TITLE : DETERMINATION OF CENTRE OF PRESSURE

1 Introduction
The traditional methods of conducting laboratory activities (assigned as Level 0) will not
be able to provide the avenue for students to enhance independent learning activities and
inculcate creativity and innovation. The traditional method is fully prescriptive where the
three elements namely problem, ways & means and answers are provided/fully given to the
students. However, it is still necessary to be implemented as part of the whole laboratory
course activity specially to first and second year students.

In this laboratory activity students will be exposed to the usage of the hydrostatic pressure
apparatus to determine the position of the centre of pressure for a vertical plane surface under
both fully submerged and partly submerged conditions.

2 Objective
The objective of the test is:

To determine the position of theoretical and experimental centre of pressure of a

vertical plane surface under different submergence conditions.

3 Learning Outcomes
At the end of the laboratory activity, students would be able to:

1. Identify and use the correct apparatus/tools to determine the position of centre of pressure
for a vertical plane surface under different submergence condition.

2. Analyse the collected data correctly and present in a typical format.

3. Work in a group to produce technical report.

4 Theoretical Background
A. Fully Submerged Vertical Plane Surface

The magnitude of the hydrostatic force acting on an immersed plane surface is given as

= (Eq. 7a)

Where

Density of fluid (kg / m3).

g Acceleration due to gravity force (m/s2).

A Cross sectional area of the immersed surface.

Distance of the centre of gravity, G from the water surface.

= 1 2 (Eq. 7b)

The force will act on the centre of pressure. Theoretically, the depth to the centre of pressure,
can be calculated by

= + (Eq. 7c)

Where

A Cross sectional area of the surface. A = BD

Distance of the centre of gravity, G from the water surface.

IG Moment of inertia for immersed surface. For a rectangular

object, IG can be calculated by

= 3 12 (Eq. 7d)

Where

B Breadth of rectangular face.

D Depth of rectangular face.

The detail location of the elements is shown in Figure 7.1

 Figure 7.1. Schematic Diagram of Fully Submerged Vertical Plane Surface

While from the experiment, the depth for the centre of pressure can be
obtained by taking moment about the pivot. For static equilibrium, the
moment due to the hydrostatic force is balanced by the weight, W, applied
to the hanger at the end of the balance arm.

FY = WL = (Eq. 7e)

Where

F Hydrostatic force acting on an immersed plane surface.

Y Length from pivot level to the depth of centre of pressure

W Weight of mass added. W = mg

L Length from pivot to scale

By taking d2 as the distance from water surface to the pivot, the

experimental depth of centre of pressure, hexp can be calculated by

hexp = Y d2 (Eq. 7f)

 Figure 7.2. Schematic Diagram of Hydrostatic Pressure Apparatus

B. Partly Submerged Vertical Plane Surface

The magnitude of the force acting on a immersed plane surface is given as

= (Eq. 7g)

Where

Density of fluid (kg / m3).

g Acceleration due to gravity force (m/s2).

A Cross sectional area of the immersed surface.

Distance of the centre of gravity, G from the water surface.

The position of force will act on the centre of pressure at length of h from water surface.
Theoretically, the depth of centre of pressure, htheo can be calculated by

= + (Eq. 7h)

Where

A Cross sectional area of the surface, A = BD

Distance of the centre of gravity, G from the water surface.

=12 (Eq. 7i)

IG Moment of inertia for immersed surface. For a rectangular

partly submerged surface, IG can be calculated by

=1312+(12)3= 133 (Eq. 7j)

Where

B Breadth of rectangular face.

d1 Depth of rectangular face.

Figure 7.3. Schematic Diagram of Partly Submerged Vertical Plane Surface

From the experiment, the depth for the centre of pressure can be obtained by taking moment
about the pivot. For statistical equilibrium, the moment due to the hydrostatic force is
balanced by the weight, W, applied to the hanger at the end of the balance arm.

FY = WL = (Eq. 7k)

Where

F Hydrostatic force acting on a immersed plane surface.

Y Length from pivot level to the depth of centre of pressure.

W Weight of mass added. W = mg

L Length from pivot to scale.

By taking d2 as the distance from water surface to the pivot, the experimental depth of centre
of pressure, hexp can be calculated by

hexp = Y d2 (Eq. 7l)

2.0 Problem Statement

In designing a hydraulic structure, an engineer should determine the magnitude,

direction and actual location of the hydrostatic force acting on the immersed surface.
Hydrostatic force will be acting perpendicular to the surface of the immerse object. The
magnitude of the force and its location will be different for the fully submerged and partly
submerged vertical plane surface.

