Pressure Distribution in a Fluid at Rest.

The Hydrostatic Pressure

Summary








Pressure in a fluid at rest.

Resultant of the pressure forces acting on a fluid
element.
The equation of Hydrostatics.
Pressure distribution in a fluid at rest.
Measurement of pressure with manometers.
Examples.

The Concept of Pressure

Fluid at rest.

There are no tangential stresses

Normal stresses are identical

Fluid in motion


Stress state

xx

xy
xz

xy = xz = yx = yz = zx = zy = 0
xx = yy = zz = p
yx
yy
yz

zx

zy
zz

Mechanical definition of pressure:

Average of the normal stresses. Positive for the compression state

1
p = ( xx + yy + zz )
3

Pressure Force on a Surface Element

n
Elementary pressure force on a
surface:

dA

dF = pndA

dF
The pressure force acts perpendicular to the surface in the direction
opposing the normal

Absolute and Relative Pressures

The pressure may be given with respect to the vacuum pressure (absolute
zero): Absolute pressure.
The pressure may be given with respect to the local atmospheric pressure
(relative zero): Relative pressure.
prel = pabs patm

The relative pressure in A is positive. The relative pressure in B is negative.

Pressure force on a fluid element

Pressure is a function of position and time

p = p ( x, y , z , t )

Resultant force from the pressure forces

acting on the faces of the element:

Along x:
Along y:
Along z:

p
p
dx)dydz = dxdydz
x
x
p
p
dFy = pdxdz ( p + dy )dxdz = dxdydz
y
y
p
p
dFz = pdxdy ( p + dz )dxdy = dxdydz
z
z
dFx = pdydz ( p +

Pressure force on a fluid element (2)

Pressure is a function of position and time

p = p ( x, y , z , t )

Resultant force from the pressure forces

acting on the faces of the element:

dF = dFx i + dFy j + dFz k =
p
p
p

( i +
j + k )dxdydz
x
y
z
Force per unit volume

fp =

dF
p
p
p

= ( i +
j + k ) = p grad p
dxdydz
x
y
z

Pressure Distribution in a Fluid at Rest

Hydrostatic Pressure
Fluid at rest:
Resultant force acting on the element is zero:
Surface forces: Pressure forces
Resultant of the pressure forces per unit volume:

f p = p

Body Forces: Gravtational Forces

Resultant of the gravitational forces per unit volume:
Acceleration of gravity:
Equilibrium equation:

g,

f g = g

g = g = 9.81 m/s 2


p + g = 0

p = g

Pressure Distribution in a Fluid at Rest

Hydrostatic Pressure
z
Equation for hydrostatic equilibrium :

p = g

If the zz axis of the cartesian coordinate system is

defined positive pointing upwards

g = gk
Cartesian components :

p = gk
p
= 0,
x

p
= 0,
y

p
= g
z

The surfaces of constant pressure are horizontal planes

Hydrostatic pressure distribution

g

dp
= g
dz

k


i

j

Pressure Distribution in a Fluid at Rest

Hydrostatic Pressure
dp
= g =
dz

Hydrostatic pressure distribution equation:

Specific weight:
Integration:

p0

g

= g
z

p = p0 gdz

Pressure at point

z0

k


i

z0

Difference in pressure between points 1 and 2

z2

z2

z1

z1

p2 p1 = gdz = dz
The pressure distribution as function of the ordinate z depends on the
function (z) of specific weight.

j

Pressure Distribution in a Fluid at Rest

Constant density
z

p = p0 gdz

Hydrostatic pressure distribution equation:

Constant density (and specific weight):

z0

= g

h
Integration:

p = p0 g ( z z0 ) = p0 ( z z0 )

Difference in pressure between points 1 and 2

p2 p1 = g ( z2 z1 ) = ( z2 z1 )
Introducing the difference in depth h

k


i

j

z1

z2

g

h = z1 z2

p2 p1 = gh = h
The pressure difference is equal to the weight of the fluid column between the
two levels with a unit area on the base.

Pressure Distribution in a Fluid at Rest

Constant density
Hydrostatic pressure distribution equation:

p = p0 g ( z z0 )

Piezometric pressure is constant:

p + gz = p0 + gz0 = const
This equation expresses conservation of energy in a fluid at
rest: the pressure energy per unit volume + gravitational
potential energy per unit volume is constant
The energy equation per unit weight:
Piezometric head =

p
+ z = const
g
Level

Pressure head

Pressure Distribution in a Fluid at Rest

Stratified Fluid
Pressure distribution:

p
p
= 0,
= 0,
x
y

p
= g
z
= ( x, y , z )

Variable density depending on the position:

2

Differentiating with respect to x and y:

= g
=0
xz
x
Hydrostatic equilibrium is only possible if
= ( z )

2 p

= g
=0
yz
y
p = p( z )

Constant pressure and constant density

surfaces are horizontal planes
2

p2 p1 = g ( z )dz
1

The pressure difference requires the knowledge of the density distribution

Pressure Measurement with a Manometer

p1 + 1 g (h1 h2 ) = p2 + 1 g (h4 h3 ) + 2 g (h3 h2 )
p1 + 1 g (h1 h2 ) 2 g ( h3 h2 ) 1 g ( h4 h3 ) = p2

p2 = p1 (2 1 ) g (h3 h2 ) + 1 g (h1 h4 )

Se:

h1 = h4

p1 p2 = (2 1 ) g (h3 h2 )

Pressure Measurement with a Manometer

Example

Pressure difference:
Air (1) and water (2):

pa pb = (2 1 ) gh

1 = 1.2 kg/m3 2 = 1000 kg/m3

h = 0.10 m

pa pb = (1000 1.2) kg/m3 9.81 m/s 2 0.10 m = 978.8 Pa

Water (1) and mercury (2): 1 = 1000 kg/m3

2 = 13600 kg/m3

h = 0.10 m

pa pb = (13600 1000) kg/m3 9.81 m/s 2 0.10 m = 12348 Pa

Hydrostatic. Pressure Distribution.

Manometry

Bibliography


Sections 2.1 to 2.4 and 2.6.1 to 2.6.3 (3rd edio) L.

A. Oliveira e A.G. Lopes
Sections 2.1 to 2.4 of Fluid Mechanics (6th ed.) White.