)3
=⇒ y ′ · FH = ρw · g · w[ D2 − 3 ] = ρw · g · w · 6 = 1000 · 9.81 · 1.5 · 6 = 4.24 kN m
1
Hence, F = 1.4 [3, 77 + 4.24] = 5.72 kN

2
3. Consider the cylindrical weir of diameter 3m and length 6m. If the fluid on the left has a specific gravity
of 1.6, and on the right has a specific gravity of 0.8, find the magnitude and direction of the resultant
force.

Figure 3

Solution:
Here we have to find the magnitude and direction of the resultant force. So we made the following
assumptions: (1) ρ, g are constants. (2) hydrostatics consideration. (3) static equilibrium of weir.
So, we have the following governing equations: (1) ρg = ρHρ O (2) FH = Pc · A, and (3) FV = ρ · g · V
2

Now FH1 = PC1 · A1 = ρ1 · g · D D D

2 · D · L and FH2 = PC2 · A2 = ρ2 · g · 4 · 2 · L
Resultant horizontal Force is FH = FH1 − FH2 .
=⇒ FH = g · D2 · L( ρ21 − ρ82 ) = g · D2 · L · ρw [ SG1 SG2 2 1.6
2 − 8 ] = 9.81 · 3 · 6 · 1000[ 2 −
0.8
8 ] = 370.82 kN
2 2
π·D ·L π·D ·L
Now FV1 = ρ · g · V1 = ρ1 · g · and FV2 = ρ · g · V2 = ρ2 · g ·
8 16
Resultant Vertical Force, FV = FV1 + FV2
2 2 2
=⇒ FV = π·D 4·L·g [ ρ21 + ρ42 ] = π·D 4·L·g · ρw [ SG SG2
2 + 8 ]=
1 π·3 ·6·9.81
4 · 1000 · [ 1.6 0.8
2 + 4 ]
=⇒ FV = 416.1 kN
p
Hence, FR = FH 2 + FV 2 = (370.82)2 + (416.1)2 = 557.36 kN
p

Hence, the direction of the resultant force is θ = tan−1 [ FFVR ] = tan−1 [ 370.82
416.1
] = 48.3◦

3
4. The gate shown is 3m wide and for analysis can be considered massless. For what depth of water will this
rectangular gate be in equilibrium as shown?

Figure 4

Solution:
Here we need to find the water depth for which the rectangular gate will be in equilibrium. We will
calculate FR first. Now let d be the depth. Now from ∆ABC, Let AC = d, BC = l. Therefore, l = sind60◦
R
Now FR = P · dA = ρ · g · hc · A
Now hc = d2 and A = sind60◦ × 3
d d
Therefore, FR = 1000 · 9.81 · sin 60◦ ×3× 2 = 16.99 × 103 × d2 N
Ixx bl3
Now, y ′ = yc + Ayc , yc = d
2 sin θ , and Ixx = 12
bl3
l2 ·sin θ
Hence, y ′ = d
2 sin θ + d
12
= d
2 sin θ + 6d
2 sin θ ×b×l

But from ∆ABC, d = l sin θ, therefore y ′ = d d 2d

2 sin θ + 6 sin θ = 3 sin θ
Hence using moment balance we have FR · [ sind θ − y ′ ] = 5 × F
=⇒ FR · [ sind θ − 2d
3 sin θ ] = 5 × F =⇒ FR × 3 sin d
θ =5×F
3
=⇒ 16.99 × 103 × 3 sind 60◦ = 2500 × 9.81 × 5
=⇒ d = 2.66m