CHAPTER 2 BOUYANCY AND STABILITY

CC501-HYDRAULIC 2

CHAPTER 2
BUOYANCY & STABILITY
2.1

Introduction
Whenever a body is immersed wholly partially in a fluid it is subjected to an upward
force which tends to lift (or buoy) it up. This tendency for an immersed body to be lifted up
in the fluid, due to an upward force opposite to action of gravity is known as buoyancy.
The force tending to lift up the body under such conditions is known as buoyant force or
upthrust force. The magnitude of the buoyant force can be determined by Archimedes
Principle.

2.2 Archimedes Principle

When an object is immersed in water, it felt lighter. In a cylinder filled with water, the
action of inserting a mass in the liquid causes it to displace upward. So, this theory has
been discovered by the Greece scientist known as Archimedes of Syracuse (212 B.C). He
simplified this principle: When an object is completely or partially immersed in a fluid,
the fluid exerts an upward force on the object equal to the weight of the fluid displaced
by the object. These phenomena have become as Archimedes Principle.
For better understanding in this principle, refer the Figure 2.1 below. When object of
7kg is gradually immersed in the water, the weight of an object decreased to 3kg.
Subtracting these two scales readings, 7kg and 3kg, results in differences is 4kg. This is
called buoyant force that exerted on the object and it same as the weight of the water of an
object displaced. It is important to note that the buoyant force does not depend on the
weight or shape of the submerged object, only on the weight of the displaced fluid.

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CHAPTER 2 BOUYANCY AND STABILITY

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The buoyancy force explains why some object sink and others float. An object will
float if the buoyancy force is greater than its weight. If the buoyancy force of the object is
equal to that of the fluid, the object will neither sink nor float. If the buoyancy force is
lesser than the weight of object, the object will sink. In summarize, an object will sink or
floats depend on how the buoyancy force compares with the weight. In formulas:

Buoyancy
Force, R

Weight of object, W
mg

OBJECT

= Weight of water displaced, R

= gV
Equation 1

Weight
Object, W

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CHAPTER 2 BOUYANCY AND STABILITY

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Problem 1
A ship shifts 115m3 of water. Determine:
i) Weight of the ship. (Assuming the density of water = 1025kg/m3
ii) The volume of water that has a density of 1000kg/m3 may be displaced by the ship.
Solution:
i)

Given V = 115 m3 , = 1025 kg/m3

Weight of object, W = Weight of water displaced, R
W = gV
= 1025 * 9.81 * 115
= 1156.35 kN

ii)

Given density of water, ( = 1000 kg/m3 )

Volume displaced, V = W

g
= 1156.35 * 1000
1000 * 9.81
= 118 m3
Problem 2
Determine the volume and relative density of an object that has a value equal to the weight
in air 2703N and in water 1909N.
Solution:
i)

For stability,

The net value of the buoyancy, (R) = 2703 1909

= 794N
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CHAPTER 2 BOUYANCY AND STABILITY

CC501-HYDRAULIC 2

R = gV
Volume, (V) = R/g

where; g = 1000 * 9.81

= 9810 N/m3

= 794

= 0.081 m3

9810
ii)

Relative density (relative.)

@

relative.

substance / water

Mass of object
Mass equivalent volume
2703/9.81 = 3.404

794/9.81
2.3

Stability of Fully Submerged Bodies

For stability of a submerged body, body center of gravity (G) must be located directly

below center of buoyancy (B) fluid slipped. If both point located local, that body is in
equilibrium condition neutral at all position.
For stability cylinder and a float sphere, center of gravity these physical bodies must be lies
beneath center of buoyancy. Other floating object stability is dependent whether righting
moment or overturning moment generated when buoyancy center of gravity and center shift
away from vertical alignment because center position buoyancy move.
Centre of buoyancy will move because if the body or floating object slanting, fluid form
slipped will alter past cause his center of gravity also changed.
Consider Figure 2.2(a) and Figure 2.2(b) below.

B
G

B
G

W
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Figure 2.2(a) : Shift produce

recovery moment.

CHAPTER 2 BOUYANCY AND STABILITY

CC501-HYDRAULIC 2

G
B

Figure 2.2(b) : Shift produce reversal moment.

Volume weight body, W = Weight of fluid slipped ,mg ,act through centre of gravity body, G.
Upthrust force, R = gV measures through center of buoyancy, B.
If G under B as in Figure 4.1(a), then some shift of equal footing produce recovery moment
which resulted balance again.
If G be above B as in Figure 4.1(b), then some shift produce reversal moment which resulted
unstable body.

2.4

Stability of Floating Bodies

There were 3 types of equilibrium of floating bodies:1.

Stable equilibrium

2.

Unstable equilibrium, and

3.

