Experiment No: 03

ETSC 3142 – FLUID MECHANICS

STUDY OF CENTER OF PRESSURE

Name: A.M.T.N. Abeykoon

Index No: 179003
Degree: Bachelor of engineering Technology
Department: Department of Construction
Technology
Level and semester: Level 3 semester 1
Date of submission: 08 October 2020
Introduction : This equipment allows the moment caused by a fluid thrust on a wholly or partially
submerged plane surface to be measured directly. This surface can be tilted. A PVC
quadrant is hinged on a shaft pivoted on knife edges which coincide with the
quadrant center. The quadrant position is adjustable relative to a balance arm such
that the submerged plane surface can be tilted by changing the lock pin position. A
depth scale is indicated on the quadrant. When the quadrant is immersed in water,
there are hydrostatic forces. The balance arm has an adjustable counter balance and
weights with a hanger. The quadrant is mounted on top of a clear acrylic tank which
allows water to be admitted and drained to required level by a valve. The tank rests
on adjustable footing and a bull’s eye level is provided.

Experiment 2 : Study of center of pressure

Objective : To study center of pressure in experimental way and compare experimental and
theoretical center of pressure.
Apparatus : Tilting submerged quadrant

Experiment Procedure:
1) Adjust the level of the equipment by the bull's eye level indicator on the base of the tank.
2) Install the quadrant and set at the inclined angle as required. (60, 70, 80 or 90 degrees) using
the lock pin.
3) Locate the empty weight hanger in the groove at the end of the balance arm and adjust the
position of the counter balance weight Wo (when no water in the tank) until the arm is in
balance and level.
4) Fill water up above the upper edge of the quadrant end to about almost full position. (Causing
the imbalance of the arm)
5) Slowly add weight Won the hanger and adjust the weight W until the arm is again level (the
level is at the pointer). If the weights are too large, remove the weight(s) until the arm is
balance. In case of the arm level is over the pointer (between pointer and upper stopper),
slowly decrease water level by open the drain valve until the arm is level.
6) Record the water depth (or distance P) together with weight of W.
7) Change the water level in the tank in steps of various depths by draining water from the tank
and repeat step 5 to step 6 until water level in the tank is about half of the height of the
quadrant end rectangular section.
8) Calculate y, to determine the position of the center of pressure by using equation (5) or (7) as
may be the case.
 9) Compare the center of pressure obtained from the test in step 8 with the theoretical value in
equation (1).
Sample calculation:
Water level is above the upper edge of the quadrant lower end.
For Test No 1 for the inclined for the inclined angle of 800
Weight ( W ) = 5.30N,
Inclined angle (θ) = 800
Water level (P) = 185.00mm

yp.exp = P – 0.2 m - + 0.10 0.28m ×

mtan θ W
73.56N
sin θ
m × ( 0.10
P- m
tan θ
-

0.10
0.05 m )
0.28m × 5.3
= 0.185 m – 0.2 m - +
mtan N
80 73.56N
sin 80
m × ( 0.10
0.185 m
m-
tan θ
- 0.05 m )
Result and Discussion:

1) Discuss importance of using the counter balance weight.

2) Discuss the change of center of pressure and the pressure distribution over the rectangular area
when the depth of water to the rectangular area increases.
3) Discuss the difficulties faced during the practical.
4) Discuss the causes of errors of the readings.
1) Discuss the difficulties faced during the practical.
 Air bubbles are inside in tube. The air in the tube we can’t get actual pressure
reading. Tube are must filed with water.
 Must level the instrument before doing practical.
 We can’t get small adjustments form this presser tester measurement.
 The gauge will tend to read lower values when the pressure is increasing than when
decreasing.
 The gauge tested here has not more than 1kN/m2 of this kind of error.

2) Discuss the cause of errors of the reading.

 There is the graduation error due to the scale being marked off incorrectly.
 Higher accuracy is available for accurate work.
 same small air bubble in the tubes.
 The instrument not in level.
 Friction between cylinder and piston.
 Manufacturing error.

3) Explain Pascal’s Law of transmission of pressure and how the dead weight pressure transmits to
pressure gauge

 Pascal’s law states that an increase it he pressures on one of the surfaces enclosing
a fluid will be transmitted as an undiminished increase in pressure to all parts of the
fluid. this means for our hydraulic press at right that one hundred newton exerting
over one square meter can hold up four hundred newtons over four square meter.
Due to the weight, the piston moves downwards and exerts a pressure P on the
fluid. Now the valve in the apparatus is opened so that the fluid pressure P
is transmitted to the gauge, which makes the gauge indicate a pressure value.

4) What do you mean by calibration of a pressure gauge and discuss its importance?

 The accuracy of pressure measurement and its reliability are of prime importance
to all major industries. Therefore, the selection of proper measuring instrument and
their periodic calibration are very importance. Regular calibration of pressure
gauges is important because these being mechanical instruments, they are prone
to drifting off due to mechanical stress. Calibration of pressure gauges is a crucial
process and should be done with utmost care preferably by calibration experts.
Basic pressure gauge calibration is the comparison of measurement values of a unit
under test (your gauge) with those of a more accurate calibrated reference
instrument. The purpose of calibration is to maintain the quality and accuracy of
measurement and to ensure the proper working of a particular instrument.