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Fundamental of Buoyancy
o
Displacement
This is the equivalent mass of sea water (sg = 1.025) displaced by the hull. It is therefore
equal to the Total weight of the vessel. The units are tons (long)
The center of Buoyancy B is a theoretical point though which the buoyant forces acting
on the wetted surface of the hull act through.
The center of Gravity is the theoretical point through which the summation of all the
weights act through
Affects of listing
The position of the center of buoyancy changes depending on the attitude of the vessel in
the water. As the vessel increases or reduces its draft so the center of buoyancy moves up
or down respectively caused by increase in water displaced. As the vessel lists the center
of buoyancy moves in a direction governed by the changing shape of the submerged part
of the hull. For small angles the tendency is for the center of buoyancy to move towards
the side of the ships which is becoming more submerged
Affects of listing to larger angles or low freeboard
Note this is true for consideration of small angle stability and for vessels with sufficient
freeboard. In the example shown above when the water line reaches and moves above the
main deck level a relatively smaller volume of the hull is submerged on the lower side for
every centimeter movement as the water moves up the deck. The center buoyancy will
now begin to move back towards centreline
The Metacenter M is a theoretical point through which the buoyant forces act and small
angles of list. At these small angles the center of buoyancy tends to follow an arc
subtended by the metacentric radius BM which is the distance between the Metacenter
and the center of buoyancy.
A the vessels draft changes so does the metacenter moving up with the center of
buoyancy when the draft increases and vice versa when the draft decreases. For small
angle stability it is assumed that the Metacenter does not move
Righting Moments
When a vessel lists there center of buoyancy moves off centreline. The center of gravity ,
however, remains on centerline
Stability Curve
Draft Diagram
The Draft diagram is a simple and quick method of determining the following
o Moment to Trim per cm (MTC)
o Tonnes per Centimetre Immersion (TPC)
o Height of Metacenter (KM)
o Longitudinal Center of Flotation (LCF)
o Longitudinal Center of Buoyancy (LCB)
Worked example.
A line is drawn joining the ford and aft draft marks. (Blue Line). The Displacement can
be read directly off
A horizontal line is drawn passing through the intersection of the blue line onto the
displacement curve (Red Line). MTC, TPC, KM & LCB are read where the redline
intersects their respective scales.
A vertical line (green) is dropped from the intersection of the blue line with the
displacement curve from which can be read the LCF off the respective scale
This may be used to determine the righting arms at different displacements and different
angles of inclination