Neutral equilibrium

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CHAPTER 2 BOUYANCY AND STABILITY

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1. Stable equilibrium
When a body is given a small angular displacement (i.e. tilted slightly), by some external
force, and then it returns backs to its original position due to the internal forces (the weight and
the upthrust), such an equilibrium is called stable equilibrium.
Survey in immersion of a the afloat body is dependent to weight (or his volume
displacement) and to his body shape. Stability on the other hand set by force which acted when
body harassed of static balanced position.
Figure 2.3(a) show a cross section vessel in static equilibrium. Centre of gravity (G), be
vertical above center of buoyancy (B) - only in case when vessel lowest under waterline, where
B be above G.
W

O
B

G
D

Figure 2.3(a): Vessel

in static equilibrium.

Figure 2.3(b) show vessel that slant in angle . With fixed load, centre of gravity relative
position will not change, but due to redistribution in body body, centre of buoyancy moving from
B to B'. Displacement sure will not change and consequently what happens was shaped water
volume wedge which represented by DOD section' has migrating across centre axis to EOE'.

dA

M
D
D

O
B B
G

R=W

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Figureh 2.3(b): Vessel

with small slant angle.

CHAPTER 2 BOUYANCY AND STABILITY

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M was point of intersection for line thrust on just been through B' with original axis
symmetry. M point known as meta and position center its relative to G would control balance
vessel that. If M be above G, then same and contrary force with G and B', will produce couple
which tends to return balance. On the other hand, if M be under G, vessel that will slant again
until it overturned. GM distance called metacenter height, to cant at one small angle, it may be
specified by analysis according to following way.

M was point of intersection for line thrust on just been through B' with original axis
symmetry. Volume Point each wedge' can be gained with integrated waterline entire surface to
wide horizontal element dA (Refer Rajah 4.2(b)) times with height x tan . As such, moment on
center axis was W tan x2 dA. But x2 dA @ I is second moment wide for surface waterline in
longitudinal axis, and further by taking moment on center axis for force buoyancy, found that;

WV x MB sin = W tan I

Equation 2

with V was volume of water jostled by vessel that, MB was center radius meta and I is second
moment wide. Because was very small, sin tan , then, metacenter radius was;
MB=I
V

Equation 3

And metacenter height was;

GM = I BG Equation 4
V
When G be under B, BG blended, in height case metacenter must be positive and his
balance is stable. Increased stability degree with height metacenter, but period roll off also
depend especially to GM and too big value would be inclined to generate fast overthrow that is
undesired.
Like those expected, most important metacenter height in architecture ship. When cargo
move or ballast transported, center of gravity vessel will be shifted in direct equal to center of
buoyancy, fugginess reduce stability. Tanks or room wall on the other hand give contrary effect.
In work civil engineering marine, pontoon commonly used by way of something transport and
survey in immersion controlled by a ballast tank system water designs closely.

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A vessel which possess wall pay heart and bring same liquid as in which it float,
indicated in figure 2.3(c) . Moment reduction back original because inside wedge prism position
change every room was W tan 1 IB and with IB was second moment wide for free surface in
column vessel in longitudinal axis of rotation.
Then Equation 2 (Moment Equation) rectified be;
WV1 x M1B1 sin 1 = W tan 1 (I 2IB)
where;

Equation 5

I = second moment wide for surface waterline in axis

lengthways.
IB = second moment wide for free surface in column vessel in
longitudinal axis of rotation.
V1 = volume of displacement vessel increase ballast.

W1

G1

B1

B
1

W1

Figure 2.3(c): Vessel with ballast.

Through approximation such as just now,

M1B1 = I 2IB
V1
and

G1M1 = I 2IB B1G1

V1

Equation 6

Equation 7

or
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Recovery Moment
In static equilibrium condition, some shift of equal footing produce recovery moment converge
to again balance

R=W

Figure 2.4(a) : Body in

balance static.

B
R

Figure 2.4(b) : Body in

shift with angle and
produce recovery moment.

Recovery Moment = Wx = W.GM.sin Equation 8

Note!
When M was sitting on G, then GM valued positive ( +ve).

2. Unstable equilibrium
If the body does not return to its original position from the slightly displaced angular
position and heels farther away, when given a small displacement, such an equilibrium is called
an unstabled equilibrium. For unstable equilibrium , the position of metacenter M is remains
lower than G.

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CHAPTER 2 BOUYANCY AND STABILITY

CC501-HYDRAULIC 2

G
B

Figure 2.5(a): Body in

balance static.

R=W

M B
B

Figure 2.5(b): Shift

produce reversal moment.

Reversal Moment = Wx = W.GM.cos(900-) Equation 9

Note!

When M lies beneath G, then GM valued negative (-ve).

3. Neutral Equilibrium
If a body, when given a small angular displacement, occupies a new position and remains
at rest in this new position, it is said possess a neutral equilibrium. For Neutral equilibrium,
the position of metacenter M coincides with G.

