BUOYANCY; PRINCIPLE OF ARCHIMEDES

N
W L.S. (γ, m3
)

Body of volume, V

Fb
Principle of Archimedes: “ a body submerged in a liquid of specific weight γ is buoyed
up by a force equal to the weight of the displaced liquid,”

Fb  V  
where: V = volume of the submerged body
γ = specific weight of the liquid
Note: Fb is called the “ buoyant force” and its direction is vertically upward.
Actual Weight of a Body ( Weight in Air )
W  VB   b  VB sB   w 

where: VB  volume of the body

B  specific weight of the body
sB  specific gravity of the body
w  specific weight of water

Apparent Weight of a Body (Weight in Liquid)

W’ = W - Fb
Flotation; Stability of Floating Bodies
W

G
O

Bo 

Fb

(a) The body is in Upright Position

W  Fb  V  
G = Center of gravity of the body
Bo = Center of buoyancy ( centroid of the submerged
portion )
( b) The body is in Tilted
M (Metacenter)
Position
W
x

G  A’
B O B’
A
B1 Bo

Fb

r

B1 = new center of Buoyancy θ = angle of tilt

r = horizontal shifting of Bo
x = moment arm of W or Fb
(b) Tilted Position
M (Metacenter)

W
x

G A’
B O B’
A
B1 Bo
 

The Righting or Overturning 

Couple, C r
 _____ 
C  W  x  W  MG sin  
 

NOTE: C is a righting moment if M falls above G, an overturning moment if M falls

below G. MG is known as the “metacentric height”.
 M (Metacenter)

W
Fb
x

G O A’
B B’
A
B1 Bo
 
Fb

Fb

r
S
The shifting of the original upward buoyant force Fb in the wedge A’OB’ to
Fb in the wedge AOB causes a shift in Fb from Bo to B1, a horizontal distance r
Hence,

Fb  r  Fb  S  V  r    S  r S
V
 _____
Also, r  MBo sin  Note:
_____
r  MBo sin  and Fb    
_____

Then, MBo sin   S Where ν is the additional volume AOB.
V S is the distance between the centroids of AOB
_____
 S and A’OB’.
MBo 
V sin 
For small angle θ,
_____
 S
MBo  (approximately )
V 
where: ν = volume of the wedge A’OB’
V = volume of the submerged body
S = horizontal distance between the centroid
of A’OB’ and AOB
θ = angle of tilt
 ______
Metacentric Height, MG

 
_____ _____ _____
MG  MBo  GBo + if Bo is above G
- if Bo is below G
_____
NOTE: GBo is usuallya knownvalue
_____
If θ is negligible, MBo is given as
_____
Io
MBo 
V
Where: I o is the moment of inertia of the waterline section relative
to a line through O.
 _____
Io
Derivation of MBo  M (Metacenter)
V W
Consider now a small prism of the wedge AOB, Fb
at a distance x from O, having a horizontal area dA. dA
For small angles the length of this prism = xθ x
(approximately). The buoyant force produced G O A’
By this immersed prism is xdA, and B B’
A
The moment of this force about O is x dA.
2
B1 Bo
The sum of all these moments for both wedges  
Must be equal to γνS or Fb
  x 2 dA  S  Vr
_____ Fb
But for small angles r  MBo  (approximately ) 
Hence
 
_____

 x dA  V  MBo  r
2

S
But  x 2 dAis the moment of inertia,I o , of the water-line section about the longitu-
dinal axis through O (approximately constant for small angles of heel). Therefore
_____
Io _____ _____ _____
MBo  , The metacentric height MG  MBo  GBo
V
SAMPLE CALCULATIONS
 Position of weight on the mast

M
_____ _____
G (center of gravity)
 MB GB
__
Yh _____
Y1 MB
__ O

Y h
2
h B
h
2

Sketch showing various distances on the pontoon

DETERMINATION OF THEORETICAL METACENTRIC HEIGHT FROM THE GEOMETRY OF

THE PONTOON:
Lb3 400mm200mm 0.40m 0.20m   2.67 x104 m4
3 3
Io   
12 12 12
Displaced Volume
9.81N
2.52kg 
W kg
V   2.52 x103 m3
  g 1,000 kg  9.81 m
m3 s2
 _____
I 2.67 x10 4 m 4
MB   3 3
 0.1059m  106mm
V 2.52 x10 m
Depth of displaced water
V 2.52 x103 m 4
h   0.0315m
Lb 0.4m  0.20m
_____
The center of buoyancy force below the water surface and the distance OB will be
_____
h 0.0315m  0.01575m  15.75mm
OB  
2 2
_____
The Metacenter is above the water surface and distance MOis
_____ _____ ____
MO  MB  OB  106  15.75  90.25mm
In the case when the height of the mast, Y1  100mm and the
__
height of the center of gravity ( by experiment) , Y  69mm
_____
Thus, the theoretical metacentric height MGth
_____ _____ _____
MGth  MB  GB  Position of weight on the mast

