SECTION 9 -FREE SURFACE EFFECT

INTRODUCTION
Most cases of instability in ships are the result of free surface effects. This occurs when tanks
within the ship are only partially full, or slack. When a ship heels, liquid within a partially filled tank
will move to the low side. It will be seen in this section that this adversely affects the transverse
statical stability of a ship. It is essential that the learner fully understand the effect of slack tanks on
transverse statical stability and the necessity to maintain to a minimum the number of slack tanks
at anyone time as appropriate.

Learning Objectives
On completion of this section the learner will achieve the following:
1. Understand the effect of a free liquid surfaces on the transverse statical stability of a ship.2.
Calculate the effect of Free Surface in a rectangular shaped tank and determine the
effective (fluid) KG and GM of a ship.
3. Calculate Free Surface Moments (t-m) for a rectangular tank and take account of the free
surface by including them in the KG moments table.4.
Understand the methods of representation of free surface data used in ship's tank
sounding/ullage tables and use such data in typical calculations.5.
Understand the factors that influence free surface effect.

CLASS 2/1 STABILITY -SECTION 9 Free Surface Effect

69
 FREE SURFACE EFFECT AND THE LOSS OF TRANSVERSE STATICAL STABILITY

Consider the ship shown with

a partially filled tank. Imagine
the liquid in the tank is frozen
and the ship is heeled to a
small angle.
,
In the heeled condition GZ is
the righting lever. Because the
liquid is frozen it acts as a
static weight and does notmove.

9.1

Consider what will happen if the liquid in the tank thaws out
and is then free to move as the ship heels, as would normally
be the case. ."
In the initial upright condition everything appears as normal.

But note what happens as the ship is again heeled by an

external force to the same small angle of inclination.

A wedge of the liquid is transferred to the low side of the ship

(gg1).

Since weight has shifted G moves parallel and in the same

t
direction as the shift of the weight (GG1). Fig. 9.2

causes the righting lever to be reduced from GZ to G1Z1

The righting lever G,Z1, is the same as the GZ that would

have existed had G been raised to Gv.

GGv represents the virtual rise of G that results from the

free surface effect of the slack tank.
tjI]
(G does not actually rise, but the movement of the liquid in the
tank has the same effect on GZ values as if G had actually
been caused to rise -hence the term 'virtual rise of G'!) II
~
Thus: GM is termed the solid GM ; Fig. 9.3
GvM is termed the effective or fluid GM.

When calculating the GM of a ship it is important that the effects of free surfaces in slack tanks are
considered. The loss of GZ will be greater as the number of slack tanks increases, i.e. the
cumulative effect of all slack tanks must be accounted for.

IT IS ALWAYS THE FLUID GM THAT MUST BE DETERMINED TO TAKE ACCOUNT OF THE

REDUCTION IN GZ VALUES THAT ARISES FROM LIQUID MOVEMENT WITHIN THE SHIP AS
IT IS HEELED.
When the ship returns to the upright condition the centre of gravity (G1) will move back to it's
original position at G as the liquid in the tank finds its own level.
Remember; G does not actually move up to ~.

CLASS 2/1 STABILITY -SECTION 9 Free Surface Effect

70

7
9.1
Fig.
~
This
vi"
 9.2 FREE SURFACE DATA

For a rectangular shaped tank, the calculation of the effects of free surface is straightforward.
However, not all tanks are this convenient regular shape and data relating to tanks of all shapes on
board are included in the ship's Tank Sounding Data tables. This data can be provided in a number
of ways, the person on board conducting the ships stability calculations must be familiar with the
data supplied.

9.2.1 Calculating the effect of free surface in a rectangular shaped tank

For a tank that has a rectangular free surface the virtual rise of G in metres can be calculated by:

I GGv= !e3x ~l
I 12V ds I
where: GGv is the virtual rise of G in metres;
I is the tank length;
b is the tank breadth;
dt is the density of the liquid in the tank;
ds is the density of the water in which the ship floats (1.025 Um3);
and; V is the volume of displacement of the ship.

