Stability

For the next edition of my book I have decided to eliminate the confusion between TRIM
ARM and TRIM LEVER. TRIM ARM is used with the LCG Method of Trim Calculation which
assumes an initial even keel situation that is not necessarily in equilibrimum. TRIM LEVER
is used with the Parallel Sinkage and Change of Trim Method which assumes the vessel is
initially trimmed in an equilibrium condition..
TRIM ARM is the horizontal distance between LCG and LCB when the vessel is assumed
to be held in an even keel condition which is not necessarily in equilibrium.
TRIM LEVER is the horizontal distance between a weight that is added, removed or
shifted on the vessel and LCF. The vessel assumed to be initially in equilibrium with a
TRIM ARM = 0.

Free Surface Effect

Liquid that only partially fills a compartment is said to have a free surface that tends to
remain horizontal (parallel to the waterline). When the ship is inclined, the liquid flows to the
lower side (in the direction of inclination), increasing the inclining moment.

Background:
If the tank contains a solid weight, and the ship is inclined, the center of buoyancy shifts in
the direction of the inclination and righting arms (GZ) are formed.

Replacing the solid with a liquid of the same weight, when the ship is inclined, the surface of
the liquid remains horizontal. This results in a transfer of a wedge of water, which is
equivalent to a horizontal shift of weight, causing gravity to shift from G0 to G2.

The wedge of water transferred increases as the angle of inclination increases, therefore, the
center of gravity shifts a different amount for each inclination.

Due to the horizontal shift of the center of gravity, the righting arm is now G2Z2. To
determine the effect on stability, a vertical line is projected upward through G2 (see below).
Where this line crosses the ships centerline is labeled G3. The righting arm G3Z3 is the same
length as the righting arm G2Z2. Therefore, moving the ships center of gravity to position
G2 or G3 yields the same effect on stability. Movement from G0 to G3 is referred to as a
Virtual Rise of the center gravity.

To calculate the virtual rise in the center of gravity due to the Free Surface Effect, use the
following equation:

B = The breadth (width) of the compartment

L = The length of the compartment
WF = The ships final displacement (after flooding water added)

Factors Effecting Free Surface Effect

Pocketing
Free Surface Effect can be reduced, to some extent, by creating pocketing. Pocketing occurs
when the surface of the liquid contacts the top or bottom of the tank, reducing the breadth (B)
of the free surface area.
Since the effects of pocketing can not be calculated, it is an indeterminate safety factor. The
Free Surface correction will therefore indicate less overall stability than actually exists.

Surface Permeability
Impermeable objects (engines, pumps, piping systems, etc) inside a flooded space project
through and above the liquid surface. These objects inhibit the moving water and the
shifting of the wedge may or may not be complete, thus reducing Free Surface Effect. The
impermeable objects also occupy volume, reducing the amount of flooding water (movable
weight) that can fill the space.

Swash Bulkheads (Baffle Plates)

In addition to some structural support, these bulkheads are designed to reduce Free Surface
Effect. They are longitudinal bulkheads that hinder, but do not prevent, the flow of liquid
from side to side as the ship rolls or heels. They are found in tanks, voids, double bottoms,
bilges, etc.

Sluice Valves
Free flow (Sluice) valves on tankers allow opposing tanks to be cross-connected. When large,
partially filled tanks are connected, Free Surface Effect increases, and the vessel becomes less
stable.

Conditions of Free Surface Effect

1. FSE increases with increased length and width of compartment
2. FSE increases when displacement decreases (de-ballasting)
3. FSE is independent of the depth of the liquid

Example Problem
The firemain ruptures, flooding a compartment with 0.91 metre of saltwater. Displacement
prior to flooding was 4485 MT. The dimensions of the space are: L=9.14m B=12.8m
Calculate the weight added by the flooding water:

2. Calculate the new displacement:

3. Calculate the virtual rise in G due to Free Surface Effect:

Free Flow Effect

Free Flow Effect occurs when the ships hull is ruptured, allowing sea water to flow in and
out as the ship rolls. This continuous weight addition and removal causes a horizontal shift in
the center of gravity, which then equates to another virtual rise in the center gravity.
Three conditions must exist for Free Flow Effect:
The compartment must be open to the sea.
The compartment must be partially flooded.
The compartment must be off centerline or asymmetrical about centerline.
When the vessel below is inclined, it experiences a horizontal weight shift due to the Free
Surface Effect. The center of gravity shifts from G0 to G2. The center of gravity is shifted
further from centerline due to the flooding weight addition/removal as the ship rolls. This
reduces the righting arm from G2Z2 to G4Z4. By extending the line of gravitational force up to
the centerline, position G5 is found. This increase from G3 to G5 is the virtual rise of gravity
due to the Free Flow Effect.

The virtual rise in the center of gravity due to the Free Flow Effect (G3G5) is found using the
equation:

B = Breadth (width) of the compartment

L = Length of the compartment
Y = The distance from the center of gravity of the compartment to the Centerline of the ship
WF = The ships displacement following damage
The factors which minimize Free Surface Effect (pocketing, surface permeability, swash
bulkheads, etc) will also minimize Free Flow Effect. There is one additional factor associated
with Free Flow: the size of the hole in the ship.
How the size of the hole affects Free Flow is not something that can be calculated. The FCE
equation does not account for the hole. Basically, if the hole is small, less water will
be added/removed to/from the ship. The larger the hole, the closer Free Flow Effect is
to its calculated value.
Example Problem
A vessel has a hole in the starboard side of a compartment. Displacement prior to damage
was 3700 MT. Flooding depth is 1.52 m. Calculate the total virtual rise in the center of
gravity (FSE + FCE). Compartment length is 9.14 and the breadth is 8.23m. The
compartment extends from the Starboard shipside to a distance of 2.74 m beyond the centre
line on the port side.

1. Calculate the weight added due to flooding water:

2. Calculate the ships final displacement:

3. Calculate the virtual rise in G due to Free Surface Effect:

4. Determine the distance Y for calculating the Free Flow Effect:

The center of the compartment is 4.11 m from the inboard bulkhead, and the ships centerline
is 2.74 m from the inboard bulkhead.
5. Calculate the virtual rise in G due to Free Flow Effect:

6. Calculate the total virtual rise in the center of gravity:

GG (virtual) = FSE + FCE = 0.11 + 0.038 = 0.148 m