THE PAPUA NEW GUINEA

UNIVERSITY OF TECHNOLOGY
DEPARTMENT OF CIVIL ENGINEERING
EXPERIMENT 01: HYDROSTATIC PRESSURE
Introduction

Within the domain of civil engineering, hydrostatic pressure assumes a position of paramount
importance. This concept refers to the pressure exerted by a fluid as a consequence of the
gravitational force acting on the fluid column above it. This principle finds substantial
applicability in scenarios where structures interface with fluids, encompassing critical
constructions like dams, reservoirs, subterranean passageways, and retaining walls.
In the context of civil engineering, a comprehensive understanding of hydrostatic pressure
proves indispensable in ensuring the stability, durability, and reliability of structures that
coexist with fluid bodies. The accurate anticipation and meticulous management of hydrostatic
pressure stand as prerequisites to avert potential adversities, such as structural collapses,
seepage, and soil erosion. By assimilating the intricacies of pressure distribution and its
cascading implications, engineers are empowered to make informed decisions concerning
material selection, reinforcement strategies, and drainage systems.
Moreover, the relevance of hydrostatic pressure extends into the domain of geotechnical
engineering, casting a significant influence on the behavior of soil and foundational elements.
In situations that involve the construction of deep foundations, like piles or caissons, diligent
computation and adept mitigation of hydrostatic pressure emerge as critical considerations.
Failing to account for this factor can culminate in precarious foundational stability,
compromised structural integrity, and potential hazards to safety.
All in all, hydrostatic pressure stands as an indispensable cornerstone within the realm of civil
engineering, steering the course of design and implementation for structures that interact with
fluid mediums. It underscores the imperative of maintaining equilibrium and fortitude when
confronted with the forces exerted by fluids, thereby amplifying the safety quotient, and
prolonging the lifespan of civil infrastructure projects.
This lab report therefore briefly introduces the concept of how fluid pressure calculations and
the study of Hydrostatic Pressure in fluids play an important role in the design process of
structures within the vicinity of fluids and how the design can be adjusted to fully function
safely in those specific locations of construction.

Practical Application

Hydrostatic pressure, a foundational concept in fluid mechanics, holds profound practical

significance across various domains. This principle, originating from the pressure exerted by a
static fluid due to gravitational force, finds application in diverse real-world scenarios.
In structural engineering, understanding hydrostatic pressure is pivotal for stability.
Submarines, underwater habitats, and offshore platforms rely on it for resilience against
varying depths' immense pressures. Hydraulic systems, present in car brakes and construction
equipment, employ hydrostatic pressure for controlled movement and enhanced mechanical
power.
Critical infrastructure, such as dams and reservoirs, hinges on precise hydrostatic pressure
calculations to prevent breaches and structural failures. Instruments like pressure gauges and
barometers, utilizing hydrostatic pressure principles, influence weather prediction and medical
diagnostics. Environmentalists consider hydrostatic pressure gradients for groundwater
management, while the oil and gas industry relies on these principles for drilling safety.
Deep-sea exploration and even commonplace structures like swimming pools involve
hydrostatic pressure considerations. This concept also guides geological and geotechnical
engineering for groundwater and soil management. Overall, hydrostatic pressure's practical
applications span engineering, science, and everyday life, ensuring the functionality and
longevity of modern systems and structures.

Objective

There are two objectives to this experiment,

1. To determine the hydrostatic force due to water acting on a partially or fully submerged
surface
2. To determine both experimentally and theoretically the center of pressure

Method

The main idea behind the experiment is to determine the hydrostatic forces in the water that act
on the face of the quadrant. The spot where this force is exerted by the water is called the center
of pressure and will be along the vertical and horizontal axes of the square face, however, the
pressure point or position will vary in proportion with the depth of water in the container. The
pressure acting on the vertical face will increase as water depth increases.
As the water in the quadrant increases, equal weights of 50g increments will be added on the
balance arm to act as counterweights to balance the entire system on the knife edge pivot. When
the system is in equilibrium then the total mass of the added increments is equal to the force
acting on the face of the quadrant inside the water. In order to balance the system, every time
the quadrant is filled with water, it moves to a certain angle and the system is seen to be
unbalanced, but as each increment of the 50g weights are added, the balance is reached if the
forces are in equilibrium the angle returns to zero.

