Application Examples

Feeder Gates for Canal

Gate Valves for
Spillway Control
Applications (cont.)
Spillway Drum Gates:
hollow inside, use
buoyancy to control the
position of the gate.
Hydrostatic Force on an Inclined Plane Surface
u
h
y
dF
C
sin
Integrate over the entire surface
sin
Define centroid of the area y
1
, so that
sin
In order to find equilavent system,
need to make sure that
R
C
R C C
dF PdA hdA ghdA
gy dA
F dF g ydA
y ydA
A
F gAy gAh

u
u
u
= = =
=
= =
=
= =
} }
}
the moment
of the resultant force must equal to
the moment of the distributed force.
x
y
x
Assume atmoshperic condition on the
other side of the surface
Free surface
Hydrostaic forces
F
R

O
O
R
2 2
2
xx
C
Taking Mmoment about the x-axis: y'F
' sin sin sin
Recognize that y (area moment of inertia about O)
I
Therefore, y'=
Ay
Also, from parallel axis theorem, we can
A
C
A A
xx
A
yPdA
y g y A gy dA g y dA
dA I
u u u
=
= =
=
}
} }
}
xx xx
2 xx
xx xx C
xy xy
C
C
relate I to I ,
moment of inertia about the centroid of the area (can be
found in table)
I
I = I , therefore, y'=y
I I
Similarly, x'= x
Ay
C
C
C
Ay
Ay
Ay
+ +
= +
Example
hinge
The square flood gate (2m by 2m) is hinged along its
bottom as shown. Determine the moment at the hinge in
order to hold the gate steady.
R
3

C
First, find the resultant force:
F (1000)(9.8)(1)(2 2) 39200( )
Then, determine the point of action:
1
(2)(2)
1 4
12
y'=y (1) 1 ( )
(2 2)(1) 3 3
As expected, it falls at a depth 2/3 of the tot
C
xx
C
gh A N
I
m
Ay
= = =
+ = + = + =

O
al depth.
The holding moment (M) on the hinge O will be
4
M (2 ) 0,
3
18479( . )
R
M F
M N m
= =
=

y
x
O
2m
y
Example (cont.)
2m
y
If the square gate is replaced by a circular-
shaped gate as shown, recalculate the
holding moment.
x
y
2
R
4

C
2
O
Again, find the resultant force first:
F (1000)(9.8)(1) (1) 30772( )
Next, the line of action:
1
1 5
4
y'=y 1 1 ( )
(1) 4 4
The holding moment:
5 3
M (2 ) 0
4 4
23079( . )
C
x x
C
R R
gh A N
R
I
m
Ay R
M F M F
M N m
t
t
t
= = =
+ = + = + =
= = =
=

Example (cont.)
2m
y
y
45
If the square gate is placed at an angle of 45 as
shown, recalculate the holding moment again.
Note: the y axis has been redefined to follow the
gate for convenience.
R

C
First, calculate the resultant force:
F (1000)(9.8)(1)(2 2 2 2) 78400( )
Note: the h stays the same and is independent
of the incline angle, however, the gate area increases.
1
(2
2 2
12
y'=y
2
C
xx
C
gh A N
I
Ay
= = =
+ = +
3
R
2)(2 2)
2 2
(2 2 2 2)
2
2 4 2
' 2
3 3
4 2
The holding moment: M=F (2 2 ) 73916( . )
3
y
N m
| |

|
\ .
= + =
=
An interesting observation
When the gas tank is low, the low fuel light will lit to warn the driver. Have you
noticed that the light will not always stay on for a period of time. It turns off
when either you accelerate (decelerate) or climb (descend) on a sloped road.
Can you explain this phenomenon by using the principle of fluid statics.
Fuel level transducer
Accelerating (climbing)
Decelerating (descending)
Hydrostatic balance can be applied to a small fluid element as shown
( ) , , integrate from fluid element to
the free surface ( )
dp
pA p dp A mg Agdy g
dy
p h
+ = = =
= p gh

+
p
p+dp
h
Free surface, p=p

Example: If a container of fluid is accelerating
with an acceleration of a
x
to the right as shown below,
the free surface of the fluid will incline with an angle
o as shown.
a
x

p
p+dp
1
( ) ,
tan( ) , tan
x x x
x x
x
dp
pA p dp A ma Adxa a
dx
dp
a a dy g
dp
dx g g
a

o o

+ = = =
| |
= = = =
|
\ .
o
dx
dy
x
y