Table of Contents

1 Title..................................................................................................................................1

2 Objectives.............................................................................................................................1

3 Introduction....................................................................................................................1

4 Theory…...............................................................................................................................2

5 Materials and Apparatus….........................................................................................4

6 Procedures…........................................................................................................................4

7 Results….........................................................................................................................6

8 Analysis and Discussion......................................................................................................8

9 Error Analysis...............................................................................................................9

10 Conclusion and Recommendations..................................................................................10

11 References.......................................................................................................................12

12 Appendices……...............................................................................................................13
1. TITLE

Hydrostatic pressure force on a submerged surface

2. OBJECTIVE

1. To determine the hydrostatic force acting on a surface immersed in water under two

condition which are partially submerged and fully submerged.

2. To locate the position of center pressure.

3. To experimentally verify the accuracy of data obtained by comparing with theoretical

values.

3. INTRODUCTION

Hydrostatic pressure is the pressure exerted by a fluid at rest due to the weight of fluid

above the surface. Hydrostatic pressure and its resulting force have a wide variety of

applications. These application are as widespread as assembly line processes to irrigation

and studies of soil properties. Thus, it is important to be able to measure and develop

equations for hydrostatic force due to pressure as well as the center of pressure at which

this force acts.

One device used to measure hydrostatic force is an Edibon hydrostatics pressure system.

This device is based on the principle that the sum of the moments about the pivot must be

equal to zero. Thus, the moment due to the weight of the mass applied to the left end

must equal to the moment due to the hydrostatic force acting on the vertical rectangular

quadrant. When known masses are applied to the end of the system, the pivot rotates. In

order to balance the moment caused by the weight of the masses and return the pivot to

equilibrium, water is added into the chamber of the pressure system.

4. THEORY

In general term, the center of pressure is located below the centroid cause pressure

increases with depth. The determination of the center pressure can be measure by
 equating the moments of the resultant and distributed forces about any arbitrary axis. The

fluid pressure distributed over its surface cab be obtain by several examples such as plate

exposed to the fluid. There is a necessity to determine the magnitude of the force and its

point of application in which this point is called the centre of pressure.

To determine the hydrostatic pressure force on one side of a plane surface submerge in a

static fluid, it’s equal to the output of the fluid pressure at the centroid of the surface

multiplied with the surface area in contact with the fluid. Consequently, basic physic

states that the distributed load of the hydrostatic force is equal to the integral of the local

pressure force over the area. Besides, the direction of the resultant force will always be

normal to the surface because the pressure acts normal to a plane surface.

When the system achieves equilibrium, the moments around the pivot point are balanced:

𝑚𝑔𝐿 = 𝐹𝑦

𝑚 ∶ 𝑚𝑎𝑠𝑠 𝑜𝑛 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑤𝑒𝑖𝑔ℎ𝑡 ℎ𝑎𝑛𝑔𝑒𝑟,

𝑔 ∶ 𝑎𝑐𝑐𝑒𝑙𝑒𝑟𝑎𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛 𝑑𝑢𝑒 𝑡𝑜 𝑔𝑟𝑎𝑣𝑖𝑡𝑦,

𝐿 ∶ 𝑙𝑒𝑛𝑔𝑡ℎ 𝑜𝑔 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑏𝑎𝑙𝑎𝑛𝑐𝑒 𝑎𝑟𝑚,

𝐹 ∶ 𝐻𝑦𝑑𝑟𝑜𝑠𝑡𝑎𝑡𝑖𝑐 𝑓𝑜𝑟𝑐𝑒,

𝑦 ∶ 𝑑𝑖𝑠𝑡𝑎𝑛𝑐𝑒 𝑏𝑒𝑡𝑤𝑒𝑒𝑛 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑝𝑖𝑣𝑜𝑡 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑐𝑒𝑛𝑡𝑒𝑟 𝑜𝑓 𝑝𝑟𝑒𝑠𝑠𝑢𝑟𝑒.

Therefore, theoretical and practical findings can be juxtaposed through the computation of

hydrostatic force and the center of pressure on the vertical side of the quadrant. When a

flat surface is submerged beneath a liquid, it encounters pressure attributed to the height

of the liquid column above it. This pressure escalates proportionally with depth, resulting

in a pressure distribution across the submerged area. To analyze this scenario, one must

ascertain an equivalent force to the pressure and its location.

