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Stability of a Floating Body

IMPORTANCE OF METACENTRIC HEIGHT

Name | Fluid Mechanics Lab (ENGR 3070L) |23-Nov-18


OBJECTIVE:-
− This experiment has following objectives:-

o To describe the importance of Metacentric height.

o To determine the metacentric height through different methods.

o To describe relation between different entities.

INTRODUCTION / THEORY:-
Modeling the dynamic of a submerged body has received a wide attention in the recent years.
The trend is toward modeling the buoyancy and motion of the sub- merged body considering
different variables affecting it.

We see that whenever a body is placed over a liquid, either it sinks down or float on the liquid. If
we analyze the phenomenon of floatation, we find that the body, placed over a liquid, is subjected
to the following two forces.
o Gravitational Force
o Upthrust of the liquid.
Since the two forces are opposite to each other, therefore we must study the comparative effect
of these forces. A little consideration will show, that if the gravitational force is more than the
upthrust of the liquid, the body will sink down. But if the gravitational force is less than the
upthrust of the liquid, the body will float.

Archimedes principle explains it well as follows:-


In simple words,
“If the weight of the water displaced is less than the weight of the object, the
object will sink; Otherwise the object will float, with the weight of the water displaced equal to
the weight of the object.”

Fig depicting “Archimedes Principle”

Buoyancy :- The basic concept is very simple: for anything placed in a fluid medium,
the upward force the medium exerts on the body is equal to the weight of the fluid the
body displaces.

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Centre of Buoyancy :-
It is the point through which the force of buoyancy is supposed to act. It is
always the center of gravity of the volume of the liquid displaced.

Fig. showing “Center of Buoyancy” Fig. showing “Metacenter”

Metacenter :-
Whenever a body, floating in a liquid, is given a small angular displacement, it starts
oscillating about some point. This point, about which the body starts oscillating, is called
“Metacenter.”

Metacentric Height :-
The distance between the center of gravity of a floating body and metacenter is called
“Metacentric height.”
--the terms described above are not true only for bodies in water but also for bodies in
air; The difference is that, for those in air, the weight of the air displaced is usually
not enough to “float” the aircraft.

A notable exception is a dirigible such as the


“Goodyear blimp,” which is filled with helium, a gas lighter than air. Another
lighter-than-air gas used is hydrogen

. This is very combustible, as everyone was


reminded of when the

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Hindenburg caught fire in New Jersey in
1938.

As a matter of fact, the metacentric height of the floating body is a direct measure of its
stability. Or in other words, more the metacentric height of a floating body, more it
will be stable. In the modern design offices, the metacentric height of a floating body or
a ship accurately calculated to check its stability. Some values of metacentric height are
given below:

Merchant Ships = up to 1 m

Sailing ships = up to 1.5 m

Battle ships = up to 2.0 m

River Craft = up to 3.5 m

Center of Gravity :-
This is easy, mathematically this is the centroid of the mass or
weight of the ship or any Floating Object. An illustration of this is below.

Stability of a Floating Body :-


The center of gravity and the center of buoyancy are not necessarily at
the same place; in fact, they are usually different. That difference determines both the

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stability of the ship and, literally, how it rolls.

Conditions of equilibrium of Floating Body :-


A body is said to be in equilibrium, when it remains in a steady state,
while floating in a liquid. Following are the three conditions of equilibrium of a floating
body.

o Stable equilibrium
o Unstable equilibrium
o Neutral equilibrium

Stable Equilibrium :-
A body is said to be in stable equilibrium, if it returns back to its
original position, when given a small angular displacement. This happens when
Metacenter (M) is higher than the Center of gravity (G).

Unstable Equilibrium :-
A body is said to be in an unstable equilibrium, if it does not return
back to its original position and heels farther away, when given a small angular
displacement. This happens when the metacenter (M) is lower than the center of
gravity (G).

Neutral Equilibrium :-
A body is said to be in a neutral equilibrium, if it occupies a new
position and remains at rest in the new position, when given a small angular
displacement. This happens when metacenter (M) coincides with the center of gravity
(G).

