EXPT.No.

3 1

HYDRAUL HYDRAULICS LABORATORY
Experiment No.3
Determination of the Metacentric Height
of a Floating Body



The metacentric height (GM) is the distance between the center of gravity ( G ) of a ship
or a barge and its metacenter ( M ). The GM is used to calculate the stability of a ship
and this must be done before it proceeds to sea. The GM must equal or exceed the
minimum required GM for that ship or barge for the duration of the forthcoming voyage.
This is to ensure that it has adequate stability. On the other hand, barges stability is
checked when holding loads during construction or to identify positioning of cranes etc.

















When a ship or a floating body is tilted, the center of buoyancy moves laterally. The
point at which a vertical line through the tilted center of buoyancy ( Bo) or center of
gravity of the submerged portion of the body crosses the line through the original, non-
tilted center of buoyancy is the metacenter ( M ). The metacenter is considered to be
fixed for small angles of heel however at larger angles of heel the metacenter can no
longer be considered fixed and other means must be found to calculate the ship's
stability. The metacenter can be calculated using the formula

MBo = I / V

Where
MBo - distance of metacenter from the center of buoyancy,
I - the moment of inertia of the water plane in m
4
and
V - the volume of displacement in m
3
.



EXPT.No.3 2

HYDRAUL HYDRAULICS LABORATORY
The center of buoyancy is the center of gravity of the volume of water which the hull
displaces. This point is referred to as Bo in naval architecture. The center of gravity of
the ship itself is known as G in naval architecture. When a ship is upright, the center of
buoyancy is directly below the center of gravity of the ship.

buoyancy . When the ship is vertical it lies above the center of gravity and so moves in
the opposite direction of heel as the ship rolls. The metacenter is known as M in naval
architecture.

The distance between the center of gravity and the metacenter is called the metacentric
height, and is usually between one and two meters. This distance is also abbreviated as
GM. As the ship heels over, the center of gravity generally remains fixed with respect to
the ship because it just depends upon position of the ship's weight and cargo, but the
surface area increases, increasing MBo. Meaning, when the ship or a body is in tilted
position MBo increases and it is different when the body is upright. The metacenter, M,
moves up and sideways in the opposite direction in which the ship has rolled and is no
longer directly over the center of gravity.

The righting force on the ship is then caused by gravity pulling down on the hull,
effectively acting on its center of gravity, and the buoyancy pushing the hull upwards;
effectively acting along the vertical line passing through the center of buoyancy and the
metacenter above it. This creates a torque which rotates the hull upright again and is
proportional to the horizontal distance between the center of gravity and the metacenter.

The metacentric height is important because the righting force is proportional to the
metacentric height times the sine of the angle of heel. The body will be considered
stable if the metacenter is above the center of gravity.

EXPT.No.3 3

HYDRAUL HYDRAULICS LABORATORY
I. Experiment Objectives

The objective of this experiment is to determine the metacentric height of a floating
body.

II. Materials and Apparatuses Required

The apparatuses necessary to perform this experiment are the following:

- Metacentric height apparatus
- Plumb bob
- Set of weights
- Water basin
- Angle indicator
- Meter stick

III. Procedures

1. Measure the dimension of the scow/block.
2. Determine the weight of the scow together with the selected weight.
3. Observe and record the angle indicator reading from the normal position to the
tilted position.
4. Measure the depth of floatation of the block in water for the different magnitude
of loads. The plumb line must be vertical.
5. Move the load at a quarter distance toward the center edge of the block. Observe
and record the offset from center and angle of tilt.
6. Place the load at halfway distance from the center. Observe and record the offset
from the center and the angle of tilt.
7. Move the load three-fourth distance from the center toward the edge. Observe
and record the offset from the center and the angle of tilt.
8. Repeat the procedure from step 4 to step 7 for each of the following loads; 50
grams, 100 grams, 150 grams, and 200 grams.








EXPT.No.3 4

HYDRAUL HYDRAULICS LABORATORY
IV. Laboratory Data



TRIAL Dimensions
Draft in
water
Length of
string
Offset
from
center
B H L m m m
1
2
3




TRIAL Load
Total
Weight
Righting
Couple
MBo GBo Bo
1
2
3















EXPT.No.3 5

HYDRAUL HYDRAULICS LABORATORY
V. Observations

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VI. Conclusions

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EXPT.No.3 6

HYDRAUL HYDRAULICS LABORATORY
VII. Review Questions

I. Encircle the Letter of the best answer.

1. Metacentric height is determine to know the objects ____________.
a) Stability in water
b) Speed in water
c) Bouyancy in water
d) None of these
2. M in stability computation is ____________.
a) center of gravity
b) center of pressure
c) metacenter
d) metacentric height
3. Metacentric height is represented by what acronym?
a) M
b) G
c) MG
d) GM
4. The body is said to be stable if the metacenter is ___________.
a) below the center of gravity
b) above the center of gravity
c) along the center of gravity
d) None of these
5. The acronym MBo stands for __________.
a) the moment arm of the righting force
b) the distance of metacenter from center of buoyancy
c) the distance of metacenter to center of gravity
d) None of these
6. __________is the center of gravity of the volume of water which the hull displaces.
a) center of gravity
b) center of buoyancy
c) metacenter
d) None of these
7. __________is the point where the previous and present vertical line of the body
intersect.
a) center of gravity
b) center of buoyancy
c) metacenter
d) None of these
8. What do you call the angle between the initial vertical line and the final vertical line of
the hull?
a) inclined angle
b) angle of tilt
c) metacenteric angle
d) None of these

EXPT.No.3 7

HYDRAUL HYDRAULICS LABORATORY

9. Which of the following cases is more stable?
a) The metacenter coincide with the center of gravity.
b) The metacenter is below the center of gravity
c) The center of buoyancy is above the metacenter
d) The center of gravity is between the center of buoyancy and metacenter.
10. Which of the following geometric shapes is more stable in water?
a) Circle
b) Square
c) Rectangle
d) Triangle