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LAB WEEK2 LVL0 Metacentric Height (1)

Civil Engineering (Universiti Teknologi MARA)

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HYDRAULICS LABORATORY
ECW437
OPEN-ENDED LAB
SEMESTER III

TITLE OF EXPERIMENT : METACENTRIC HEIGHT

DATE OF EXPERIMENT : 26th OCTOBER 2020
GROUP : EC220 3A6 (B)
GROUP MEMBERS 1. NURALISA BINTI ASRI (2019231172)
2. MUHAMMAD IKMAL BIN IBRAHIM (2019256936)
3. MUHAMMAD HAIQAL HAKIMY BIN EZREEN
(2019207552)
4. NUR ZURIATIE AFIFAH BINTI MOHD ZULHRI
(2019415678)
LECTURER : DR. NURUL RABITAH DAUD
LEVEL OF OPENESS : 0

MARKS COMMENTS
INTRODUCTION
BASIC CONCEPTS
METHODOLOGY
RESULTS
DISCUSSION 1 2 3 4 5
CONCLUSION 1 2 3 4 5
ORGANIZATION 1 2 3 4 5

TOTAL MARKS

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Introduction

PREAMBLE 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

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.

(a) Adjustable position traversed weight experiment

When the traversing weight is moved to one side, the centre of gravity, G

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shifts to a new position, G' and the centre of buoyancy, B also shifts to
anew position, B'. Since the shift in the centre of gravity was caused by
moving the weigh, P through a distance X then:

P x X = W x GG' (i)
From Figure 1,

GG' = GM tan(θ) (ii)

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

PX
GM = (iii)
W tan(θ)

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

Where
W = Total weight of the pontoon (N)
P = Weight of movable mass (N)
X = Distance between the movable mass and the mass of
the pontoon (m)

(b) Based on geometry and depth of immersion, d.

The Metacentric Height, GM is defined as:

GM = BM – BG (iv)

The Metacentric radius, BM can be defined as:

BM = Ig / v

where Ig = LB3 / 12

Ig = Second moment of area of the plane of floating

pontoon about an axis through the centroid
perpendicular to the
L = Length of the pontoon (m)
B = Width of the pontoon (m)
V = Immersed volume of the pontoon (m3)

The immersed volume, Vcan be found from:

V=LBdi (v)

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.

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dᵢ
BG = y− (vi)
2

The immersed volume, V can be calculated as follows:

W
V= (vii)
⍴g

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

V
dᵢ= (viii)
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
PROBLEM experiment should be converted to appropriate units and tabulated
STATEMENT accordingly. Then students are required to plot a graph Metacentric
Height, GM against the angle of heel, � . From the graph, extrapolate the
position of GM when � = 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 � are likely to be less accurate. Discuss
the application of the Metacentric height in real engineering works.

Apparatus:

i. Metacentric Height Apparatus

ii. Hydraulics Bench
iii. Weigh Balance
WAYS AND iv. Ruler
MEANS v. Small weight tied to a fine string

Procedures:
1. Weight the traversable mass, P used for traversing across the
pontoon width.
2. Assemble the pontoon mast and together with the traversable mass,
P and sliding mass, the total weight, W are measured using Weigh
Balance.

3. Position the sliding mass on the mast to give the location of the
centre of gravity, G for the whole assembly at the level of the top
of the pontoon. The position of G can be determined by:
a. Use of a knife-edge
b. Tying a fine string tightly around the mast and

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carefully allowing the whole assembly to be

suspended from it, adjusting the position of the
position of the suspension point until the mast
direction becomes horizontal.
4. Measure the distance of G from the base of the pontoon and record
the distance, y.
5. Fill the hydraulic bench volumetric tank with water, then remove
the filling tube from the tank (to prevent back-siphoning through to
the main tank).
6. Float the pontoon in the tank and measure the immersed depth, di
for comparison with calculated value.
7. Move the traversing mass to the central position in the pontoon,
then adjust the tilt of the mast mounting (by slackening securing
screws which pass through slotted holes) to give � = 0°.
8. Traverse the mass to the right in 10 mm increments to the end of
the scale and note the angular displacement, � of the plumb line for
each position. Repeat this procedure traversing the mass to the left
of centre.
9. Change the position of the pontoon centre of gravity by moving the
sliding mass up the mast. Suggested positions are at the maximum
height and then a location midway between maximum height and
the position used in the first text.
10. For each new position of the Metacentre, M (y + GM) from the
base of the pontoon using the results from all three tests.