Note:-
o If point G is below point B or B’, the ship is unconditionally stable; it will not turn
over unless G and B’ is changed by taking on water, shifting cargo in the ship,
etc.
o If point G is below point M, the ship is conditionally stable, and if point G is
above point M, the ship is unconditionally unstable.

The reason for this last point is simple: the ship above is rolling in a clockwise
direction. The resisting moment of the buoyancy, calculated by (GZ)(Wbuoyant) is

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counterclockwise, as the buoyant force is upward. This is true as long as G is below
M. If G moves upward above M, then the now driving moment (GZ)(Wbuoyant)
turns clockwise, the same direction as the rolling of the ship, and the ship will
generally turn over4.

Thus the location of M, abstract as it may seem, becomes a critical part of the
design of a ship.

It’s worth noting here that the location of point M is independent of the center of
gravity and dependent upon the geometry of the ship and its volume under the
water line (or total weight.)

Shifting the Center of Gravity:-


Because M is independent of G, if we shift the center of
gravity carefully, we can determine the location of M. The experimental apparatus we
have gives us a method of doing this, and this is discussed in the procedure.

Timing the Roll:-


The last method is sort of an “old salt’s” rule of thumb
method. First, let’s define the roll time. The roll time is the time it takes for a ship to
start from rest at an angle of roll (port or starboard,) roll to the opposite side, and
return to the original orientation. This can be approximated by the equation.

-------------------------------------- (1)

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where tr = roll time of ship, seconds
GM = metastatic height of ship, meters or feet
W = beam of ship, meters or feet
C = constant based on units of GM and B
= 0.44 for units of feet
= 0.80 for units of meters
Solving for metastatic height,

---------------------------------------(2)
The procedure to measure this will be outlined below.

THEORETICAL METHOD :-
The formula for calculating the metacentric height theoretically is as below.

𝑀𝑜𝑚𝑒𝑛𝑡 𝑜𝑓 𝐼𝑛𝑒𝑟𝑡𝑖𝑎 𝑜𝑓 𝑤𝑎𝑡𝑒𝑟𝑝𝑙𝑎𝑛𝑒


= 𝐻𝑒𝑖𝑔ℎ𝑡 𝑜𝑓 𝑚𝑒𝑡𝑎𝑐𝑒𝑛𝑡𝑒𝑟 𝑎𝑏𝑜𝑣𝑒 𝑡ℎ 𝑐𝑒𝑛𝑡𝑒𝑟 𝑜𝑓 𝑏𝑢𝑜𝑦𝑎𝑛𝑐𝑦.
𝐷𝑖𝑠𝑝𝑙𝑎𝑐𝑒𝑚𝑒𝑛𝑡 𝑖𝑛 𝑐𝑢𝑏𝑖𝑐 𝑓𝑒𝑒𝑡 ------------------(A)

𝐿𝑊3
𝑀𝑜𝑚𝑒𝑛𝑡 𝑜𝑓 𝐼𝑛𝑒𝑟𝑡𝑖𝑎 =
12

EXPERIMENTAL SECTION:-

APPARATUS: -

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The arrangement of the apparatus is shown above. A rectangular
pontoon floats in water and carries a plastic sail, with five rows of V-slots at equally-
spaced heights on the sail. The slot centers are spaced at 7.5 mm intervals, equally
disposed about the sail center line. An adjustable weight, consisting of two machined
cylinders which can be screwed together, fits into the V-slots on the sail. This weight can
be used to change the height of the center of gravity and the angle of list of the
pontoon.

Figure 1 (The arrangement of floating pontoon)

The pontoon also includes two magnetic weights which should be placed in the bottom
of the apparatus. A plumb bob is suspended from the top center of the sail and is used
in conjunction with the scale fitted below the base of the sail to measure the angle of
list.

