Center of gravity

Calculation of KG & LCG

Centre of gravity:- The centre of gravity of an object is
the point at which the whole weight of the object may
be regarded as acting. If the object is suspended from
this point, then it will remain balanced and will not
tilt.

CG from any axis = (moment of all masses about that

axis)/(total mass)
Centroid from any axis = (moment of area about that
axis)/(total area)
Z

Y X
 R = (Moment of all individual masses about origin)/(Total mass)

Y X
Vertical centre of gravity (VCG):- It is the height of
the centre of gravity above the keel and is sometimes
denoted by KG.
Longitudinal centre of gravity (LCG):- It is given as
the distance of centre of gravity forward or aft of
amidships.
G

K
 Example: A ship of 8500 tonne displacement is composed of
masses of 2000, 3000, 1000, 2000 and 500 tonne at positions 2,
5, 8, 10, and 14 m above the keel. Determine the height of the
centre of gravity of the ship above the keel.
 Example: A ship of 6000 tonne displacement is composed of masses
of 300, 1200 and 2000 tonne at distances 60, 35 and 11 m aft of
midships, and masses of 1000, 1000 and 500 tonne at distances 15,
30 and 50 m forward of midships. Calculate the distance of the
centre of gravity of the ship from midships.
Shift in Centre of gravity due to addition of mass
When a mass is added to a ship, the CG of the ship moves
towards the added mass.
The distance moved by the ship’s CG depends upon the
magnitude of the added mass, the distance of the mass
from the ship’s CG and the displacement of the ship.
 Mass Distance from Moment about
keel keel
Δ KG Δ × KG
m h m×h
(Δ + m) (Δ × KG) + (m × h)

Final KG = Total moment / total mass

= {(Δ × KG) + (m × h)}/(Δ + m)

Shift in COG = GG1 = Final KG – Original KG

= [{(Δ × KG) + (m × h)}/(Δ + m)] –KG
= {(m × h) – (m × KG)}/(Δ + m)
= {m × (h–KG)}/(Δ + m)
= {m × d}/(Δ + m)
 Centre of gravity from keel = VCG
= [(displacement × KG) + (mass added × distance from keel)]/total
displacement.

 Shift in COG
= (mass added × distance from vessel’s COG)/ Total displacement
 Centre of gravity from midships
= LCG = excess moment/total displacement.
 When an item on a ship is removed, the CG moves away from the original
position of that item.

 Centre of gravity from keel = VCG

= [(displacement × KG) - (mass removed × distance from keel)]/total
displacement.

 Shift in COG
= (mass removed × distance from vessel COG)/ Total displacement
= {m × d}/(Δ - m)
Shift in Centre of gravity due to movement of mass
When a mass which is already on board ship is moved in
any direction, there is a corresponding movement in the
centre of gravity of the ship in the same direction.
Shift in centre of gravity = (mass moved × distance moved)/total mass.
d
d
Note: - It is not necessary to know either the position of the
centre of gravity of the ship, or the position of the mass
relative to the centre of gravity of the ship.
The rise in the centre of gravity is the same whether the mass
is moved from the tank top to the deck or from the deck to
mast head as long as the distance moved is the same.
The centre of gravity of the ship moves in the same direction
as the CG of the mass.
Effect of a suspended mass
When a mass hangs freely from a point on a ship, its CG lies
directly below that point.
If the vessel now heels, the mass moves in the direction of the
heel until it again lies vertically below the point of
suspension, and no matter in which direction the vessel heels,
the CG of the mass is always below this point.
Thus it may be seen that the position of the CG of a hanging
mass, relative to the ship, is at the point of suspension.
If a mass lying anywhere on the ship is being discharged, then
as soon as the mass is clear of the place, its CG is virtually
raised to the derrick head, causing a corresponding rise in the
CG of the ship.
Shift in CG = (mass moved × distance moved)/total displacement.
Angle of list

B
Angle of list

B
Angle of list

B
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B
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B
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B
B1
Angle of list M

B
B1
Angle of list
Tan Ө =

But, G0G2 = (m × d)/Δ

Tan Ө =