Item Description

Study of net force due to pressure on a submerged surface and the concept of center of pressure are of importance in fluid mechanics and hydraulics engineering. This understanding is important for the design of several structures and hydraulic equipment such as dams, ship building, maritime structures and other underwater bodies. The Sci-tech Hydrostatic Force & Center of Pressure Apparatus Model FM 08 demonstrates various principles of hydrostatics and is an important experimental set-up necessary for any Fluid Mechanics and Hydraulics Laboratory of an educational institution.

The Sci-tech Hydrostatic Force & Center of Pressure apparatus Model FM 08 has been designed to enable students’ measure the net hydrostatic force and the center of pressure on a submerged plane surface. The apparatus consists of a quadrant fixed to the balance arm. The balance arm is pivoted at the knife edge on the centerline of the quadrant. The quadrant is immersed in the Perspex water tank having an integral flat base.

The base of the water tank has levelling screws for accurate leveling. The balance arm is placed above the water tank and the quadrant is balanced by the adjustable counter- balance such that the rectangular end face of the quadrant is always vertical.

When the quadrant is submerged in water, the arrangement is such that only the forces acting on the rectangular end face produces a moment around the knife edge axis. The system of beam level indicator, balance pan and the adjustable counterbalance on the balance arm provide the necessary arrangement for the measurement of the resultant hydrostatic force and the center of pressure on the rectangular end face of the quadrant.

Water can be poured into the tank and may be drained through the drain cock at the base of the tank. Water level scale is provided on the side face of the quadrant. Experiments can be carried out for both partially and fully submerged cases by varying the water level in the tank. The FM100 Hydraulic Bench or  any other standard hydraulic bench models can be used to supply water

The Sci-tech Hydrostatic Force & Center of Pressure apparatus is an important experimental set-up for any Fluid Mechanics and Hydraulics Laboratory of an educational institution

OPTION:

‘Sci-Cal’ Computer Based Learning Software is included to enable students understand and conduct experiments, tabulate results and plot graphs.