The resultant force acting on a flat surface can be theoretically determined as follows:

𝐹 = 𝜌𝑔𝑦𝑐𝐴

𝜌 ∶ 𝑑𝑒𝑛𝑠𝑖𝑡𝑦 𝑜𝑓 𝑓𝑙𝑢𝑖𝑑

𝐴 ∶ 𝑎𝑟𝑒𝑎 𝑜𝑓 𝑖𝑚𝑚𝑒𝑟𝑠𝑒𝑑 𝑠𝑢𝑟𝑓𝑎𝑐𝑒,

𝑔 ∶ 𝑎𝑐𝑐𝑒𝑙𝑒𝑟𝑎𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛 𝑑𝑢𝑒 𝑡𝑜 𝑔𝑟𝑎𝑣𝑖𝑡𝑦

𝑦𝑐 ∶ 𝑐𝑒𝑛𝑡𝑟𝑜𝑖𝑑 𝑜𝑓 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑖𝑚𝑚𝑒𝑟𝑠𝑒𝑑 𝑠𝑢𝑟𝑓𝑎𝑐𝑒 𝑚𝑒𝑎𝑠𝑢𝑟𝑒𝑑 𝑓𝑟𝑜𝑚 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑤𝑎𝑡𝑒𝑟

𝑠𝑢𝑟𝑓𝑎𝑐e

As we know that, the area of immersed surface, A is

𝐴 = 𝐵𝑑
𝐵 = 𝑤𝑖𝑑𝑡ℎ 𝑜𝑓 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑞𝑢𝑎𝑑𝑟𝑎𝑛𝑡 𝑓𝑎𝑐𝑒,
𝑑 ∶ 𝑑𝑒𝑝𝑡ℎ 𝑜𝑓 𝑤𝑎𝑡𝑒𝑟 𝑓𝑟𝑜𝑚 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑏𝑎𝑠𝑒 𝑜𝑓 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑞𝑢𝑎𝑑𝑟𝑎𝑛𝑡.

And also the centroid of the immersed surface measure from the water surface, yc
𝑑
𝑦𝑐 =
2

The hydrostatic force acting on the vertical face of the quadrant can be calculated as:

 Partially immersed vertical plane (d < D)

𝐹 = 1

𝜌𝑔𝐵𝑑2
2

 Fully immersed vertical plane (d > D)

𝐹 = 𝜌𝑔𝐵𝐷( 𝑑 −
𝐷
)
𝐷 𝑖𝑠 ℎ𝑒𝑖𝑔ℎ𝑡 𝑜𝑓 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑞𝑢𝑎𝑑𝑟𝑎𝑛𝑡 𝑓𝑎𝑐𝑒.
2
The point through which this force acts called the centre of pressure. Hydrostatic theory
shows that the centre of pressure of the submerged area can be calculated using Eq.6.
Where Ix is the second moment of area of the immersed body about an axis in the free
surface.

𝑦𝑝
𝐼𝑥
= 𝑦𝑐𝐴

By using the parallel theorem:

𝐼𝑥 = 𝐼𝑐 + 𝐴𝑦2
�
�

𝐼𝑐 ∶ 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑠𝑒𝑐𝑜𝑛𝑑 𝑚𝑜𝑚𝑒𝑛𝑡 𝑜𝑓 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑎𝑟𝑒𝑎 𝑜𝑓 𝑖𝑚𝑚𝑒𝑟𝑠𝑒𝑑 𝑏𝑜𝑑𝑦 𝑎𝑏𝑜𝑢𝑡 𝑡ℎ𝑒

𝑐𝑒𝑛𝑡𝑟𝑜𝑖𝑑𝑎𝑙 𝑎𝑥𝑖𝑠,
𝑦𝑐 : 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑑𝑒𝑝𝑡ℎ 𝑜𝑓 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑐𝑒𝑛𝑡𝑟𝑜𝑖𝑑 𝑜𝑓 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑖𝑚𝑚𝑒𝑟𝑠𝑒𝑑 𝑠𝑢𝑟𝑓𝑎𝑐𝑒.

And the second moment of the rectangle area is

𝐵𝑑3
𝐼𝑐
12
=

By using Eq. 8 and Eq.7, Ix is calculated as:

 Partially immersed vertical plane (d < D)

𝐼𝑥
=
𝐵𝑑3
3

 Fully immersed vertical plane (d > D)

𝐼𝑥 = 𝐵𝐷 [ +(d− ) ]
2 2
D d
12 2

The depth of the centre of pressure below the pivot point is given by

𝑦𝑟 = 𝑦𝑝 + 𝐻 − 𝑑

Where 𝐻 𝑖𝑠 𝑣𝑒𝑟𝑡𝑖𝑐𝑙𝑒 𝑑𝑖𝑠𝑡𝑎𝑛𝑐𝑒 𝑏𝑒𝑡𝑤𝑒𝑒𝑛 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑝𝑖𝑣𝑜𝑡 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑏𝑎𝑠𝑒 𝑜𝑓 𝑡ℎ𝑒
𝑞𝑢𝑎𝑑𝑟𝑎𝑛𝑡.
  Partially immersed vertical plane (d < D)

