Calculating Force to Open a Door with 60 Pascal Pressure

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around calculating the force required to open a door subjected to a pressure of 60 pascals. Participants explore the theoretical and practical aspects of the calculation, including the dimensions of the door and the mechanics involved in applying force at the handle.

Discussion Character

  • Technical explanation
  • Mathematical reasoning
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant states the area of the door is 2 m² and suggests using the formula Force = Area × ΔPressure to find the force acting on the door.
  • Another participant mentions the importance of considering moment equilibrium at the door's hinge and notes that the calculation only applies at the initial moment before the door starts to rotate.
  • Some participants express uncertainty about the effect of pressure on the center versus the centroid of the door, with one participant suggesting that the centroid is more relevant.
  • There is a request for a simplified calculation to clarify the process of determining the force needed to open the door.
  • A participant calculates the force as 120 Pa and converts it to 12 kg of force, while noting that this does not account for the mechanics of a second class lever.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants generally agree on the basic approach to calculating the force but express differing views on the specifics of the calculations and the mechanics involved. The discussion remains unresolved regarding the exact application of pressure and the implications of lever mechanics.

Contextual Notes

There are limitations in the discussion, including assumptions about the pressure distribution and the simplifications made in the calculations. The discussion does not resolve the complexities introduced by fluid dynamics once the door begins to move.

LeeH
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Please can one of you brainy people out there help me. I need to work out the force to open a door when there is a 60pascal pressure acting against it.

The size of the door is 1000mm wide x 2000mm high.
The differential Pressure is 60 pascals
The handle is 70mm away from the leading edge of the door.

Ideally I need the calculation so I do the calc myself on future projects.

I did find the attached documents, just not fully sure what figures to use where.

Any help would be much appreciated.
 
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The area of the door is:
A = 2 m2
Force = A [tex]\Delta[/tex]p​
This force acts at the center of the door.
Now that you have a force and its point of application, you can calculate the value of the counteracting force at the handle.

Hint: consider moment equilibrium at the door's hinge.

P.S.
It only works at the time zero, before the door starts to rotate. After that, the air starts to leak in (or out) and things get quite nasty, involving a 3D fluid dynamics.
 
I agree with the last post, but If there is a handle to open too you will have more than one equation, first torque times distance to open the handle and then... carry on with the last comment unless I have missed the point. Also I don't thing think the pressure will effect the center of the door, but the centroid of the door. But what do I know I am just a dumb college student.
 
Guys, thanks for all your help so far, but I am still unsure what the force to open my door is. Could one of you spell it out for me in very simple terms and do the calculation so I can see what the answer is and how to do it.

Thanks
 
pidfire said:
Also I don't thing think the pressure will effect the center of the door, but the centroid of the door.

Most doors are rectangular, some are round - in both cases centers are in the same point. So while you are in general right, it doesn't matter.
 
LeeH said:
Guys, thanks for all your help so far, but I am still unsure what the force to open my door is. Could one of you spell it out for me in very simple terms and do the calculation so I can see what the answer is and how to do it.

You need to calculate force acting on the door - that is, pressure times surface area. Then you have a second class lever at work.
 
Okay, so

A = 2 m2
Force = A (delta)p

Force = 2 x 60
Force = 120Pa

If 10 Pascals is equivalent of 1Kg of force /M2

Force = 12Kg (to open door - exluding application of second class lever)
 

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