Thermofluids Centre of Pressure Lab Report

Summary:
This report provides an analysis and evaluation of the hydrostatic force acting on a block in submerged in water and the uncertainties involved. It also analyses the position of the centre of pressure acting on the block, and the uncertainties. Methods of analysis involve practical and theoretical calculations. The practical solutions are based on the masses of the balance weights added and removed from the experiment at two submersion levels. The theoretical solutions are based on the derivatives of the hydrostatic force with respect to length and angle values for the hydrostatic force experiment. The theoretical solutions for the centre of pressure experiment are based on the derivatives of the centre of pressure with respect to the length and angle values. All calculations can be found in each experiment section. Results of the data analysed show the hinge in the hydrostatic force experiment does not have to be positioned at 90O and that it is important for the shape of the quadrant in the centre of pressure experiment to be circular and concentric.

Table of Contents:
Pg.2: Summary Pg.4: Nomenclature Pg.4: Objective Pg.4: Apparatus Pg.5: Apparatus Diagram Pg.6: Procedure Pg.7: Hydrostatic Force Experiment o Experimental Results o Calculated Results Pg.11: Centre of Pressure Experiment o Experimental Results o Calculated Results Pg. 16: Discussion Pg. 16:Conclusions

Nomenclature: Symbol A D g R IG b h m F M c Meaning Density Depth to centroid of wetted area Area Depth to reaction force Gravity Hydrostatic force Theta Second moment of area Base length of surface Height of surface Mass Force Moment Distance from surface to upper edge of block Units kg/m3 m m2 m m/s2 N m4 m m kg N Nm m

Objective: To determine the hydrostatic force on an inclined submerged surface and the position of the centre of pressure, using two methods. To determine the uncertainty in the results determined by each method. Apparatus: Testing unit for hydrostatic force Testing unit for centre of pressure Balance weights Tank hoses Ruler Tape measure Set Square Protractor

Procedure: Both test apparati are to be set up before carrying out the experiments. In setting up the experiments, the dimensions of the surface are to be measured, as well as the uncertainty estimated. The surface is to be set up at an angle of 30 degrees to the vertical and the uncertainty in this measurement estimated. Hydrostatic force apparatus: With the tank empty, add balance weights until the block is just supported with hinges at right angles to the block. Note the balance weights needed for this equilibrium process and also estimate the uncertainty in all weight measurements in this lab. Fill the tank carefully, and adjust the balance weights until the block is again in equilibrium, with the hinges at right angles and the water level at the upper edge of the block face. Note the balance weight for this new equilibrium situation. Repeat the experiment with the water level 40mm vertically above the upper edge of the block face

Centre of pressure Quadrant apparatus: Measure the distance between the pivot and upper edge of the quadrant block (+-75mm) and the distance from the pivot to the balance weights (+-250mm) and the uncertainty in these measurements. With the tank empty, balance the quadrant so that the beam is level, and note the balance weight required for this equilibrium position. Fill the tank carefully, and adjust the balance weights until the block is again in equilibrium, with the hinges at right angles and the water level at the upper edge of the block face. Note the balance weight for this new equilibrium situation. Repeat the experiment with the water level 40mm vertically above the upper edge of the quadrant face

Hydrostatic Force Experiment: Practical Recorded Results: b = 0.099 +_ 0.0005m h = 0.149 +_ 0.0005m m1 = 2.441 +_ 0.0005kg m2 = 1.345 +_ 0.0005kg m3 = 0.625 +_ 0.0005kg = 60 +_ 0.5O

Calculated Results:

Theoretical:

c = 0m b=0.0005m h=0.0005m =0.5

c= 0.04m

b=0.0005m

h=0.0005m

c=0.0005m =0.5

Practical: R=mg

m=0.0005kg For c=0m: R = mg R = (m1 m2)g R = (2.441kg 1.345kg)(9.81m/s2) R = 10.75 For c=0.04mm: R = mg R = (m1 m3)g R = (2.441kg 0.625kg)(9.81m/s2) R = 17.81 N N

Centre of Pressure Experiment:

Practical Recorded Results: b = 0.100 +_ 0.0005m h = 0.149 +_ 0.0005m d1 (Distance from pivot to edge of block) = 0.073 +_ 0.0005m d2 (Distance from pivot to balance weights) = 0.0253 +_ 0.0005m m1 = 1.422 +_ 0.0005kg m2 = 0.747 +_ 0.0005kg m3 = 0.369 +_ 0.0005kg

Calculated Results: Practical:

: F = mg F = (m1 m2)g F = (1.422kg 0.747kg)(9.81m/s2) F = 6.622

F = mg F = (m1 m3)g F = (1.422kg 0.369kg)(9.81m/s2) F = 10.33

Theoretical:

For c = 0m:

For c = 0.04m:

Discussion: In the first experiment the hinges do not have to be positioned at 90O as from we can see that the hydrostatic force is dependent on the angle This is the angle that the submerged face of the block makes with the surface of the water, which is much more easily obtained from trigonometry when the hinge angle is 90O. The circular arc shape is important as it allows us to calculate the hydrostatic forces without accounting for the buoyancy effect. Consider the pressure forces acting normal to the surface of the arc, the buoyancy force does not emerge because the normal forces on the curved surface do not create a moment about the pivot point. Conclusion: As seen in the calculations, the hydrostatic force and centre of pressure have been determined using two methods, theoretical and practical. It was expected that the difference in values between the two would be large as there are many factors that cannot be accounted for in calculations of the practical figures. Despite these initial thoughts, the two calculations for the hydrostatic force and for the centre of pressure we remarkably similar. For the theoretical hydrostatic force calculations the value of R was found to be R = 9.336N for c = 0m, and R = 15.12N for c = 0.04m, while the practical values were R = 10.75N and R = 17.81N for the respective c values. Although there is a certain difference between the two calculated values the practical figures are still very close in magnitude and quite accurate. The figures for the centre of pressure calculations have proved to be greatly similar. The theoretical values of D were found to be D = 0.086m for c = 0m, and D = 0.1178m for c = 0.04m, while the practical values were D = 0.0828m and D = 0.1137m for the respective c values. The significantly small difference between the theoretical and practical values show that the practical figures are accurate and precise as there is little deviation from the theoretical values. When comparing the uncertainties of the theoretical and practical values for both the hydrostatic force and centre of pressure, there is a noticeable difference particularly for the hydrostatic force experiment. This large difference can be attributed to human error in measuring distances and lengths, and equipment error in the scales as they had large increments. To achieve more accurate and precise results for the uncertainty values the experiments should be done using a set of scales with much smaller increments as the scales used had increments of 5g.