CHAPTER 2

BUOYANCY & STABILITY

(KEAPUNGAN & KESTABILAN)
2.1 Archimedes Principle
• When an object is completely or partially immersed in a
fluid, the fluid exerts an upward force on the object equal to
the weight of the fluid displaced by the object.

• sesuatu jasad yang tenggelam secara penuh atau sebahagian

sahaja di dalam suatu cecair, ianya akan mengalami daya
tujah yang bertindak ke atas. Nilai tujahan ini adalah sama
nilainya dengan berat isipadu bahagian cecair atau bendalir
yang teranjak.
Cont….
Summarize….
• an object will sink or floats depend on how the buoyancy
force compares with the weight.

Weight of object, W = Weight of water displaced, R

mg = 𝜌gV

Buoyancy 𝜌 = density of fluid

Force, R g = gravity (9.81)
V = the volume of the submerged
body

OBJECT

Weight
Object, W
Problem 1

A ship shifts 115m3 of water. Determine:

i) Weight of the ship. (Assuming the
density of water = 1025kg/m3
ii) The volume of water that has a
density of 1000kg/m3 may be
displaced by the ship.
Solution
i) Given V = 115 m3 , 𝜌 = 1025 kg/m3

Weight of object, W = Weight of water displaced, R

W = 𝜌gV
= 1025 x 9.81 x 115
= 1156.35 kN

ii) Given density of water, ( 𝜌 = 1000 kg/m3 )

Volume displaced, V =W
𝜌g
= 1156.35 x 1000
1000 x 9.81
= 118 m3
Problem 2
Determine the volume and relative density of an object that
has a value equal to the weight in air 2703N and in water
1909N.

Solution:
i) For stability;
The net value of the buoyancy, R = 2703 – 1909
= 794N
R = 𝜌gV
𝑅
V=
𝜌𝑔
794
=
1000 𝑥 9.81
= 0.081 m3
ii) Relative density,
𝜌𝑠𝑢𝑏𝑠𝑡𝑎𝑛𝑐𝑒
𝜌relative =
𝜌𝑤𝑎𝑡𝑒𝑟
@
𝑚𝑎𝑠𝑠 𝑜𝑓 𝑜𝑏𝑗𝑒𝑐𝑡
𝜌relative =
𝑚𝑎𝑠𝑠 𝑒𝑞𝑢𝑖𝑣𝑎𝑙𝑒𝑛𝑡 𝑣𝑜𝑙𝑢𝑚𝑒
2703
9.81
= 794
9.81
= 3.404
2.2 Stability of Fully
Submerged Bodies
• For stability of a submerged body, body
center of gravity (G) must be located
directly below center of buoyancy (B) fluid
slipped.

• If both point located local, that body is in

equilibrium condition neutral at all
position.
 G

W W

a) Shift produce recovery moment

(momen pemulihan)
W

G
B

R R
W

b) Shift produce reversal moment

(momen pembalikan)
Conditions…
• Volume weight body, W
• Upthrust force, R
Remember!!!!
= Weight of fluid slipped, mg,
act through centre of gravity
body, G.
= ρgV measures through
center of buoyancy, B.

• If G under B as in (a), then some shift of equal footing produce

recovery moment which resulted balance again.
• If G be above B as in Figure (b), then some shift produce reversal
moment which resulted unstable body.
2.3 Stability of Floating
Bodies
1. Stable
equilibrium 2.Unstable
equilibrium

3 types of
equilibrium

3.Neutral
equilibrium
1. Stable equilibrium

• When a body is given a small angular

displacement (i.e. tilted slightly), by some
external force, and then it returns backs to
its original position due to the internal
forces (the weight and the upthrust), such
an equilibrium is called stable equilibrium.
Figure 2.2 (a), (b)
• Moment on center axis for force buoyancy,
WV x MB sin 𝜃 = W tan 𝜃 I ……………………… Equation 1

V = volume of water jostled by vessel

MB = center radius meta
I = second moment wide

• Metacenter radius was;

𝑰
MB = ………………………………. Equation 2
𝑽

• Metacenter height was;

𝑰
GM = - BG ………………………………..Equation 3
𝑽

• When G be under B, BG blended, in height case metacenter

must be positive and his balance is stable…..
• A vessel which possess wall pay heart and bring same liquid as in
which it float.
• Moment reduction back original because inside wedge prism
position change every room was W tan θ1 IB and with IB was
second moment wide for free surface in column vessel in
longitudinal axis of rotation.

