Introduction

The navigation of the ship not only requires the buoyancy of the vessel.
but also its Stability.
0201a) Elements of Stability Stability refers to the conditions that ensure that the
the floating body will return to its original vertical position if
Theory It is obliged to lose the Steering when turning around
some axis product of some eventual force (not
permanent.
Both Buoyancy and Stability are fundamental in the
navigation, although with a big difference:
Chapter 2: Stability The loss of buoyancy normally takes time.....
Professor Rodrigo Vergara ...but the loss of stability can occur in seconds.

Buque Adrizado vs Buque Escorado Frigate

When a ship is standing upright (in position of
(balance) in calm waters, the center of gravity (point of
application of the Push) and the center of gravity (point of
application of the ship's displacement or weight) are found
in the same vertical line above the keel (K)
 Types of Movements
List Ship Ship Oscillations
If the ship is heeled or tilted due to an external force (that is,
without any movement of the internal weight), a wedge is produced •Pitch: It is the so-called 'Cabeceo' or oscillation from stern to bow.
emersion to one side of it and another immersion wedge of similar size •Roll: It is called "Rolling", "Pitching" or oscillation from port to starboard.
on the other side. starboard
As a consequence, the center of gravity, which is the center of the section
Yaw: Slight Oscillations around the Main Heading
submerged from the vessel, will change position from point B to B1. Heave: Vertical oscillations of the ship due to changes in water level
Surge: Drop due to water "slope"
Sway: Falls by the Bands due to water slope

Types of Movements Types of Movements

Oscillations of the Ship Oscillations of the Ship
In this course and in the
practice, what is usually
it consider it the
stability front a
oscillatory movements
associated with the Roll or
band balancing.
 Stabilization of a Ship Stability according to the axis of oscillation

Depending on the axis of oscillation, stability is

classify into:
Transversal Stability: Stability associated with
Balancing of the ship
–b) Longitudinal Stability: Stability associated with
Ship's heading
As we will see later, Stability
Transversal is the one that presents the greatest relevance,
Well, the ships turn out to be quite stable.
Longitudinally.

Stability according to heel angle Area Moment of Inertia

It is a parameter defined in a manner analogous to the
Depending on the heeling angles moment of inertia, which depends on the distribution
of the body's 'area' concerning the axis of rotation.
involved, Stability is classified as: Just like the moment of inertia of mass, the moment
Initial Stability: Consider lower heel angles the area inertia will be greater as more
"area" of the body moves away from the axis of rotation
at 10 degrees.
The Moment of Area Inertia it is determined
–b) Stability of Large Slopes: Consider through the expression:
leans greater than 10º. ͦ
Distance from the
particle to the axis of
For its simplicity, only the Where depending on the type of continuous distribution
rotation in m
Initial Stability of area: Moment of
Area inertia of the
figure in m4.
 • It is defined as the point of
Moments of Inertia of Area intersection of two 'Action Lines'
The axis of 'Vertical Symmetry' that passes Metacenter (MC)
Known Surfaces by the CG (Center of Gravity) of
body in equilibrium and upright
The vertical line that passes through the new
Rectangle Circle position of the CB (Center of Buoys or
point of application of the thrust on
the ship) when the body is
tilted
• If the tilt θ is small, that is, it is not
above 10º, the position of
Metacenter can be considered fixed.
and independent of the angle of tilt,
but for angles greater than 10º its
movement with the heel must be
considered.
• The Metacenter according to this definition,
will correspond in practice to the point
how high can the CG rise,
maintaining stability with the
presence of a guiding pair.

Determination of the position

• The position or height of the Metacenter (KM)
It will generally depend on the draft of the ship.
KM Curve (KM vs
from the Metacenter • If we consider the simple case of a
Parallelepiped for which:
Calado)
• The position of the Metacenter will be determined
through some of the expressions that are
indicate: • It is not difficult to see that:
if the draft increases, KB also increases
Additionally, we will be able to determine the although BM decreases, since the volume
metacentric radio or BM, starting from the displaced Vdincreases,
expression: if the draft decreases, KB decreases but BM
• Where: ̓ increases since the displaced volume Vd
̼͇ =
-KM: Vertical distance from the keel to ͐ decrease
the Metacenter (MC) Where • The above indicates that we should have a
–KB: Vertical distance from the keel to the Moment of inertia of area of the
surface that defines the body over the minimum on the KM curve vs. draft,
Center of Buoyants (CB)
surface of the liquid, in m4 a question that also becomes clear if
KG: Vertical distance from the keel to the VdDisplaced volume or of the hull we consider the general expression obtained
Center of Gravity (CG) floating body, in m3.
to relate both variables:
–BM: Metacentric Radio. Vertical distance
between the CB and the MC It is evident that on a real ship, due to the
shape of the "Helmet", the area moment of inertia
–GM: Metacentric Height. Vertical Distance "I" will not be constant depending evidently
between the CG and the MC • With constant k
of the Water Plane Area and therefore of the
Hollow.
 Stability Criteria Movements of the CG
It is evident that an increase in KG means a
Depending on the height of the metacenter above the CG, vertical movement of the CG generally leads to a
the situation of the upright ship falls into 3 categories: decrease in stability, a situation that will have as
The body floats in a stable manner, that is, limit the KM and beyond which the return will occur
in the face of a small heel, the body will naturally tend to boat bell.
return to the upright equilibrium position due to the action of a Several factors allow the KG to rise in the ship:
by adrizante. Ice on exterior surfaces due to low temperatures
The body floats in an unstable manner, that is, temperatures
in the face of a small heel, the body will continue to increase its Water on the deck due to bad weather
List resulting in the bell tipping due to the
action of a scouring pair. Passengers together in large numbers on the upper decks
–c) KM = KG:(GM = 0) The body floats in an indifferent manner, that is, Lifting weights via the ship's cranes
remains motionless in the position in which it is left due to the Wood saturated with water due to poor weather conditions
total absence of guiding or support pair.