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EXPERIMENTAL PROCEDURE:-
Determine the Analytical Metastatic Height

1. Recorded the weights, W of the complete pontoon and ω of the adjustable


weight on the mast. The total weight of the apparatus was stamped on a label
affixed to the sail housing and the adjustable weight, ω, has its weight engraved
on the side. The addition of these two values would give the total weight, W, of
the pontoon. Measured the weight of the pontoon with and without the
adjustable weight using the provided scale to check these values.
2. Measured the overall length L and width D of the pontoon.
3. With all of the weight in the vessel placed it in the water. For this
measurement the weight attached to the sail should be in the lowest row and at
the centerline of the vessel. Measured the freeboard of the vessel, and from this
computed the draught. The volume of the water displaced is given by Equation [
V = WLD ]. Compared the weight of the displaced water to the weight we
computed above. Also, computed the location of the center of buoyancy, which is
half the distance of the draught from either the bottom of the vessel or the water
line.
4. Used Equation (A) to compute the distance between the metacenter and
the center of buoyancy.
5. The height of the center of gravity may be found as follows (see Figure):

a. Fit the two magnetic weights to the base of the pontoon.

b. Fitted the thick knotted cord, with the plumb weight, through the hole in
the sail, ensuring that the plumb weight is free to hang down on the side of the
sail with the scored center line.

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c. Clamped the adjustable weight into the V-slot on the center line of the
lowest row (Row 1) and suspended the pontoon from the free end of the thick
cord. Marked the point where the plumb line crosses the sail center line.

d. Repeated Steps a-c for the four other rows

6. Computed GM using the “moment of inertia” procedure.

EXPERIMENTAL VALUE OF “GM” BY SHIFTING THE


CENTER OF GRAVITY: -
With the adjustable weight situated in the center of one of the rows, allow the pontoon
to float in water and position the two magnetic weights on the base of the pontoon to
trim the vessel. When the vessel has been trimmed correctly, the adjustable weight may
be moved to positions on either side of the center line for each of the five rows.
1. At each position, recorded the angle of tilt (Δθ) versus the displacement
(Δx) from the centerline
2. The value of Δθ can be determined by the angle the plumb line from the
top of the sail makes with the scale on the sail housing.
3. Calculated the metacentric height of pontoon and plotted a graph of
angle of tilt (Δθ) versus the displacement (Δx).
4. After this plotted our results in the form of a table.
5. Also plotted the information from this table verses the distance of G from
datum.
6. Extrapolated the line on plot to determine the X- intercept which
represents the GM from the datum CG.

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Fig. showing
measuring of
“GM” by shifting
center of gravity.

EXPERIMENTAL VALUE OF “GM” BY TIME OF


ROLLING OF FLOATING BODY: -
1. Placed the weight in Row 1 at the centerline of the vessel. This is the
“datum” location of G; it will allow us to directly compare the results of the
other two methods with this one.
2. Placed the vessel in the water
3. Using a finger on the gunwale about midships (either side,) begin rocking
the boat gently until you get a “rhythm” of rocking. Made sure water
doesn’t come over the gunwale and enter the boat; this will ruin
everything.
4. Stopped the rocking with your finger on the gunwale with the gunwale close to
the waterline. We slowed the boat down gradually to do this
5. Released the vessel completely. Record the time the vessel takes to
complete one full roll (as defined above.)

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6. Used Equation 2 to solve for GM. Compared this to the other two methods.

OBSERVED DATA: -
Various dimensions of apparatus are given as:-
𝑀𝑎𝑠𝑠 𝑜𝑓 𝑝𝑜𝑛𝑡𝑜𝑜𝑛 = 2.65𝑘𝑔

