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1) This laboratory experiment aims to demonstrate the stability of a floating pontoon by measuring its metacentric height (GM) as a transverse mass is moved along its mast. GM is the distance between the center of gravity and metacenter, and indicates the pontoon's stability. 2) The experiment involves measuring the pontoon's dimensions, mass distribution, and angle of heel as the mass is moved incrementally from the center position to the left and right. GM is calculated using the measured values. 3) Analysis of the results found differences between experimental and theoretical GM values, which may be due to errors in measuring the pontoon's angle of heel and depth of immersion as it was unstable in the

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Tan Teck Meng
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243 views

My Full Report

1) This laboratory experiment aims to demonstrate the stability of a floating pontoon by measuring its metacentric height (GM) as a transverse mass is moved along its mast. GM is the distance between the center of gravity and metacenter, and indicates the pontoon's stability. 2) The experiment involves measuring the pontoon's dimensions, mass distribution, and angle of heel as the mass is moved incrementally from the center position to the left and right. GM is calculated using the measured values. 3) Analysis of the results found differences between experimental and theoretical GM values, which may be due to errors in measuring the pontoon's angle of heel and depth of immersion as it was unstable in the

Uploaded by

Tan Teck Meng
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Background of Study

Figure shows: Metacentric height apparatus F1-14


The metacentric height (GM) is the distance between the centre of gravity of a ship and its
metacenter. 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 for
the duration of the forthcoming voyage. This is to ensure that the ship has adequate stability.
This laboratory experiment is designed to demonstrate the stability of a floating pontoon and
to let students familiarize the concept of buoyancy, metacenter and metacentric height. The
centre of the buoyancy of a floating body depends on the shape of the body and on the
position in which it is floating. If the body is disturbed by a small angle of heel, the centre of
buoyancy changes because the shape of the submerged volume is changed. The point of
intersection of the lines of action of the buoyancy force before and after heel is called the
metacenter (M) and the distance between the centre of gravity (G) and M is called the
metacentric height (GM).

Objective
To determine the stability of a floating body characteristics.

Theoretical Methodology
1) The pontoon was completely assembled and weighted the transverse adjustable mass.
2) The sliding mass was positioned along the mast so that the centre of gravity occurs at the
top of the pontoon. This was determining by using knife edge.
3) y was measured from the base of pontoon.
4) The volumetric tank was filled with water and the pontoon was to be float while the
adjustable mass is in its central positioned.
5) The pontoon was upright with plumb line at zero on scale.
6) The adjustable mass was moved to the right of centre in 10mm increments. The angular
displacement of plumb line was taken notes for each positioned.
7) The movement of adjustable mass was repeated to the left of centre.
8) The step was repeated 5 times with the sliding mass at different heights up the mast such
as different centre of gravity.

Theories for Experiment


Metacentric height, GN = BN-BG =
LB 3
d
= 12 V ( y 2 )

1
d
( y )
V
2

where V = LBd

Apparatus and Equipment


Hydraulic bench F1-10, Metacentric height apparatus F1-14, Meter ruler, Weighing machine

Observation and Data Collection

Dimensions of pontoon; Length, L

= 351 mm

Breadth, B

= 201 mm

Depth, d

= 75 mm

Movable mass, m

= 0.3056 kg

Mass of assembled pontoon, M

= 1.5 kg

Position of CG of assembled pontoon from base y

= 122 mm

The depth of immersion, d

= 24 mm

Position of CB from base, d/2

= 12 mm

Result
Right of centre
Distance of movable

Angle of heel,

mass,X(mm)
10
20
30
40
50

Metacentric height,
GN =

3
5.5
8
10.5
11.8

mx
Mtan (mm)
38.875
42.317
43.49
43.97
48.761

The Depth of
Immersion, d(mm)
27
31
34
39
43

Left of centre
Distance of movable

Angle of heel,

mass,X(mm)
10
20
30
40
50

Metacentric height,
GN =

2.5
5
7.6
10
11.8

mx
Mtan (mm)

The Depth of
Immersion, d(mm)

46.663
46.574
45.807
46.217
48.761

25
30
35
41
46

Metacentric height,

The Depth of

Average
Distance of movable

Angle of heel,

mass,X(mm)
10
20
30
40
50
Discussion

GN =
2.75
5.25
7.8
10.25
11.8

mx
Mtan (mm)
42.77
44.45
44.65
45.09
48.76

Immersion,d(mm)
26
30.5
34.5
40
44.5

In this experiment, we experiment the stability of floating body for both right and left. The
experiment was conducted by taking the reading of the angle of heel and depth of immersion
for every 10mm increment for both right and left side. The experiment was conducted five
times for both right and left side which means the distance of movable mass is from 10mm to
50mm.Because, by the time the distance of movable mass reach 50mm the plumb line start to
touch the pontoon surface. The GN against graph was plotted by calculating the average
for both left and right side. There were several errors that we face in this experiment. This
error happen when we taking the reading of depth of immersion, because the pontoon was not
stable in water, so when we measure the depth of immersion by using a ruler is causes some
error. There was parallax error happen in this experiment. We faces some difficulties when
measuring the depth of immersion, because we unable to see the ruler in a proper view. So
there is some error in reading causes by parallax error.
Solution
(a) From the graph the reading of GN when the = 0 is 41mm. (Based on graph).
(b) The theoretical value for GN is :
V = LBd
= 351mm 201mm 75mm
= 5291325 mm
3

LB
d
GN = 12 V ( y 2 )
3

351 (201)
(12212)
12 5291325

2850330951
(110)
63495900

= 44.89 110
= -65.11mm
(c) Yes. The position of the metacentre depends on the position of the C of G which means
centre of gravity. The changes in the position of the centre of gravity will causes changes
in angle of heel and the depth of immersion.
(d) Yes. The metacentre height does not vary with angle of heel. Because, for example if the
metacentric height of a ship is too large, the righting arms that develop at small angles of
heel will also be large. As the ship heels further, its water plane area increases the
metacentric radius also increases.

Conclusion
As a conclusion, from this experiment we able to identify and determine the stability of a
floating body characteristics. Besides that, this experiment was successfully carried out even
though the experimental and theoretical values are different.
Recommendation
In order, to get accurate reading for the depth of immersion create a pontoon with a scale on
the side of pontoon. So it will be easier for the student to carry out the experiment without
difficulty and also they can get accurate reading.

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