1.

6 FREE SURFACE EFFECTS

Description

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Showing the vessel at rest
with a partly filled
Undivided M
double
Bottom tank. G
The GM shown
is the GM
SOLID, all of B
which are
On the
centreline of
the vessel K
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 M

G Z

B B₁

K
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Righting Arm (GZ)
The distance between the forces of buoyancy and
gravity is known as the ship’s righting arm. As
shown , the righting arm is a perpendicular line
drawn from the center of gravity to the point of
intersection on the force of buoyancy line.

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 M
G2 Z2

G Z
Z1
G1

B B₁

K
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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.

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 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.

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 M
G2 Z2

G Z
Z1
G1

B B₁

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

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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 ship’s
centerline is labelled G3. The righting arm G3Z3 is the
same length as the righting arm G2Z2. Therefore,
moving the ship’s 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.

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THE MARITIME ACADEMY OF ASIA AND THE PACIFIC
To calculate the virtual rise in the center of gravity due to
the Free Surface Effect, use the following equation:
Virtual loss of GM = lb³ x ρt x 1
12 W n²
n = No. of longitudinal compartment into which is partially
filled with liquid.
The moment of inertia ( l ), is often termed the second
moment of area, of the free liquid surface of a rectangular
tank may be determined by:
Free surface constant or I = lb³ (m⁴)
12
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FSM (t-m) = lb³ x ρt (density of the liquid in the tank)
12
FSM (t-m) = M⁴ or I⁴ x ρt (density of the liquid in the tank)

FSE = FSM
Δ
FSE or FSC = lb³ x ρt (density of the liquid in the tank)
12 Δ

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Equally subdividing the tank has the following effects on
free surface:
A. No subdivision

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B. Single subdivision

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C. Double subdivision

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Example 1: APPLICATION

MV MAAP Displaces 26400 MT, KG 9.45m and from

the hydrostatic particulars TKM is 11.64m, calculate
a. The FSC (free surface correction)
b. The Effective GM (corrected GM or GoM)
Given the following liquid tanks.

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Calculate the total free surface moment (FSM) of the following
tanks: WATER BALLAST TANKS = 1.025 t/m³
COMPARTMENT CONDITION M⁴ or I⁴ FSM
FORE PEAK 80% FULL 3,030
NO1 WBT (P) 35% FULL 4,476
NO 1 WBT (S) 35% FULL 4,476
NO 3 WBT (P) EMPTY 15,323
NO 3 WBT (S) EMPTY 15,323
APT 100% FULL 3,612
TOTAL

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Calculate the total free surface moment (FSM) of the following
tanks: WATER BALLAST TANKS = 1.025 t/m³
COMPARTMENT CONDITION M⁴ FSM
FORE PEAK 80% FULL 3,030 3105.8
NO1 WBT (P) 35% FULL 4,476 4587.9
NO 1 WBT (S) 35% FULL 4,476 4587.9
NO 3 WBT (P) EMPTY 15,323
NO 3 WBT (S) EMPTY 15,323
APT 100% FULL 3,612
TOTAL 12281.6

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 FUEL OIL TANKS = 0.960 t/m³
COMPARTMENT % CONDITION M⁴ FSM
NO 1 FOT 90% FULL 5,036
NO 2 FOT 100% FULL 10,251
NO 3 FOT 80% FULL 1,478
DEEP FOT 100% FULL 128
HFO SETT TANK 55% FULL 2
HFO SERV TANK 25% FULL 2
TOTAL

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 FUEL OIL TANKS = 0.960 t/m³
COMPARTMENT % CONDITION M⁴ FSM
NO 1 FOT 90% FULL 5,036 4834.6
NO 2 FOT 100% FULL 10,251
NO 3 FOT 80% FULL 1,478 1418.9
DEEP FOT 100% FULL 128
HFO SETT TANK 55% FULL 2 1.92
HFO SERV TANK 25% FULL 2 1.92
TOTAL 6257.3

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 DIESEL OIL TANKS = 0.870 t/m³
COMPARTMENT % CONDITION M⁴ FSM
DEEP FOT 90% FULL 70
D.0 SERV. TANK 100% FULL 1
TOTAL

FRESH WATER TANKS = 1.000 t/m³

COMPARTMENT % CONDITION M⁴ FSM

NO 1 FR/DR. W 100% FULL 52
NO 2 FR/DR W 98% FULL 144

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 DIESEL OIL TANKS = 0.870 t/m³
COMPARTMENT % CONDITION M⁴ FSM
DEEP FOT 90% FULL 70 60.9
D.0 SERV. TANK 100% FULL 1
TOTAL 60.9

FRESH WATER TANKS = 1.000 t/m³

COMPARTMENT % CONDITION M⁴ FSM

NO 1 FR/DR. W 100% FULL 52
NO 2 FR/DR W 98% FULL 144 144
TOTAL 144

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 COMPARTMENT TOTAL FSM
Water ballast 12281.6
Fuel oil tanks 6257.3
Diesel Oil Tanks 60.9
Fresh water tanks 144
TOTAL FSM 18743.8 t-m
a. Calculate the Free surface correction:
FSC = FSM 18743.8 t-m = 0.71 m
Δ 26400 t

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b. Calculate the Effective GM
KM = 11.64 m
KG = 9.45 m (-)
Solid GM = 2.19 m
FSC = 0.71 m (-)
GoM = 1.48 m or corrected GM

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THE MARITIME ACADEMY OF ASIA AND THE PACIFIC
Example 1
MV MAAP has an initial displacement of
10500 t and KG 7.60 m. A rectangular cargo oil
tank of length 30 m and breadth 20 m is partially
filled with 9600 t of oil (RD 0.86). If the Kg of the
oil is 8.00 m, calculate the effective GM if the KM
for the final displacement is 8.80 m.

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1. Solution:
1. Taking moments about the keel, calculate the new
solid KG.
Weight (t) KG (m) Moments (t-m)
Initial Displ. 10500 7.60 79800
Cargo oil 9600 8.00 76800
Final 20100 7.791 156600
2. Calculate the effect of free surface
FSE = lb³ x ρt = 30 x 20³ x 0.86 = 0.856 m
12Δ 12 x 20100

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( note: Final displacement must be used )
3. Calculate the solid GM and then apply the free
surface correction to obtain the fluid GM
KM 8.800 m
KG solid 7.791 m -
GM solid 1.009 m
FSE 0.856 m –
GoM 0.153 m ( GM fluid )

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Example 2
A ship of 10000 tons displacement is floating in
dock water of density 1.024 ton per cu. m. and is
carrying oil of relative density 0.84 in a double
bottom tank. The tank is 25m long, 15m wide, and is
divided at the center line. Find the virtual loss of
GM due to this tank being slack.

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2. Solution:

FSE = lb³ x ρ x 1
12 x Δ x n²
FSE = 25x(15)³ x 0.84 x 1
12 x 10000 2²

FSE = 0.148m virtual loss of GM

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