Fluid Mechanics – I

Equilibrium of
Floating Bodies

Maj Shahzad Aslam

 Floating Bodies

Whenever a body is placed over a liquid, either

it sinks down or float on the liquid
Floating Bodies

W > FB Sink

FB > W Float

Archimedes's Principle

When a body is immersed

wholly or partially in a
liquid, it is lifted by a force
equal to the weight of the
fluid displaced by the body.
Archimedes's Principle
 Buoyant Force
• FB is known as buoyant force or buoyancy.

• Resultant Force is the difference between FB and W.

• FB is equal to weight of the fluid displaced by the body.

• Centre of buoyancy is the point at which FB is supposed to

act. It is represented by “B”.

• It is the centre of gravity of the volume of the displaced

liquid or centre of area of the immersed section.

• When the immersed body is in equilibrium W = FB .

 Example - 1

A uniform rectangular block 3m long,

2m wide and 1m deep floats in water. If
the depth of immersion is 0.6m
determine the weight of the body.
 Example – 1 (Soln.)
W = FB

Volume of immersed section = V

A uniform rectangular
V = 3 x 2 x 0.6
block 3m long, 2m V = 3.6m3
wide and 1m deep
floats in water. If the
depth of immersion is W = FB
0.6m determine the
weight of the body. W = 𝛾V
W = (9.81)(3.6)

W = 35.32kN
 Example - 2

A block of wood 4m long, 2m wide and 1m

deep is floating horizontally in water. If the
density of wood be 710kg/m3, find the
volume of water displaced and the position
of centre of buoyancy.
 Example – 2 (Soln.)
A block of wood To Find W = FB
4m long, 2m wide VW = ?
and 1m deep is B=? VW = WB/𝛾W
floating VW = 55.72/9.81
horizontally in VW = 5.7m3
water. If the
VB = 4 x 2 x 1
density of wood be Depth of immersion
VB = 8m3
710kg/m3, find the =D
volume of water
WB = 𝛾BVB D = VW / AB
displaced and the
WB = 𝜌BgVB D = 5.7/(4x2)
position of centre
of buoyancy. WB = (710)(9.81)(8) D = 0.7125m

WB = 55.72kN B = 0.7125 / 2
B = 0.356m
 Metacentre
• Whenever an immersed body is subjected to a small
angular displacement it starts oscillating about a point.
This point is called Metacentre and represented by “M”.

• Intersection of the lines passing through original “G” and

“B” and the new “G1” and “B1”. Where “G” is centre of
gravity and “B” is the centre of buoyancy.
 Metacentric Height
• The distance between centre of gravity to the Metacentre
[GM]

• BM = I/V [Moment of inertia(plan) / Volume of water displaced]

• GM = BM ± BG

‘+’ when G is lower than B

‘-’ when G is higher than B
BM Formula (BM=I/V)
BG Geometry
GM Equation (GM=BM±BG)
 Example - 3

A rectangular timber block

2m long, 1.8m wide and 1m
deep is immersed 0.78m in
water. Find the metacentric
height of the block.
 Example – 3 (Soln.)
A rectangular timber block 2m long, 1.8m wide and 1m deep is immersed 0.78m in water. Find
the metacentric height of the block.

OG = 1/2 = 0.5m
OB = 0.78/2 = 0.39m GM = BM – BG
BG = OG – OB = 0.11m GM = 0.34 – 0.11 = 0.236m

I* = bh3/12 = (2)(1.8)3/12
I = 0.972m4
*The b and h of the face of the block
immersed in water can be used
interchangeably. Hence there are two
possible “I”. We will always consider the
smaller one.
V = 2 x 1.8 x 0.78 = 2.81m3
BM = I/V = 0.972/2.81
BM = 0.346m
 Conditions of Equilibrium

Condition Description Reason

Return back to its original position “M” is higher than
Stable
after given an angular displacement “G”

Does not return back to its original

Unstable position after given an angular “M” is lower than “G”
displacement

Occupies a new position and

“M” coincides with
Neutral remains at rest in this new position
“G”
after given an angular displacement
 Example - 4
For a novel design built on a floating
structure in an amusement park, the
structural engineer needs your help in
determining if a cylindrical buoy of 3m
diameter and 4m height having
maximum weight of 150kN can float in
water as shown in the figure. Help him
with your knowledge of the conditions
of equilibrium of floating bodies.
 Example – 4 (Soln.)
V = W/𝛾 BM = I/V = 3.98/15.3
V = 150/9.81 BM = 0.26m
V = 15.3m3 GM = BM – BG
GM = 0.26 – 0.92 = - 0.66m
D = V/A
D = 15.3 / (𝜋/4)(3)2 Since the metacentric height (GM)
D = 2.16m obtained is negative that shows
the metacentre (M) is lower than
OG = 4/2 = 2m the centre of gravity (G),
OB = 2.16/2 = 1.08m therefore the block is in unstable
BG = OG – OB = 0.92m equilibrium. Hence, the structure
team is advised to review their
I = 𝜋/64(d)4 = 𝜋/64(3)4 design as this buoy will not be
I = 3.98m4 able to float vertically in water.
 Example - 5
Determine the state of equilibrium of the
floating body discussed in Example - 3
 Example – 5 (Soln.)

Since the metacentric height (GM) obtained is positive that

shows the metacentre (M) is above the centre of gravity (G),
therefore the block is in stable equilibrium.
 References
Textbook Textbook I

A Textbook of Hydraulics, Fluid Mechanics and Hydraulic Machines

by R.S. Khurmi.
Chapter No. 5
Topics 5.1 – 5.11

Textbook Textbook II

Fluid Mechanics

by Munson
Chapter No. 2
Topics 2.11