Chapter 9

Form coefficients
 The coefficient of fineness
of the water-plane area (Cw)
It is the ratio of the area of the water-plane
to the area of a rectangle having the same
length and maximum breadth.
 Coefficient of fineness (Cw )
Area of water-plane
Coefficient of fineness (Cw ) =
Area of rectangle ABCD

Area of water-plane
=
L x B
Area of the water-plane = L x B x Cw
Coefficient of fineness (Cw )
Coefficient of fineness (Cw )
 The block coefficient of fineness of
displacement (Cb)
The block coefficient of a ship at any particular draft
is the ratio of the volume of displacement at that
draft to the volume of a rectangular block having
the same overall length, breadth and depth.
 The block coefficient of fineness of
displacement (Cb)
Volume of displacement
Block coefficient (Cb)=
Volume of the block

Volume of displacement
=
L x B x draft
Volume of displacement = L x B x draft x Cb
 Ship’s lifeboats
The accepted Cb for a ship’s lifeboat
constructed of wooden planks is 0.6 and
this is the figure to be used in calculations
unless another specific value is given

Volume = (L x B x Depth x 0.6) cubic metres

The block coefficient of fineness of
displacement (Cb)
The block coefficient of fineness of
displacement (Cb)
 The midships coefficient (Cm)

The midships coefficient to any draft is the ratio of

the transverse area of the midships section (Am)
to a rectangle having the same breadth and
depths.
 The midships coefficient (Cm)
Midships area (Am)
Midships coefficient (Cm) =
Area of rectangle

Midships area (Am)

=
B x d
Midships area (Am) = L x B x Cm
 The prismatic coefficient (Cp)
The prismatic coefficient of a ship at any draft is the
ratio of the volume of displacement at that draft to
the volume of a prism having the same length as the
ship and the same cross-sectional area as the ship’s
midships area.
 The prismatic coefficient (Cp)
Volume of ship
Prismatic coefficient (Cp) =
Volume of prism

Volume of ship
=
L x Am
Volume of ship = L x A m x Cp
 The relation between coefficients

Am Volume of ship
Cm x Cp = x
B xd L x Am

Volume of ship
=
L x B x d

Cm x Cp = Cb