4.

6 The Effects of a Transverse Shift in the Center of Gravity of the Ship on

the Righting Arm ( GZ ): Cosine Correction
The stability analysis so far has considered the center of gravity on the centerline, or TCG = 0 ft.
We saw in Chapter 3 that the center of gravity may be moved off the centerline by weight
additions, removals, or shifts such as cargo loading, ordinance firing, and movement of
personnel. When this occurs, there is an effect upon the stability of the ship.

The effect upon stability of a transverse shift in G can be calculated using the cosine correction.

There are 2 instances when the cosine correction is necessary.

• Correcting the Curve of Intact Statical Stability for the true transverse location of G.

• Correcting the Curve of Intact Statical Stability for changes in TCG.

An analysis of Figure 4.6 showing a shift in the transverse location of G from the centerline
enables the cosine correction to be quantified. The new righting arm may be computed at each
angle using the following equation.

Gt Z t = GV Z V − GV Gt cos φ

where: G t Z t is the corrected righting arm (ft).

Gv Zv is the uncorrected righting arm (ft).
Gv Gt is the transverse distance from the centerline to the center of
gravity (ft).
G v G t cosφ is the cosine correction term (ft).

This equation should be evident from Figure 4.6 by examining the enlarged right angled triangle
at the top of the Figure.

Students must be able to draw Figure 4.6 and be able to derive the cosine correction from
! this Figure.

4 - 15