Civil Engineering PE

Answer: C - The approximate hydrostatic pressure at the bottom of a fully submerged 5-foot wall is 937.5 pounds/foot of wall.

Solution: Use the triangular loading method to determine hydrostatic pressure

Given, 1 cubic foot of water = 62.5 pounds

Pressure (load) at water surface = 0

Step 1: Hydrostatic pressure at base of wall (5’ deep)

= 62.5 pounds/cubic foot (pcf) *5 feet = 375 pounds/square foot (psf)

Step 2: Total load = ½ bh

= ½ (5 feet)(375 psf) = 937.5 pounds/foot