𝐿𝑒𝑛𝑔𝑡ℎ 𝑜𝑓 𝑏𝑒𝑎𝑚 = 35.8 𝑐𝑚

𝐻𝑒𝑖𝑔ℎ𝑡 𝑜𝑓 𝑏𝑒𝑎𝑚 = 20.1 𝑐𝑚

𝑇ℎ𝑖𝑐𝑘𝑛𝑒𝑠𝑠 𝑜𝑓 ℎ𝑢𝑙𝑙 = 7.6 𝑐𝑚

𝐶𝑒𝑛𝑡𝑒𝑟 𝑜𝑓 𝑔𝑟𝑎𝑣𝑖𝑡𝑦 = 6𝑐𝑚

MEASUREMENTS AND CALCULATIONS:-

Measured data through Shifting the Centre of Gravity: -


TABLE 1:- Following table shows the valus of x and Δθ for experiment:-

𝒚𝟏(mm) From sail centre


𝒙𝟏(𝒎𝒎)

5 levels -75 -60 -45 -30 -15 0 15 30 45 60 75


of 𝒚𝟏
1 T T - -8 -2.5 0 2.5 6.5 8 10.25 T
10.25
2 T T -12 -6 -3 0 3 6 12 T T
3 T T -10.9 -7 -3.75 0 3.75 7 10.9 T T
4 T T T -9 -8 0 8 9 T T T
5 T T T T -7 0 7 T T T T
Table showing different values of Δθ for different levels of y1 and Δx.

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CALCULATIONS: -

𝐿𝑊3
𝑀𝑜𝑚𝑒𝑛𝑡 𝑜𝑓 𝐼𝑛𝑒𝑟𝑡𝑖𝑎 = 𝐼 =
12

0. 3

𝑀𝑜𝑚𝑒𝑛𝑡 𝑜𝑓 𝐼𝑛𝑒𝑟𝑡𝑖𝑎 =

𝐼 = 2.42 × 10−4𝑚4

𝑉𝑜𝑙𝑢𝑚𝑒 𝑜𝑓 𝑤𝑎𝑡𝑒𝑟 𝑑𝑖𝑠𝑝𝑙𝑎𝑐𝑒𝑑 = 𝐿𝑒𝑛𝑔𝑡ℎ × ℎ𝑒𝑖𝑔ℎ𝑡 × 𝑡ℎ𝑖𝑐𝑘𝑛𝑒𝑠𝑠

𝑉𝑜𝑙𝑢𝑚𝑒 𝑜𝑓 𝑤𝑎𝑡𝑒𝑟 𝑑𝑖𝑠𝑝𝑙𝑎𝑐𝑒𝑑 = 0.358 × 0.201 × 0.076


𝑉𝑜𝑙𝑢𝑚𝑒 𝑜𝑓 𝑤𝑎𝑡𝑒𝑟 𝑑𝑖𝑠𝑝𝑙𝑎𝑐𝑒𝑑 = 5.46 × 10−3𝑚3

2.42 × 10−4
𝐻𝑒𝑖𝑔ℎ𝑡 𝑜𝑓 𝑚𝑒𝑡𝑎𝑐𝑒𝑛𝑡𝑒𝑟 𝑎𝑏𝑜𝑣𝑒 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑏𝑢𝑜𝑦𝑎𝑛𝑐𝑦 𝑝𝑜𝑖𝑛𝑡 =

5.46 × 10−3

𝐻𝑒𝑖𝑔ℎ𝑡 𝑜𝑓 𝑚𝑒𝑡𝑎𝑐𝑒𝑛𝑡𝑒𝑟 𝑎𝑏𝑜𝑣𝑒 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑏𝑢𝑜𝑦𝑎𝑛𝑐𝑦


𝑝𝑜𝑖𝑛𝑡 = 0.044 𝑚

𝐻𝑒𝑖𝑔ℎ𝑡 𝑜𝑓 𝑚𝑒𝑡𝑎𝑐𝑒𝑛𝑡𝑒𝑟 𝑎𝑏𝑜𝑣𝑒 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑏𝑢𝑜𝑦𝑎𝑛𝑐𝑦


