**Design and Development of Metacentric Height**

**INDEX**

1. Introduction

2. Literature Review

3. Objectives of the Project

4. Theoretical Background of Metacentric Height

5. Design Methodology

6. Fabrication and Development

7. Experimentation and Observation

8. Results and Discussions

9. Conclusion and Future Scope

10. References

**1. Introduction**

The field of naval architecture often emphasizes the importance of stability in floating
bodies. One of the key parameters used to quantify the initial static stability of a floating
body is its metacentric height. The metacentric height is a measure of the stability of a
floating body such as a ship or a pontoon, defined as the distance between the center
of gravity and the metacenter of the body.

In marine design, the importance of understanding and accurately determining the

metacentric height cannot be overstated. This project aims to design and develop an
experimental setup to measure and study the metacentric height, thereby gaining
insights into the stability characteristics of various floating bodies.
This report provides a comprehensive exploration of the design and development of an
experimental model to evaluate metacentric height. The goal is to facilitate a better
understanding of marine stability concepts through practical experimentation and
theoretical analysis.

Stability plays a crucial role in ensuring the safety of marine vessels. In practical
scenarios, improper design or loading conditions may lead to insufficient stability and
could result in capsizing. Thus, understanding the factors influencing metacentric
height is essential for both academic and industrial applications.

**2. Literature Review**

Various studies have explored the principles and practices involved in determining the
metacentric height. Literature from classical naval architecture textbooks, journals, and
engineering handbooks highlight the significance of this parameter.

A study by Rawson and Tupper (2001) emphasizes the importance of GM (metacentric

height) in determining whether a vessel will remain upright or capsize when tilted. Other
researchers have worked on methods to calculate the GM using inclining experiments
and CAD-based hydrostatic modeling.

The evolution of ship design has also led to changes in methods for determining
stability. Modern research has incorporated computer simulations and fluid dynamics
to estimate the metacentric height accurately. However, experimental methods remain
fundamental, especially in academic and training contexts.

Significant contributions have also come from research in naval engineering where the
impact of fluid motion, ship geometry, and loading conditions are analyzed. Journals
like “Journal of Marine Science and Technology” frequently publish peer-reviewed
articles that deal with innovations in metacentric analysis techniques and tools.

Additionally, naval architecture handbooks such as Muckle’s “Naval Architecture for

Marine Engineers” describe empirical methods for measuring and predicting GM values.
This project utilizes some of these traditional principles while integrating them with a
contemporary experimental approach.

**3. Objectives of the Project**

* To understand the concept of metacentric height and its relevance to the stability of
floating bodies.

* To design and fabricate an experimental model for studying the metacentric height.

* To perform inclining experiments to determine the stability characteristics.

* To compare experimental results with theoretical calculations.

* To analyze the impact of different parameters on the metacentric height.

* To create a repeatable and educational setup for student and academic use.

The project also aims to:

* Explore the effect of geometry on GM.

* Assess the practical limitations of manual experimentation.

* Introduce simple methods to approximate GM values with minimal tools.

By achieving these objectives, the project hopes to provide a foundation for further
investigations into hydrostatics and vessel design stability in naval architecture.

**4. Theoretical Background of Metacentric Height**

Metacentric height (GM) is the distance between the center of gravity (G) and the
metacenter (M). It is a critical factor in determining the stability of a floating body. When
a floating object tilts, the point where the buoyant force acts shifts, and the intersection
of the vertical line through the center of buoyancy and the initial vertical line gives the
metacenter.

**Key Definitions:**

* **Center of Gravity (G):** Point through which the weight of the body acts vertically
downwards.

* **Center of Buoyancy (B):** Point through which the buoyant force acts vertically
upwards.

* **Metacenter (M):** The point where the vertical line through the new center of
buoyancy intersects with the original vertical line through B after the body tilts.

**Stability Conditions:**

* If GM > 0: Stable equilibrium (the body returns to upright position)

* If GM < 0: Unstable equilibrium (the body capsizes)

* If GM = 0: Neutral equilibrium

**Formulas:**

* GM = BM – BG

* BM = $\frac{I}{V}$, where $I = \frac{b l^3}{12}$ for rectangular body

* BG = Distance from center of buoyancy to center of gravity

Understanding these parameters requires knowledge of hydrostatics, mechanics, and

geometry of floating structures. The theoretical base provides the necessary
background for practical application and experiment design.

**5. Design Methodology**

The experimental setup consists of a rectangular floating box with adjustable weights
and an angular measurement scale. The design process involved the following steps:

1. Selection of Material: Lightweight but durable materials such as acrylic or marine

plywood were selected for buoyancy and ease of fabrication.

