Hydraulics Lab. Civil Eng. Dept., Taif University Dr. Tarek Tahawy Page 1
Experiment No. 1
Hydrostatic Force on
a Submerged Surface.
1. Objective
1. The purpose of this experiment is to experimentally locate the center of
pressure of a vertical submerged plane surface.
2. The experimental measurement is compared with a theoretical prediction.
2. Apparatus
Figure 1.1 is a sketch of the device used to measure the center of pressure on a
submerged vertical surface. It consists of an annular sector of solid material
attached to a balance beam. When the device is properly balanced the face of
the sector that is not attached to the beam is directly below (coplanar) with the
pivot axis. The solid sector and the balance beam are supported above a tank of
water.
Figure 1.1 Apparatus for measuring the location of the center of pressure
Figure 1.2 Detailed nomenclature for locating the center of
pressure
