Calculating Force & Pressure for a Reservoir Gate

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around calculating the force required to open a hinged semi-circular gate on a reservoir and determining the depth to the center of pressure. The context includes theoretical and mathematical reasoning related to fluid mechanics and pressure distribution.

Discussion Character

  • Technical explanation
  • Mathematical reasoning
  • Homework-related

Main Points Raised

  • One participant describes a scenario involving a reservoir with a maximum water depth of 10 meters and a hinged gate with a radius of 1 meter, seeking help with calculations.
  • Another participant suggests calculating the pressure distribution on the gate to determine the force required to open it.
  • A participant expresses uncertainty about calculating the area due to missing measurements but later claims to have calculated the area as 1.571.
  • There is a mention of the second moment of area for the semi-circular surface, with a participant attempting to apply it to their calculations.
  • One participant proposes that the force required to open the gate could be calculated using the formula pgh, substituting values for pressure, gravitational acceleration, and depth.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants do not appear to reach a consensus on the calculations, with some expressing confusion about the steps involved and others providing differing approaches to the problem.

Contextual Notes

Participants mention various measurements and calculations, but there are unresolved aspects regarding the application of formulas and the interpretation of the area and pressure distribution.

adzp
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hi guys.

got another question for ya.
.......

flu1.jpg


seems to of uploaded small but i explain.

a reservoir is designed to retain water to a max depth of 10metres. if the water level exceeds 10 metres, then a hinged semi circle gate will open to release any excess water. the gate has a radius of 1m. the gate is hinged 9 metres below the free surface.

what would be the force required to open gate?

what is the depth from the free surface to the the centre of pressure.

.......

i know the second moment of area of a semi circular surface is 0.1102R4

but not sure how to complete the question. help with working out the answer would be much appraicated so i can work back on the answer and see how to get it.

thanks
adzp
 
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In a general sense, you need to calculate the pressure distribution on the gate. From there, using the hinge location, you can use the area to calculate a force on the gate.
 
i can't calculate the area as i do not know all the measurements

or how would i do this?

thanks
adzp
 
You know the radius of the gate. That's all you need.
 
hi

i have worked out the area and it is 1.571

once i have got the area of the gate, then how to i calculate the force required to open it?

thanks

adzp
 
the 2nd moment of area Ig about axis through centroid is 0.1102Rto the power of 4

so that would be 0.1102 x 1.571 to the power of 4 which is 0.272?

still confused where to go next

adzp
 
would the force required to open gate be pgh

1000 x 9.81 x 10?

therefore be 98100 pa?

adzp
 

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