Polytechnic University of the Philippines

College of Engineering
Department of Civil Engineering

HYDROSTATIC THRUST
LABORATORY EXPERIMENT NO. 1

GICOM, Angelica F.

BSCE IV - 2

FLUID MECHANICS

Th 10:30 AM 1:30 PM

October 17, 2016

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October 17, 2016 8

Exercise A

Objective
To determine the hydrostatic thrust acting on a plane surface immersed in water when the surface is partially
submerged or fully submerged.
To determine the position of the line of action of the thrust and to compare the position determined by
experiment with the theoretical position.

Method
By achieving an equilibrium condition between the moments acting on the balance arm of the test apparatus.
The forces acting are the weight applied to the balance and the hydrostatic pressure on the end face of the
quadrant.

Equipment Required
In order to complete the demonstration we need a number of pieces of equipment.
The F1-12 Hydrostatic Pressure Apparatus (including set of weights)
Source of clean water (typically F1-10 Hydraulics Bench)
A jug (not supplied)
Callipers or ruler, for measuring the actual dimensions of the quadrant, if desired (not supplied)
For siphoning water:
A beaker, measuring cylinder, or similar container of water of similar height to the flotation tank
A length of small bore flexible tubing

Theory
When the quadrant is immersed in water it is possible to analyse the forces acting on the surfaces of the
quadrant as follows:

The hydrostatic force at any point on the curved surfaces is normal to the surface and therefore resolves
through the pivot point because this is located at the origin of the radii. Hydrostatic forces on the upper and
lower curved surfaces therefore have no net effect no torque to affect the equilibrium of the assembly
because all of these forces pass through the pivot.

The forces on the sides of the quadrant are horizontal and cancel out (equal and opposite).

The hydrostatic force on the vertical submerged face is counteracted by the balance weight. The resultant
hydrostatic force on the face can therefore be calculated from the value of the balance weight and the depth of
the water as follows:

When the system is in equilibrium, the moments about the pivot point are equal:
mgL = Fh

where:
m is the mass on the weight hanger,
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g is the acceleration due to gravity,

L is the length of the balance arm,
F is the hydrostatic thrust, and
H is the distance between the pivot and the centre of pressure.

Hence by calculating the hydrostatic thrust and centre of pressure on the end face of the quadrant, we can
compare theoretical and experimental results.

Partially Submerged Vertical Plane

For the case where the vertical face of the quadrant is partially submerged.

where:
L is the horizontal distance between the pivot point and the weight hanger,
H is the vertical distance between the pivot and the base of the quadrant,
D is the height of the quadrant face, B is the width of the quadrant face,
d is the depth of water from the base of the quadrant, and
h is the vertical distance between the surface and the centre of pressure.
The force shown are F, the hydrostatic thrust, and m.g, the weight.

Hydrostatic Thrust
The hydrostatic thrust can be defined as:

F = pgAH (Newtons)
where:
A is the area = = A = Bd
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h is the mean depth of immersion = h = d/2
therefore:
1
F= 2(pgBd2)

Experimental Depth of Pressure

The moment, M, can be defined as

M = Fh (Newtons)

A balancing moment is produced by the weight, W, applied to the hanger at the end of the balance arm. The
moment is proportional to the length of the balance arm, L.

For static equilibrium the two moments are equal, i.e.

Fh = WL = mgL

By substitution of the derived hydrostatic thrust, F from (1), we have

2
h = =
2

Theoretical Depth of Pressure

The theoretical result for depth of pressure P below the free surface is
I
h = Ah

where Ix is the 2nd moment of area of immersed section about an axis in the free surface.
By use of the parallel axes theorem:

I = I + 2
3 3
= 12
+ ( 2 )2 = 3

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

h = h + H-d (m)
hence:
d
h = H - 3

The turning moment can then be calculated.