Equipment

The equipment that were used in conducting the experiment are listed as follows:
• Armfield F1-12 Hydrostatic Pressure Aparatus
• A jug of water
 • A bucket
• Calipers or rulers for measuring the actual dimensions of the quadrant

The hydrostatic pressure apparatus is made up of the following components:

• A clear glass container
• The clear quadrant attached to the balance arm
• The balance arm and the quadrant are connected by a clamping screw
• A knife-edge pivot
• A level indicator
• A spirit level.
• A weight hanger
• 3 adjustable feet under the glass container
• A drain valve at the bottom of the container
• A scale on the quadrant
• A counterbalance

Theory

The experiment on hydrostatic pressure delves into the behavior of fluids at rest under the
influence of gravity, shedding light on the principles governing pressure distribution within a
fluid container. This experiment stresses on fundamental concepts in fluid mechanics, including
Pascal's principle and the equation for hydrostatic pressure.
At the core of the experiment lies Pascal's principle, which states that pressure applied to a
confined fluid is transmitted undiminished to all portions of the fluid and to the walls of its
container. This means that pressure is distributed equally in all directions within a fluid at rest.
The hydrostatic pressure, (P), experienced by a fluid at a given depth, (h), is determined by its
density, (ρ), and the acceleration due to gravity, (g). Mathematically, it is expressed as:

𝑃 = 𝜌. 𝑔. ℎ

Here:
- (P) is the hydrostatic pressure,
- (ρ) is the density of the fluid,
- (g) is the acceleration due to gravity, and
- (h) is the depth of the fluid column.
 This equation indicates that hydrostatic pressure increases linearly with density and depth.
Consequently, the pressure at greater depths is higher due to the increased weight of the fluid
column above.
In a fluid column within a container, the hydrostatic pressure distribution is such that pressure
increases with increasing depth. This pressure distribution is uniform at any given depth, as
dictated by Pascal's principle. Thus, the pressure experienced by a fluid element at a specific
depth is consistent in all directions.
The hydrostatic paradox adds an intriguing dimension to this concept. Despite common
intuition, the pressure at a certain depth in a fluid column is independent of the container's
shape or size. It relies solely on the vertical distance from the fluid surface. This paradox
illustrates the equality of pressure within a fluid at rest, regardless of external factors.

Experimental Setup
In the experiment, a transparent quadrant container is filled with fluid, and the pressure on the
quadrant is measured using the balance arm and the weights hung in the weight hanger (see
Figure 1 and Figure 2). As the fluid in the container depth varies, the pressure readings
obtained from the weights correspond to the pressure acting on the face of the quadrant. As the
added weights pull the quadrant away to an angle, water is added into the container and the
weight of the container eventually balances out the weight force on the weight hanger. The
weights on the hanger are added in increments of 50g. The volume of water in the container
that balances the force applied by the weights is recorded and the pressure acting on the face
of the quadrant is determined by use of Pascal’s principle. Once the quadrant comes back to
zero degrees then the forces on both sides of the pivot are in equilibrium. This indicates that

Figure 1. A hydrostatic pressure apparatus

 the force on the quadrant face is equal to the force generated by the hanging weights. This is a
more analog way of getting the readings,
whereas more modern ways are by pressure sensors inside the container and a digital weight
balance on the rod arm. The equilibrium of forces in the system can be noted or confirmed by
checking if the bubble in the level is balanced and also checking if the angle reads zero.
Depth significantly influences the force and pressure acting on a submerged body in a fluid. As
an object is submerged deeper into a fluid, both the force and pressure it experiences undergo
distinct changes:

Force:
Increase in Buoyant Force:
Deeper submersion leads to an increase in the buoyant force exerted on the body. This force is
equal to the weight of the fluid displaced by the submerged portion of the body. The deeper the
body is submerged, the greater the volume of fluid displaced, resulting in a larger buoyant force
pushing the body upwards.

Pressure:
Hydrostatic Pressure Increases:
As depth within a fluid increases, hydrostatic pressure also rises. Hydrostatic pressure is the
pressure exerted by a fluid at rest due to the weight of the fluid column above it. This increase
occurs because the weight of the fluid column above the submerged body becomes greater with
increasing depth. The deeper the body, the more fluid is above it, leading to higher pressure.

Figure 2. A labeled image of the hydrostatic pressure apparatus

In essence, the depth of submersion influences the force and pressure acting on a submerged
body. Both the buoyant force and hydrostatic pressure increase with greater depth. This
understanding is fundamental in various contexts, such as designing structures to withstand
underwater pressures, assessing the behavior of submerged objects, and predicting the
performance of underwater vehicles and equipment.
In this experiment, immersing the quadrant in the tank by adding water enables the
determination of the hydrostatic force exerted on its vertical surface. This force can be analyzed
based on the following principles:

Force Direction and Resolution

The hydrostatic force at any point along the curved surfaces is perpendicular to the surface and
can be broken down into components that align with the pivot point. Since the pivot point
coincides with the origin of the radii, the hydrostatic forces on the upper and lower curved
surfaces do not induce any net effect on the equilibrium due to their alignment with the pivot.