2. Dimensions: The floating body was designed with standard dimensions (e.g., 300mm
x 150mm x 100mm).

3. Angular Scale: A protractor scale was fixed to measure angles of tilt.

4. Movable Weights: Small weights were used and shifted laterally to induce heel.

5. Water Tank: A clear tank was used to test the floating body in controlled conditions.

**Design Considerations:**

* Uniformity of material density

* Waterproofing and sealing

* Compact design for educational use

* Simplicity for data recording

Design was finalized using CAD software for precision. Material selection was optimized
for minimal deformation, ease of repair, and reusability in repeated trials.

**6. Fabrication and Development**

Fabrication involved the actual construction of the designed model. The key steps
included:

* Cutting of base material (acrylic sheet or plywood) according to the specified

dimensions.
* Sealing of joints to ensure water-tight integrity using marine-grade epoxy.

* Mounting of angle measurement scale.

* Attachment of sliding mechanism for weights.

* Assembling the structure and testing for buoyancy and stability.

**Tools Used:**

* Jigsaw for cutting

* Adhesive sealant

* Caliper for dimensional checks

* Drill for creating pivot holes

Dry testing was first carried out to verify balance and floatation. The model was then
placed in water for wet tests, during which multiple weight configurations were
assessed.

Final development focused on refining balance, improving visual angle measurement,

and introducing stability against water surface ripples by adjusting tank dimensions.

**7. Experimentation and Observation**

The inclining experiment was conducted by placing the floating model in a water tank
and moving a known weight at a known distance from the centerline. The angle of heel
was recorded using the protractor scale.

**Procedure:**

1. Fill the tank with water up to a marked level.

2. Place the floating model gently in water.

3. Record initial vertical position and angle.

4. Move a known weight a known distance from the center.

5. Record the new angle of tilt.

6. Calculate GM using the formula:

$GM = \frac{w \cdot d}{W \cdot \tan \theta}$

Where,

* $w$ = Shifted weight

* $d$ = Distance moved

* $W$ = Total weight of the system

* $\theta$ = Angle of tilt in radians

**Conditions Tested:**

* Multiple G positions (high, mid, low)

* Changing beam width

* Varying displacement by adding load

Observations were tabulated for each configuration, and average values were
computed. Precision improved with repeated trials and careful leveling of the tank.

**8. Results and Discussions**

The calculated values of metacentric height were found to be in close agreement with
the theoretical values. Minor deviations were attributed to:

* Inaccuracies in angle measurement

* Water disturbances during setup

* Human error in weight shifting

**Observational Trends:**

* Increased weight shifting distance leads to larger heel angle.

* Wider beams produce greater stability (higher GM).

* Lower center of gravity increases metacentric height.

**Sample Calculation:**

Given:

• W = 0.2 kg, d = 0.05 m, W = 1.0 kg, $\theta = 8^{\circ} = 0.1396 \text{ rad}$

$GM = \frac{0.2 \times 0.05}{1.0 \times \tan(0.1396)} = \frac{0.01}{0.1409} = 0.071 \text{

m}$

This validates theoretical assumptions and highlights the model’s usefulness for
instructional purposes.

**9. Conclusion and Future Scope**

The project successfully achieved its objective of designing, developing, and testing a
model to study metacentric height. The hands-on approach enabled a deeper
understanding of marine stability and the factors affecting it.
**Key Takeaways:**

* Metacentric height is a fundamental property for floating stability.

* Experimental setups must be carefully designed for accuracy.

* The results obtained align well with classical naval theory.

**Future Scope:**

* Incorporate real-time sensors for angle and weight tracking.

* Automate data logging using microcontrollers (e.g., Arduino).

* Use multiple hull shapes for comparative analysis.

* Introduce effects of wave action and simulate real marine conditions.

Such advancements will push this educational model toward more industry-relevant
simulations and allow interdisciplinary integration with control systems and data
science.

**10. References**

1. Rawson, K. J., & Tupper, E. C. (2001). *Basic Ship Theory*. Butterworth-Heinemann.

2. Gillmer, T. C., & Johnson, B. (1982). *Introduction to Naval Architecture*. Naval

Institute Press.

3. Muckle, W. (1983). *Naval Architecture for Marine Engineers*. Newnes-Butterworths.

4. Journals on Experimental Fluid Mechanics and Naval Stability.

5. Class lecture notes and academic resources.

6. White, F.M. (2011). *Fluid Mechanics*. McGraw-Hill.

7. Munson, B.R. et al. (2012). *Fundamentals of Fluid Mechanics*. Wiley.