Ship Centroids

Centre of buoyancy C.B

B (centre of buoyancy C.B) indicates the location of the

resulting buoyancy of the displaced seawater. The location of
B is dependent upon the hulls form. B is the volumetric
centre of the hull. Buoyancy is equal to the weight
(displacement) of the ship.
 Location of Metacenter M
With a heeling angle up to about
(5-10).It is assumed the point M
lies at the intersection of the vector
of buoyancy and the centerline
With larger lists, point M is
defined as follows: The
intersection of 2 successive lines
of buoyancy with a very small
increase of angle of inclination. M
is then found outside the vertical
plane of symmetry
For calculation purposes, we can not work with M outside the
vertical plane of symmetry. Thus, a false metacenter, N is used
for the calculation the intersection
Point N is on the centreline at the
intersection of the buoyancy load
line and the centreline.
The importance of Ms location to
transverse (initial) stability is great.
The location of M depends on the
location of B.
The location of G in relation to M is
mainly for the stability as follows:
- Positive (G under M)
- Neutral (G at M)
- Unstable (G above M)
Centre of Gravity
The total weight of the ship is concentrated at point G
(centre of gravity)

g = centre of gravity of component

G = centre of gravity of the entire ship
 Movement of centre of gravity
The movement of G can be quickly made clear if only one (large )
weight is relocated on board or loaded, G then moves:
-In the movement direction of the weighty
- across a distance of GG1 = (w x h)/ (for transferring load)
GG1 = (w x h) / (+w) (for adding weight)

Inclining Test ( Experiment)

In order to calculate the correct GM of the empty ship, the
ship must undergo an inclining experiment ( stability test) to
determine KG
The weight of the empty ship must be as accurate as possible
During the test:
-The ship must be free to roll ( mooring wires slack, etc..)
- it must be calm with no wind
- no disturbance waves
-The test must be conducted multiple times both starboard
and portside with consistent outcome to ensure an accurate
result.
A known weight (1) is moved transversely across distance (2)
as a result of which the
ship lists.
(1)The weight must be so large that:
- The ship remains within an initial range of stability max list 9-
10
- Equal to about 2 % displacement
(2) Approximately the breadth

The ships list due to relocating the weight is accurately

measured. This can be done by means of a plumb line. If the
plumb line is used, it is usually suspended in a hold where the
weight hangs in a tank of water to stabilize the plumb line.
The result is determined by measuring the distance the pendulum
moves on a tape line (QR)
STABILITY REFERENCE POINTS

Metacenter

Gravity

Buoyancy

K eel
CL
STABILITY REFERENCE POINTS

Mother

Goose

Beats

K ids
CL
 RESERVE BUOYANCY
WATERLINE

THE CENTER OF
BUOYANCY
B1

B
RESERVE BUOYANCY, FREEBOARD, DRAFT
AND DEPTH OF HULL

RESERVE BUOYANCY
WATERLINE

B
CENTER OF BUOYANCY

WL

BB BBB
CENTER OF BUOYANCY

B
B
B
B
B
B
B
 G1

THE CENTER OF
G

GRAVITY
KG1
KGo

G1
G

KGo
KG1
 CENTER OF GRAVITY

POINT AT WHICH ALL WEIGHTS COULD

BE CONCENTRATED.

CENTER OF GRAVITY OF A SYSTEM OF

WEIGHTS IS FOUND BY TAKING
MOMENTS ABOUT AN ASSUMED CENTER
OF GRAVITY, MOMENTS ARE SUMMED
AND DIVIDED BY THE TOTAL WEIGHT
OF THE SYSTEM.
 MOVEMENTS IN THE
CENTER OF GRAVITY

G MOVES TOWARDS A WEIGHT ADDITION

 G1

KG1
KGo
 MOVEMENTS IN THE
CENTER OF GRAVITY

G MOVES TOWARDS A WEIGHT ADDITION

G MOVES AWAY FROM A WEIGHT REMOVAL

 G1
G
G
G
G
G
G
G

KG1
KGo
 MOVEMENTS IN THE
CENTER OF GRAVITY

G MOVES TOWARDS A WEIGHT ADDITION

G MOVES AWAY FROM A WEIGHT REMOVAL

G MOVES IN THE DIRECTION OF A WEIGHT

SHIFT
G G2
METACENTER
THE
METACENTER
M

B
B1 B2

M20
M45
M
M70
B

B20 B70
CL

B45
METACENTER

BBBBBB
B
METACENTER

B SHIFTS
 o o
0 -7/10

CL
 M20

B B20

CL
 M20
M45
M

B20 B45
C
L
 M20
M45

M70 M

B20 B70
CL

B45
 M45 M20
B M70
CL

M
M90
B20
B90
B45
B70
 MOVEMENTS OF THE
METACENTER
THE METACENTER WILL CHANGE
POSITIONS IN THE VERTICAL PLANE WHEN
THE SHIP'S DISPLACEMENT CHANGES

THE METACENTER MOVES IAW THESE

TWO RULES:
1. WHEN B MOVES UP M MOVES DOWN.
2. WHEN B MOVES DOWN M MOVES UP.
M1
M
M
M1
M
M
M1 M
M1
G
G
G
G
G
B1 B
B
B
B
B
 LINEAR MEASUREMENTS IN
STABILITY

M
GM
G BM

KM
KG B

K
CL
 M

G Z THE THREE CONDITIONS

B1
OF STABILITY
POSITIVE

G M

B
B1

G
NEUTRAL
M

B
B1

NEGATIVE
Vertical Weight Shifts
GG1 = KG1 - KGo
M

G
G 1
GG1 G
G 1
1
G
G 1
1
G
G11
KG1
KGo B
 KG1 = (Wo x KGo) (w x kg)
Wf

WHERE;
w = Weight Shifted
kg = Distance Shifted
Wo = Original Displacement
KGo = Original Height of G
Wf = Final Displacement
= + if shift up/- if shift down
KG1 = (Wo x KGo) (w x kg)
Wf
25 T
M
Wo = 2000 T
G
G 1
G
G 1
30 FT G
G
1
1
1
G1
KG1 ?
12 FT B
45T
M Wo = 3400 T
8 FT

G 33 FT

15.5 FT B
17T
KG1 = (Wo x KGo)(w1xkg1)(w2xkg2)
Wf
WHERE;
w1&2 = Weights Shifted
kg1&2 = Distances Shifted
Wo = Original Displacement
KGo = Original Height of G
Wf = Final Displacement
= + if shift up/- if shift down
Vertical Weight Additions

M
G1
G

B
Vertical Weight Additions

M M
M
M
M
1
1 M1
G
M11 G
G111
G11 G
G
GG1 G
G
BB11 B
BB KG
KGo 1
KG1 = (Wo x KGo) (w x kg)
Wf
WHERE;
KGo = Original Height of G
Wo = Original Displacement
= + if addition/- if removal
w = Weight Added/Removed
kg = Distance Keel to "g" of wt
Wf = Final Displacement
16 TONS ADD

42 FT

Wo = 2000 TONS
KGo = 12 FT