Since: DISPLACEMENT = VOLUME OF DISPLACEMENT x DENSITY

i.e. W=Vxds

it follows that: I GGv = ~3 X dt I

I 12W I
Exam/Jle 1
A ship 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.

Solution
1. Taking moments about the keel, calculate the new solid KG.
WEIGHT (t) I K.§J~)J MOMENTS (~)-
dis I.CarRoojl 10500 I 8.00
.60 79800 I
9600 I 76800 I
20100 7.791 156600

Calculate the effect of free surface.

GGv = !.Q3 X dt = ;J:Ox2d x O.86=O.856m

12W 12x20100

(The 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
7.791 :
SOLID KG
SOLID GM 1.009
FSE (GGv) 0.856
FLUID GM 0.153

~
CLASS 2/1 STABILITY -SECTION 9 Free Surface Effect
71

2.
Initial
IFINAL
 m
9.2.2 Free surlace moments
The moment of inertia (I), often termed the second moment of area, of the free liquid surface of a
rectangular tank may be determined by:
I= ~ (m4)
12

If the value of I is multiplied by the liquid density then a value of 'Free Surface Moments' (FSM's)
(t-m) is obtained. I

Consider the previous free surface effect formula: GGv= ~ x dt

12W
Therefore: GGv = ~
Displacement

Since: Final KG = Sum of moments

Displacement

it is evident from the above that the greater the value of the free surface moments, the greater the
value of the effective KG and the greater the loss of GM (GGv).

In calculating the effective GM it is usual to make allowances for free surfaces by incorporating the
FSM's in the KG table where they must always be ADDED.

Consider the previous example.

Example 2
A ship 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.

Solution
1. Calculate the FSM's using:

FSM's (t-m) = L.Q,:x dt

12
FSM's (t-m) = 30 x 2d x 0.86 = 17200 t-m
12

Taking moments about the keel, also adding the FSM's in the 'moments' column', calculate
the fluid KG.

WEIGHT (t) G (m) MOMENTS (t-m)

displ.Carao 10500 7.60 79800
oilFSM's 9600 8.00 76800
i 17200
20100 8.647 173800

Apply the fluid KG value to the final KM to obtain the final fluid GM.

~
2.
3.
Initial
IFINAL
CLASS 2/1 STABILIlY -SECTION 9 Free Surface Effect
9.2.3 Representation of free surface data in tank sounding/ullage tables
In tank sounding or ullage tables free surface data for use in calculating the ship's effective KG and
GM can be represented using alternative methods.

9.2.3.1 Method 1 -Free surface moments for an assumed density value

Consider the extract from a tank sounding table shown paying particular attention to the column
headings.

The table is for a cargo oil tank in a tanker -No.2 Cargo Oil tank Starboard.

Free &Jrface Moments (FSM's) in tonnes-metres are tabulated for an assumed liquid density of
0.740 t/m3.

Weight of liquid in the tank is tabulated against sounding for an assumed liquid density of 0.740 t/m:

VCG (Vertical Centre of Gravity or Kg) indicates the vertical position of the oil within the ship in
terms of metres above the keel for the appropriate sounding.

Example 3
A ship displaces 5400 t and has a KG of 7.860 m. No.2 Cargo Oil tank Stbd. is filled to a sounding
of 150 cms with cargo oil RD 0.740. Calculate the final effective KG and GM if the KM for the final
condition is 8.000 m. (Use the sounding table extract given.)

CLASS 2/1 STABILITY -SECTION 9 Free Surface Effect

73
 WEIGHT (t) MOMENTS (t-m)
Initial disol. 5400.00 42444.0
Carqo oil , ~OlA9- 247.4
FSM's 373.7
jFINAL 5507.46 7.819 43065.1
--

For intermediate soundings, interpolation would be necessary to extract the values.

The previous example was straightforward, whereby the tank was loaded with liquid of the same
tabulated density.
However, if liquid of a different density to that assumed by the tables had been run into the tank the
tabulated values of both weight and FSM's would be in error!
Therefore, tabulated values must be corrected for the appropriate density.
(Both mass (weight) and the value of the FSM's are directly proportional to density.)