Horizontal Forces on Sides

The forces acting on the lateral sides of the quadrant are horizontally oriented and cancel each
other out, being equal in magnitude and opposite in direction.

Vertical Submerged Face

The hydrostatic force on the vertical submerged face is counterbalanced by the equilibrium
weight. Thus, the resultant hydrostatic force on this face can be computed using the balance
weight's value and the water's depth.

Equilibrium Condition
The system maintains equilibrium if the moments produced around the pivot points by the
hydrostatic force and the applied weight (equal to mass times gravity, (mg) are of equal
magnitude.

• 𝑚𝑔 𝑋 𝐿 = 𝐹 𝑋 𝑦 (1)
Where:
𝑚 = 𝑚𝑎𝑠𝑠 𝑜𝑛 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑤𝑒𝑖𝑔ℎ𝑡 ℎ𝑎𝑛𝑔𝑒𝑟
𝐿 = 𝑙𝑒𝑛𝑔𝑡ℎ 𝑜𝑓 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑏𝑎𝑙𝑎𝑛𝑐𝑒 𝑎𝑟𝑚
𝐹 = ℎ𝑦𝑑𝑟𝑜𝑠𝑡𝑎𝑡𝑖𝑐 𝑓𝑜𝑟𝑐𝑒
𝑦 = 𝑑𝑖𝑠𝑡𝑎𝑛𝑐𝑒 𝑏𝑒𝑡𝑤𝑒𝑒𝑛 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑝𝑖𝑣𝑜𝑡 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑐𝑒𝑛𝑡𝑒𝑟 𝑜𝑓 𝑝𝑟𝑒𝑠𝑠𝑢𝑟𝑒
 Then, calculated hydrostatic force and centre of pressure on the vertical face of the quadrant
can be compared with the experimental results.

Hydrostatic Force
The magnitude of the resultant hydrostatic force (F) applied to an emersed surface is given
by:
𝐹 = 𝑃𝑐 𝐴 = 𝜌𝑔𝑦𝑐 𝐴 (2)
Where:
𝑃𝑐 = 𝑝𝑟𝑒𝑠𝑠𝑢𝑟𝑒 𝑎𝑡 𝑐𝑒𝑛𝑡𝑟𝑜𝑖𝑑 𝑜𝑓 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑖𝑚𝑚𝑒𝑟𝑠𝑒𝑑 𝑠𝑢𝑟𝑓𝑎𝑐𝑒
𝐴 = 𝑎𝑟𝑒𝑎 𝑜𝑓 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑖𝑚𝑚𝑒𝑟𝑠𝑒𝑑 𝑠𝑢𝑟𝑓𝑎𝑐𝑒
𝑦𝑐 = 𝑐𝑒𝑛𝑡𝑟𝑜𝑖𝑑 𝑜𝑓 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑖𝑚𝑚𝑒𝑟𝑠𝑒𝑑 𝑠𝑢𝑟𝑓𝑎𝑐𝑒 𝑚𝑒𝑎𝑠𝑢𝑟𝑒𝑑 𝑓𝑟𝑜𝑚 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑤𝑎𝑡𝑒𝑟 𝑠𝑢𝑟𝑓𝑎𝑐𝑒
𝜌 = 𝑑𝑒𝑛𝑠𝑖𝑡𝑦 𝑜𝑓 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑓𝑙𝑢𝑖𝑑
𝑔 = 𝑎𝑐𝑐𝑒𝑙𝑒𝑟𝑎𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛 𝑑𝑢𝑒 𝑡𝑜 𝑔𝑟𝑎𝑣𝑖𝑡𝑦

The hydrostatic force acting on the vertical face of the quadrant can be calculated as:
• Partially immersed vertical plane
1
𝐹 = 𝜌𝑔𝐵𝑑 2 (3a)
2

• Fully immersed vertical plane

𝐷
𝐹 = 𝜌𝑔𝐵𝐷 (𝑑 − 2 ) (3b)

Where:

B = width of the quadrant face,

d = depth of water from the base of the quadrant, and

D = height of the quadrant face.