Importance of TRANSVERSE STABILITY Importance of TRANSVERSE STABILITY

(Roll Stability) on LONGITUDINAL stability (Roll Stability) on LONGITUDINAL stability
For the same floating object, • We know that and what

the Transversal Stability and ė

• It is clear that the only parameter that

Longitudinal will be different
varies according to the axis of rotation it will be the
depending on the axis of rotation moment of area inertia, which according to the
considered. the axis of rotation considered will be:
∙ w
The distance in KM will depend on the Transversal Stability̓ =
ͥͦ

axis of rotation considered, Longitudinal Stability̓ =

ͥͦ
∙ w

since it will depend on the

moment of area inertia "I" As a general rule, the Length (L) is greater than the Beam (B):
that is associated with the
direction of the oscillation. Since the KG is the same in both cases, it is concluded that
.
In other words, the longitudinal stability is always greater than the
transversal, so once stability has been tested
Transversal, the longitudinal will be assured.
 Importance of TRANSVERSE STABILITY (Roll Transversal Stability and
Stability) on LONGITUDINAL stability By Weight-Thrust
The enormous height of the giants As we know, when a body floats in
pleasure cruises like the one from Rest in Still Water, moves its own
Queen Mary II, who rises 60 Weight, thus generating a thrust. In this
metros "above" the Line of the CG and the CB will be in the same situation
Floating, in front of the 11 meters of vertical line, keeping the body upright
Hidden, they are only possible thanks to as seen in the figure:
the important sleeve and employment On the other hand, in many situations the
new materials and technologies the recently mentioned condition can be seen
of structures that allow altered by various causes, those that in
keep relatively low the general terms go a delineate
center of gravity. Momentarily the Weight and the Thrust
But those large surfaces generating a pair of forces that can
they offer very strong resistance to show three situations of interest:
the side winds, which Stable Equilibrium.
makes the maneuver very difficult Unstable Balance.
port in case of bad weather. Indifferent Equilibrium

Stable Equilibrium Unstable Equilibrium

If the MC falls on the CG just as
• If the Metacenter falls below the CG such
it can be seen in the figure, the weight P and the
as seen in the figure In this case
push E forms a "pair" of the weight P and the thrust E form a
Advisory or Stabilizing Forces par destabilizer or sliding agent
(Righting) that make you come back the (UpSetting) that make it overturn
body to the equilibrium position. body into a position of
stability with the metacenter over
Lo anterior is clearly the CG.
Equivalent to the Stability criterion • The anterior is clearly
aforementioned: Equivalent the criterion of
This is the Stability condition Previously mentioned instability:
KG < KM (GM > 0)
what to expect on a ship KG > KM (GM < 0)
To have stable equilibrium, the
For this reason, on a ship there • To have unstable equilibrium, the This condition should never occur.
the center of gravity G has to try to lower the position of the CG, in the ship, well in that case
the center of gravity G has to be
to be below the metacenter M. with the propulsion machinery in above the metacenter M. we would have an imbalance that
the background and loading first the would take the vessel to give
lower wineries, increasing turning of the bell
thus the stability of the ship.
 Magnitude of the Arm
Indifferent Equilibrium Stabilizer
In bodies such as spheres or cylinders When the MC is over the CG, it
in buoyancy, the pair, 'Weight - Buoyancy' will produce a stabilizing pair that
will always be in the same line of
action regardless of its bring the object back to vertical.
position, so the arm of the pair From the figure by observing the triangle
forces generated will always be null,
then the body will remain in the GMZ rectangle, we can
position in which it is placed without generating obtain a clear expression
a pair of eye-catching not a pair for 'Arm' (GZ) of the Par
destabilizer.
stabilizer. This expression will be
The above is clearly equivalent to This condition like the
instability criterion before previous is also undesirable validates to the extent that the MC
mentioned: well faced with a force it is considered immobile, that is to say for Where
θ: Object Heel Angle (º).
KG = KM (GM = 0) momentary external, the ship listings below 10º: Below 10º.
To have unstable equilibrium, the center
it will remain with a trim GM: Metacentric Height, in m or
gravity G must coincide with the Permanent, with no possibility of ft. [m] [ft]
metacentro M. recover the Vertical. GZ: Adjustable Weight Arm
Push, in m or ft.