• Then Equation 2 (Moment Equation) rectified be;

WV1 x M1B1 sin 𝜃1 = W tan 𝜃 1 (I – 2IB) …………… Equation 4
where;
I = second moment wide for surface waterline in
axis lengthways.
IB = second moment wide for free surface in
column vessel in longitudinal axis of rotation.
V1 = volume of displacement vessel increase
ballast.
• Through approximation such as just now,
𝑰 −𝟐𝑰𝑩
M1 B 1 = …………… Equation 5
𝑽𝟏
And
𝑰 −𝟐𝑰𝑩
G1M1 = − 𝑩𝟏𝑮𝟏 ……………. Equation 6
𝑽𝟏
• Recovery Moment
Wx = W x GM x sin𝜃 ……………… Equation 7

Note!!!!
When M was sitting on G, then GM
valued positive ( +ve).
2. Unstable equilibrium
• If the body does not return to its original position from the
slightly displaced angular position and heels farther away,
when given a small displacement, such an equilibrium is called
an unstabled equilibrium.

• For unstable equilibrium , the position of metacenter M is

remains lower than G.

• Reversal Moment
Wx = W x GM x cos (90°-𝜃) …………… Equation 8

Note!
When M lies beneath G, then GM
valued negative (-ve).
Figure 2.3 (a), (b)
3. Neutral equilibrium
• If a body, when given a small angular displacement, occupies a new
position and remains at rest in this new position, it is said possess a
neutral equilibrium.

• For Neutral equilibrium, the position of metacenter M coincides

with G.

• where;
GM = 0 (no rotation moment)
* object position would be neutral.

Note!
When M overlaps with G, then GM = 0.
Figure 2.4 (a), (b)
2.4 Determine the Location of
Metacentre of Floating Bodies
• There are 2 method on Determining
Metacentre Height (GM)

• Analytical Method

• Experimental Method
1. Analytical method
Consider floating body as shown in Fig. 2.5 is in equilibrium.

The position of centre of gravity and centre of buoyancy are fixed as

shown in Figure 2.5 (a) at G and B.

Figure 2.5 (b) shows the position of body in tilted position when it is
given a small angular displacement in clockwise sense.

The centre of gravity remains at the same point but centre of

buoyancy shifts to the new position B1.

This is due to the more portion of body on right side of vertical axis
sinks in the liquid.
Due to the angular displacement, the body tilts and the wedge
shaped portion AOA1 on left side of axis emerges out from
liquid and portion DOD1 on right side of axis sinks down in the
liquid.

The total weight of body is same as the volume immersed

remains same and hence the volumes of wedge shaped
portions AOA1 and DOD1 on either sides are equal.

The portion DOD1 represents positive buoyant force, dFB

acting vertically upwards through centre of gravity of DOD1.

Similarly the portion AOA1 represents the negative buoyant

force, dFB acting vertically downwards through the centre of
gravity of AOA1.

These two equal and opposite forces form a couple and tends
to rotate the body in anticlockwise direction.
Due to the angular displacement, the body tilts and the wedge
shaped portion AOA1 on left side of axis emerges out from
liquid and portion DOD1 on right side of axis sinks down in the
liquid.

The total weight of body is same as the volume immersed

remains same and hence the volumes of wedge shaped
portions AOA1 and DOD1 on either sides are equal.

The portion DOD1 represents positive buoyant force, dFB

acting vertically upwards through centre of gravity of DOD1.

Similarly the portion AOA1 represents the negative buoyant

force, dFB acting vertically downwards through the centre of
gravity of AOA1.

These two equal and opposite forces form a couple and tends
to rotate the body in anticlockwise direction.
Figure 2.5
• The centre of buoyancy has been shifted from B to B1 and
due to this moment developed in anticlockwise direction. The
effect of these two couples must be same.

 Moment of couple due to the shift of centre of

buoyancy from B to B1 is
= 𝐹𝐵 × 𝐵𝐵1
= 𝐹𝐵 × 𝐵𝑀 × 𝜃
= 𝑊 × 𝐵𝑀 × 𝜃

• As, tan 𝜃 = sin 𝜃 = 𝜃, when  is very small.