Consider the previous example again. This time salt-water ballast (RD 1.025) is loaded into the
tank to the same level as before.

Example 4
A ship displaces 5400 t and has a KG of 7.860 m. No.2 Cargo Oil tank Stbd. is filled to a sounding
of 150 cms with salt water ballast RD 1.025. Calculate the final effective KG and GM if the KM for
the final condition is 8.000 m. (Use the sounding table extract given.)

CLASS 2/1 STABILITY -SECTION 9 Free Surface Effect

74

-~~==~~
~
 Solution
Obtain cargo data from table as given.

mass of salt water ballast loaded is found by:

107.46 x L.Q?.§.. = 148.85 tonnes
0.740

FSM's for the salt water ballast loaded is found by:

373.7 x 1.025 = 517.625tonnes-metres
Q74O
The Kg of the liquid is as before -not being affected by density!

Calculate the final effective KG and hence the final effective GM exactly as before.

9.2.3.2 Method 2 -Moments of inertia (m4) are tabulated

Consider the alternative extract from a tank-sounding table for the same tank shown.

Sounding Vol LCG TCG VCG I

(cms) (cu. m) (m toaD) (m) (11!)-- J~)-

==~~:J !
--3~~3-l
---I
41.66 405.8 ;
66.64, 450.4 ;
Q?AQ AQ7 ~ :
v~.~v ~J' .U I

118.811 501.2
145.22 : 505.0 '

171.69 i -1-8AOf, 508.8 I

I :
1 24 512.6 ;
224.88 516.4 I

CLASS 2/1 STABILITY -SECTION 9 Free Surface Effect

Actual
 Moments of Ineltia (I) in metres4 (m4) are tabulated.
Volume of liquid in the tank in cubic metres (m3) is tabulated.

Density of the liquid is not considered.

To obtain the weight (mass) of the liquid and the Free Surface Moments which are to be
incorporated into the KG moments table both volume and I values as tabulated must be multiplied
by the density of the liquid in the tank.

Example 5
A ship displaces 5400 t and has a KG of 7.860 m. No.2 Cargo Oil tank Stbd. is filled to a sounding
of 150 cms with cargo oil RD 0.740. Calculate the final effective KG and GM if the KM for the final
condition is 8.000 m. (Use the sounding table extract given.)

Solution
Obtain cargo data from table.

Calculate the mass of oil in the tank. Mass = Volume x Density;Mass = 145.22 x 0.740 = 107.46 t

Calculate the FSM's for the oil. FSM's = I x Density; FSM's = 505.0 x 0.740 = 373.7t-m

Calculate the final effective KG and hence the final effective GM as before.

WEIGHT (!)~ KG (m)

7.860 MO~;~;4~O(t-m) I
==:::=j 2.302 247.4 i

5507.46 7.819 43065.1

9.2.3.3Summary
You will not have a choice as to which of the two methods to use, it simply depends on the format
of the tank sounding tables that are supplied to the ship.

Consider the significant errors in the calculation of GM that will occur if:

Tabulated FSM's for an assumed liquid density are not corrected for the actual density of the liquid
in the tank!
Volume is not converted to mass!

Tabulated I values are not multiplied by the density of the liquid in the tank!

CHECK!

Tank sounding data for M.V. A/mar are tabulated using assumed density values (Method 1).
CLASS 2/1 STABILITY-SECTION 9 Free Surface Effect '
7~

~
ALWAYS
 9.3 FACTORS INFLUENCING FREE SURFACE EFFECT

9.3.1 Tank breadth

If a tank is subdivided, the loss of GM can be greatly reduced.
This can be demonstrated by way of the following three worked examples.

Example 6
A ship has a displacement of 12000 t and initial KG of 7.84 m.
A rectangular double bottom tank has the following dimensions; length 20 m, breadth 15 m and is
filled with salt water ballast (RD 1.025) to a sounding of 2.00 m.
If the KM for the final condition is 8.00 m, calculate the final effective GM.

