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ROHINI COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING & TECHNOLOGY
1.6 FORCES ON PLANES

Total Pressure and Centre of Pressure
Total Pressure: It is defined as the force exerted by static fluid on a surface (either plane
or curved) when the fluid comes in contact with the surface. This force is always at right
angle (or normal) to the surface.
Centre of Pressure: It is defined as the point of application of the total pressure on the
surface. Now we shall discuss the total pressure exerted by a liquid on the immersed
surface. The immersed surfaces may be:
1. Horizontal plane surface
2. Vertical plane surface
3. Inclined plane surface
4. Curved surface
Derivation of total pressure
In order to determine the total pressure, we will consider the object in terms of small
strips as displayed here in following figure. We will determine the force acting on small
strip and then we will integrate the forces on small strips for calculating the total
pressure or hydrostatic force on object.
Figure 1.6.1 Vertical plane Immersed surface

[Source: “Fluid Mechanics and Hydraulics Machines” by Dr.R.K.Bansal, Page: 70]
Let us consider the small strip of thickness dh, width b and at a depth of h from free
surface of liquid as displayed here in above figure.
Intensity of pressure on small strip, dp = ρgh
Area of strip, dA = b x dh
Total pressure force on small strip, dF = dP x dA
Total pressure force on small strip, dF = ρgh x b x dh
Total pressure force on whole surface, F = Integration of dF
Where,
ρ = Density of liquid (Kg/m3)
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g = Acceleration due to gravity (m/s2)

A = Area of surface (m2)
ħ = Height of C.G from free surface of liquid (m)
Unit of total pressure

As total pressure is basically a hydrostatic force and therefore total pressure will be
measured in terms of N or KN.
Centre of pressure
Centre of pressure is basically defined as a single point through which or at which total
pressure or total hydrostatic force will act.
Let us consider that we have one tank filled with liquid e.g. water. Let us consider that
there is one object of arbitrary shape immersed inside the water as displayed here in
following figure.
Let us consider G is the centre of gravity and P is the centre of pressure. ħ is the height
of C.G from free surface of liquid and h* is the height of centre of pressure from free
surface of liquid.
Derivation of Centre of Pressure

In order to determine the centre of pressure, we will consider the object in terms of
small strips as displayed here in above figure.We will use the concept of “principle of
moments” to determine the centre of pressure.
According to the principle of moments, moment of the resultant force about an axis will
be equal to the sum of the moments of components about the same axis.
As we have shown above in figure, total hydrostatic force F is applied at centre of

pressure P which is at height of h* from the free surface of liquid.
Therefore, let us determine the moment of resultant force F about the free surface of
liquid and it will be determined as F x h*.
As we have considered here the object in terms of small strips as displayed here in
above figure and hence we will determine the moment of force dF acting on small strip
about the free surface of liquid.
Moment of force dF = dF x h
Moment of force dF = ρ g h x b dh x h

Let us sum of all moments of such small forces about the free surface of liquid and it
will be written as mentioned here.
Total Pressure and Centre of Pressure for Inclined Plane Surface Immersed in a
Liquid
Centre of pressure for inclined plane surface submerged in liquid will be given by
Figure 1.6.2 Inclined Immersed surface


Let us consider that we have following data from above figure.

A = Total area of inclined surface
ħ = Height of centre of gravity of inclined area from free surface
h* = Distance of centre of pressure from free surface of the liquid
θ = Angle made by the surface of inclined plane with free surface of the liquid
Total pressure which is basically defined as the hydrostatic force applied by a static
fluid on a plane or curved surface when fluid will come in contact with the surfaces.
Total pressure for inclined plane surface submerged in liquid will be given by following
formula as mentioned here.
Total pressure = ρ g A ħ
Centre of pressure is basically defined as a single point through which or at which total
pressure or total hydrostatic force will act.
Centre of pressure for inclined plane surface submerged in liquid will be given by
following formula as mentioned here.
For a vertical plane submerged surface, θ = 90
Total Hydrostatic Force on Curved Surfaces

Let us consider a curved surface AB sub-merged in a static liquid as displayed here in
following figure.
Figure 1.6.3 Curved surface sub-merged in a static liquid

Let us consider one small strip area dA at a depth of h from free surface of liquid. We
have following data from above figure.
A = Total area of curved surface

ρ = Density of the liquid
g = Acceleration due to gravity
Pressure intensity on small area dA = ρ g h

Hydrostatic force on small area dA will be given by following formula as mentioned

here.
dF= ρ g h x dA
Direction of this hydrostatic force will be normal to the curved surface and will vary
from point to point. Therefore, in order to secure the value of total hydrostatic force we
will not integrate the above equation.
We will secure the value or expression for total hydrostatic force on curved surface by
resolving the force dF in its two components or we can say that dF force will be
resolved in X direction i.e. dFx and in Y direction i.e. dFy.
dFx = dF Sin θ = ρ g h x dA Sin θ

dFy = dF Cos θ = ρ g h x dA Cos θ
Total force in X- direction and in Y- direction will be given as mentioned here.
Let us analyze the above equation

FG will be dA Sin θ or vertical projection of area dA. Therefore, the expression for Fx
will be total pressure force on the projected area of the curved surface on the vertical
plane.
Fx = Total pressure force on the projected area of the curved surface on the vertical
plane
EG will be dA Cos θ or horizontal projection of dA. Therefore, the expression for Fy

will be the weight of the liquid contained between the curved surface extended up to
free surface of liquid.
Fy = Weight of the liquid contained between the curved surface extended up to free
surface of liquid

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ROHINI COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING & TECHNOLOGY

1.6 FORCES ON PLANES

Figure 1.6.1 Vertical plane Immersed surface

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g = Acceleration due to gravity (m/s2)

Unit of total pressure

Derivation of Centre of Pressure

As we have shown above in figure, total hydrostatic force F is applied at centre of

CE8302 FLUID MECHANICS

Figure 1.6.2 Inclined Immersed surface

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Let us consider that we have following data from above figure.

For a vertical plane submerged surface, θ = 90

Total Hydrostatic Force on Curved Surfaces

Figure 1.6.3 Curved surface sub-merged in a static liquid

A = Total area of curved surface

Pressure intensity on small area dA = ρ g h

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Hydrostatic force on small area dA will be given by following formula as mentioned

dFx = dF Sin θ = ρ g h x dA Sin θ

Total force in X- direction and in Y- direction will be given as mentioned here.

Let us analyze the above equation

EG will be dA Cos θ or horizontal projection of dA. Therefore, the expression for Fy

CE8302 FLUID MECHANICS

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