How to Calculate the Force Exerted by Water on a Hinged Gate?

[sita]

Homework Statement

http://www.pictureshoster.com/thumbnails/fzfnh5lyl6epxx11dmp_thumb.jpg

the gate is connected by a hinge at point A and a force holds it shut at point C

water density $$\rho$$=1000 kg/m$$^{3}$$

width of the gate is 1m (into page)

Homework Equations

F = $$\sqrt{F_{h}^{2} + F_{v}^{2}}$$
F = $$\rho$$ghA

The Attempt at a Solution

i'm guessing to find the force due to the water i have to look at the horizontal and vertical components.. but i haven't had an example before where the gate isn't just one straight line! nor one with water under the gate.. so I'm a bit lost as to what to do?

thanks for the help

 

[Q_Goest]

Hi sita,
Welcome to the board. Do you know how to find the resultant normal force on each section? You have 3 sections, so reduce the force on each section to a single resultant force. Once you do that, you can find moments around a single point as well as sum forces vertically and horizontally. Does that help?