Section 17

Inclining
Experiment
When calculating the final KG of the ship, first item included in the moment’s table is that
of the ship itself, along with its KG.

The purpose of an inclining experiment is to determine the KG of the ship in the light
displacement condition.

It is essential that it is performed and calculated as accurately as possible because the

light KG and displacement values will provide the basis of subsequent stability
calculations. If the light displacement and KG are incorrect, all stability calculations that
are subsequently carried out will be in error.

Learning Objectives
On completion of this section, the learner will

(1) Be able to derive and use the formula for calculating the KG during an
inclining experiment.

(2) Be able to calculate the lightship displacement and KG on the basis of

the calculations done in (1) above.
(3) Know the precautions required prior to conducting an inclining
experiment.
(4) Know the precautions required to ensure the accuracy of the
calculation.
17.1 Calculating the KG Inclined

Consider a ship is initially upright with an inclining ‘w’ on deck. KG is not known but
because the ship is upright, G is known to be on the centerline.

W
M

The inclining weight is shifted transversely causing G to move off the centerline then
causing the ship to list,

GH

B1

GCH may be calculated using formula:

GGH= W x d
W
where:
‘w’ is the inclining weight shifted
‘d’ is the distance through which the inclining weight is shifted transversely
‘W’ is the displacement of the ship (obtained from the hydrostatic particulars for
the appropriate True Mean Draught and water density.)

GH

B1

Triangles MGGH and OXY are similar:

In triangle MGGH:

OPP GGH
tan 𝜃= =
ADJ GM

In Triangle OXY:
GH
OPP XY
tan 𝜃= =
ADJ OX

GGH XY
Therefore: =
GM OX

GGH Deflection (m)

and: =
GM Pendulum length (m)

Pendulum length x GGH

GM=
Deflection
To prevent errors in the calculator of GM due to the rounding up of the value of it is usual
to combine both formulate. This gives:

Pendulum length x w x d
GM=
Deflection x W

Having found the GM as inclined, KM is taken from the ship’s hydrostatic particular the
appropriate True Mean Draught. KG as inclined as then found by:

KG as inclined = KM - GM
Example
A ship displace 14866 tonnes and has KM 8.86 m. The ship undergoes an inclining
experiment where a weight of 20 tonnes already onboard is moved transversely across
the deck through a distance of 14 m. Deflection of a pendulum 12.8 m in length recorded
as 26 cms. Calculate the KG of the ship as inclined.

Solution
Calculate the GM as included:
𝑃𝑒𝑛𝑑𝑢𝑙𝑢𝑚 𝑙𝑒𝑔ℎ𝑡 𝑥 𝑤 𝑥 𝑑
𝐺𝑀 =
𝐷𝑒𝑓𝑙𝑒𝑐𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛 𝑥 𝑊

12.8 x 20 x 14.0
GM= = 0.927 m
0.26 x 14866

(Note that the length of the pendulum and the deflection must be expressed in the
units – meters)
Calculate the KG as inclined:
KM 8.860 m
GM as inclined 0.927 m
KG as inclined 7.933 m
 SAQ 17.1
A ship has a displacement in SW of 19200 tonnes. The movement of a 25 tonnes
weight through a transverse distance of 12.5 m causes a 9 cm deflection of a 12 m
long pendulum. If KM is 8, 52 m, calculate the KG in the inclined condition.

17.2 Calculating the Lightship KG and Displacement

The displacement of the ship is obtained from the hydrostatic particular for the True Mean
Draught. If the ship is floating in dock water then the displacement must be corrected for
the appropriate density value.

Km is obtained from the hydrostatic particulars for the True Mean Draught.

The KG as inclined will be the effective will be the effective KG (Fluid KG). It will include
any virtual rise of G due to the free surface of any tanks, if any, during the experiment.

The purpose of the experiment is to determine the Light KG and Displacement of the ship
but the experiment is usually carried out when the ship is near completion. Weights will
have to be removed and/or loaded to adjust the inclined condition to the true light
displacement condition. Any liquid in tanks will also have to be removed along with any
free surface moments. This is achieved by taking moment about the keel to add or remove
the necessary items.

Example

An inclining experiment is to be carried out on a ferry near completion. The ship is upright
and has a displacement of 14260 tonnes with a KM of 10.92 m.