Magnitude of the Pair Stability Curve (Static)

Stabilizer Idealized
Starting from the Expression
We know that for small
previously we can find Heels, θ < 10º, although if
an expression for the Par we consider
Stabilizer, knowing that valid for everyone
independent of the Escora, E angle, this would give us a GZ
=P, so we can increasing up to a GZ
to write maximum at 90º to then
τ
begin to decrease such
Where:
as seen in the graph.
• GZ: Arm of the Weight-Force Balancing Par in m
P: Displacement in Tons
τ: Torque of the Stabilizer in Ton·m
Stability Curve Influence of the metacentric height (GM)
(Static) Real The value of GM is of great interest as it provides a measure of the
magnitude of the Stabilizing Pair for Small Inclinations, that is, of the
In a real situation, this curve presents ability to stabilize the body against a momentary tilt.
clear differences with the simplified case In this regard, we can mention that a usual classification of ships
previous, since as we mentioned, the in terms of the magnitude of GM is:
Metacenter yes no will be abletotofollow Stiff Ship: It is associated with a ship with a large GM (2 m < GM < 3 m), it is
considered immobile for larger Scoras to say, even in small Scoras it has a large stabilizing arm,
thus achieving a "Balance" or short or rapid Oscillation Period, situation
10º unpleasant for those on board but very useful to compensate the
effects from damages associated with flooding. This can be achieved with many
For small inclinations, the arm is proportional to the inclination. low pesos and few high pesos.
–Soft Ship (Tender): It is associated with a ship with a small GM (0.16 m < GM
Point A at 30º is an inflection point where the arm increases less and less. less than 0.2 m), that is, it has a small stabilizing arm, so its
associates with the point where Deck touches the water "Balance" or Period of Oscillation is slow and smooth, a desirable situation in a
The maximum arm point occurs at 60º and not at 90º. passenger ship. This can be achieved with many heavy weights and few.
low pesos.
The critical angle defines the zone of positive restoring arm, beyond which
produce the bell overturning. The critical angle can be greater than
90º just like in this case

Ship as a physical pendulum Effect of

The balance (ROLL) of a ship is usually
considered in the first approximation as the oscillation Free Surface
of a physical pendulum that forms the structure of the ship,
regarding a pivot located at the Metacenter of Unlike the Solid Load,
buoy, being a component of the weight the force the liquid that fills a
restorer. compartment only in form
Partial, it will be said that it has a This will significantly affect stability.
Free Surface, which will have of the vessel when reducing the stabilizer arm
always a to remain GZ, possibly causing a return of
Manga of the ship in ft M: Ship's manga in m
Horizontal, independent of the bell (CAPZISE) when forming a Pair -
GM: Metacentric Height in ft GM: Metacentric Height in m List of the Ship. Weight destabilizing push.
Balance period in s Balance Period in s
f: Frequency in Hz f: Frequency in Hz
This effect will displace The fuel consumption during the
constantly the position of navigation, generates Free Surfaces of
CG outside of the Corridor and in naturally, which implies a
SHIPS COMIC GM GM T
RECOMMENDABLE "Direction of the Escora", not so increase in KG and the consequent loss
General Cargo 60 feet 5% of the sleeve 3 feet 15 seconds the position of the CB. of Stability. The ship will compensate for this
Oil worker 70 feet 8% of the sleeve 5.6 feet 13s effect through 'Ballast Taking'
Passenger 80 feet 2% of the sleeve 1.6 ft 28s
 To Avoid Free Surface Effect To Avoid Free Surface Effect

Another way to visualize the compartmentalization method for the

management of free surfaces is achieved with a tubular device
In the figure, we see two options to avoid or reduce the Effect
with liquid inside, balanced with a rope, just as
of free surface, to fill the tank completely, preventing see in the figure:
in this way the transfer of the CG or use several tanks –A: With the tube partially filled, the equilibrium will be unstable and will only
will keep with the liquid horizontal and its CG under tension
separated, which although does not completely prevent the transfer At the slightest movement, the liquid displaces its center of gravity and creates a torque.
from the CG, it significantly decreases destabilizer
The compartmentalization of the tube reduces the previous effect.

Correction of the Unstable Balance or

Indifferent
As we have seen, when a ship is in
Unstable or Indifferent Equilibrium, it must be
brought to the condition of Stability in order to
navigating by generating a Steering Pair, which in
0201a) Stability Elements
general terms are obviously achieved Theory
lowering the CG of the ship by means of one of the
options indicated:
a) Lower the weights that are already on the ship
–b) Load new weights under the ship's CG
Download weights that are above the CG of the ship
Chapter 2: Stability
Remove liquids with Free Surfaces. Professor Rodrigo Vergara