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CHAPTER 2 BOUYANCY AND STABILITY

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G M
B

Figure 2.6: Body in balance

neutral.

where;
GM = 0, (no rotation moment)
object position would be neutral.
Note!

When M overlaps with G, then GM = 0.

2.5

Determine the Location of Metacenter of Floating Bodies

The position of the so-called metacenter, metacentric height, is of crucial significance to stability
of a floating body. The metacentric height is an essential factor w assessing the stability of a
ship in waves.
There are 2 method on Determining Metacenter Height (GM):Method 1;
Consider a body being overwhelmed liquid. This body prismatic as in figure 2.7 below. Equation
would appear legal also to body non prismatic. When small shift happened, B buoyancy's center
moved to B'. Distance horizontal this movement is r. Shift in axis through O, produce prism
which arise in right and submerged left.

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CHAPTER 2 BOUYANCY AND STABILITY

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M
W

G
r

F
B

Figure 2.7
FB

Balanced effort;
F

= 0

FB = W

where;

FB

= bouyant force

= body weight

Take moment from axis through B;

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CHAPTER 2 BOUYANCY AND STABILITY

FI

CC501-HYDRAULIC 2

= FB r
= Wr

(1)

Moment from F coupling namely FI could be evaluated by analyzing moment to one small
element in the prism. Say this element has vast dA section, and his distance from O were x.

dA

Figure 2.8

Element volume
= (dA)(h)
= (dA)(x tan )
= x dA(for small)
Bouyant force on element
= (specific weight)( element volume)
= ()( x dA)
This force moment from O
= (force)( element distance)
= ()( x dA)(x)
= ()( x2 dA)

FI = ()( x2 dA)
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CHAPTER 2 BOUYANCY AND STABILITY

CC501-HYDRAULIC 2

= ( ) ( x2 dA)
where;
( x2 dA)

= second moment of area from axis through O

= Io

FI

= Io

(2)

Include equation (2) in (1)

Io = Wr
Io = ( V)r
Io

= Vr

(3)

From Figure 4.5,

r

= MB sin
= MB

(4)

Equation solution (4) and (3);

Io = V MB
MB

Io
V

Metacenter height;

GM = MB GB

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CHAPTER 2 BOUYANCY AND STABILITY

GM

CC501-HYDRAULIC 2

Io
GB
V

Negative signal applies if G be above B, and positive sign if G be under B. Recovery moment
(restoring couple) can be counted based on association following;

M = W (GM) sin

Equation 10

Problem 3
Determine metacenter height of a pontoon vehicles carrier to across a straits which possess
his seawater density 1150 kg.s/m3. Pontoon that measuring 27m long, 19m broad and as
high as 9m while heavy pontoon on the other hand is 500 metric tones.
Solutions:

Weight of pontoon = 500 x 103(9.81)

= 4905000 N

Water weight slipped (faulted), W = gV

= 1150(9.81)(27 * 19 * d)

Because; water weight slipped = weight of pontoon

1150(9.81)(27 * 19 * d) = 4905000
11281.5(513d) = 4905000
5787409.5d = 4905000
d = 4905000
5787409.5
= 0.85m

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CHAPTER 2 BOUYANCY AND STABILITY

OB = d/2 = 0.425m

BG = OG OB
= 9/2 0.425
= 4.5 0.425
= 4.075 m

MB = I/V

where; I = bd3
12
= 27 (193)
12
= 185193
12
= 15432.75 m4

MB = 15432.75
436.05
= 35.392m
Metacentre height, GM
GM = MB BG
= 35.392 4.075
= 31.317 m

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CC501-HYDRAULIC 2

CHAPTER 2 BOUYANCY AND STABILITY

CC501-HYDRAULIC 2

Method 2;
GM can also be determined if tip due to P burden 's movement to distance x above promenade
measured.
x
P

M
G

Figure 2.9 : High determination metacenter using method 2.

Reversal moment due to P burden = Px

If W = mg was ship and burden total weight P,

Recovery moment = W. GM.

For balance;

Reversal moment = recovery moment

W. GM. = P

GM = P
W Equation 11
Centre reversal meta was when value 0

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CHAPTER 2 BOUYANCY AND STABILITY

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Problem 4
A pontoon is sailing inside a lake shift as heavy as water 2 x 10 5 kg and as heavy as buffer
20 tones shift 8.5m across the deck. Because of that pendulum 5.4m move 0.2m horizontal,
determine metacenter height for pontoon to verify information that was stated above.
Solutions:

W. GM. sin = Px (tan = ; for angle small)

GM = Px
Wsin
= 20(1000)(8.5)
2 x 105(0.2/5.4)
= 170000
7407.41
= 22.95 m

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