During the experiment, 14 persons will be on the vehicle deck (allow 76 kg/person;
Kg 2.90 m).

The vessel has the following tank contents:

No. 4 Db ballas tank 436 tonnes, Kg 2.50 m (tank full)
No 7 fuel oil tank 128 tonnes (tank full)
Fresh water tank 66 tonnes, Kg 4.30 m (fsms 1020 t-m)

The vessel is inclined using weights totaling 50 tonnes (Kg 2.90 m) and the plumb line
are secured to the vehicle deck having an effective length of 7.62 m. The inclining weights
are shifted a number of times through a transverse distance of 4.60 m and the mean
horizontal deflection of the plumb line was found to be 28.2 cms. The vessel’s Kg as
inclined If a Marine Escape System of weight 62 tonnes is still to be fitted at Kg 10.40 m,
calculate each of the following:

(a) The vessel’s lightship Kg and displacement.

Solution
Calculate the GM as inclined:
𝑃𝑒𝑛𝑑𝑢𝑙𝑢𝑚 𝑙𝑒𝑔ℎ𝑡 𝑥 𝑤 𝑥 𝑑
𝐺𝑀 =
𝐷𝑒𝑓𝑙𝑒𝑐𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛 𝑥 𝑊

7.62 x 50 x 4.6
GM= = 0.436
0.282 x 14260

Calculate the KG as included:

KM 10.920 m
GM as inclined 0.436 m
KG as inclined 10.484 m

Take moments about the keel to obtain Lightship KG and displacement

Item Weight (t) KM (m) Moments (t-m)
Ship as inclined 14260.00 10.484 149501.8
Persons onboard -1.05 2.900 -2.0
Ballast No. 4 DB -436.00 2.500 -1090.0
Fuel oil No. 7 -128.00 1.680 -215.0
Fresh water -66.00 4.300 -283.8
Inclining weights -50.00 2.900 -145.0
Remove FSMs -1020.0
MES system 62.00 10.400 644.8
Light ship 13640.95 10.805 147389.7
SAQ 17.1
An inclining experiment is to be carried out on ship near completion. The ship is upright has a
displacement of 12560 toones with a KM of 11.32 m (constant).

During the experiment, the vessel has the following tank contents:
No. 2 DB ballast tank 467 tonnes, Kg 2.50 m (fsms 842 t-m)
Fore peak tank 86 tonnes, Kg 3.22 m (fsms 86 t-m)
Fresh water tank 24 tonnes Kg, 10.26 m (fsm 22 t-m)
No. 6 C fuel oil tank 85 tonnes, Kg 1.92 m (fsms 122 t-m)

The vessel is inclined using 60 tonnes of inclining weights on deck (Kg 12.24 m) and the plumb
lines have an effective length of 9.56 m.

The inclining weights are shifted a number of times through a transverse distance of 7.10 m
and the mean horizontal deflection of the plumb line was found to be 42. 2 cms.

The following items remain to be accounted for:

Bridge equipment to install: 6.3 t, Kg 18.64 m

Dockyard onboard during the experiment: 8 at Kg 13.6 m

(Allow 75 Kg per person):

Calculated each of the following:

(a) The vessel’s KG as inclined
(b) The vessel’s lightship KG and displacement

17.3 Precautions Prior to Conducting the Experiment

(1) The ship must be absolutely upright to ensure that the ship’s course of gravity is
initially on the centerline.
(2) All moorings are to be slack, shore side gangway to be landed and, the ship’s
gangway to be in the stowed position. The ship should be clear the quay before
inclining.
3. There must be no significant wind, particularly on the beam, which might course
the ship to heel.
4. There should be no significant tide. Any tide will prevent moorings from being
maintained slack. If under keel clearance is small, the resulting effect of squat may
lead to erroneous draught readings. Ideally, the experiment should be conducted
in a sheltered dock
5. The movement of other vessels passing the ship at close quarters is also
considered as this may cause unwanted ship movement.
6. Derricks and cranes should be secured in their normal sea-going position.
7. Standing water and snow on deck should be cleared.