𝑦𝑟_𝑡ℎ𝑒𝑜
= 𝐻−
𝑑

 Fully immersed vertical rectangular plane (d > D)

2
𝐷2 𝐷

𝑦𝑟_𝑡ℎ𝑒𝑜 = 12
+ (𝑑−
) +𝐻− 𝑑
2
𝐷
𝑑−
2

For equilibrium of the experimental apparatus, moments of the pivot are given by Eq. 1
By substitution of derived hydrostatic force, F from Eq.4 and Eq.5, we have,
 Partially immersed vertical plane (d < D)

𝑦𝑟_𝑒𝑥𝑝
=
𝑚𝑔𝐿
𝐹

 Fully immersed vertical rectangular plane (d > D)

𝑦𝑟_𝑒𝑥𝑝 ₌
mL
D
pBD (d− )
2
5. MATERIALS AND APPARATUS

1. Hydrostatic pressure apparatus

2. Set of weight

3. Two graduated cylinders

4. Metric ruler

5. Water

8
6. PROCEDURES

1. The distance from weight hanger to pivot, L, the base of the quadrant face to point to

pivot, H, the height of vertical quadrant face, D, and the width of vertical quadrant face,

B, were measured and recorded using the metric ruler.

2. The tank was levelled. The quadrant, the equipment on the balance arm and the weight

were kept dry

3. With the empty weight tray in its position, the counter balance weight was moved until

the balance arm stayed horizontal. The drain valve was closed and the tank was filled with

water until the bottom edge of the quadrant. This marked the beginning point for data

collection

4. A mass of 50 g was placed on the weight tray and the motion of the balance arm out of its

equilibrium was observed. Water was added slowly into the tank until the balance arm

returned to its equilibrium. The water was added using the graduated cylinder away from

the quadrant curved surface to avoid any accumulation of water on that surface. The drain

valve was not utilised to reach the aforementioned equilibrium.

5. Step 4 was repeated for 9 more times using 50 g increments of mass until the water level

reaches the maximum reading on the quadrant’s scale.

9
 6. Full submergence of the end face was verified. The indicator used was when d equal to or

greater than D.

7. Step 4 through step 6 was repeated twice to obtain accurate results.

8. After completing the data collection process, the water in the tank was drained and

cleaned.

7. RESULTS

Mas Depth of immersion, (cm) Force, F h experimental htheoretical Percentage of

s 1 2 3 Average Error
(g)
Partially 50 5.00 5.00 5.00 5.00 0.981 0.135 0.178 24.299
Submerged 100 7.00 6.80 6.80 6.87 1.850 0.143 0.172 16.823
150 8.20 8.30 8.30 8.27 2.681 0.148 0.167 11.516
200 9.50 9.50 9.50 9.50 3.541 0.150 0.163 8.418
250 10.60 10.60 10.70 10.63 4.437 0.149 0.160 6.461
Fully 300 11.60 11.80 11.70 11.70 5.258 0.151 0.157 4.013
Submerged 350 12.80 12.90 12.90 12.87 6.174 0.150 0.155 3.492
400 14.00 14.00 14.00 14.00 7.0632 0.150 0.154 2.761
450 15.00 15.10 15.10 15.07 7.90032 0.151 0.153 1.572
500 16.10 16.20 16.20 16.17 8.7636 0.151 0.152 0.881

Name of variable Symbol Dimensions (cm) Description

Length of Balance L 26.00 Distance from pivot
Arm to the weight hanger
Length of Quadrant H 20.00 Distance from the
to Pivot base of quadrant
surface to pivot
Height of Quadrant D 10.00 Height of a vertical
Surface quadrant surface
Width of Quadrant B 8.00 Width of a vertical
Surface quadrant surface

10
 h_exp vs h_theo
0.2
0.18
0.16
0.14
0.12
value of h

0.1
0.08
0.06
0.04
0.02
0
0.05 0.1 0.15 0.2 0.25 0.3 0.35 0.4 0.45 0.5
mass, kg

h_exp h_theo

Graph 1: The mass of weight against hypothetical and experimental centroid of the submerged

surface

d average vs h_real -hc

0.18
0.16
0.14
0.12
0.1
h -hc

0.08
0.06
0.04
0.02
0
0.05 0.0687 0.0827 0.095 0.1063 0.117 0.1287 0.14 0.1507 0.1617

d average

h_exp - hc h_theo - hc

Graph 2: The depth of immersion against differences between hypothetical centroid and real centroid and experimental
centroid and real centroid.

