Practical 1.1 - Hydrostatics

The aim of this experiment is to demonstrate the principles of hydrostatic forces on submerged planes.

Lock gates, such as this one from Blanchetown, South Australia, are an example of where it may be necessary to calculate such hydrostatic forces.

But how do you calculate such pressure measurements?

In this experiment, you will combine your mechanics knowledge, with what you know about hydrostatic forces, to determine the moment generated by water pressure in three different tanks (bays) with rectangular, circular and triangular gates.

The pressure on a submerged surface (in this case a gate) creates a distributed load, which can be considered to be an equivalent point load (single force) acting through the centre of pressure.

By converting the distributed load to an equivalent single force, and knowing the location where that force acts on the surface, you can determine the moment generated by the water pressure.

Watch this short video of the locks operating on the Panama Canal.