𝑝𝑜𝑖𝑛𝑡 = 4.43𝑐𝑚

𝑀𝑒𝑡𝑎𝑐𝑒𝑛𝑡𝑟𝑖𝑐 ℎ𝑒𝑖𝑔ℎ𝑡 = 4.43 + 4 − 𝐶𝐺


𝑀𝑒𝑡𝑎𝑐𝑒𝑛𝑡𝑟𝑖𝑐 ℎ𝑒𝑖𝑔ℎ𝑡 = 4.43 + 4 − 6
𝑀𝑒𝑡𝑎𝑐𝑒𝑛𝑡𝑟𝑖𝑐 ℎ𝑒𝑖𝑔ℎ𝑡 = 2.43𝑐𝑚
Height of adjustable weight of above base Y1 = 5.6 mm

Measured height of G above base Y = 6 mm

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The ratio of the adjustable weigh Wy to the total weight W is 1

Y = Y1 + A

Where A is a constant. Substituting for Y and Y1

6 = 5.6 + A
A = 0.4 mm

GRAPH: -

Graph shows a plot between δθ and δx: -

Graph between δθ and δx


level 1 of y1 level 2 of y1 level 3 of y1 level 4 of y1 level 5 of y1
40
30
20
ANGLE ΔΘ

10
0
-10
-20
-30
-40 DISTANCE ΔX
-50
-75 -60 -45 -30 -15 0 15 30 45 60 75
level 5 of y1 -7 0 7
level 4 of y1 -9 -8 0 8 9
level 3 of y1 2 -10.9 -7 -3.75 0 3.75 7 10.9
level 2 of y1 -12 -6 -3 0 3 6 12
level 1 of y1 -10.25 -8 -2.5 0 2.5 6.5 8 10.25

Graph shows relation b/w different entities like levels of y1, δθ and δx

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RELATION BETWEEN 𝒅𝒙𝟏⁄𝒅𝝑 AND DISTANCE OF G
FROM THE DATUM:-
TABLE 2: - Following table shows the values of 𝒅𝒙𝟏⁄𝒅𝝑 and distance of CG from datum.

Row Number for Weight Location of G from 𝒅𝒙𝟏⁄𝒅𝝑 (mm/°)


“datum G” (cm)
1 5.6 5.6
2 6.8 5.8
3 7.5 4.44
4 8.1 3.75
5 8.8 2.61

GRAPH: -
Plot for the above table is given as: -

Distance of CG
10
8
𝒅𝒙𝟏⁄𝒅𝝑

6
4
2
0
5.6 5.8 4.44 3.75 2.61
Distance of CG (mm)

If we further extrapolate the line to find y-intercept then we find the value of
metacenter to about 3cm which is almost close to that calculated analytically i.e.
2.43cm.

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TABLE 3: - Following table shows the values of tr and GM found using equation 2.
Time of rolling CW
tr

5s 6.08cm2 0.14786cm

10s 6.08cm2 0.369664cm

15s 6.08cm2 0.164295cm

Table showing values of GM found using eq and data from experiment!

GRAPH: -
Plot for the above table is given as: -

0.4

0.35

0.3

0.25

0.2

0.15
GM (cm)

0.1

0.05
Relation b/w tr and GM
0
5 10 15
Time of rolling (s)

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We can see from above table different entities…

C is a constant about 0.80 units for cm and W is the width or thickness of hull about
7.6cm

We can also note that this method is not consistent with other methods as we see that
in this Metastatic height continuously changes with the rolling time while in above two
others methods GM almost remains constant or close to the absolute value!

CONCLUSIONS: -

We have performed the experiment to measure the Metacenter of our apparatus. The
result depicts that apparatus is at stable equilibrium. This experiment was a good
exercise in showing how stability is affected as the center of gravity shifts vertically or
laterally.

APPENDIX: -
Raw data calculations and observed data
sheet is shown!

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REFERENCES: -

o Fluid Mechanics Lab 4 Handout

o Fluid Mechanics Lab Experiment 4 Stability of a Floating Body

o http://diva-portal.org/smash/get/diva2:831027/fulltext01

o A textbook of “Hydraulics, Fluid Mechanics and Hydraulic Machines”

By “R.S KHURMI”

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