Faculty of Engineering

Mechanical Engineering Department

Fluid Mechanics laboratory ENME 312

Experiment # 1
The Center Of Pressure

Instructors :-
Dr. Afif Hassan
Eng. Yahia Madieh

Done By Group # 3 :-
Montaser Al Warasnah 1090789
Wagdy Qabaja 1090367
Hassan Rasheed 1091125

Date: 28 - 3- 2013

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Abstract :

The distributed pressure forces may be replaced by a resultant force, its line of action is
called pressure center. The aim of this experiment is to determine the total force exerted on
the surface by the fluid because the fluid at rest in on a wholly and partially submerged plane
surface , and there is no shear force acting on the fluid or the surface , so that the resultant
force acting on the normal direction to and into the plane , determine the center of pressure
(CP) at which the hydrostatic force acts and study how the hydrostatic force varies with depth
of the fluid then compare these quantity and measurements with the theoretical predictions
The procedure summarizes in balancing the apparatus on a specific angle , at = 0, and =
20,then using the masses and filling it with water in order to retain its balance, then the height
of the device (h).The Partially submerged is occur when h > R1cos , where is the fully
submerged when h < R1 cos , where R1 is 100mm.
This experiment also aims to determine the moment due to the fluid thrust for fully or
partially submerged plane surface in the center of pressure apparatus, and comparing this
value with the theoretical value.
Also the location of the center of pressure must be determined as well as which is the unit
gravity force.

Objectives of experiment :
To find the specific weight of water when its partially submerged and fully submerged at
two set of the wholly, once at = 0 and at = 20.
To find the force and center of this force at the wholly which contains water, and this
force found twice (at = 0 and at = 20).
To find the moment about origin from left and from right.
To find the center of presser which the forces acts on it.

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Equation to be used:
In this experiment we will be using the following container

Figure (1): The orientation of the device

From this figure:

h: The height.
R1& R2: The radius of two arcs.
= 0o,20o: The tilt angles.
: The specific weight.
B: The breadth of the quadrant.
y:The element at slant depth.
dy: The width.

The force (F) on the element is:

F = (y cos h) B dy

The moment of force on element about the origin (Mo) is:

Mo = B (y2cos h) y dy

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 The total moment about the origin is:

M = B (y 2 cos hy ) dy

There is two cases of h :

h < R1cos , then plane face fully submerged and we use this equation:

R2

M = B (y 2 cos hy )dy
R1

B cos 3 B 2
= (R 2 R31 ) (R 2 R21 )h
3 2

h > R1cos , then plane face partially submerged and we use these equations:

R2
M= B (y 2 cos hy )dy
h.sec

BR22 B sec2 B cos

M+ h= h3 + R32
2 6 3

gBR22
MP = M + h
2

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Calculations :
Sample calculations :

Firstly: Take when = 0 for the partially submerged:

Take first trial when weight = 50g = 0.05 kg

0.156 0.1 1 = 0.056 > 0

h R1 cos 0 > 0 it s partially submerged

M = m g arm radius

= 0.05 9.81 0.25 = 0.123 N. m

gBR22
MP = M + h
2
998 9.81 0.075 0.22
= 0.12263 + 0.156
2

= 2.414 N. m

h3 = 0.1563 = 0.0038 m3

The curve equation is:

y = 140.04x + 1.8931

BR22 B sec 2 3 B cos 3

M+ h= h + R2
2 6 3

1 0.075 3 998 9.81 0.075 3

MP = h + 0.2
6 3

MP = 0.01251 h3 + 1.9581

Slope from the equation =0.01251

And slope from the curve = 140.04

140.04
1 = = 11203.2 N/m3
0.0125

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 For the fully submerged:

Take the trial when weight = 250g = 0.25 kg

0.094 0.1 1 = 0.006 < 0

h R1 cos 0 < 0 it s fully submerged

M = m g arm radius

= 0.25 9.81 0.25 = 0.613 N. m

The curve equation is:

y = -10.494x + 1.6042

B cos 3 B 2
M= (R 2 R31 ) (R 2 R21 )h
3 2

998 9.81 0.075 1 0.075

M= (0.23 0.13 ) (0.22 0.12 )h
3 2

M = 1.7133 0.0011252 h

Slope from the equation = 0.0011252

And slope from the curve = - 10.494

10.494
2 = = 9328 N/m3
0.001125

1 + 2 11203.2 + 9328
avg = = = 10265.6 N/m3
2 2

To find the point of action of the pressure force on the plane surface (P a) when (h =
0.094 m) we use this equation:

avg Bcos
F= (R22 R21 ) B(R 2 R1 )h
2

10265.6 0.075
= (0.22 0.12 ) 10265.6 0.075 (0.2 0.1) 0.094
2
= 4.312 N

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 1
This force act above (3 m) from the base, and at the height(h)
1
= (0.2 (0.1 3)) = 0.167 m