• Consider a small strip of thickness 'dx' at a distance x from
, for the wedge shaped portion DOD1 .(Figure 2.12 (c))
Problem 3
• Determine the metacentric of a ferry across the Selat Melaka. The
water density is 1200 kg/m3. The ferry dimension is 30 m x 20 m x 10
m. The ferry mass is 600 tones metric.
Solution

b = 30 m

d = 20 m

B
h
O
• Note :
h = depth of immersed
𝑊𝑓𝑒𝑟𝑟𝑦 = 𝑊𝑑𝑖𝑠𝑝𝑙𝑎𝑐𝑒𝑑 𝑤𝑎𝑡𝑒𝑟

𝑊𝑓𝑒𝑟𝑟𝑦 = 𝑚𝑔 = 600 × 1000 × 9.81 = 𝟓. 𝟖𝟖𝟔 × 𝟏𝟎𝟔 𝑵

𝑊𝑑𝑖𝑠𝑝𝑙𝑎𝑐𝑒𝑑 𝑤𝑎𝑡𝑒𝑟 = 𝜌𝑔𝑉

= 1200 × 9.81 × 30 × 20 × ℎ
= 𝟕. 𝟎𝟔𝟑𝟐 × 𝟏𝟎𝟔 𝒉

𝑾𝒇𝒆𝒓𝒓𝒚 = 𝑾𝒅𝒊𝒔𝒑𝒍𝒂𝒄𝒆𝒅 𝒘𝒂𝒕𝒆𝒓

5.866 × 106 = 7.0632 × 106 ℎ

5.866×106
ℎ=
7.0632×106
𝒉 = 𝟎. 𝟖𝟑𝟏 𝒎
 10 0.831
BG = OG − OB = − = 𝟒. 𝟓𝟖𝟓𝒎
2 2

𝑏𝑑 3 30 × 203
I= = = 20000𝑚4
12 12

V = 30 × 20 × 0.831 = 498.6 𝑚3

𝐼 20000
MB = = = 𝟒𝟎. 𝟏𝟏𝟐 𝒎
𝑉 498.6

𝑮𝑴 = 𝑴𝑩 − 𝑩𝑮 = 𝟒𝟎. 𝟏𝟏𝟐 − 𝟒. 𝟓𝟖𝟓 = 𝟑𝟓. 𝟓𝟑 𝒎

Problem 4
A ferry with a weight 91 tones floating in a sea (ρ = 1026 kg/m3).
Determine the metacentric height of the ferry. Ferry dimension
is 12 m x 7.6 m x 3 m.

b = 12 m
d = 7.6 m

h B
O
 𝑊𝑓𝑒𝑟𝑟𝑦 = 𝑊𝑑𝑖𝑠𝑝𝑙𝑎𝑐𝑒𝑑 𝑤𝑎𝑡𝑒𝑟

𝑊𝑓𝑒𝑟𝑟𝑦 = 𝑚𝑔 = 91 × 1000 × 9.81 = 𝟖𝟗𝟐𝟕𝟏𝟎 𝑵

𝑊𝑑𝑖𝑠𝑝𝑙𝑎𝑐𝑒𝑑 𝑤𝑎𝑡𝑒𝑟 = 𝜌𝑔𝑉

= 1026 × 9.81 × 12 × 7.6 × ℎ
= 𝟗𝟏𝟕𝟗𝟑𝟑. 𝟒𝟕 𝒉

𝑾𝒇𝒆𝒓𝒓𝒚 = 𝑾𝒅𝒊𝒔𝒑𝒍𝒂𝒄𝒆𝒅 𝒘𝒂𝒕𝒆𝒓

892710 = 917933.47 ℎ
892710
ℎ=
917933.47
ℎ = 0.973 𝑚
 3 0.973
BG = OG − OB = − = 𝟏. 𝟎𝟏𝟑𝟓 𝒎
2 2

𝑏ℎ3 12 × 7.63
I= = = 438.976 𝑚4
12 12

V = 12 × 7.6 × 0.973 = 88. 738 𝑚3

𝐼 438.976
MB = = = 𝟒. 𝟗𝟒𝟕 𝒎
𝑉 88.738

𝑮𝑴 = 𝑴𝑩 − 𝑩𝑮 = 𝟒. 𝟗𝟒𝟕 − 𝟏. 𝟎𝟏𝟑𝟓 = 𝟑. 𝟗𝟑𝟒 𝒎

Exercise
1. Figure below showed a wood block measure 0.4 m x 0.3 m x
0.2 m floating in water. The wood relative density is 0.60.
Determine the value of h. (Answer: 0.12 m)