17.4 Precautions to Ensure Accuracy of the Calculation

1. Ship’s displacement to be determined accurately:

(a) Draughts to be read forward, aft and amidships on both sides and calculate mean
end draughts.
(b) Mean end draughts are to be corrected to the forward and aft perpendicular.
(c) Determine the truth mean draught (draught at the LCF)
(d) Allowance may have to be made for any hog or sag of the ship.
(e) Density of dock water is to be measured forward, aft and amidships on sides and
a mean density value determined.
(f) Establish the ship’s actual displacement and KM from hydrostatic particular
accounting for any errors due to trim (hydrostatic data is often tabulated the even
keel condition). The tabulated salt water displacement will have to be corrected for
the determined dock water density.
2. Two or more pendulum should be used to obtain a mean deflection value.
3. Pendulums should be as long as possible, making the OXY triangle as big as
possible to minimize deflection measurement errors.
4. Pendulums plumb weights should be suspended in a trough of hydraulic oil to
dampen pendulum movement/oscillations.
5. Several successive movements of the inclining weights to port and starboard must
be carried out to provide a number of deflection readings to give a more
dependable ‘mean’ deflection value.
6. The list must be restricted to a ‘small’ (less than 10°) angle to ensure that:
𝐺𝐺𝐻
𝑡𝑎𝑛 𝜃 =
𝐺𝑀
Remains valid (GM only applying to small angles of heel).
7. Any tanks that are in use should be pressed-up if possible to minimize the effects
of free surface. Partially filled tanks should be avoided whenever possible to minimize
any errors in:
 The determination of quantity of liquid in the tank
 The determination of the KG of the liquid
 The determination of the free surface moments
It should be borne in mind that, if the trim of the ship is different to the assumed by
the tank sounding tables, inaccuracies are inevitable.
8. Only those persons necessary for the carrying out the experiment should remain
onboard during the procedure.

Tutorial Question
17.1 (a) An inclining experiment is to be carried out on a new ship close to completion.
State the purpose of this experiment.
(b) With the aid of a sketch, derive the formula to calculate the GM of a ship which is
being inclined.
(c) List the preparations that should be taken prior to conducting an inclining
experiment on a ship
(d) List the precautions that should be taken during the experiment to ensure accuracy
of the result.
17.2 (a) A ship at draughts 6.180 m forward, 7.820 m aft is in water RD 1.018. The
displacement for a mean draught of 7.00 m in SW would be 19200 tonnes. The
movement of 7 tonnes through a transverse distance of 12.5 m causes a 9 cm
deflection of a 12 m long pendulum. If KM for the inclined draught is 8.52 m, calculate
the KG of the ship as inclined.
(b) The following weights are to be removed:
14 tonnes inclining weights, Kg 14.2 m
38 tonnes builders’ equipment, Kg 11.5 m
Calculate the lightship KG if 29 tonnes of machinery still has to be installed at Kg 7.2m.
17.3 (a) The following details were noted during an inclining experiment carried out
on a ship:
Draughts in water RD 1.020 are 6.990 m forward and 7.210 m aft. The
displacement for a mean draught of 7.100 m in SW would be 18450
tonnes. The movement of 9 tonnes through a transverse distance of 8.2 m
causes a 12 cm deflection of a 14 m pendulum. If KM is 8.96 m, calculate
KG in the inclined condition.
(b) The following weights are to be removed:
18 tonnes inclining weights, Kg 16.3 m
43 tonnes builders’ equipment, Kg 9.4 m
Calculate the lightship KG if 32 tonnes of machinery will has to be installed
at a Kg of 5.7 m.
17.4 (a) A ship is to be inclined at a displacement of 11163 tonnes.
Free surface moments exist in a rectangular double bottom tank containing
diesel oil of relative density 0.88. The tank is 16 m long, 18 m wide and the
sounding is 2.2m.
The movement of 11 tonnes through a transverse distance of 19.6 m causes
a 7 cm deflection of a 9 m long pendulum. If KM is 10.16 m, calculate the KG
in the inclined condition.
(b) The following changes are required to bring the ship to the light condition:
Discharge: 22 tonnes inclining weights, Kg 16.1 m
44 tonnes builders’ equipment, Kg 11.8 m
The diesel oil in the double bottom
Load: 18 tonnes machinery, Kg 5.4 m
17.5 (a) A RoRo vessel is to be inclined at a displacement of 11100 tonnes. The
following tanks are slack.
No. 3 DB contains SW (RD 1.025) (free surface moment 800 t-m, basis FW)
No. 4 DB contains fuel oil (RD 0.88) (free surface moment 670 t-m, basis FW)
The movement of 14 tonnes through a transverse distance of 22.2 m causes a
15.2 cm deflection of a 12 m long pendulum
If KM is 11.70 m, calculate the KG in the inclined condition
(b) The following change are required to bring the ship to the light condition:
Discharge: 28 tonnes inclining weights, Kg 16.0 m
41 tonnes equipment, KG 9.0 m
110 tonnes SW ballast, Kg 1.1 m
38 tonnes fuel oil. KG 0.9 m
Load: 19 tone=tonnes machinery, Kg 5.5 m
Calculate the lightship displacement and lightship KG.
Self-Assessment Answers
Self-Assessment Answers
17. 1 Calculate the GM as inclined
𝑃𝑒𝑛𝑑𝑢𝑙𝑢𝑚 𝑙𝑒𝑔ℎ𝑡 𝑥 𝑤 𝑥 𝑑
𝐺𝑀 =
𝐷𝑒𝑓𝑙𝑒𝑐𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛 𝑥 𝑊
12.0 𝑥 25 𝑥 12.5
𝐺𝑀 = = 2.170𝑚
0.09 𝑥 19200