RESULTS
Pontoon Pontoon Pontoon Traversa Total Centre Immersed
Length, Width, b Height, ble weight, of depth, di
L (m) (m) d(m) mass, W (kg) Gravity, (m)
P(kg) G(m)
0.35 0.2 0.075 0.3037 1.5221 0.11 0.02

1) ADJUSTABLE POSITION TRANVERSED WEIGHT

EXPERIMENT.

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Distance to Left, X Angle, θ˚ GM (m)

mm m
10 0.01 2.0 0.0571 2) BASE
20 0.02 3.5 0.0652 D ON
30 0.03 5.5 0.0622
40 0.04 6.5 0.0700
50 0.05 8.5 0.0668
60 0.06 10.0 0.0679
70 0.07 12.0 0.0657
GEOMETRY AND THE DEPTH OF IMMERSION, d.

1. GM = BM - BG
= 0.1664286 - 0.1
= 0.0664286m

2. BM = Ig / v
= (0.000233) / (0.0014)
=0.1664286

3. Ig = Lb3/12
= (0.35)(0.2)3/12
=0.000233

4. v = LBdi
=(0.35)(0.2)(0.02)
=0.0014

5. BG = y -(di/2)
= (0.11 ) - (0.02/2)
= 0.1

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Metacentric Height vs Angle of Heel

0.08

Metacentric Height,GM
0.07
0.07 f(x) = 0 x + 0.06

0.06
0.06
0.05
0 2 4 6 8 10 12 14
Angle of Heel

Metacentric Height vs Angle of Heel

Linear (Metacentric Height vs Angle of Heel)
Linear (Metacentric Height vs Angle of Heel)

At θ = 0 ,
GM = 0.0007θ + 0.06
GM = 0.0007(0)+0.06
GM = 0.06m

CONCLUSION
It is concluded that the position of metacentre of a floating body
decreases as the distance from the centre of gravity increases. This
shows that the stability of a floating body also decreases. The procedure
of determination of metacentric height, as well as application to the
stability of floating bodies has been discussed. For a stable equilibrium,
the metacentric height must be above of its centre of gravity.

DISCUSSION
Metacentre is the point of intersection of the buoyant force and the centre
of gravity. In order to verify the stability conditions of an immersed body,
it is necessary to locate its metacentric point. One of the conditions is that
the centre of buoyancy and centre of gravity are coincident, the body is
stable. It is indicated that the stability decreases with an increases in the
CG point. The lower values of metacentric heights result in larger list
angles for similar displacement of the traversable mass.

Based on the experiment, the result follows the theory as expected. The
traversable mass was changed individually from 0.01 – 0.07 m to obtain
different values of angles and GM. Although it became unstable as the
experiment carried on, it still was stable enough to produce a moment to
counter the action as the metacenter increases. From the result
obtained, a graph of metacentric height, GM against angle of heel was
drawn. A straight line was drawn to study the behavior of the graph. It
shows that the value of GM increases with increase of angle of heel.

There are possible sources of errors such as human error as the error of
parallax when taking measurements, as well as the error due to
inaccurate measuring equipment. In order to achieve a better accuracy

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in measurement, clearer reference points are needed on the pontoon.

Furthermore, when measuring the centre of gravity, care must be taken
to ensure that weight is completely balancing on the string and not
being influenced by other factors.

REFERENCES
 Labmonk. (n.d). Determination of Metacentric Height and Application to Stability of
Floating Bodies. Retrieved from https://labmonk.com/determination-of-metacentric-
height-and-application-to-stability-of-floating-bodies
 Coderogs. (2011). Stability and Metacentric Height. Retrieved from
https://www.codecogs.com/library/engineering/fluid_mechanics/floating_bodies/stability
-and-metacentric-height.php
 Wikipedia. Metacentric Height. Retrieved from
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Metacentric_height#:~:text=The%20metacentric%20height
%20(GM)%20is,a%20ship%20and%20its%20metacentre.

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