As a group you are given a set of hydrostatic pressure apparatus to identify the depth
of the centre of pressure for both conditions. The group must carry out the test following the
procedures outlined and subsequently analyse the data and present it in a proper technical
format.

3.1 Apparatus

Beaker
Ruler
Hydrostatic pressure apparatus with a set of weights

3.2 Procedures
1. The breadth, B and depth, D of the rectangular face of the toroid was measured.

2. Thes length from the pivot to the hanger, L was measured.

3. The 3 foot screw was adjusted until the apparatus is balanced.

4. Using a rider, the balance arm was adjusted until it is level.

5. The tank was filled with the water to the zero scale datum (just touch the base of the
rectangular face of toroid) by adjusting the outlet valve.

6. The tank was filled with water to a certain level.

7. The weights was placed on the scale pan to restore the balance arm to the horizontal
position.

8. d1 (water level from the datum), d2 (distance from d1 to the pivot) and w (weights on the
scale pan) was recoreded.

9. Step 6-8 was repeated for 4 other values of d1.

4.0 Data acquisition

Table 1 : Data for Partly Submerged Vertical Plane Surface

Dimension of regular face of toroid :

Breath, B : 10.0 cm
Depth, D : 7.5 cm

Length of pivot to scale, L : 26.5 cm

Initial water Upper water d 1 (m) d 2 (m) Weights in

level (m) level (m) scale pan (kg)
0 0.5 0.55 1.25 0.115
0 0.6 0.66 1.14 0.145
0 0.7 0.75 1.05 0.175
0 0.8 0.85 0.95 0.205

Area, A ( X H theo
Force, F (N) Mass (g) Y (m) H exp (m)
m2 ) (m) (m)

0.0075 0.275 20.23 115 14.77 13.52 2.97

0.0075 0.330 24.28 145 15.55 14.41 4.20

0.0075 0.375 27.59 175 16.49 15.44 5.37

0.0075 0.425 31.27 205 17.04 16.09 6.85

Calculation
 3
water =1000 kg /m

2
Gravity, g = 9.81 m/ s

A. Calculate area, A = B D = (0.075)(0.100) = 0.0075 m2

= d1
X
B. Distance from centre of gravity, 2
O .55
1. X = = 0.275 m
2
O .66
2. X = = 0.330 m
2
O .75
3. X = = 0.375 m
2
O .85
4. X = = 0.425 m
2

C. The magnitude of the force acting on a immersed plane surface, F = g X A

1. F = (1000)(9.81)(0.275)( 0.0075) = 20.23N
2. F = (1000)(9.81)(0.330)( 0.0075) = 24.28 N
3. F = (1000)(9.81)(0.375)( 0.0075) = 27.59 N
4. F = (1000)(9.81)(0.425)( 0.0075) = 31.27 N

D. Calculate weight of mass added, W=mg

1. W= (115)(9.81) = 1128.15 N
2. W= (145)(9.81) = 1422.45 N
3. W= (175)(9.81) = 1716.75 N
4. W= (205)(9.81) = 2011.05 N
B d 13
E. Calculate the moment of inertia for immersed surface, IG = 3
0.55


1. IG = 3 = 5.55 103 m4
(0.100)

0.66


2. IG = 3
3 4
= 9.58 10 m
(0.100)

 0.75


3. IG = 3 = 14.06 103 m4
(0.100)

0.85


4. IG = 3 = 20.47 103 m4
(0.100)

WL
F. Calculate the length from pivot level to scale, Y = F
1128.15 (0.265)
1. Y = 20.23 = 14.77 m

1422.45( 0.265)
2. Y = 24.28 = 15.55 m

1716.75( 0.265)
3. Y = 27.59 = 16.49 m

2011.05 (0.265)
4. Y = 31.27 = 17.04 m

G. Calculate the experimental depth of centre of pressure, H exp = Y d 2

1. H exp = 14.77 1.25 = 13.52 m

2. H exp = 15.55 1.14 = 14.41 m

3. H exp = 16.49 1.05 = 15.44 m
4. H exp = 17.04 0.95 = 16.09 m

IG
H. Calculate the theoretical depth of centre of centre pressure, H theo = +X

AX
5.55 103
1. H theo= +0.275 = 2.97 m
0.0075(0.275)
3
9.58 10
2. H theo = +0.330 = 4.20 m
0.0075(0.330)

14.06 103
3. H theo= +0.375 = 5.37 m
0.0075(0.375)
 3
20.47 10
4. H theo= +0.425 = 6.85 m
0.0075(0.425)