Calculate the KG as inclined:

KM 8.520m
Gm as inclined 2.170m
KG as inclined 6.250 m
17. 2 Calculate the GM as inclined:

𝑃𝑒𝑛𝑑𝑢𝑙𝑢𝑚 𝑙𝑒𝑔ℎ𝑡 𝑥 𝑤 𝑥 𝑑
𝐺𝑀 =
𝐷𝑒𝑓𝑙𝑒𝑐𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛 𝑥 𝑊
9.56 𝑥 60 𝑥 7.4
𝐺𝑀 = = 0.081 𝑚
0.422 𝑥 12560

Calculate the KG as inclined:

KM 11.320 m
Gm as inclined 0.801 m
KG as inclined 10.519 m
Take moments about the keel obtain Lightship KG and displacement.
 Item Weight (t) KM (m) Moments (t-m)
Ship as inclined 12560.00 10.519 132118.6
Persons onboard -0.60 13.600 -8.2
Ballast No. 2 DB -367.00 2.500 -917.5
Fore peak tank -86.00 3.220 -276.9
Fresh water -24.00 10.260 -246.2
Fuel oil No. 6 -85.00 1.920 -163.2
Remove FSMs -1070.0
Dockyard equip. -5.20 8.420 -43.8
Inclining weights -60.00 12.240 -734.4
Bridge equip. 6.30 18.640 117.4
Light ship 11938.50 10.786 128773.9

Tutorial Answer
17.1 Refer to Section 17.
17.2 (a)
The mean draught is 7.00 m. Hydrostatic data gives a displacement value of 10299
tonnes basis SW (1.025). Because the ship is floating in dock water (RD 1.018),
the displacement value must be corrected for difference in density.

1018
𝐴𝑐𝑡𝑢𝑎𝑙 𝑑𝑖𝑠𝑝𝑙𝑎𝑐𝑒𝑚𝑒𝑛𝑡 = 19200 𝑥 = 19069 𝑡𝑜𝑛𝑛𝑒𝑠
1025
𝑃𝑒𝑛𝑑𝑢𝑙𝑢𝑚 𝑙𝑒𝑔ℎ𝑡 𝑥 𝑤 𝑥 𝑑
𝐺𝑀 =
𝐷𝑒𝑓𝑙𝑒𝑐𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛 𝑥 𝑊

