Title:

Chapter 5 – Stability of Floating Bodies

Overview/Introduction
Any floating body is subjected by two opposing vertical forces. One is the body’s weight W which ids
downward, and the other is the buoyant force BF which is upward. The weight is acting at the center of gravity G
and the buoyant force is acting at the center of buoyancy BO. W and BF are always equal and if these forces are
collinear, the body will be in upright position.
Learning Outcome/Objectives
To solve problems about Stability of Floating Bodies
Learning Content/Topic
Lesson 5 Stability of Floating Bodies
STABILITY OF FLOATING BODIES
G
W

�� Traverse Section
D

BF
B

Upright Position

B = width of the body (m) G = center of gravity of the body in

the upright position
D = draft or depth of flotation (m)
Bo = center of buoyancy of the
V = total volume submerged (�� ) body in the upright position

Bo’ = center of buoyancy of the

body in the tilted position
STABILITY OF FLOATING BODIES
Righting Moment
G = center of gravity of the body in
the upright position

Bo = center of buoyancy of the

body in the upright position

Bo’ = center of buoyancy of the

body in the tilted position

M = metacenter; point of
intersection between the buoyant
force and the tilted axis of the body
which determines its stability

Stable Position
Stable Position
STABILITY OF FLOATING BODIES
Over Turning Moment
M = metacenter; point of
intersection between the buoyant
force and the tilted axis of the body
which determines its stability

MG = metacentric height (m);

distance between the metacenter
and the center of gravity of the
body which measures its stability.

Unstable Position
SHIP MOTIONS

Lesson 4:
FUNDAMENTALS
OF FLUID
FLOW
 For rectangular sections,

�� exact
��� =    [ � + �. � ����  � ]
���

For other sections,

��
��� =   exact
���� �

�
��� =   approximate
�

θ = angle of tilting
� = volume of the wedge of immersion/emersion(�� )
s = horizontal distance between the centroids of v′ s (m)

I = moment of inertia of an area which is the top view of 
   the body at the level of the liquid surface with respect to the axis of tilting(�� )
Problem 1
The center of gravity of a ship in the upright position is SOLUTION:
11.5 m above the center of gravity of the portion below
water, the displacement being 16MN. The ship tilts
30° causing the center of buoyancy to shift sidewise 9.2 m. 9.2
sin 30 =
Is the moment righting or overturning? What is the ���
magnitude of this moment?
��� = 18.4

��� > G��  ( � �� ����� �)

∴ �������� ������

MG = ��� - G��

MG = 18.4  − 11.5

MG = 6.9 �
Problem 1
The center of gravity of a ship in the upright position is SOLUTION:
11.5 m above the center of gravity of the portion below
water, the displacement being 16MN. The ship tilts MG = ��� - G��
30° causing the center of buoyancy to shift sidewise 9.2 m.
Is the moment righting or overturning? What is the
magnitude of this moment? MG = 18.4  − 11.5

MG = 6.9 �

RM = BF MG sin�

RM = 16,000 (6.9 sin 30)

�� = ��,  ��� �� − �
 Problem 2
A rectangular scow 9 m wide , 15 m long and 3.6 m high SOLUTION:
weighs 3304 kN.
a. What is the draft in sea water weighing 10.20 kN/�3 W = BF
b. What is the metacentric height if its center of gravity is
2.7 m above the bottom?
3304 = 10.20(9)(15)(D)
� D= 2.4 �

�
G�� = 2.7 - 1.2 = 1.5 m
1.5 m
2.7 m 3.6 m ��
��� =    [ � + �. � ����  � ]
�� D ���
1.2 m
��
��� =    [ � + �. � ����  � ]
��(�. �)
9m
�� = ��,  ��� �� − �
Problem 2
A rectangular scow 9 m wide , 15 m long and 3.6 m high weighs
3304 kN. SOLUTION:
a. What is the draft in sea water weighing 10.20 kN/�3
b. What is the metacentric height if its center of gravity is 2.7 m
above the bottom? ��
��� =    [ � + �. � ����  � ]
c. If the scow tilts until one side is just at the point of ��(�. �)
submergence, determine the righting couple.
� ��� = �. ��� �

� �� = ��� - ���

1.5 m �� = 2.813 – 1.5

2.7 m 3.6 m
�� D
1.2 m �� = �. ��� �

9m
SOLUTION:
If the scow tilts until one side is just at the point of submergence, determine the righting couple.