11
 hc,h_theo,h_exp vs d average
0.2
0.18
0.16
0.14
d average, m

0.12
0.1
0.08
0.06
0.04
0.02
0
0.05 0.0687 0.0827 0.095 0.1063 0.117 0.1287 0.14 0.1507 0.1617
Value of h

hc h_exp h_theo

8. ANALYSIS AND DISCUSSION

This experiment aimed to determine the hydrostatic force acting on a submerged surface

or plane, whether fully or partially submerged in liquid. It also aimed to find the center

of the hydrostatic force acting on the surface and verify the accuracy of the methods

used.

The experimental setup had a hydrostatic device's quadrant attached to a balancing arm

that rotated on a knife-edge pivot. This pivot was in line with the quadrant's vertical

surface. The hydrostatic force on this vertical surface created a moment around the

pivot point. Weights were added to a hanger at the opposite end of the balance arm to

counterbalance this moment.

Ten sets of measurements were taken by applying different weights, measuring the water

depth, and locating the centroid. Starting at 0.05 kg, the weight was increased in 0.05

kg increments up to 0.5 kg for each set. The force on the submerged surface was

calculated using the formula F = ρgyₘA applied to the collected data.

Buoyancy was ignored as the quadrant's weight and the buoyancy force canceled out,
12
avoiding instrumental error until the arm aligned horizontally before adding the external

force.

The centroid locations were calculated using different formulas depending on whether the

quadrant was partially (0.05-0.25 kg) or fully submerged (>0.25 kg).

The graphs showed the theoretical and experimental centroids decreased as mass

increased, the centroid difference decreased as immersion depth increased, the

theoretical centroid increased linearly, and the experimental centroid decreased

linearly.

9. ERROR ANALYSIS

From Table 1, it was calculated that the percentage error of this experiment decreased

from 24.3% to 0.8% across the sets of experiments, thus concluding the experiment

was successful and the objectives were well achieved. The initial larger margin of

error may have been caused by water surface tension present on the quadrant before

the experiment began. This could have made the water behave differently than

expected, potentially causing water bubbles to appear on the quadrant surface, making

readings difficult.

Additionally, parallax error from the observer could have led to some inaccuracies in the

collected data, potentially misreading the scale by 2-3 mm and contributing to the

larger initial error margin. Interruptions to the counterbalance mass during the

experiment may have also caused some misreadings and error. The age and wear of

the weights was accounted for, as changes up to 1 gram in the load mass could

estimate an error of about 10%, mostly related to weight measurement.

13
 Furthermore, since the scale for measuring the quadrant depth was situated on the tank

rather than the quadrant itself, a significant measurement error likely occurred,

requiring the water height to be continuously subtracted from each reading in each set.

Overall, despite these potential sources of error, the decreasing percentage error

indicated the experiment was successful in achieving its objectives.

10. CONCLUSION

Here is my paraphrase:

Through this experiment, the objectives of experimentally determining the center of

pressure on a vertical, submerged plane surface and verifying the accuracy of the

hydrostatic theory equation were achieved. The investigation into hydrostatic force on

submerged planes provided valuable insights into the relationships among weight,

moment, and hydrostatic pressure. The experiment demonstrated reliability through its

efficient execution, with percentage errors less than 5%. It was found that as weight

increased, so did the moment around the pivot and the hydrostatic force acting on it.

The theoretical and experimental values converged, indicating minimal errors. The

experiment also illustrated the dynamic interplay between weight and hydrostatic

pressure, requiring water level adjustments to balance the opposing forces. Forces on

curved surfaces were examined, showing harmonic equilibrium with no significant

deviations from theory or observations.

Overall, this experiment not only made fundamental concepts more understandable

but also highlighted the importance of precise and careful experimental setups for

14
 future advancements in fluid mechanics research. The successful execution validated

the hydrostatic theories while providing practical insights into the underlying

principles and relationships between the key variables involved.

11. REFERENCES

1) Ahmari, H. (2019, August 14). Experiment #1: Hydrostatic Pressure – Applied Fluid Mechanics
Lab Manual. Pressbooks.
https://uta.pressbooks.pub/appliedfluidmechanics/chapter/experiment-1/#:%7E:text=The
%20quadrant%20is%20mounted%20on,moment%20about%20the%20pivot%20point.

2) Fluid Mechanics Lab # 1 - Hydrostatic Pressure. (2018, September 6). [Video]. YouTube.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LfqadPBKim8

3) Lab 3: Measurement of Hydrostatic force on an immersed plane and locating the center of
pressure. (2020, July 27). [Video]. YouTube.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b6ivZEke67w

15