The Islamic University Gaza

Faculty Engineering
Civil Engineering Department
Hydraulics Laboratory
ECIV 3122

Experiment #2
BUOYANCY & FLOTATION METACENTRIC HEIGHT

:Submitted By
- Mahmoud Moneer Radi

:Supervisor By
Eng. Mohammed Mousa

Date Of Submitted: 20-3-2015

120123033

Exp. (2): BUOYANCY & FLOTATION METACENTRIC HEIGHT

Purpose: To determine the metacentric height of a flat bottomed vessel.
Introduction:
Buoyancy arises from the fact that fluid pressure increases with depth and from the
fact that the increased pressure is exerted in all directions (Pascal's principle) so that
there is an unbalanced upward force on the bottom of a submerged object.
Since the "water ball" at left is exactly supported by the difference in pressure and
the solid object at right experiences exactly the same pressure environment, it
follows that the buoyant force on the solid object is equal to the weight of the water
displaced (Archimedes' principle).

Buoyancy of Boat theorem

Theory:
If a body is tilted through an angle , B1 will be the position of the center of buoyancy
after tilting. A vertical line through B1 will intersect the center line of the body at (M)
(Metacenter of the body), MG is the metacentric height. The force due to buoyancy
acts vertically up through B1 and is equal to W, the weight of the body acts
downwards through G. The resulting couple is of magnitude Px

Px = W. GG1
= W. GM. sin

GM

Px
(1)
W

in radian

Fig.(2) Metacentric height

* The metacentric height can be calculated as
followed:
MG = BM + OB OG..........(2)
Where:
- BM
- I

I
V

- BM is the metacentric radius ,

1
LD 3
12

- I : Moment of inertia of pontoon

- V: Total volume of displaced liquid.

- OB = 0.5 (

V
)
LxD

Apparatus:
1. Flat bottomed pontoon
2. Hydraulic bench.

PART (1): Determination of floatation characteristic for unloaded and for loaded
pontoon
Procedure:
1. Assemble the pontoon by positioning the bridge piece and mast.
2. Weigh the pontoon and determine the height of its center of gravity up the line of
The mast.
3. Fill the hydraulic bench measuring tank with water and float the pontoon in it, then

Ensure that the plumb line on the zero mark.

4. Apply a weight of 50 g on the bridge piece loading pin then measure and record
The angle of tilting and the value of applied weight.
5. Repeat step 4 for different weights; 100, 150, & 200 g, and take the corresponding
Angle of tilting.
6. Calculate GM practically. Draw a relationship between (x-axis) and GM

(y-

axis), then obtain GM when equals zero.

7. Calculate GM theoretically.
8. Repeat the above procedures for increasing ballast loading conditions i.e. 2000
and4000g.
Calculate GM theoretically according to equation (2),
Where OG

Wvm(OGvm ) Wb(OGb ) Wvm(OGvm ) Wb( x1)

Wvm Wb
Wvm Wb

OGvm = 125 mm, OGb= x1: from table "1".

PART (2) : Determination of floatation characteristic when changing the center of
gravity of the pontoon.
1. Replace the large bilge weights by 450g weights.
2. Apply a weight of 300gm on a height of 190 mm from the pontoon surface.
3. Using the method of exercise A, determine the metacentric height (using
applied weights 40, 80 &120g).
4. Move one 50g bilge weight to the mast head and once again determine .
5. Repeat 100, 150 and 200g moved from the bilge weight to the mast head.
Measure the position of the center of gravity from the base of the pontoon for
each loading condition.
6. Determine the theoretical for each condition and also a height of a metacenter
above water level.

Calculation
GM

Px
(1)
w. sin

Where, in radian
* The metacentric height can be calculated as followed:
MG = BM + OB OG.......... (2)
Where:
- BM
- I

I
V

- BM is the metacentric radius,

1
LW 3
12

- I: Moment of inertia of pontoon

- V: Total volume of displaced liquid.

- OB = 0.5 (

V
)
LxW

w
p

Exp GM BM(mm)
3000 50 2.8 41.9654 164.9306
3000 100 5 47.04222
3000 150 7 50.46388
3000 200 9.8 48.17592

OB (mm)
OG (mm)
15.78947368
125

GM Th
55.72003

GM @ zero
38.94

5000 50 2.5 28.19847

5000 100 4.8 29.39846
5000 150 6.8 31.1645
5000 200 9.1 31.10812

98.95833

26.31578947

87

38.27412

34.28

7000
7000
7000
7000

70.68452

36.84210526

75

32.52663

28.7

100 3.5 28.78272

150 5.5 27.49954
200 7
28.8365
250 9.3 27.18288

Mast Weight
=0.00

(degree)

40

2.1

GM

OG

OB

BM

18.421

141.369
0476

Exp
GMfrom
graph

Exp
GM

M above
water
level

38.362

80

3.9

34.36

120

7.9

30.683

Mast Weight
= 50
40
80
120

4
7
11

20.152
23.069
22.101

Mast
Weight= 100
20

40

80

12.5

12.989

Mast Weight
= 150
10
20
40

3
6
9

6.715
6.724
8.986

Mast Weight
= 200

Unstabl
e

23.43

125.43

136.36

18.421

141.369

32.1

21.34

41.335

L = 10
122.948

L=20
122.948

13.430
12.36
0

1.15

147.43

158.64

18.421

18.421

141.369

141.369

1584

5.579

13.448

L=30
122.948

L = 40
122.948

Comments:
1-it was difficult to show exact value of because of periodic motion .
2-in the last part of experiment when we add 40 gram the boat fall in water
because the fan affected to it stability

3. The boat motion was in limited range this led to clash with hydraulic bench
and repeat experiment