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October 17, 2016
Fully Submerged Vertical Plane
For the case where the vertical face of the quadrant is fully submerged:

Where:
d is the depth of submersion,
F is the hydrostatic thrust exerted on the quadrant,
h is the depth of the centre of pressure,
h is the distance of centre of pressure below the pivot,
B is the width of the surface, and D is the depth of the surface
W is the weight of the hanger (=mg)

Hydrostatic Thrust
The hydrostatic thrust F can be defined as

F = pgAh = pgBD( )
2

Experimental Depth of Pressure

The moment, M, can be defined as

M = Fh (Nm)
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A balancing moment is produced by the weight, W, applied to the hanger at the end of the balance arm. The
moment is proportional to the length of the balance arm, L.

For static equilibrium the two moments are equal, i.e.

Fh = WL = mgL

By substituition of the derived hydrostatic thrust, F, from (5), we have

mL
h = (m)
pBD(d )
2

Theoretical Depth of Pressure

The theoretical result for depth of pressure P below the free surface is
I
h = Ah

where Ix is the 2nd moment of area of immersed section about an axis in the free surface.
By use of the parallel axes theorem:

I = I + 2
3 3
= + ( )2 =
12 2 3

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

h = h + H-d (m)

Substitution as before the gives the theoretical result of:

2 2
+(d )
h = H + 12

2
d
d
2

The turning moment can hence be calculated.

Equipment Set Up
For improved accuracy of results, measure the dimensions B, D of the quadrant end-face and the distance H
and L and record the values for future reference.
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Position the empty F1-12 flotation tank on the F1-10 Hydraulics Bench or other suitable level surface, then
adjust the screwed feet until the built-in circular spirit level indicates that the tank is level in both planes.

Position the balance arm on the knife edges and check that he arm is free to swing.

Locate the empty weight hanger in the groove at the end of the balance arm.

Move the counter-balance weight until the balance arm is horizontal, indicated by the central index mark on the
beam level indicator.

Procedure

Add a small mass (typically 50g) to the weight hanger.

Close the drain valve at the end of the tank then slowly add water to the tank. This can be done in one of two
ways:

Water can be poured into the tank from a suitable receptacle such as a jug or water may be pumped into the
flotation tank from the F1-10 Hydraulics Bench using a flexible tube attached to the quick release outlet fitting
in the bed of the channel.

Fill the flotation tank with water initially until the balance arm rises. Avoid wetting the balance arm or the
quadrant above the water level in the tank.

After initially filling the tank, small adjustments of water level are best performed using a jug, allowing time for
the water to settle before taking readings.

Alternatively, set a beaker, measuring cylinder or similar container full of water beside the tank. Fill the flexible
tube with water, and hold the ends sealed (a thumb over each end is suitable). Place one end below the water
surface in the cylinder and the other end into the tank via the triangular cut-out at the pivot end. This will set up
a siphon system. Water can be added to the tank by pouring it into the vessel using the jug, then allowing time
for the water levels to balance. Siphoning allows greater control over the water entering the tank, and produces
less disturbance of the water within the tank.

Add water until the hydrostatic thrust on the end-face of the quadrant causes the balance arm to rise. Ensure
that there is no water spilled on the upper surfaces of the quadrant or the sides, above the water level.
Continue to add water until the balance arm is horizontal, checking this by aligning the flat of the balance arm
with the central mark on the level indicator. You may find it easier to slightly over-fill the tank, and obtain the
equilibrium position by opening the drain cock to allow a small outflow.

When the arm is horizontal read the depth of immersion from the scale on the face of the quadrant. Care
should be taken to ignore the meniscus by moving the head up and down until the eye is sighing along the true
surface of the water.

Repeat the above procedure for different load increments by adding further weights to the weight hanger. The
weights supplied allow increments of ten, twenty, and fifty grams to be used, depending on the number of
samples required. Fifty-gram intervals are suggested for an initial set of results, which will give a total of
nineteen samples.
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Continue until the water level reaches the top of the upper scale on the quadrant face. Repeat the procedure in
reverse, by progressively removing the weights.