Solution
1. Calculate the mass and Kg of the ballast water.
Mass = Volume x Density;
Mass = (I x b x sounding) x density;
Mass = (20 x 15 x 2) x 1.025 = 615.0 t

Since it is a double bottom tank the Kg of the ballast water will be half the sounding:
Kg = 0.5 x 2.0 = 1.00 m

Calculate the FSM's for the rectangular free liquid surface:

FSM's (t-m) = LQ,::x dt

12
FSM's (t-m) = 20 X 153 X 1.025 = 5765.6 t-m
12
Taking moments about the keel calculate the final KG and hence the final KM:

To satisfy the IMO intact stability requirements the minimum GM requirement for a ship is O.15m.
This ship clearly does not satisfy that requirement!

Consider the same example but this time the tank will be equally subdivided into two tanks.

Example 7
A ship has a displacement of 12000 and
initial KG of 7.84 m.

A rectangular double bottom tank is equally

subdivided has the following dimensions; 7,5m' 7.$ m""""""U"'1
length 20 m and breadth 15 m and is filled with
salt water ballast (RD 1.025) to a sounding of
2.00m. 15m'

Fig. 9.4

CLASS 2/1 STABILITY -SECTION 9 Free Surface Effect 77

2.
 If the KM for the final condition is 8.00 m calculate the final effective GM.
It can be seen that there are now two tanks each having a breadth of 7.5 m.

Solution
1. Calculate the mass and Kg of the ballast water.

Mass = Volume x Density;

Mass = (I x b x sounding) x density;
Mass = (20 x 15 x 2) x 1.025 = 615.0 t

Alternatively:
Mass per tank = Volume x Density;
Mass per tank = (I x b x sounding) x density;
Mass = (20 x 7.5 x 2) x 1.025 = 307.5 t
Total mass = 307.5 x 2 tanks = 615.0 t

Since it is a double bottom tank the Kg of the ballast water will be half the sounding:
Kg = 0.5 x 2.0 = 1.00 m

2. Calculate the FSM's per tank for the rectangular free liquid sutface:

(t-m) = fb3 X dt
12
FSM's (t-m) = 20 X 7.53 X 1.025 = 720.7 t-m
12
Total FSM's = 720.7 x 2 tanks = 1441.4 t-m

Taking moments about the keel, calculate the final KG and hence the final GM:

Subdividing the tank has resulted in the final GM being much improved.

This is a direct result of the reduced free surface moments.

For the undivided tank the total FSM's where 5765.6 t-m.
For the subdivided tank the total FSM's where 1441.4 t-m.
FREE SURFACE MOMENTS HA VE BEEN REDUCED TO ONE QUARTER OF THEIR ORIGINAL
VALUE!

§Z§§& = 1441.4t-m
4
Consider the same example but this time the tank will be equally subdivided into three tanks.

Examf)le 8
A ship has a displacement of 12000 t and initial KG of 7.84 m. A rectangular double bottom tank,
which is equally subdivided into three compartments, has length 20 m and overall breadth 15 m
and is filled with salt water ballast (RD 1.025) to a sounding of 2.00 m.

If the KM for the final condition is 8.00 m, calculate the final effective GM.

It can be seen that there are now three tanks each having a breadth of 500 mo

CLASS 2/1 STABILITY -SECTION 9 Free Surface Effect

78

3.
i.e.
FSM's
 5.0m-. 5.0m--1 5..0m

15 fit ~

Fig. 9.5

Calculate the mass and Kg of the ballast water.

Mass = Volume x Density;

Mass = (I x b x sounding) x density;
Mass = (20 x 15 x 2) x 1.025 = 615.0 t

Alternatively:
Mass per tank = Volume x Density;
Mass per tank = (I x b x sounding) x density;
Mass = (20 x 5.0 x 2) x 1.025 = 205.0 t

Tota/mass = 205.0 x 3 tanks = 615.0 t

Kg = 0.5 x 2.0 = 1.00 m

? Calculate the FSM's per tank for the rectangular free liquid surface:

FSM's (t-m) = L.Q,::

x dt
12
FSM's (t-m) = 20 x 5.~ x 1.025 = 213.542 t-m
12
Total FSM's = 213.542 x 3 tanks = 640.625 t-m

Taking moments about the keel calculate the final KG and hence the final KM:

As a result of subdividing the tank into three it is evident that the final GM is furlher improved.

