Calculating Fluid Force on a Circular Pressure Release Gate in a Dam

Click For Summary
SUMMARY

The discussion focuses on calculating the total fluid force acting on a circular pressure release gate in a dam, specifically one with a radius of 2 meters positioned 5 meters below the water surface. Participants clarify the integration process using the equations for area and pressure, specifically Area = 2√(4 - y²) dy and Pressure = pg(5 + y). The correct limits of integration are emphasized as being from -2 to 2 to account for the entire gate, rather than just the top half. The importance of using consistent variable notation and applying trigonometric identities in the integration process is also discussed.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of fluid mechanics principles, specifically fluid force calculations.
  • Familiarity with calculus, particularly integration techniques.
  • Knowledge of trigonometric identities and their applications in integration.
  • Experience with pressure calculations in fluid systems.
NEXT STEPS
  • Study the derivation of fluid force equations in fluid mechanics.
  • Learn advanced integration techniques, including substitution and integration by parts.
  • Explore trigonometric identities and their applications in calculus.
  • Review examples of pressure calculations on submerged surfaces in engineering contexts.
USEFUL FOR

This discussion is beneficial for engineering students, particularly those specializing in civil or mechanical engineering, as well as professionals involved in hydraulic design and fluid dynamics analysis.

Nyasha
Messages
127
Reaction score
0

Homework Statement


A circular "pressure release gate" is located in the vertical face of a dam. The radius of the gate is 2 metres and the gate is positioned so that its top lies 5 metres below the surface of the water held in the reservoir behind the dam.Find the total fluid force acting on the door of the gate, when it is in a fully closed position.


Homework Equations


Area= 2\sqrt{4-x^2} dy

Pressure = pg(5+x)

The Attempt at a Solution


F= pg∫ 2\sqrt{4-x^2} (5+x) dy
 
Physics news on Phys.org
Nyasha said:
F= pg∫ 2\sqrt{4-x^2} (5+x) dy

Hi Nyasha! :smile:

(have a square-root: √ and a rho: ρ :wink:)

almost right :smile:, but the area of the slice is 2√(4 - y2) dy, at depth 5+y :wink:
 
I don't see your point, tiny-tim. There is no coordinate system given with the problem. It perfectly legitimate to set up a coordinate system in which x is vertical.

pg\int_0^2 2\sqrt{4- x^2}(5+x)dx is exactly the same as pg\int_0^2 2\sqrt{4- y^2}(5+y)dy
 
HallsofIvy said:
I don't see your point, tiny-tim. There is no coordinate system given with the problem. It perfectly legitimate to set up a coordinate system in which x is vertical.

pg\int_0^2 2\sqrt{4- x^2}(5+x)dx is exactly the same as pg\int_0^2 2\sqrt{4- y^2}(5+y)dy

erm … the point is you can't use x and y at the same time! :wink:

(i assume that's why Nyasha was puzzled about how to integrate)
 
HallsofIvy said:
I don't see your point, tiny-tim. There is no coordinate system given with the problem. It perfectly legitimate to set up a coordinate system in which x is vertical.

pg\int_0^2 2\sqrt{4- x^2}(5+x)dx is exactly the same as pg\int_0^2 2\sqrt{4- y^2}(5+y)dy

If my integration is correct then how do l further simplify this integration using the area of a disk of radius "R" where x=Rsinθ and dx=Rcosθ and a simple symmetry argument
 
Nyasha said:
If my integration is correct then how do l further simplify this integration using the area of a disk of radius "R" where x=Rsinθ and dx=Rcosθ and a simple symmetry argument

Make the substitution and see!

What do you get? :smile:
 
tiny-tim said:
Make the substitution and see!

What do you get? :smile:

I get :


<br /> pg\int_0^2 2\sqrt{4- R^2sin\theta^2}(5+Rsin\theta)Rcosd\theta<br />


From here l don't know how to further simplify this
 
Nyasha said:
<br /> pg\int_0^2 2\sqrt{4- R^2sin\theta^2}(5+Rsin\theta)Rcosd\theta<br />

… and now put R = 2 … :rolleyes:

(oh, and you haven't substituted the limits)
 
tiny-tim said:
… and now put R = 2 … :rolleyes:

(oh, and you haven't substituted the limits)


<br /> <br /> pg\int_0^2 2\sqrt{4- 4sin\theta^2}(5+2sin\theta)2cosd\theta<br /> <br />


I am not supposed to multiple this integral by two using the symmetry argument
 
  • #10
Nyasha said:
<br /> <br /> pg\int_0^2 2\sqrt{4- 4sin\theta^2}(5+2sin\theta)2cosd\theta<br /> <br />


I am not supposed to multiple this integral by two using the symmetry argument

Nyasha, you still haven't changed the limits of integration …

and what is √(4 - 4sin2θ) ?
 