Then the Moment equal:

M = F Distance(h)

= 4.312 0.167 = 0.72 N.m

And the moment from the hanger masses experimental = 0.61313 N.m which is
close to 0.72 N.m which is calculated above.

The point of action equal:

M 0.720
Pa = = = 0.167 m
F 4.312

Secondly: Take when = 20 for the partially submerged:

Take first trial when weight = 20g = 0.02 kg

0.158 0.1 cos(20) = 0.064 > 0

h R1 cos 20 > 0 it s partially submerged

M = m g arm radius

= 0.02 9.81 0.25 = 0.049 N. m

gBR22
MP = M + h
2
998 9.81 0.075 0.22
= 0.04905 + 0.158
2

= 2.369 N. m

h3 = 0.1583 = 0.00394 m3

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 The curve equation is:

y = 159.5x + 1.7473

BR22 B sec 2 3 B cos 3

M+ h= h + R2
2 6 3

3 0.075 sec 2 20 3 998 9.81 0.075 cos 20 3

MP = h + 0.2
6 3

MP = 0.01423 h3 + 1.840

Slope from the equation =0.0142 3

And slope from the curve = 159.5

159.5
3 = = 11232.4 N/m3
0.0142

For the fully submerged:

Take the trial when weight = 220g = 0.22 kg

0.090 0.1 cos(20) = 0.004 < 0

h R1 cos(20) < 0 it s fully submerged

M = m g arm radius

= 0.22 9.81 0.25 = 0.540 N. m

The curve equation is:

y = -11.186x + 1.5484

B cos 3 B 2
M= (R 2 R31 ) (R 2 R21 )h
3 2

998 9.81 0.075 cos(20) 0.075

M= (0.23 0.13 ) (0.22 0.12 )h
3 2

M = 1.6099 0.0011254 h

Slope from the equation = 0.0011254

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And slope from the curve = - 11.186

11.186
4 = = 9943.1 N/m3
0.001125

3 + 4 11232.4 + 9943.1
avg = =
2 2

= 10587.75 N/m3

To find the point of action of the pressure force on the plane surface (Pa) when (h =
0.090 m) we use this equation:

avg Bcos
F= (R22 R21 ) B(R 2 R1 )h
2

10587.75 0.075 cos 20

= (0.22 0.12 ) 10587.75 0.075 (0.2 0.1)
2
0.094

= 3.729 N

1 1
This force act above (3 m) from the base, and at the height(h) = (0.2 (0.1 3)) =
0.167 m

Then the Moment equal:

M = F Distance(h)

= 3.729 0.167 = 0.6227 N.m

And the moment from the hanger masses experimental = 0.540 N.m which is close
to 0.6227 N.m which is calculated above.

The point of action equal:

M 0.6227
Pa = = = 0.167 m
F 3.729

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 Results :
Tables and Graphs of results:

Table (1): shows the heights and the moment and the Mp when the plane face partially
submerged at = 0:

Mass Height Height3 Moment (N.m) MP

(g) (m) (m3) (N.m)
50 0.156 0.00380 0.123 2.414
70 0.148 0.00324 0.172 2.345
90 0.140 0.00274 0.221 2.277
110 0.134 0.00241 0.270 2.238
130 0.128 0.00210 0.319 2.199
150 0.122 0.00182 0.368 2.160
180 0.114 0.00148 0.441 2.116
200 0.104 0.00112 0.491 2.018

Mp Vs. Height3
When it's partially sudmerged at = 0
2.500
2.400
y = 140.04x + 1.8931
2.300
Mp (N.m)

2.200
2.100
2.000
1.900
1.800
0.00100 0.00150 0.00200 0.00250 0.00300 0.00350 0.00400
Height3 (m3)

Graph (1): The relationship between Mp against height3 when the plane face partially
submerged at = 0.
140.04
1 = = 11203.2 N/m3
0.0125

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Table (2): shows the heights and the moment when the plane face fully submerged at = 0:
Mass (g) H (m) Moment (N.m)
250 0.094 0.613
270 0.090 0.662
290 0.086 0.711
310 0.080 0.760
330 0.076 0.809
350 0.070 0.858
380 0.064 0.932
400 0.060 0.981

M Vs. Height
When it's fully sudmerged at = 0
1.200

1.000

0.800
M (N.m)

y = -10.494x + 1.6042
0.600

0.400

0.200

0.000
0.050 0.060 0.070 0.080 0.090 0.100
Height (m)

Graph (2): The relationship between the moments against the height when the plane face
fully submerged at = 0.

