Fluid Statics: Find vertical and horizontal forces in tank

In summary, the tank shown in the figure is filled with water and fastened to the ground. It has a small opening at the top of the semi-spherical part. The horizontal force on the screws is zero due to the cancellation of forces from the cylindrical part of the tank. The vertical force on the screws is determined by the spherical part only, with a magnitude of (1/3) ρgπR3. The height of the cylinder is not needed in the calculation as the force is perpendicular to it. The integration is from 0 to π/2 as the force is applied only in that region.
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zealeth
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Homework Statement



The tank shown in the figure is filled with water and fastened to the ground. There is a small opening on top of the semi-spherical part of the tank.
a) What is the magnitude of the horizontal force on the screws? Explain using a free body diagram.
b) Consider the proper area element (dA) and determine the vertical force in the screws. Assume the weight of the container can be neglected.

NWTyzCi.png


Homework Equations



p = ρ*g*h
FH = pc dA = ∫Ap dA
FV = ρg∀ or FV = dFy
(∀ = Volume)

The Attempt at a Solution


Note that you are only given what is seen in the image, and the tank is completely filled.

a) FH = pc * A = ∫p dA, p = ρgr, A = 1/2 π r2, dA = 2πr dr
0R 2ρgr2 dr = (ρgπR2)/4
I then incorrectly defined h in my free body diagram and used that to calculate FH for the lower part of the tank, which is apparently not needed.
The solution provided for this problem is that all FH will cancel out, so FH = 0 (this is the entirety of the solution provided, no other information was given). Why is this?

b) FV = ρg∀, ∀=(4/3)πR3 * (1/2) = 2/3πR3, FV = (2/3) ρgπR3. I came up with this solution after once again incorrectly defining h for the height of the cylinder part of the tank, but why is h not needed here? Why is there no vertical force in the screws from the cylinder?
The solution provided is seen below, with the correct answer being FV = (1/3) ρgπR3 (warning: large image). Why is the integration from 0 to π/2, and not 2*∫0π/2?
LoW2ntl.png

Any help is very much appreciated.
 
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  • #2
the cylinder is hollow and filled with water which applies a perpendicular horizontal force on it only . there is no vertical force due to the cylindrical water . net Horizontal force due to cylindrical part is zero as every small force dF applied on one side (say towards the right of the figure) is canceled out by the diametrically opposite side's dF of the same magnitude(that is the force towards the left ) .
hence force on screws will be determined by the spherical part only as it is given in the solution .

proton007007
 
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1. What is fluid statics?

Fluid statics is the branch of fluid mechanics that deals with the study of fluids at rest. It involves analyzing the behavior of fluids in containers or tanks that are not in motion.

2. How do you find the vertical forces in a tank?

To find the vertical forces in a tank, you need to consider the weight of the fluid and the pressure exerted by the fluid on the walls and bottom of the tank. The vertical forces in a tank can be calculated using the equation F = ρghA, where F is the vertical force, ρ is the density of the fluid, g is the acceleration due to gravity, h is the height of the fluid, and A is the cross-sectional area of the tank.

3. How do you find the horizontal forces in a tank?

The horizontal forces in a tank are caused by the pressure exerted by the fluid on the walls of the tank. These forces can be calculated using the equation F = P*A, where F is the horizontal force, P is the pressure, and A is the area of the wall that the pressure is acting on.

4. What factors can affect the horizontal and vertical forces in a tank?

The horizontal and vertical forces in a tank can be affected by factors such as the density of the fluid, the height of the fluid, the shape and size of the tank, and the acceleration due to gravity. Any changes in these factors can result in a change in the forces exerted by the fluid on the walls and bottom of the tank.

5. How can fluid statics be applied in real-life situations?

Fluid statics has various practical applications in engineering, such as in designing dams, bridges, and other structures that involve the use of large containers or tanks. It is also used in the study of buoyancy, stability of ships, and the behavior of fluids in pipes and pumps.

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