GZ CURVE and GM

The GZ curve against θ is called the curve of statical stability . This curve when
corrected for the current distribution of mass and free surface describes the value
of GZ at various angles of inclination.

This curve is drawn with the following limitations.

a) At all angles of inclination the vessel’s centre of is assumed remain in the

original (upright) position.
b) Any error in the mass value and CG of mass will result in errors in value of GZ
c) The water line is assumed to be flat (not the actual shape of wave).

One of the features of GZ is that the slope of the tangent to GZ curve at the
origin is equal to initial GM.

The proof for the above is as below.

GZ = GM sin θ is applicable to all shapes of vessel in the upright condition and for
small angles.

If the equation is differentiated wrt to θ the result is

(d GZ/ d θ) = GM cos θ.

At the origin , ( θ = 0 ) the above solution will be

(d GZ/ d θ )θ= 0 = GM cos 0 = GM

Derivative any function at a point is the slope of the tangent. Ie. If
there is a function y= f (x) then dy/dx at any value of x will be the
slope of the tangent to the curve.

From the above it is seen that slope of the tangent to GZ

curve at the origin is equal to initial GM.

The slope of the tangent is also tan of the angle made with the
horizontal.

Hence is a GZ curve is given to find the initial GM, a tangent can

be drawn through the origin and its slope has to be found. Since
slope is vertical rise divided by horizontal , once the tangent is
drawn, any horizontal distance X and vertical distance y can be
measured off and the slope will be y/x.

For convenience if x is taken as 1 then the slope is y/1 = y.

Thus the simple answer is slope of the tangent to the GZ curve at

origin equals the GM.

GM = GM/1
So if the curve is drawn between GZ and θ in radian, at 1 radian if
a vertical is drawn to the tangent the height of the vertical will
equal GM.

If the same curve is drawn with θ in degrees, the vertical is drawn

at 1 radian = 57.3 degree. The height of the vertical will equal
GM.