10.494
2 = = 9328 N/m3
0.001125

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 Table (3): shows the heights and the moment and the Mp when the plane face partially
submerged at = 20:
Mass Height Height3 Moment (N.m) MP
(g) (m) (m3) (N.m)
20 0.158 0.00394 0.049 2.369
40 0.146 0.00311 0.098 2.242
60 0.138 0.00263 0.147 2.174
90
0.126 0.00200 0.221 2.071
110 0.120 0.00173 0.270 2.032
160 0.104 0.00112 0.392 1.920
180 0.100 0.00100 0.441 1.910
200 0.094 0.00083 0.491 1.871

Mp Vs. Height3
When it's partially sudmerged at = 20
2.500
2.400
2.300
y = 159.5x + 1.7473
Mp (N.m)

2.200
2.100
2.000
1.900
1.800
0.00000 0.00100 0.00200 0.00300 0.00400 0.00500
Hieght3 (m3)

Graph (3): The relationship between Mp against height3 when the plane face partially
submerged at = 20.
159.5
3 = = 11232.4 N/m3
0.0142

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Table (4): shows the heights and the moment when the plane face fully submerged at = 20:

Mass (g) H (m) Moment (N.m)

220 0.090 0.540
240 0.086 0.589
260 0.082 0.638
290 0.074 0.711
310 0.070 0.760
360 0.060 0.883
380 0.056 0.932
400 0.050 0.981

M Vs. Height
When it's fully sudmerged at = 20
1.200

1.000

0.800
M (N.m)

0.600
y = -11.186x + 1.5484
0.400

0.200

0.000
0.040 0.050 0.060 0.070 0.080 0.090 0.100
Hieght (m)

Graph (4): The relationship between the moments against the height when the plane face
fully submerged at = 20.

11.186
4 = = 9943.1 N/m3
0.001125

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 Discussion of Results :

All graphs above shows that the relationship between the moment and height, M p and H3
are linear relation, and that means that the results are acceptable and close to the
theoretical one.

In the graphs (1 & 3), we noticed that the slope is positive at angle = 0 and angle = 20
at the partially submerged, moreover, the relationships are between partial moment (M P)
and the cubic height (H3).

On the other hand, in graphs (2 & 4), we noticed that the slope is negative at fully
submerged because when the height and mass increasing, the relation is in negative slope
between moment and height.

For this experiment a quadrant was used and the basic relations can be applied to any
shape but the derived relations that we have used is just for the quadrant and cant be
applied for another shape.

The idea of this experiment could be very important in practical life, and should be included
when a bridge, a dam, a channel or any construction are to be constructed in water or any
fluid.

Also the other main result was to found the force that the water exerts on the plane
surface, and this force depends on the fluid material, its level and the shape and position of
the surface.

Conclusion :
The main conclusion that has been reached after the experiment was carried out that if a
fluid is to be contained behind a plane surface, this fluid exerts a force on that surface. This
force depends on the fluid itself, its level and the shape and position of the surface.

The results of the experiment were close to the expected theoretical results with some
difference might be because of impurities in the water used. The plotted graphs were
consistent with that expected from the equations used in the experiment with some little
deviation could be ignored. The difference may be due to non-pureness of the water used in
the experiment that might catch some impurities making the density somehow higher.

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 As we see from the result that the value of was closed to the real value for the water. And
the difference refers to some error in the experiment.

Sources of errors:
The water that was used might have impurities, and these impurities made the density
of the water to be higher than the real value of the pure water and to avoid this error
distilled water should be used.

Error in reading the correct value of (h) and this error affect in calculating the value of
().

The apparatus might be not in its balance case at = 00 and = 200 and this error affect
the result of the experiment.

References:
Frank M .White , Fluid Mechanics , sixth edition.
Fluid Lab manual.

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