M (Metacenter)
_____ _____
_____ _____
 __ h  
G (center of gravity) MB GB
MGth  MB   Y   __
 2 Yh _____
MB
 31.5  Y1 _ _ 
O
 106   69   Y h
 2  h B 2
h
 37.02mm 2

_____
BecauseMGth is positive, this shows that the pontoon is stable.
Determination of Metacentric Height by Experiment
M

G
x G
d
w

O w 

B B1  

θ
Fb
Fb  W
_____
The metacentric height MG is determined experimentally as shown in the figure
above. When shifting the jockey weight w to the left side of the pontoon at a distance
x, the pontoon tilts to a small angle θ causing the metacentric height to rotate slightly
around the longitudinal axis of the pontoon . Likewise, the buoyancy force Fb shifted a
horizontal distance d from G. Hence, the moment produced by w must be equal to
moment of Fb , _____
w x
MG 
w cos  x  d W W tan 
 _____  w x (For small angle of tilt)
  MG sin  W  
  W 
 METACENTRIC HEIGHT APPARATUS

Mast
Vertical scale

Vertical sliding
weight

Jockey weight

Balancing weight
Tilt angle
scale

Plumb bob
Pontoon
 _____
DETERMINATION OF METACENTRIC HEIGHT, MGBY EXPERIMENT
Typical Data:
In the case of vertical sliding weight on the mast is at the height, Y1  100mm.
Distance of jockey weight w from center of pontoon , x = 80 mm
Angle of tilt, θ = 6.80˚
Convert angle of tilt into radian

6.80   6.80 0.11868radian
180
Then,
From equation (2), the experimental metacentric height is,
x 80mm
  674.06mm
 0.11868radian
_____
w x 0.20kg
MG exp     674.06mm  53.49mm
W  2.52kg
_____
MG exp is positve, this shows that the pontoon at that tilt angle is stable.
TEST PROCEDURES:
Data recording:
- Pontoon weight, W = 2.50 kg
- Jockey weight, w = 0.20 kg
- Adjustable vertical weight = 0.40 kg
- Pontoon width, D = 200 mm
- Pontoon length, L = 400 mm
Determining the Center of Gravity of the Pontoon

Center of gravity ( CG)

Adjustable vertical
Scale weight

 Mast

Support
Procedures:
1. Tilt the pontoon as shown in figure.
2. Attach the plum bob on the angle scale.
3. Move or adjust the vertical weight to a
required distance and record that distance
from the scale on the mast.
4. Place knife edge support under the mast and
move it to a position of equilibrium and record
the height ( center of gravity) where the knife
edge is position on the scale.
Taking Readings with the Pontoon in a Water Tank

1. Initial Set Up
When placing the pontoon in the water ensure that the position of
the jockey weight horizontal adjustments is in the middle of the
pontoon and the pontoon is sitting level in the water. The pontoon
should be in a vertical position and have no angle of tilt ( zero
degrees in the tilt angle scale). If not, adjust the balancing weight
until the angle of tilt is “0”.

2. The jockey weight can change the position of the pontoon in the
water and in order to take some experimental readings we move
the jockey weight in steps from its central position horizontally and
record the tilt angle of the pontoon from the scale on the pontoon
in degrees.
3. Each time we move the jockey weight from its central position we
must record on the data sheets supplied the distance measured from
its central position and the angle of tilt.

4. We also change the adjustable vertical weight height on the mast

and record its measurement along with the jockey weight distance
from its central position, the angle of tilt at different values and
record all the data on the sheets provided.

5. Step (3) and (4) can be repeated many times to obtain a satisfactory
conclusion.
 SAMPLE DATA SHEET
METACENTRIC HEIGHT APPARATUS
Position of jockey weight in a horizontal position (cm.)
2 4 6 8 10 12 14 16 18
Distance x of the jockey weight measured from the center of the pontoon (mm)
80 60 40 20 0 20 40 60 80
Height of
weight
on the Tilt Angle
mast, θ
____mm. (degrees)

x/θ
Height of (mm/rad.)
center of Metacentr
gravity, ic Height
____mm. (mm)
Example 1. An iceberg weighing 8.95 kN/m3 floats in sea water,
γ = 10.045 kN/m3, with a volume of 595 m3 above the surface. What is
The total volume of the iceberg?
Solution:
W  kN   kN 
Vs 10.045 3   V  8.95 3 
 m   m 

but Vs  V  595m3
W.S.