12 𝑥 7 𝑥 12.5
𝐺𝑀 = = 0.612 𝑚
0.09 𝑥 19069

KM 8.520 m
GM 0.612 m
KG as inclined 7908 m

(b) Take moments about the keel to determine lightship KG and displacement.
Item Weight (w) Kg (m) Moments (t-m)
Ship as inclined 19069.0 7.908 150797.7
Inclining weighs -14.0 14.200 -198.9
Builders’ equip. -38.00 -11.500 -437.0
Machinery 29.0 7.200 208.8
Lightship 19046.0 7.895 150370.0
7.3 (a) The mean draught is 7.100 m. The hydrostatic data gives a displacement value
of 18450 tonnes basis SW (1.025). Because the ship is floating in dock water
(RD 1.020), the displacement value must be corrected for difference in density.
(b) Take moments about the keel to determine lightship KG and displacement.
1018
𝐴𝑐𝑡𝑢𝑎𝑙 𝑑𝑖𝑠𝑝𝑙𝑎𝑐𝑒𝑚𝑒𝑛𝑡 = 19200 𝑥 = 19069 𝑡𝑜𝑛𝑛𝑒𝑠
1025
𝑃𝑒𝑛𝑑𝑢𝑙𝑢𝑚 𝑙𝑒𝑔ℎ𝑡 𝑥 𝑤 𝑥 𝑑
𝐺𝑀 =
𝐷𝑒𝑓𝑙𝑒𝑐𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛 𝑥 𝑊

14 𝑥 9 𝑥 8.2
𝐺𝑀 = = 0.469 𝑚
0.12 𝑥 18360
KM 8.960 m
GM 0.469 m
KG as inclined 8.491 m
(b) Take moments about the keel to determine lightship KG and displacement

Item Weight (w) Kg (m) Moments (t-m)

Ship as inclined 1836.0 8.491 155894.8
Inclining weighs -18.0 16.300 -293.4
Builders’ equip. -43.0 9.400 -404.2
Machinery 32.0 5.700 182.4
Lightship 18331.0 8.476 155379.6
𝑃𝑒𝑛𝑑𝑢𝑙𝑢𝑚 𝑙𝑒𝑔ℎ𝑡 𝑥 𝑤 𝑥 𝑑
𝐺𝑀 =
𝐷𝑒𝑓𝑙𝑒𝑐𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛 𝑥 𝑊

9 𝑥 11 𝑥 19.6
𝐺𝑀 = = 2.483 𝑚
0.07 𝑥 11163
KM 10.160 m
GM 2.483 m
KG as inclined 7.677 m
(b) Mass of oil in tank = 16 x 18 x 2.2 x 0.88= 557.6 tonnes
1
𝐾𝑔 𝑜𝑓 𝑜𝑖𝑙 = 2 𝑥 𝑠𝑜𝑢𝑛𝑑𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝐾𝑔 = 1,1 𝑚

𝐼𝐵 2
𝐹𝑆𝑀𝑠 = 𝑥 𝑑𝑒𝑛𝑠𝑖𝑡𝑦
12
 16 𝑥 183
𝐹𝑆𝑀𝑠 = 𝑥 0.88 = 6842.9 𝑡 − 𝑚
12
Item Weight (t) KM (m) Moments (t-m)
Ship as inclined 11163.00 7.677 85698.4
Inclining weights -22.0 16.100 -519.2
Builder’s equip. -44.0 11.800 -519.2
Diesel oil -557.6 1.100 -613.4
Machinery 18.0 5.400 97.2
Remove FSMs -50.00 2.900 -6842.9
Lightships 10557.4 7.338 -77465.9

17. 5 (a)
𝑃𝑒𝑛𝑑𝑢𝑙𝑢𝑚 𝑙𝑒𝑔ℎ𝑡 𝑥 𝑤 𝑥 𝑑 12 𝑥 14 𝑥 22.2
𝐺𝑀 = 𝐺𝑀 = 𝑥 2.211 𝑚
𝐷𝑒𝑓𝑙𝑒𝑐𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛 𝑥 𝑊 0.152 𝑥 11100

KM 11.700 m
GM 2.211 m
KG as inclined 9.489 m’

(b) Free surface moments are given basis FW (RD 1,000). These must be
corrected for the actual densities of the liquid in the tanks.

No. 3 DB FSMs = 800 x 1.025 = 820 t-m

No. 4 DB FAMs = 670 x 0.880 = 596.6 t-m

Total FAMs to remove = 820 + 589.6 = 1409.6 t-m

Item Weight (t) KM (m) Moments (t-m)

Ship as inclined 11100.0 9.489 105327.9
Inclining weights -28.0 16.000 -448
Equipment -41.0 9.000 -369.0
SW ballast -110.0 1.100 -121.0
Fuel oil -38.0 0.900 -34.2
Machinery -104.5
Remove FSMs. -5 8.420 -1409.6
Light ship -10902.0 9.452 -103050.6