INCLINING EXPERIMENT

Purpose
To determine the KG of the ship in the light displacement
condition.
It is essential that it is performed and calculated as accurately
as possible because the light KG will be the basis of all
subsequent stability calculations.

Method
If a weight is shifted athwartships on a ship, G will move off the
centre-line to G1 causing a list.

d M
w

G
G1

B
B1

GG1 = w × d
W

Inclining Experiment (MAR Rev. 03/01/01) 1

If a plumb line is suspended at O such that it crosses a batten at
X, then as the ship lists a deflection XY will occur and can be
measured.

d M
w

G
G1

B
B1
X
Y

Triangles MGG1 and OXY are similar.

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In ∆ MGG1
M

Tan θ = OPP = GG1 θ

ADJ GM
O
In ∆ OXY
θ
Tan θ = OPP = XY
ADJ OX
G
Therefore: G1
GG1 = XY
GM OX

and:
GG1 = Deflection (m)
GM Pendulum length (m)
X
Y

or: GM = Pendulum length × GG1

Deflection

KG as inclined = KM - GM

where KM is taken from the ship’s hydrostatic particulars for the

appropriate True Mean Draught and water density.

Inclining Experiment (MAR Rev. 03/01/01) 3

Precautions prior to conducting the experiment

1. Ship to be upright (no list).

2. Moorings slack and gangway landed.

3. No significant wind, especially on the beam.

4. No significant tide.

5. Derricks, cranes etc. secured in normal sea-going

position.

6. Minimise free surfaces, tanks ideally should be full or

empty.

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Precautions to ensure accuracy of the calculation
1. Ship’s displacement to be determined accurately:
(a) Draughts to be read forward, aft and amidships on both
sides;
(b) End draughts to be corrected to the forward and aft
perpendiculars;
(c) Determine the true mean draught (draught at the LCF);
(d) Allowance to be made for any hog/sag of the ship;
(e) Density of dock water measured forward, aft and
amidships on both sides and mean density determined;
(f) Establish ship’s actual displacement and KM from
hydrostatic particulars accounting for errors due to trim
(Hydrostatic data normally calculated for the even keel
condition).
2. Two or more pendulums should be used to obtain a mean
deflection value.
3. Pendulum to be as long as possible and plumb weight
suspended in hydraulic oil to dampen movement.
4. Several successive movements of inclining weights to port
and starboard done to provide a number of deflection
readings to give a more dependable ‘mean’ deflection
value.
5. List to be restricted to a ‘small’ angle to ensure that:

Tan θ = GG1
GM

remains valid.

Inclining Experiment (MAR Rev. 03/01/01) 5

SAQ
An inclining experiment is performed on a ship in the following
condition:
Displacement 12200 t, including 40 t of inclining weights at Kg
16.2 m; KM 13.24 m.

Successive movements of 20 t of weights through a distance of

15 m to port and starboard cause the following deflections of
two pendulums each 14 m in length:

Pendulum 1 Pendulum 2
Movement to port 30.6 cm 30.2 cm
Movement to stbd 29.8 cm 30.0 cm

The following must be accounted for to put the ship in the

completed light displacement condition:

(a) Inclining weights to be discharged;

(b) 26 t of equipment, Kg 10.4 m, to be discharged;
(c) 48 t of contractor’s machinery, Kg 24.0 m, to be
discharged;
(d) 16 t of ER machinery to be fitted, Kg 6.0 m;
(e) Labour force on board (40 men), Kg 18.0 m (allow 75 Kg
per person).

Calculate the ship’s light KG and displacement.

Inclining Experiment (MAR Rev. 03/01/01) 6

Answer

Enter data

KM = 13.24
Deflections (cm) w= 20
30.60 d= 15
30.20 W= 12200
29.80
30.00 Using GGh = wxd
Total 120.60 W
Mean (cms) 30.15 cm GGh = 0.02459 metres
Mean (m) 0.3015 m
Pendulum length (m) 14.00

Calculate GM as inclined using GM = GGh x length

deflection

GM = 1.142 metres

Calculate KG as inclined using KG = KM - GM

KG = 12.098 metres

Take moments about the keel to obtain light KG and displacement

Item w Kg moments
Ship as inclined 12200 12.098 147597.7
Inclining weights -40 16.200 -648
Equipment -26 10.400 -270.4
Machinery -48 24.000 -1152
ER machinery 16 6.000 96
Labour -3 18.000 -54
LIGHT DISPL/KG 12099 12.032 145569.3

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