V  595m 10.045 kN
3 
  8.95
kN
xV
 
3 3
m m
kN
1.095V 3
 5,976.775kN
m

Let Vs = volume submerged Fb V  5,458.242m3

V = total volume
(a) ∑Fv = 0,
Fb = W
Vsx γw = V x γi
where: γw = specific weight of sea water
γi = specific weight of iceberg
Example 2. A sphere 0.90 m in diameter floats half submerged in a tank
of oil ( s=0.80). (a) What is the total vertical pressure on the sphere?
(b) What is the minimum weight of an anchor weighing 24 kN/m3 that
will be required to submerge the sphere completely?
Solution:
O.S.
W W

0.45 m
0.45 m 
O.S.
Fb

Wa
Figure (a) Figure (b)
Fb
(a) Consider Figure (a) Fba
Fv  0, 2 3  kN 
W    0.45m   0.80 x9.81 3 
Fv W  0 3  m 

Fv  W  V W  1.498kN
 O.S.
W
Va  0.093m3
0.45 m

therefore
Fb Wa  Va a
Wa
Figure (b)  
 kN 
Wa  0.093m3  24 3 
 m 
Fba Wa  2.232kN
(b) Consider Figure (b),
Fv  0,
Fb  Fba  W  Wa  0,
V  Va  1.498kN  Va a  0
4 3  kN   kN   kN 
  0.45m   0.80 x9.81 3   Va  0.80 x9.81 3   1.498kN  Va  24 3   0
3  m   m   m 
kN
16.152 3 Va  1.498kN
m
Example 3. A cylinder weighing 500 N and having a diameter of 0.90 m
floats in salt water ( s=1.03) with its axis vertical as shown in the figure.
The anchor consists of 0.30 m3 of concrete weighing 24 kN/m3. What
rise in tide r, will be required to lift the anchor off the bottom?

W
Solution:
new W.S. Fv  0,
r
Fb 0.30 m Fb  Fba  W  Wa  0

Wa
V  Va  500 N  Va a  0

Fba
 W

new W.S.
r
Fb 0.30 m

Wa

Fba
V  Va  500 N  Va a  0


0.90m2 0.30m  r  9810 N 
  0.
3m 3 
 9810N 
  500 N  0.3m 
3 
 24
,000
N 
3 
0
 m   m   m 
3 3
4

0.90m2  9810 N 
3 
r  2,884.744 N
4  m 

r  0.462m
Example 4. Timber AC hinged at A having a length of 10 ft., cross sectional area of
3 in.2 and weighing 3 lbs. Block attached to the end C having a volume of 1 ft.3, and
weighing 67 lbs.
Required: Angle θ for equilibrium.
csc θ (2) Buoyant force on the block,

FbB  V w  162.4  62.4lb

A
 10 – csc θ
1’
10’

WT C
θ
5cosθ
F WB=67 lbs
  bT
10  10  csc  cos 
1
 2 
 10  csc  
  cos 
 2  FbB
10cosθ
Solution:
(1) Buoyant force on the timber,
FbT  V w 
3
10  csc 62.4
144
FbT  1.310  csc 
 csc θ
A csc2   6.15
 10 – csc θ
1’
csc  2.48

WT sin   0.40
θ C
5cosθ
FbT WB=67 lbs   23.8
 
10  10  csc  cos 
1
 2 
 10  csc  
  cos  FbB
 2 
10cosθ

(3) ∑MA = 0,
 10  csc 
WT 5 cos    WB 10 cos    FbT   cos   FbB 10 cos    0
 2 
 10  csc 
35  6710  1.310  csc    62.410  0
 2 

15  670  0.65 100  csc2   624  0
Example 5. A vessel going from salt into fresh water sinks two inches, then after
burning 112,500 lb of coal, rises one inch. What is the original weight of the vessel?
W W W – 112,500 lb

d + 2/12
d d + 1/12

Fb Fb Fb
(a) Salt water ( γ = 64 lb/ft3) (b) Fresh water (γ = 62.4 lb/ft3) (c ) Fresh water after
losing 112,500 lb

Solution:

1. In figure (a), submerged volume is, Va = Axd ft3

where: A = cross-sectional area of the vessel ( ft2 )

2. In figure (b), submerged volume is Vb = Va + (2/12)(A)

3. In figure (c), submerged volume is Vc = Va + (1/12)(A)

 W W W – 112,500 lb

d + 2/12
d d + 1/12

Fb Fb Fb
(a) Salt water ( γ = 64 lb/ft3) (b) Fresh water (γ = 62.4 lb/ft3) (c ) Fresh water after
losing 112,500 lb

