A vertical off-shore structure is built to withstand a maximum stress of $10^9 ext{ Pa}$. Is the st

Question

A vertical off-shore structure is built to withstand a maximum stress of $10^9	ext{ Pa}$. Is the structure physically suitable for putting up on top of an oil well in the ocean at a depth of $3	ext{ km}$? (Density of ocean water = $10^3	ext{ kg/m}^3$, $g = 9.8	ext{ m/s}^2$)

Professor PC Thomas Classes · Answer

$P = ho gh = 10^3 	imes 9.8 	imes 3000 = 2.94 	imes 10^7	ext{ Pa} \approx 3 	imes 10^7	ext{ Pa}$. This hydrostatic pressure is much less than the maximum withstandable stress of $10^9	ext{ Pa}$, making it highly suitable.