Note any factors that you think are likely to affect the accuracy of your result

Results
All readings should be recorded as follows:
Constants
Height of End Face: D___________ (m)
Width of End Face: B____________ (m)
Length of Arm: L____________ (m)
Height to Pivot: H____________ (m)

Variables

FULLY SUBMERGED
m (kg) d (m) D (m) B (m) L (m) H (m) h'' (Experimental) h'' (Theoretical) F
0.45 0.155 0.1 0.075 0.275 0.2 0.157142857 0.157936508 7.725375
0.44 0.153 0.1 0.075 0.275 0.2 0.156634304 0.158090615 7.578225
0.43 0.15 0.1 0.075 0.275 0.2 0.157666667 0.158333333 7.3575
0.42 0.147 0.1 0.075 0.275 0.2 0.158762887 0.158591065 7.136775
0.41 0.145 0.1 0.075 0.275 0.2 0.158245614 0.15877193 6.989625
0.4 0.142 0.1 0.075 0.275 0.2 0.15942029 0.159057971 6.7689
0.39 0.14 0.1 0.075 0.275 0.2 0.158888889 0.159259259 6.62175
0.38 0.138 0.1 0.075 0.275 0.2 0.158333333 0.159469697 6.4746
0.35 0.13 0.1 0.075 0.275 0.2 0.160416667 0.160416667 5.886
0.25 0.106 0.1 0.075 0.275 0.2 0.163690476 0.164880952 4.1202

PARTIALLY SUBMERGED
m (kg) d (m) D (m) B (m) L (m) H (m) h'' (Experimental) h'' (Theoretical) F
0.05 0.046 0.1 0.075 0.275 0.2 0.173282924 0.184666667 0.778424
0.06 0.0505 0.1 0.075 0.275 0.2 0.172532105 0.183166667 0.938173
0.07 0.056 0.1 0.075 0.275 0.2 0.163690476 0.181333333 1.153656
0.1 0.065 0.1 0.075 0.275 0.2 0.17357002 0.178333333 1.554272
0.19 0.091 0.1 0.075 0.275 0.2 0.168256652 0.169666667 3.046373
0.18 0.089 0.1 0.075 0.275 0.2 0.166645626 0.170333333 2.913938
0.17 0.085 0.1 0.075 0.275 0.2 0.17254902 0.171666667 2.657897
0.16 0.083 0.1 0.075 0.275 0.2 0.170319834 0.172333333 2.534291
0.14 0.077 0.1 0.075 0.275 0.2 0.173160173 0.174333333 2.181131
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Mass Measured Depth Hydrostatic Distance Turning

Added Turning Thrust of Centre Moment
Moment of
Pressure

m (kg) (N-m) d (m) F (N) h (m) (N-m)

0.45 1.2139875 0.155 7.725375 0.157937 1.220119
0.44 1.18701 0.153 7.578225 0.158091 1.198046
0.43 1.1600325 0.15 7.3575 0.158333 1.164938
0.42 1.133055 0.147 7.136775 0.158591 1.131829
0.41 1.1060775 0.145 6.989625 0.158772 1.109756
0.4 1.0791 0.142 6.7689 0.159058 1.076648
0.39 1.0521225 0.14 6.62175 0.159259 1.054575
0.38 1.025145 0.138 6.4746 0.15947 1.032503
0.35 0.9442125 0.13 5.886 0.160417 0.944213
0.25 0.6744375 0.106 4.1202 0.164881 0.679343
0.05 0.1348875 0.046 0.7784235 0.184667 0.143749
0.06 0.161865 0.0505 0.93817322 0.183167 0.171842
0.07 0.1888425 0.056 1.153656 0.181333 0.209196
0.1 0.269775 0.065 1.55427188 0.178333 0.277178
0.19 0.5125725 0.091 3.04637288 0.169667 0.516868
0.18 0.485595 0.089 2.91393788 0.170333 0.496341
0.17 0.4586175 0.085 2.65789688 0.171667 0.456272
0.16 0.43164 0.083 2.53429088 0.172333 0.436743
0.14 0.377685 0.077 2.18113088 0.174333 0.380244

Conclusions
The hydrostatic thrust is directly proportional to the depth.
The depth of the centre of pressure is inversely proportional to the depth of immersion
When the plane has become fully submerged, the hydrostatic thrust increases and the distance of
centre of pressure decreases.
The discrepancies between the experimental and theoretical results for the depth of centre of pressure
are probably due to error in reading measurements and procedure.