Section 4.2 - 4.

3
Righting Arm
&
Statical Stability Curves

A ship in static equilibrium is effected by outside forces that will alter its state
of equilibrium.

MT

Wind

G
F

Water
Resistance

CL

The forces of wind- and the opposing force of the water below the waterline- will
cause an external moment couple about the ships center of flotation.

The ship reacts to this external moment couple by pivoting about F, causing a
shift in the center of buoyancy.

MT

Wind

G
F

Water
Resistance

CL
The center of buoyancy will shift because the submerged volume will change.

Note that there is no change in weight or its distribution so there is NO change

in the location of G!

Because the location of B changes, the location of where the F B is applied also

changes. Because G does not move, the location of the s force does not change.

MT

s
G
F

FB
CL

The displacement force and the buoyant for are no longer aligned. The heeling
over causes the creation of an internal moment couple.

The external moment couple causes the creation of the internal moment couple
to oppose it.

MT

Wind

G
F

Water
Resistance

FB
CL

As a result, the ship is now back into equilibrium, even as it

heels over due to the wind force.

We are concerned with the created internal moment caused by the offsetting
of the ships weight and the buoyant force.

MT

FB
C
L

The offset distance of the applied forces, GZ, is called the MOMENT ARM. The
length of this moment arm is a function of the heeling angle,

Remember that a moment is created when a force acts at a

distance from a given point.

In the case of the created internal moment couple, we have the two force,
and FB, acting over the distance GZ.

The created moment is called the internal

RM = GZs = GZFB

This illustrates just one potential moment arm based upon one particular
angle of . There are an infinite number of angles possible, therefore, an
infinite number of moment arms that vary with the degree of heel, .

s MT

Z
B

FB

CL
If we can plot the heeling angle versus the created moment arm GZ, we can create
the Intact Statical Stability Curve.

This is a typical curve. Notice that it plots the angle of heel on the x-axis and the
righting arm on the y-axis.
The curve is in both the 1st and 4th quadrants (the 4th shows a heel to port).
Typically only the curve showing a heel to starboard is shown as it is symmetrical.

Intact Statical Stability

4.5

Moment Arm GZ

4
3.5
3
2.5
2
1.5
1
0.5
0
0

25

50

Heeling Angle

75

85

The above chart plots the data presented in the text on p. 4-6 an 4-7.

Intact Statical Stability

4.5

Moment Arm GZ

4
3.5
3
2.5
2
1.5
1
0.5
0
0

25

50

Heeling Angle

75

85

With at 0 degrees, the moment arm is also is 0. The buoyant force and the ships
weight are aligned. No moment is created.

Intact Statical Stability

4.5

Moment Arm GZ

4
3.5
3
2.5
2
1.5
1
0.5
0
0

25

50

Heeling Angle

75

85

As the angle of heel increases, the moment arm also increases. At 25degrees,
shown here, GZ is 2.5ft.

Intact Statical Stability

4.5

Moment Arm GZ

4
3.5
3
2.5
2
1.5
1
0.5
0
0

25

50

Heeling Angle

75

85

As the angle increases, the moment arm increases to a maximum here it is 4ft.
As increases beyond this point the moment arm begins to decrease and the ship
becomes in danger of capsizing

Intact Statical Stability

4.5

Moment Arm GZ

4
3.5
3
2.5
2
1.5
1
0.5
0
0

25

50

Heeling Angle

75

85

...Remember, the internal moment couple created here is in response to the external
couple created by outside forces. At GZ max the ship is creating its maximum
internal moment. If the external moment is greater than the internal moment,
then the ship will continue to heel over until capsized.

Intact Statical Stability

4.5

Moment Arm GZ

4
3.5
3
2.5
2
1.5
1
0.5
0
0

25

50

Heeling Angle

75

85

The angle of heel continues to increase, but the moment arm GZ, and thus the
internal moment couple, decreases.

Intact Statical Stability

4.5

Moment Arm GZ

4
3.5
3
2.5
2
1.5
1
0.5
0
0

25

50

Heeling Angle

75

85

The angle has now increased to the point that G and B are now aligned again,
but not in a good way. GZ is now at 0 and no internal moment couple is
present. Beyond this point the ship is officially capsized, unable to right itself.

For any ship there exists the CROSS CURVES OF STABILITY.

Like the Curves of Form, they are a series of curves presented on a common axis.
The x-axis is the ships displacement, s, in LT
The y-axis is the righting arm, GZ, in ft
A series of curves are presented, each representing a different angle of heel

By plotting the data from the Cross Curves of Stability for a given
displacement, you can create an Intact Statical Stability Curve.

Example: Plot the Intact Statical Stability Curve for an FFG-7 displacing 5000LT

Step #1. From the Cross Curves of Form, find the 5000LT displacement value
on the x-axis.

Step #2. Record the righting arm value for each curve, from = 0 to 80 degrees

Step #3. Draw the curve, using as x-axis, and GZ as y-axis

Intact Statical Stability Curve for FFG-7 @

GZ
0.00
2.00
3.80
5.80
7.75
9.75
11.75
13.30
14.75
16.10
17.20
18.00
18.60
19.00
19.30
19.50

Intact Statical Stability, FFG-7

25
Moment arm GZ

0
5
10
15
20
25
30
35
40
45
50
55
60
65
70
80

s = 5000LT

20
15
10
5
0
0

5 10 15 20 25 30 35 40 45 50 55 60 65 70 75 80 85 90
Heeling Angle f

But a correction must still be made!!

In the Cross Curves of Stability, the data is presented assuming that:

KG = 0 (on the keel)

This is, of course, not realistic. It is done this way so that the curves may be
generalized for all drafts.
Once the curve data is recorded and plotted, a sine correction factor
must be applied,shifting the KG to its correct position in order to get the
TRUE MOMENT RIGHTING ARM VALUE.

We will cover how to adjust the values within

the table and the curve in the next section...

...To be continued.