Mastering Physics A Level Physics Physics Manuals Physics Relativity Physics 101 Physics All Answers Answers by Expert: Ask Experts Volunteer Steve Johnson Expertise I would be delighted to help with questions up through the first year of college Physics. Particularly Electricity, Electronics and Newtonian Mechanics (motion, acceleration etc.). I decline questions on relativity and Atomic Physics. I also could discuss the Space Shuttle and space flight in general. Experience I have a BS in Physics and an MS in Electrical Engineering. I am retired now. My professional career was in Electrical Engineering with considerable time spent working with accelerometers, gyroscopes and flight dynamics (Physics related topics) while working on the Space Shuttle. I gave formal classroom lessons to technical co-workers periodically over a several year period. Education/Credentials BS Physics, North Dakota State University MS Electrical Engineering, North Dakota State University Home Science Physics Physics buoy Advertisement 0 Physics/buoy Expert: Steve Johnson - 3/22/2009 Question dear sir johnson i want to know about total forces on a floating structure or buoy.i want to calculate these forces (like wind,wave, current....). please guide me. best regard Get the answer below Sponsored Links Physics Tutors www.tuitionphysics.com Current JC, Secondary & IP Teacher At Affordable Prices. Contact Us! Physics Tuition, Examiner www.physicstuition.net Examiner, PSC overseas scholar Imperial College First Class Honors Sec 1/2 Maths and Science www.doctorpeh.com IP for RI, RGS, Nanyang, and HCI June Holiday workshop (20 hrs) Answer Hello ameneh, That would be very much related to the shape of the structure or buoy. First consider a boat at anchor as your floating structure. Boats are shaped to minimize drag forces -- some more than others. These forces are minimized for cigarette racing boats to a high degree, an oil tanker -- not so much. When at anchor, the efforts that minimize the drag experienced under power would minimize forces in the same way when the boat is anchored. The boat would naturally swing to face the current or wind. If there is both wind and current, then it will find the best compromise. If the structure or buoy floats just barely above the surface, wind would not affect it much, but current would. If the structure is light enough that it displaces very little water, the current wouldn't get much of a hold on it but wind could. So, this would be hard to calculate. I can see ways to measure the force. If you put a spring in the cable to the harbor bottom, you could measure the stretch. And from that determine the force F. The horizontal force on the structure would be according to Horizontal force on structure = F*cos(theta) where theta is the angle between the cable and horizontal. Another possibility would be to measure how much the angle of the cable pulls the structure down farther into the water than when it is floating free. (To be able to measure this would probably require that the structure be a cylinder or rectangular solid rather than the complex shape of some buoys.) That additional amount of sinking into the surface would be equivalent to putting more weight on the floating structure. The additional buoyancy gained would be equal to the vertical component of the tension in the cable. From that you could calculate the total tension in the cable and then you could calculate the horizontal component of the tension. In equation form: Weight of additional water displaced = T*sin(theta) where theta is the angle between the cable and horizontal. Horizontal forces on the structure = T*cos(theta) I hope this helps, Steve Richard J. Raridon James J. Kovalcin Steve Nelson Steve Johnson Expert Spaceman Suresh Chandra Benjamin Palash Apte Dr. Jeffery Raymond Browse Answers: About Us Tell Friends How to Ask How to Volunteer FAQ Tech Support Top Experts Expert Login By Category Alphabetically Page 1 of 2 Physics: buoy, ameneh, floating structure http://en.allexperts.com/q/Physics-1358/2009/3/buoy.htm Related Articles Sponsored Links i3 Tuition Programmes www.i3.edu.sg NIE Trained Teachers Primary and Secondary Level Physics science news www.technology.org Nanotechnology, classical physics, quantum physics. Torque Measurement www.datum-electronics.co.uk Torque Sensors from 10-200,000Nm Standard Sensors and OEM Solutions Add to this Answer Ask a Question Try This: Acid Rain - Science Experiments for Kids The Capsizing of the Ethan Allen Marine Patrol - Law Enforcement Careers Boating Tips by the Bass Coach - Part 1 Some Follow Up Tips on Muddy Water Fishing 2014 About.com. All rights reserved. User Agreement Privacy Policy Page 2 of 2 Physics: buoy, ameneh, floating structure http://en.allexperts.com/q/Physics-1358/2009/3/buoy.htm