This is a direct result of the reduced free surface moments.

For the undivided tank the total FSM's where 5765.6 t-m.
For the tank equally subdivided into three compartments the total FSM's where 640.6 t-m.

FREE SURFACE MOMENTS HA VE BEEN REDUCED TO ONE NINTH OF THEIR ORIGINAL

VALUE!

i.e. §I§§& = 640.6 t-m

9

CLASS 2/1 STABILITY -SECTION 9 Free Surface Effect

79

3.
 The following conclusions may be drawn from the previous examples on subdivided tanks.

Equally subdividing a tank has the following effects on free surface:

(a) No subdivision

Fig. 9.6
(b) A single subdivision

Fig 9.7

A single subdivision will reduce the free surface moments (and loss of GM) to one quarler of the
original value.

(c) Two subdivisions (creating three compartments)

n
d

Fig. 9.8

Two subdivisions reduce the free surface moments (and loss of GM) to one ninth of the original value.

It follows that the original free surface moments (and loss of GM) will reduce by the factor of:
1
;jl

where n is the number of equal sized compartments into which the tank is subdivided.

subdividing a tank into four equal subdivisions will reduce the FSM's to one sixteenth i.e.
1 = 1
42 1-6

CLASS 2/1 STABILITY -SECTION 9 Free Surface Effect 80

Therefore,
and
It isso usual
on to subdivide tanks into three

compartments at most. The benefit of any

further subdivision which would improve
effective GM by a decreasing amount each time
would be greatly offset by the additional steel
weight and piping arrangements required. An
exception might be in the case of a product or
chemical carrier where such ships are designed
to carry a wide range of cargoes at anyone time
in relatively smaller quantities.

Typical oil tanker tank arrang.-ment

Fig. 9.9
9.3.2 Tank length
Free surface moments (and loss of GM) are directly proportional to the length of the tank i.e. if the tank
length is doubled so will be the value of the free surface moments (and loss of GM).

9.3.3 Density
Free surface moments (and loss of GM) are directly proportional to the density of the liquid in the
tank as discussed in 9.2.3.1, the greater the density of the liquid in the tank, the greater the FSM's
and subsequent loss of GM.

9.3.4 Ship displacement

Free surface moments (and loss of GM) are inversely proportional to the displacement of the ship.
For a given tank, the loss of GM will be smaller as the displacement increases and vice-versa. It
should be noted that the actual free surface moments for any tank are not affected by the ship's
displacement (since ship displacement is not included in the formula for their calculation anyway!).

9.4 IMPORTANT POINTS TO NOTE REGARDING FREE SURFACE MOMENTS

These are summarised as follows:

1. For a tank to be cons idered
subdivided, it must be fitted with
an oil-tight or water-tight
longitudinal bulkhead ensuring
that there is no possibility of liquid
transfer. This means that any
valves connecting the subdivided
tanks must be capable of being
fully closed.
(ii) Ti*iIk fit1ed with wash plate
2. A wash plate is fitted to prevent
damage to internal tank plating
that may be caused by wave
action within the tank. It does
not reduce free surface effect!

",,1 Ta k flu t H.."" to. Ikh ..

IV/ 1! WI"" Qqg ",,"~. ...U... ..ea..

Fig. 9.10

CLASS 2/1 STABILITY -SECTION 9 Free Surface Effect 81

 If two similar rectangular tanks
are filled to different levels, the
free surface moments for each
will be the same. (Consider the
formula for FSM's if you are
unsure!)

If a tank is empty or pressed-up,

free surface moments will not
exist in that tank. Fig. 9.11

5. When calculating the effective KG/GM, the free surface moments of all slack tanks must be
incorporated into the KG moments table. (Loss of GM due to free surface will be that which
results from the cumulative effects of all the slack tanks on board.)

CLASS 2/1 STABILITY -SECTION 9 Free Surface Effect

82

3.
4.