Theoretical Determination of Center of Pressure

(4)
(5)
Experimental Procedure

1. Utilize a damp cloth to eliminate surface tension and forestall air bubble formation on the
quadrant.
2. Place the setup on a level surface and fine-tune the threaded feet until the integrated circular
spirit level indicates a horizontal base. (The bubble should rest in the spirit level's center.)
3. Position the balance arm onto the knife edges and confirm the arm's unhindered movement.
4. Attach the weight hanger to the balance arm's end and adjust the arm's position, employing
the counter weight, to achieve a horizontal alignment.
5. Introduce 50 grams onto the weight hanger.
6. Infuse water into the tank and allow for settling time.
7. Seal the drain valve at the tank's end, gradually pour water until equilibrium is reached on
the quadrant's end surface. Recognition of balance is indicated by aligning the balance arm's
base with the upper or lower marking on the balance rest's center.
8. Log the water height, exhibited in millimeters on the quadrant's side. If the quadrant is
partially submerged, note the measurement in the respective section of the Raw Data Table.
9. Repeat the sequence, incrementing the weight by 50 grams each round, until a final 500 g
weight is achieved. When the quadrant is fully submerged, document the measurements in the
fully submerged segment of the Raw Data Table.
10. Execute the procedure in reverse by progressively removing the weights.
11. Open the water valve, remove weights, and address any water spillage.

Results and Calculations

Table 1. Raw data collected from laboratory.

The dimensions recorded from the

TEST MASS (kg) DEPTH PF
apparatus are as follows:
NUMBER IMMERSION (in)
• Height of the quadrant endface,
1 0.05 6.15
𝐷 = 0.103𝑚
• Width of submerged, 𝐵 = 0.062𝑚 2 0.1 5.125
• Length of balance arm, 𝐿 = 0.25𝑚 3 0.15 4.85
• Distance from base of quadrant to 4 0.2 4.23
pivot, 𝐻 = 0.237𝑚 5 0.25 3.75
6 0.3 3.25
7 0.35 2.75
8 0.4 2.25
For the values calculated and tabulated on the following table, the formulae that were stated
above were used according to the specifications of the type of data used, as in te partially and
fully immersed situations, different calculations were used. The tests that were partially
immersed are tests 1 – 4 and fully immersed were tests 5 – 8.
The values that were measured in the lab were taken individually, therefore, the figures are
expected to be nonunform for each student. The values that were taken for this lab report are
as follows,
𝐷 = 10.3𝑐𝑚 = 0.013𝑚
𝐵 = 6.2𝑐𝑚 = 0.062𝑚
𝐻 = 23.7𝑐𝑚 = 0.237𝑚
𝐿 = 25𝑐𝑚 = 0.25𝑚

As observed in Table 1 and Table 2, the values for depth of immersion have been calculated
and converted from inch values to meters. The conversion was done in order to facilitate the
required SI unit system for the generalization of all units. However, the noticeable change of
values between the two tables (regarding the Depth of Immersion) is due to the face that the
apparatus used in the lab was labeled top to bottom from 1in to 8in on the side of the quadrant.
This prompted the assumption that the depth of immersion reading at any point in the quadrant
container was to be subtracted from the total (8in) to give the true value of the depth of
immersion. An example of the first value of the depth of immersion is done for reference to
this explanation,

𝑇𝑜𝑡𝑎𝑙 𝑑𝑒𝑝𝑡ℎ 𝑜𝑓 𝑞𝑢𝑎𝑑𝑟𝑎𝑛𝑡 𝑙𝑎𝑏𝑒𝑙𝑙𝑒𝑑 = 8.00 𝑖𝑛

𝑅𝑒𝑎𝑑𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑓𝑜𝑟 𝑡𝑒𝑠𝑡 1 𝑤𝑖𝑡ℎ 𝑚𝑎𝑠𝑠 𝑜𝑓 0.05𝑘𝑔 = 6.15 𝑖𝑛
𝐷𝑒𝑝𝑡ℎ 𝑜𝑓 𝑖𝑚𝑚𝑒𝑟𝑠𝑖𝑜𝑛 (𝑑) = 8 − 6.15 = 1.85 𝑖𝑛
𝑈𝑛𝑖𝑡 𝑐𝑜𝑛𝑣𝑒𝑟𝑠𝑖𝑜𝑛: 1.85 𝑖𝑛 = 0.047 𝑚
The method of calculation used above was applied for all the other values of Depth of
Immersion in Table 2.
Using these values, the respective Hydrostatic forces were calculated using equations (3a) and
(3b) as previously mentioned. An example for the calculation of the Hydrostatic force for test
1 (partially immersed) and test 5 (fully immersed) is done for clarification.
• Partially immersed vertical plane
1
𝐹 = 2 𝜌𝑔𝐵𝑑 2

= 0.5 ∗ 1000 ∗ 9.81 ∗ 0.062 ∗ 0.0472

= 0.671 𝑁
 • Fully immersed vertival plane
𝐷
𝐹 = 𝜌𝑔𝐵𝐷 (𝑑 − 2 )
0.103
= 1000 ∗ 9.81 ∗ 0.062 ∗ 0.103(0.108 − 2

= 3.536 𝑁

Table 2. Results obtained from calculations.

