GERTC Hydraulics, Pneumatics, and Geotechnical Engineering (HPGE) Practice Test 2026 - Free HPGE Practice Questions and Study Guide

The calculation of hydraulic forces on submerged surfaces is primarily based on Bernoulli's principle, which describes the conservation of energy in fluid flow. This principle enables the analysis of the pressure exerted by a fluid in motion and relates it to the height of the fluid column, velocity of the flow, and static pressure.

When considering a submerged surface, Bernoulli's equation allows for the determination of pressure differences acting on that surface due to fluid velocity and depth, which are crucial for understanding hydrostatic forces. Though Archimedes' principle deals with buoyancy and provides insights into the forces experienced by objects submerged in fluids, it does not specifically address the hydrodynamic forces resulting from fluid motion, which is central to the calculation of hydraulic forces. Newton's law of viscosity and Pascal's law also focus on different aspects of fluid behavior, such as viscosity and pressure transmission, respectively, rather than the direct calculation of forces on submerged surfaces within the context of motion and energy conservation. Thus, Bernoulli's principle stands as the appropriate theoretical framework for accurately calculating hydraulic forces in this context.