STABILITY OF A RECTANGULAR PONTOON PONTOON Flat Bottomed Floating Vessel

STABILITY Type of Equilibrium

Stable

Unstable

Neutral

Forces on a Submerged Body BUOYANCY or UPTHRUST

Submerged Body Volume = V Fluid in Equilibrium Density =

Direction = Vertically Upwards

U B G

Magnitude = Weight of the Displaced Fluid Volume

U = Vg
Line of Action:

Mg

B =

Centre of Gravity of the Displaced Fluid Volume CENTRE OF BUOYANCY

ARCHIMEDES PRINCIPLE

For Equilibrium, U = Mg Vg = Mg

Stability of Floating Bodies:

METACENTRE

Equilibrium Position Mg = U

Displaced Position Mg = U

Restoring Moment MR is produced Equilibrium is STABLE MR = U(GM)Sin = U(GM) for small GM = METACENTRIC HEIGHT M above G: GM > 0: Stable Equilibrium Similarly it can be proved that: M below G: GM < 0: Unstable Equilibrium M G: GM = 0: Neutral Equilibrium

Determination of the Metacentric Height: (Theoretical Value)

GM = OM OG = OB + BM OG ....(1)
OB = d 2
I V

BM =

where I = Second Moment of Area of the Waterline Plane about the Axis of Rotation V = Submerged Volume

L b Longitudinal Axis Rolling

IR = 1 Lb 3 12

Transverse Axis Pitching

IP = 1 bL3 12

IR =

1 Lb 3 12

and I P =

1 bL3 12

As L >> b MP MR G B O V = bLd

IP >> IR

(BM)p >> (BM)R

Mp above MR

Stability should be checked for Rolling.

(1)=> GM = d/2 + (Lb3/12)/(bLd) - OG GM = d/2 + b2/12d - OG .(2) For Equilibrium, U = Mg Vg = Mg bLd = M d = M/bL (2)=> GM = M/2bL + b3 L /12M - OG ...(3) OG can be determined by balancing the Pontoon on a knife edge and therefore the Metacentric Height can be determined theoretically from equation (3).

Determination of the Metacentric Height: (Experimental Value) Can be determined by shifting a known weight (Jockey Weight) by a known distance and measuring the angle of tilt.

(M-m1)g
G

B
Mg Equilibrium Position 1 Equilibrium Position 2

Considering the shift in Centre of Gravity GG ,

Mg (GG) = m1g( x ) + (M m1 )g(0) GG = m1 x / M = (GM) tan( ) = (GM) - for small angles

= [ m1 / M (GM)] x

As is measured in degrees, = 0 / 180

0 = [180m1 / M (GM)] x

Hence the Metacentric Height can be determined experimentally from the Gradient of the Graph of 0 vs x.

The position of the Metacentre (OM) is independent of the position of the Centre of Gravity (OG) and this can be proved by determining OM for different OG values. OM = OG + GM
M Vertically Adjustable Weight: Mass m2 Jockey Weight: Mass m1 G O Angular Scale

OG - by balancing the Pontoon on a knife edge - can be changed by moving the vertically adjustable weight GM - from the Gradient of the Graph of 0 vs x.

Time Period of Oscillation: When disturbed, a floating body in STABLE Equilibrium oscillates about its equilibrium position. The Time Period of Oscillation T is given by,
T = 2k g (GM)

where k = Radius of Gyration

As GM

Advantage: Increased Stability

Disadvantages: Discomfort High stresses in the Structure

Effect of Liquid Cargo:

Equilibrium Position Displaced Position

Restoring Moment MR = U(GM) .

Equilibrium Position Displaced Position

Restoring Moment MR = U(NM) < U(GM) Stability is reduced NM = Effective Metacentric Height