2. A cylinder with diameter 2 m, height 1 m and mass 800 kg

floating in water. Find the metacentric height and the type
of equilibrium. (Answer: 0.6093 m, stable equilibrium)
3. A wood with a dimension 50 cm (Long) x 30 cm (Width) x 10
cm (Height) is floating in water with 20 percent of its volume
is above the water surface. The wood floating in stable
equilibrium. Determine the wood mass, wood density and
metacentric height.
(Answer: Wood mass = 12 kg, wood density = 800 kgm-3,
GM = 0.084 m)

4. A ship with a mass 4000 tones floating on sea (ρdensity = 1025

kgm-3). Ballast water was discharge from the ship and its
mass 200 tones, the ship immersed become 6.4 m. Then the
ship cruise along a river. What is the depth of ship immersed
if the ship on river.
(Answer: 6.56 m)
5. A wood cube measure 0.5 m was floating in water. The
wood density was 600 kgm-3. Find the depth of immersed of
the wood. (Answer: 0.3 m)

5. A pontoon weight is 50 tones. The pontoon size is 6 m

width, 15 m long and 2.4 m height. What is the depth
immersed if the pontoon was loaded with 130 x 103 kg
gravel stone. The pontoon was in sea with a density 1025
kgm-3. (Answer: 1.95 m)

5. A rectangular pontoon was used to transport an agriculture

crop through a river. Width and long of the pontoon are 8.5
m and 27.4 m. Without load, the pontoon depth of
immersed was 1.5 m. The depth of immersed when the
pontoon loaded is 2.1 m. Determine the pontoon weight
without load and the weight of the agriculture crop.
(Answer: 3427123.5 N, 1370849.4 N)
9. An object measure 0.5 m x 0.2 m x t m floating in water as
shown in figure below. Calculate the depth, h. Object mass
is 10 kg. (Answer: 0.1 m)

10. A wood shaped cuboids measure 0.4 m (width) x 0.6 m

(long) x 1 m (height) floating in water as shown in diagram
below. Wood relative density is 0.65. Find the depth
immersed, d. ‘
(Answer: 0.65 m)
2. Experimental method
• The metacentric height of floating body, like a ship, may
also be found out experimentally provided the centre of
gravity of floating body is known.
• Let all the articles on the ship be arranged in such a way
that the ship is perfectly horizontal as shown in Figure
2.6

Figure 2.6 : Floating Body

• Now, let the movable weight w be moved right across the ship
through a distance x as shown in Figure 2.7.
• Due to this movement of load w, the boat will tilt. Let this angle
of tilt be θ.
• Let the centre of buoyancy (B) to new position B1. Then,
extend B1 upwards to meet the line B and G to meet M, which
is the metacentric and GM is the metacentric height.

Figure 2.7 : Tilted Body

 • The effect of moving the load w to the right, a distance x, will cause a
clockwise couple, whose
moment = 𝒘 × 𝒙

• The weight of the ship W and the force of buoyancy will form an anti-
clockwise couple, whose
moment = 𝑾 × 𝑮𝑴𝒕𝒂𝒏𝜽

• Since these two moments are equal but opposite in directions, therefore ,

𝑾. 𝑮𝑴. 𝒕𝒂𝒏𝜽 = 𝒘. 𝒙

𝒘𝒙
𝑮𝑴 =
𝑾 𝒕𝒂𝒏𝜽
Problem 5
A weight of 20kN moved through a distance of 9 metres
across the deck of a pontoon of 1500kN displacement,
floating in water. This makes a pendulum 27 mm long,
move through 1.3 mm horizontally. Calculate the
metacentric height of the pontoon.
• Solution.
Given: w = 20 kN; x = 9m and W = 1500kN
We know that the angle of heel,
1.3 θ
tanθ = = 0.048 27mm
27
𝑤. 𝑥 20 × 9
𝐺𝑀 = = = 2.5𝑚
𝑊𝑡𝑎𝑛𝜃 1500 × 0.048
1.3mm
Exercise
1. A vessel has a length of 60m, width 8.4m and a
displacement 15MN. A weight of 150kN moved
through a distance of 6m across the deck causes the
ship to heel through 3o. Determine the metacentric
height. (Ans; 1.15m)
2. A ship weighing 20MN heels over 2 degrees, when a
load of 150kN is moved across its deck through a
distance of 5 m. Find the metacentric height of the
ship. (Ans. 1.07m)
3. A ship weighs 32MN. If a load of 200kN is moved
through a distance of 6m across the deck, it cause 3m
long pendulum to move 75mm horizontally. Find the
metacentric height of the ship. (Ans. 1.5m)