1.41 92
2 �
M ��� =    [ 1 + 0.5 ���2  14.931]
(12)(2.4)
1.5 � G
��� = 2.912 �
Type �
 equa 1.2 �
t i o n 
�� here �� = ��� −  ���
.

2.4 � MG = 2.912 – 1.5

MG = 1.412 m
� 1.2 �
4.5 � 1.2 RM = BF *MGsin�
tan θ =
4.5
RM = 3304(1.412sin14.931)
1.2
θ= ���−1 = 14.931° �� = ����. ��� �� −  �
4.5
Problem 3
It is desired to float in fresh water a wooden cone, 18 cm in
diameter and 25 cm high, with the apex downward. If the s.g of the SOLUTION:
cone is 0.60.
a. Compute the submerged depth. W = BF
1
0.6(1)(1/3)(�)(9)2 (25) = 1( )(�)(�)2 (ℎ)
R = 9 cm 3

By R&P:
r=?
9.5 �
= 
25 ℎ
H = 25 cm

� = 0.36ℎ
� = 0.36(21.086)
h=?

� = 7.591
Problem 3
It is desired to float in fresh water a wooden cone, 18 cm in
diameter and 25 cm high, with the apex downward. If the s.g of the SOLUTION:
cone is 0.60.
a. Compute the submerged depth. � = 7.591
1
0.6(1)(1/3)(�)(9)2 (25) = 1( )(�)(036ℎ)2 (ℎ)
R = 9 cm 3

ℎ3 = 9375
r=?
h = 21.086 ��
H = 25 cm

h=?
SOLUTION: Problem 3
b. Compute the distance of the metacenter from the center of
r = 7.591 cm buoyancy.

3 3
��� = (25) − (21.086)
4 4
R = 9 cm ��� = 2.936 ��

G � �
M
r=? � =    �4 =  (7.591)4 = 2607.869 ��4
4 4

1 1
�� V= π �2  ℎ = π (7.591)2  (21.086) = 1272.392��3
3 3
H = 25 cm

h = 21.086 cm

� 2607.869
��� = =  
3/4H

� 1272.392
3/4h

��� = 2.050 ��
SOLUTION: Problem 3
c. Locate the metacenter from the center of gravity
r = 7.591 cm

�� =  ��� - ���

R = 9 cm �� = 2.936  − 2.050

G
r=? ��  = 0.886 ��
M

��
H = 25 cm

h = 21.086 cm

3/4H

3/4h
Teaching and learning activities
To solve problems about Stability of Floating Bodies
Flexible Teaching Modality (FTLM) adapted
Google classroom, Module,Lecture
Assessment Task
Quiz about To solve problems about Stability of Floating Bodies
Reference:
1. Mays, Larry W. 2004. Water Resources Engineering, 2005 Edition, USA
2. Robert L. Daugherty, Joseph B. Franzini and E. John Finnemore. 2002 Fluid Mechanics with Engineering Applications SI Metric
Edition, USA
3. Linsley, Ray K.: Franzini, Joseph B. Freynerg, David L. Tchobanoglous, David L. 1992. Water Resources Engineering, Fourth Edition.
McGraw-Hill.
4. John J. Cassidy & M. Hanif Chaudhry. 1988. Hydraulic Engineering Second Edition, USA
5. H.W. King, J. O. Wisler and J.G. Woodburn. 1980. Hydraulics, 5th Edition R.E. Krieger Publishing Compay.