ECW437/ECW421 LABORATORY MANUAL 2022

COURSE HYDRAULIC LABORATORY

COURSE CODE ECW 437 / ECW 421
LEVEL OF OPENNESS 2
CATEGORY PARTIALLY OPEN
DEGREE OF OPEN ENDED (%) 66
PERIOD OF ACTIVITY 1 WEEK
EXPERIMENT METACENTRE HEIGHT

Introduction

The need for an open-ended laboratory activity is emphasized in enhancing

independent learning activities and inculcating creativity and innovation of
students. It is now a required element in an accreditation exercise as stipulated in
the EAC Manual 2012.

Objectives

To identify the position of the metacentre (M) of a floating body, by determining its
distance from the centre of gravity (G).

Learning Outcomes

At the end of the laboratory activities, students would be able to:

1. Locate the position of metacentre, M of a floating body.
2. Identify the metacentre, M, location for adjustable position traversed
weight and based upon geometry and depth of immersion.

Theoretical Background

PREAMBLE For static equilibrium of the pontoon, the total weight, W (which acts through the
centre of gravity, G) must be equal to the buoyancy force, F which acts through the
centre of buoyancy, B which is located at the centroid of the immersed cross-
section. When the pontoon heels through a small angle, the metacentre, M is
identified as the point of intersection between the line of action of the buoyancy
force (always vertical) and BG extended. For stable equilibrium, M must be above
G.

Figure 1: Section through a floating pontoon

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ECW437/ECW421 LABORATORY MANUAL 2022

(a) Adjustable position traversed weight experiment

When the traversing weight is moved to one side, the centre of gravity, G
shifts to a new position, G’ and the centre of buoyancy, B also shifts to a
new position, B’. Since the shift in the centre of gravity was caused by
moving the weigh, P through a distance X then:

𝑃 × 𝑋 = 𝑊 × 𝐺𝐺′ (i)

From Figure 1,

𝐺𝐺 ′ = 𝐺𝑀 𝑡𝑎𝑛 𝜗 (ii)

Substitute Eq. (ii) into Eq. (i)

𝑃𝑋 (iii)
𝐺𝑀 =
𝑊 𝑡𝑎𝑛 𝜗

(Note that Eq. (iii) cannot be used when 𝜗 = 0o)

Where

𝑊= Total weight of the pontoon (N)

P= Weight of movable mass (N)
𝑋= Distance between the movable mass and the mast of the
pontoon (m)

(b) Based on geometry and depth of immersion, di

The Metacentric Height, GM is defined as:

GM = BM – BG (iv)

The Metacentric radius, BM can be defined as:

𝐼𝑔
𝐵𝑀 =
𝑉

Where

𝐿𝑏 3
𝐼𝑔 =
12

Where
Ig = Second moment of area of the plane of floating pontoon
about an axis through the centroid perpendicular to the
plane rotation as the pontoon heels (m4)
L= Length of the pontoon (m)
𝐵= Width of the pontoon (m)
V= Immersed volume of the pontoon (m3)

The immersed volume, V can be found from:

V = Lbdi (v)

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ECW437/ECW421 LABORATORY MANUAL 2022

The point, B is the centroid of the immersed area. It is at a distance, di/2

from the base of pontoon. The centre of gravity, G is at a distance, y above
the base of pontoon.

𝑑𝑖 (vi)
𝐵𝐺 = 𝑦 −
2

The immersed volume, V can be calculated as follows:

𝑊 (vii)
𝑉=
𝜌𝑔

Therefore from Eq. (v), the immersed depth of the floating pontoon is
given by:

𝑉 (viii)
𝑑𝑖 =
𝐿𝑏

Students are required to conduct an experiment on determining the location of the

metacentre, M by determining its distance from the centre of gravity, G where the
distance GM is known as the Metacentric Height. Students should be able to use
the technical data from the experiment or using their own measurements. All
readings and data from the experiment should be converted to appropriate units
PROBLEM STATEMENT and tabulated accordingly. Then students are required to plot a graph Metacentric
Height, GM against the angle of heel, 𝜗. From the graph, extrapolate the position
of GM when 𝜗 = 0°. Give the comment on the effects of changing the position of G
on the position of the metacentre, M and state why the values of GM at lowest
values of 𝜗 are likely to be less accurate. Discuss the application of the Metacentric
height in real engineering works.

Students are required to write the procedures taken in order to locate the position
of metacentre, M of a floating body. Finally, identify the metacentre, M, location
WAYS AND MEANS
for adjustable position traversed weight and based upon geometry and depth of
immersion.

The group will be required to prepare and submit the technical report of the
laboratory results showing the data taken, analysis carried out and at least one
RESULTS
sample calculation. You are also required to discuss the result obtained. The
technical report should be submitted one week after the experiment is conducted.

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