Free Surface

Effect
CAPT AMIN ALQAWASMEH
On completion of this section, the learner will: 
•1
•1
•Understand the effect of a free liquid surface on the transverse statical stability of a ship.
•2
•2
•Be able to calculate the effect of Free Surface in a rectangular-shaped tank and determine the effective (fluid) KG and GM of a
ship. 
•3
•3
•Be able to 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
•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
•5
•Understand the factors that influence free surface effect. 
Free Surface Effect and Transverse Statical Stability

Consider the ship shown with a partially filled tank. Imagine that the liquid in the tank is frozen and does not move as
the ship heels.
The ship is now heeled by an external force to a small angle of inclination.
In the heeled condition, GZ is the righting lever. Because the liquid is frozen, it acts as a static weight and does not
move.
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 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 transfers to the low side of the

ship (gg) Since weight has shifted, G moves parallel
and in the same direction as the shift of the weight
(GG ).
As a result of the shift of liquid, righting lever is
reduced from GZ to G1Z1.
Let us consider this movement or G in more detail.
The righting lever G1Z1 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

black tank.

(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 .)
Therefore:
GM is termed the solid GM
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, ie:

"It is always the fluid GM that must be determined to take account of the reduction in GZ values that
arise from liquid movement within the ship as it is heeled.“

When the ship returns to the upright condition, the center of gravity (G) will move back to its original
position at G as the liquid in the tank Hands its own level.

Remember, G does not actually move up to Gv!

Calculate 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 meters can be calculated by:
Example
A ship has an initial displacement of 10500 tonnes and KG 7.60 m. A rectangular cargo oil tank of length 30 m and breadth
20 m is partially filled with 9600 tonnes 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.
Free Surface 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:

If the value of I is multiplied by the liquid density, a value of Free Surface Moments(FSMs) (t-m) is obtained.
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 FSMs in the KG table
where they must always be added.
Example
A ship has an initial displacement of 10500 tonnes and KG 7.60 m. A rectangular cargo oil tank of length 30 m and breadth
of 20 m is partially filled with 9600 tonnes 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.
Representation of Free Surface Data in Ships Tank Sounding/Ullage Tables

In tank-sounding or ullage tables, free surface data for use in calculating the ship-effective KG and GM can be represented
using alternative methods.

Method 1
Consider the extract from a tank-sounding table shown, paying particular attention to the column headings.

" The table is for a ca1ao oil tank in a

tanker - No. 2 Cargo Oil tank Starboard.
Cargo Oil Density is 0.740. "
- Free Surface Moments (FSMs) in tonnes-meters are tabulated for an assumed liquid density of 0.740 t/m 3•

- The weight of liquid in the tank is tabulated against sounding for an assumed liquid density of 0.740 t/m3•

- VCG (Vertical Centre of Gravity or Kg) indicates the vertical position of the oil within the ship in terms of
meters above the keel.
Example 1
A ship displaces 5400 tonnes and has a KG of 7.860 m. No. 2 Cargo Oil tank Starboard is filled to a sounding of 150 cms with
saltwater 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.)
Answer:
Obtain cargo data from the table below.
The actual mass of salt water ballast loaded is found by: 
(107.46 * 1.025) / 0.740 = 148.85 tonnes
Actual FSMs for the salt water ballast loaded are found by: 
(373.7 * 1.025) / 0.740 = 517.625 t-m
The KG of the lic1uid is as before, not being affected by density.
Calculate the final effective KG and the final effective GM exactly as before