SUMMARY
The center of pressure (COP) for a completely submerged vertical plate is located at a depth of 2b/3 from the free surface when the top edge of the plate is at the water surface. As the plate sinks, the center of pressure shifts towards the centroid of the plate, reaching b/2 when fully submerged. The calculations provided confirm that the center of pressure is accurately determined using the formula yp = s + b/2 + b²/(12(s+b/2)), resulting in a depth of 8.61m for a plate with a height of b = 1.2m and s = 8m.
PREREQUISITES
- Understanding of hydrostatic forces and pressure distribution
- Familiarity with the concept of center of pressure (COP)
- Knowledge of submerged surfaces and their calculations
- Ability to apply mathematical equations related to fluid mechanics
NEXT STEPS
- Study the derivation of the center of pressure formula for submerged surfaces
- Learn about the implications of varying submerged depths on hydrostatic pressure
- Explore applications of center of pressure in engineering design and safety assessments
- Review case studies involving submerged vertical surfaces in fluid mechanics
USEFUL FOR
Students of fluid mechanics, civil engineers, and professionals involved in hydraulic design and analysis will benefit from this discussion on the center of pressure for submerged surfaces.