TEST MASS DEPTH OF HYDROSTATIC THEORETICAL EXPERIMENTAL

NUMBER (kg) IMMERSION FORCE (N) DEPTH OF DEPTH OF
(m) CENTER (m) CENTER (m)

1 0.05 0.047 0.671 0.221 0.183

2 0.1 0.073 1.622 0.213 0.151
3 0.15 0.080 1.947 0.210 0.189
4 0.2 0.096 2.789 0.205 0.176
5 0.25 0.108 3.536 0.279 0.173
6 0.3 0.121 4.332 0.262 0.170
7 0.35 0.133 5.128 0.250 0.167
8 0.4 0.146 5.923 0.242 0.166

Chart 1
7

5
Hydrostatic Force (N)

0
0 0.02 0.04 0.06 0.08 0.1 0.12 0.14 0.16
Depth of Immersion (m)
Chart 2

0.3
Theoretical dept of center of pressure (m)

0.25

0.2

0.15

0.1

0.05

0
0 0.02 0.04 0.06 0.08 0.1 0.12 0.14 0.16
Depth of immersion (m)

Chart 3

0.2
Experimental depth of center of pressure (m)

0.18

0.16

0.14

0.12

0.1

0.08

0.06

0.04

0.02

0
0 0.02 0.04 0.06 0.08 0.1 0.12 0.14 0.16
Depth of immersion (m)
Chart 4

LOG - LOG GRAPH

1

0.4
0.35
0.3
0.25
0.2
0.15
Mass (kg)

0.1
0.1
0.05

0.01
0.01 0.1 1
Depth of immersion (m)

For the hydrostatic force and depth of immersion, the relationship is almost linearly
proportional as the chart shows that as the depth increases the force also increases with it. This
would make sense as seen in the formula of Pascal’s Principal.
In chart 2, it is seen that as the depth of immersion increases the center of pressure decreases,
this relationship is inversely proportional.
For both charts 1 and 2, the relationship is opposite because as the center of pressure decreases,
the force increases with increading depth.
The difference between the experimental and theoretical depth of pressure, is that for the
theoretical, when partially immersed, the gradient is larger than for the experimental. But when
fully immersed, the relationship changes to an opposite effect with a much smaller gradient as
seen in the charts 2 and 3.

Conclusion

In the context of civil engineering, the hydrostatic pressure experiment revealed the pivotal
role this concept plays in ensuring the stability and resilience of structures in contact with fluid
environments. By delving into hydrostatic pressure's effects and interactions, a deeper
comprehension of fluid mechanics and structural behavior was attained.
Practically, hydrostatic pressure holds diverse applications, bolstering the durability of
submerged structures like offshore platforms and submarines. It also empowers hydraulic
systems for controlled motion and enhanced mechanical power, evident in car brakes and
construction machinery. The precision of hydrostatic pressure calculations is vital for vital
infrastructure, including dams, guarding against potential breaches and failures.
The experimental approach effectively determined hydrostatic forces by systematically
adjusting immersion depth and observing resultant forces. The outcomes closely matched
theoretical calculations, revealing a clear correlation between depth and hydrostatic force. The
center of pressure, a critical factor, exhibited an inverse relationship with depth.
The experiment illustrated how Pascal's principle governs force distribution in fluids.
Hydrostatic pressure equations provided a quantifiable insight into the depth-related changes
in forces and pressure. These principles, deeply rooted in fluid mechanics, hold fundamental
importance in structural and geotechnical engineering. Merging theoretical understanding with
practical implications, the experiment underscored hydrostatic pressure's significance in the
multifaceted landscape of civil engineering.

References

• Ahmari, H., & Kabir, S. M. I. (2019). *Applied Fluid Mechanics Lab Manual*. UTA
Libraries publishing
services.https://uta.pressbooks.pub/appliedfluidmechanics/chapter/experiment-1/