  • #11
tiny-tim said:
Nyasha, you still haven't changed the limits of integration …

and what is √(4 - 4sin2θ) ?


<br /> <br /> <br /> pg\int_0^4 2\sqrt{4- 4sin\theta^2}(5+2sin\theta)2cosd\theta<br /> <br /> <br />


What am l supposed to do with √(4 - 4sin2θ) ? I'm l supposed to use some trig identity
 
  • #12
If x = 2sinθ, and x goes from 0 to 2, what does θ go from?

And you must learn your trignonometric identities … what is 1 - sin2θ?
 
  • #13
tiny-tim said:
If x = 2sinθ, and x goes from 0 to 2, what does θ go from?

And you must learn your trignonometric identities … what is 1 - sin2θ?


<br /> <br /> <br /> pg\int_0^2 {4\cos\theta}(5+2sin\theta)2cosd\theta<br /> <br /> <br />


The limit of the integral is from 0 to π/2. I don't know how to put it into the integral using Latex source code.


<br /> <br /> pg\int_0^2 ({20\cos\theta +8\cos\theta\sin\theta})2cosd\theta<br /> <br /> <br /> <br />

Is 8\cos\theta\sin\theta} = sin(8\theta) ?<br />
 
  • #14
nyasha1 said:
<br /> <br /> <br /> pg\int_0^2 {4\cos\theta}(5+2sin\theta)2cosd\theta<br /> <br /> <br />


The limit of the integral is from 0 to π/2. I don't know how to put it into the integral using Latex source code.


<br /> <br /> pg\int_0^2 ({20\cos\theta +8\cos\theta\sin\theta})2cosd\theta<br /> <br /> <br /> <br />

Is 8\cos\theta\sin\theta} = sin(8\theta) ?<br />

Hi nyasha! :smile:

(you can put π/2 into the integral with ^{\pi /2} :wink:)

You don't like undoing those brackets, do you? :rolleyes:

It's a combination of cos2θ and cos2θsinθ.

No, sin2θ = 2sinθcosθ, but it doesn't work for sin8θ.

btw, going back to the original integral, it would have been simpler to just integrate x√(4 - x2) and √(4 - x2) separately, without substituting …

and shouldn't the limits have been -2 to +2? :smile:
 
  • #15
tiny-tim said:
Hi nyasha! :smile:

(you can put π/2 into the integral with ^{\pi /2} :wink:)

You don't like undoing those brackets, do you? :rolleyes:

It's a combination of cos2θ and cos2θsinθ.

No, sin2θ = 2sinθcosθ, but it doesn't work for sin8θ.

btw, going back to the original integral, it would have been simpler to just integrate x√(4 - x2) and √(4 - x2) separately, without substituting …

and shouldn't the limits have been -2 to +2? :smile:


If we integrate x√(4 - x2) and √(4 - x2) separately then do we need x=Rsinθ. The question says in order to evaluate the integral l will need the use the formula of disk of radius "R" where x=Rsinθ.

How did you get your limits to be -2 to +2 ?

pg\int_0^{\pi /2} {4\cos\theta}(5+2sin\theta)2cosd\theta<br /> <br /> <br /> <br />Is this integral correct ?
 
Last edited:
  • #16
FluidForce.jpg


According to the solutions manual when l evaluate one of my integrals l should get zero. What am l doing wrong on this question ? Please help.
 
  • #17
Hi Nyasha! :smile:

Your integral (from 0 to 2) is only over the top half of the gate …

you need to integrate from -2 to 2.
 
  • #18
tiny-tim said:
Hi Nyasha! :smile:

Your integral (from 0 to 2) is only over the top half of the gate …

you need to integrate from -2 to 2.


I used the symmetry argument so that l could integrate from 0 to 2 and then multiply it by two. Is that correct ?
 
  • #19
Well, it would be … if it wasn't for the (5 + y).

(in physical terms: the pressure on the bottom half of the gate is obviously more than on the top half)
 
  • #20
tiny-tim said:
Well, it would be … if it wasn't for the (5 + y).

(in physical terms: the pressure on the bottom half of the gate is obviously more than on the top half)


Thanks very much tiny-tim it now makes perfect sense.
 

Similar threads

Replies
20
Views
2K
  • · Replies 29 ·
Replies
29
Views
4K
Replies
1
Views
2K
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
3K
  • · Replies 77 ·
3
Replies
77
Views
14K
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
2K
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
1K
Replies
1
Views
2K
  • · Replies 7 ·
Replies
7
Views
2K
  • · Replies 11 ·
Replies
11
Views
7K