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Resultant force on curved surface ABCDE (S = 1.1)

Short answer

With γ = 10.79 kN/m³, horizontal force on 6 m vertical projection is 3884.8 kN; vertical force (water weight above) is 7584.3 kN. Resultant 8521 kN at 62.9° below horizontal.

Find the resultant pressure force on curved surface ABCDE due to liquid with specific gravity S = 1.1, take length of the curved surface (normal to the paper) as 20 m. [Figure: free surface at A; surface goes from A down to B (4 m horizontal), curved portions with 2 m marked near B-C and C-D, then straight to E on the ground; 4 m vertical and 4 m horizontal dimensions at the bottom]

The horizontal component of the force equals the force on the vertical projection of the surface; the vertical component equals the weight of liquid vertically above the surface up to the free surface.

Assumed geometry (the figure is not fully clear): A is at the free surface, AB is a vertical wall 4 m high, BC is a quarter circle of radius 2 m (concave upward), and CDE is a horizontal bed 4 m long at 6 m depth. S=1.1S = 1.1, L=20L = 20 m, γ=9.81×1.1=10.79\gamma = 9.81\times 1.1 = 10.79 kN/m³.

 A |~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~  free surface
   |
   | 4 m
 B |
    \   R = 2 m
     '-.
 C ------ D ------ E   (depth 6 m)
   |<---- 4 m ---->|

Horizontal component (vertical projection = 6 m, free surface to the bed):

FH=γ h22 L=10.79×622×20=3884.8 kN\begin{aligned} F_H &= \gamma\,\frac{h^2}{2}\,L = 10.79\times\frac{6^2}{2}\times 20\\ &= 3884.8\ \text{kN} \end{aligned}

Vertical component (area of liquid above the surface, per metre length):

  • Above arc BC: the depth of the arc below the free surface is 4+R2−(x−2)24 + \sqrt{R^2-(x-2)^2}, so the area is a 2×42\times 4 rectangle plus the quarter disc of area πR2/4=π\pi R^2/4 = \pi: 8+π=11.148 + \pi = 11.14 m²
  • Above bed CE: 4×6=244\times 6 = 24 m²
Atotal=8+π+24=35.14 m2FV=γAtotalL=10.79×35.14×20=7584.3 kN\begin{aligned} A_{total} &= 8 + \pi + 24 = 35.14\ \text{m}^2\\ F_V &= \gamma A_{total} L = 10.79\times 35.14\times 20 = 7584.3\ \text{kN} \end{aligned}

Resultant

F=3884.82+7584.32=8521.3 kNθ=tan⁡−17584.33884.8=62.9∘ below the horizontal\begin{aligned} F &= \sqrt{3884.8^2 + 7584.3^2} = 8521.3\ \text{kN}\\ \theta &= \tan^{-1}\frac{7584.3}{3884.8} = 62.9^\circ \text{ below the horizontal} \end{aligned}

Answer: F≈8521F \approx 8521 kN (8.52 MN), at 62.9∘62.9^\circ to the horizontal; FH=3884.8F_H = 3884.8 kN, FV=7584.3F_V = 7584.3 kN (downward).

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