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FLUID STATICS
Learning Objectives
1). To evaluate the hydrostatic pressure loading acting on
a body that is immersed in a liquid.
2). To determine the resultant of a given line, pressure, or
body load on a submerged body and to evaluate the
reaction acting on the body that carries such a load.
3). To do an engineering estimate of the equivalent loading.
Assumptions
1). The liquid is incompressible, (i.e., = constant).
2). The hydrostatic pressure loading always acts normal to
any submerged surface, regardless of orientation.
3). The hydrostatic (gage) pressure at a point in a liquid is
proportional to the depth “h” below the free surface.
Hydrostatic Pressure Distribution
p = hydrostatic (gage) pressure (pgage = pabs – patm)
= density of the liquid
g = acceleration of gravity
h = height below the free surface of the liquid
p = ρgh