4. In salt water, W = Fb
W = Va ( 64 ) ( 1)

5. In fresh water, W = Fb
W = [Va + (2/12)(A)](62.4) (2)

6. In fresh water after losing 112,500 lb,

W – 112,500 = [Va +(1/12)(A)](62.4) (3)
W 1 
7. Substitute eq. 1 to eq. 2 and eq. 3, W    A 62.4  0.975W  10.4 A
 64 6 
0.025W  10.4 A (4)
 W 1 
W  112,500    A 62.4  0.975W  5.2 A
 64 12 

0.025W  5.2 A  112,500 (5)

8. Solve eqs. (4) and (5) simultaneously, we obtain

W  9 x106 lb
Example 6. A ship of 4,000 tons displacement floats in sea water with
its axis of symmetry vertical when a weight of 50 tons is midship.
Moving the weight 10 feet towards one side of the deck causes a plumb
bob, suspended at the end of a string 12 feet long, to move 9 inches.
Find the metacentric height.

Solution:  9
1. Solve the angle of tilt,   Arc tan 12  3.58
12

12’
2. Righting Moment = W (MG x sinθ)
θ

50 x10  4050MGx sin 3.58

9”
MG  1.977 ft
Example 7. A ship with a horizontal sectional area at the waterline of 76,000 ft2 has a
draft of 40.5 ft. in sea water (γs =64 lb/ft3). In fresh water it drops 41.4 ft. Find the
weight of the ship. With an available depth of 41 ft. in a river above the sills of a lock,
how many long tons of the cargo must the ship be relieved off so that it will pass the
sills with a clearance of 0.60 ft.?

Solution:
W W’
W
original fresh W.S
sea W.S fresh W.S 1 ft ΔV2
ΔV1
0.90 ft 41.4 ft
40.5 ft 41 ft
41.4 ft

sills

Fbs 0.60 ft
Fb ' f
Fb f
(a) SEA WATER (b) FRESH WATER (c) SHIP IN THE LOCK

W – original weight of the ship (including cargo)

W’ – new weight of the ship when part of the cargo has been disposed
Fbs - buoyant force in sea water, Fb f - buoyant force in fresh water
 W W’
W
original fresh W.S
sea W.S fresh W.S 1 ft ΔV2
ΔV1
0.90 ft
41.4 ft
40.5 ft 41 ft
41.4 ft

sills

Fbs 0.60 ft
Fb ' f
Fb f
Fb ' f  W ' (a) SEA WATER
(b) FRESH WATER
(c) SHIP IN THE LOCK

ΔV1 = additional submerged volume = 0.90(76,000) = 68,400 ft3

ΔV2 = volume of the ship at the waterline which rose up when it was relieved off the cargo
= 1 (76,000) = 76,000 ft3
V = original volume submerged ( in sea water )
(1) Using position (a); (2) Using position (b)
Fbs  W Fb f  W
V  s   W V  V1  f  W
V 64  W (1) V  68,40062.4  W (2)
(3) Solve equations (1) and (2) simultaneously,
64V  62.4V  68,400

V  2,667,600 ft 3 The ship’s displacement in sea water

and V  V1  2,736,000 ft 3 The ship’s displacement in fresh water

W’
Therefore, W  64V  1.70726 x10 lb 8
original fresh W.S

W  62.4V  V1   1.70726 x10 lb

8 1 ft ΔV2
or

(4) Using position (c); 41.4 ft

41 ft

W ' Fb ' f  V  V1  V2 62.4

sills
 2,736,000  76,00062.4  1.65984 x10 lb
8

0.60 ft
Fb ' f
(5) Weight of disposed cargo = W – W’ (c) SHIP IN THE LOCK
W  W '  0.04742 x108 lb
 4,742,000lb
 4,742,000lbx
1LT
 2,155.5 LONG TONS
2,200lb
Example 8.
W
Given: Rectangular scow 50’ x 30’ x 12’
4’ as shown with the given draft and center
W.S A G A of gravity.
Bo 9’ 8’
4’
Required: Righting or overturning moment
15’ 15’ When one side, as shown, is at the point
Fb Of submergence

Solution:
A
M C  W MG sin  

W.S A’ G A’
where: W  V
O θ W  5030862.4
A 4”
Bo
W  748,800lb
4
  Arc tan   14.93
 
15
MG  MBo  GBo
MG  MBo  5
 vS
MBo 
V sin 

1
15450 2 30
MBo 
2 3 
50308sin 14.93

MBo  9.7 ft

Therefore,
MG  9.7 ft  5 ft  4.7 ft

Then,
C  748,800(4.7 sin 14.93)
C  906,600 ft  lb