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Understanding Ship and Boat Trim

(Stability & Trim - Part 2)
By: Brian Trenhaile, P. E., Naval Architect & Marine Engineer, Hawaii Marine Company, 2004
 

There are basically only two types of trimming calculations.  Other trimming calculations are just variations of
these two fundamental types.  In Case I you know the vessel's weight and center of gravity (CG) location and
you seek to find the forward and after drafts.  In Case II you know the forward and after drafts and desire to
know the vessel's weight and center of gravity (CG) location.  The simple approach that is presented here should
be readily understandable by anyone with a basic understanding of algebra and geometry.

This article should benefit anyone involved with designing or operating any type of floating vessel.  Regulatory
agents and classification society employees also need to understand these methods in order to check various
designs for compliance.  This article is also designed to give a good theoretical understanding of the calculative
methodology utilized in the trim and stability sheets sold on this site.

The vessel's "Curves of Form" are needed to perform these calculations.  No attempt is made to describe the
theory behind or how to construct the "Curves of Form."  This article is only concerned with application of
"Curves of Form" data.
 

Vessel Geometry and Sign Conventions Adopted

Vessel geometry is defined in figure below.  All items are drawn to show the positive sign conventions adopted
for this method.

Some important characteristics of this picture are:

B is the Buoyancy Force provided by the vessel with level trim.  Usually obtained from a "Curves of Form"
plot.  In this procedure B is numerically equal to the vessel's displacement (i. e. B = D).
 W is the total weight applied to the vessel.  Usually obtained from a "Weights and Moments" analysis.

L is the length between the forward and after draft marks

LCG is the Longitudinal Center of Gravity location, normally obtained from a "Weights and Moments"
analysis.

LCB is the Longitudinal Center of Buoyancy location, usually obtained from a "Curves of Form" plot.

LCF is the Longitudinal Center of Floatation, normally obtained from a "Curves of Form" plot.

TA is the draft and the Aft Draft marks

TF is the draft at the Forward Draft marks

TM is the Draft Amidships, located midway between forward and aft draft marks

TLCF is the draft located at the Longitudinal Center of Floatation.

The sign conventions adopted for this presentation are:

Distances Aft of Amidships are Positive, applies to LCG and LCB

Trim by the stern is defined as Positive

Trim Moment causing trim by the stern is Positive

Trim Lever that causes trim by the stern is Positive

Now that the geometry is defined and the sign conventions are stated, we can proceed with the two basic
trimming cases.
 

Case I - Displacement & CG Location Known Find Forward & Aft Drafts

This option is utilized over and over again in design and operational stages to determine a vessel's responses to
various loading conditions. 

Step 1 - Obtain Equilibrium

For equilibrium the vessel weight must equal the vessel's displacement, W = D. 

With this displacement enter the "Curves of Form" and obtain a draft.  This draft (TLCF) obtained is the
draft present at the LCF location.

Step 2 - In the "Curves of Form" at this LCF draft obtain the following:

Moment to Trim

MTI Moment to Trim one Inch, for English Units of long tonsfeet/inch or

MTC Moment to change Trim one Centimeter, for Metric Units of

metric tonsmeters/cm.

Longitudinal Center of Buoyancy, LCB, feet or meters, with aft of amidships defined as positive

Longitudinal Center of Floatation, LCF, feet or meters, with aft of amidships defined as positive

Step 4 - Find the Trim. 

First the trim lever is defined mathematically as Trim Lever = LCG - LCB, in either feet or meters.  If this
value is positive trim by the stern should be produced.  If it is negative the vessel should trim by the bow. 
Sign convention consistency is extremely important.  For instance if the LCG is 5 feet aft of amidships and
the LCB is 2 foot forward, the trimming lever would be equal to 5 - (-2) = positive 7 feet.  Since the
numerical value is positive this scenario will cause trim by the stern.

The applied trimming moment is defined mathematically as TM = D(LCG - LCB)

The hydrostatic response trimming moment is defined mathematically as:

TM = TRIMMTI for English units

TM=TRIMMTC for metric units.

For equilibrium to occur, the applied trimming moment must equal the response trimming moment.  The
previous defined equations are combined, algebraically rearranged with the following expressions for
 trim obtained:

TRIM = D(LCG-LCB)/MTI for English units of inches, the value obtained must be converted to feet,
by dividing by 12,  prior to applying it in the formulas which follow.

TRIM = D(LCG-LCB)/MTC for metric units of centimeters, the value obtained must be converted to
meters, by dividing by 100, prior to applying it in the formulas which follow.

When the above expressions are satisfied, there is corresponding subtle hydrostatic physical
reality for the trimmed vessel condition.  This reality is that the LCB has moved to a new location
that is either directly above or below the LCG location.  However, the initial LCB that must be
applied in these trim calculations correspond to the vessel in a level condition (i. e. obtained from
"Curves of Form" values).

Step 5 - Find the Forward and After Draft Via Geometry

This method involves the use of similar triangles and the position of the LCF.

For the forward draft the similar triangles present yield the following expression TRIM/L = dTF/(LCF+L/2),
solve this for dTF to obtain dTF = (TRIM/L)(L/2+LCF) = TRIM(1/2+LCF/L), then apply the following formula
from geometry to obtain the forward draft TF = TLCF - dTF = TLCF - TRIM(1/2+LCF/L).

For the aft draft the similar triangles present yield the following expression TRIM/L = dTA/(L/2-LCF), solve
this for dTA to obtain dTA = (TRIM/L)(L/2-LCF) = TRIM(1/2-LCF/L), then apply the following formula from
geometry to obtain the forward draft TA = TLCF + dTA = TLCF + TRIM(1/2-LCF/L).

Alternatively, based on geometry, the after draft may be more simply computed as follows:
TA = TF + TRIM.

With the forward and aft drafts known the mean draft can be quickly computed as follows:
TM = (TF + TA)/2.

Step 6 - Important Points to Remember

If the LCB is aft of the LCG the vessel will trim by the bow.  If the LCB is forward of the LCG then the
vessel will trim by the stern.  These principles apply regardless of the position of the LCF.

Sign convention consistency is extremely important.  If they are not followed the formulas presented
here will not work properly.

Step 7 - Improvements Made to this site's Trim and Stability Sheets

The MTI or MTC  values that are presented in the "Curves of Form" are based on the assumption that
metacentric radius in the longitudinal direction is equal to the metacentric height in the longitudinal
direction (i. e. BML = GML).  This assumption yields approximations for moment to trim values.  These
approximations are normally adequate since in most cases there is not much difference between the
BML and GML values.  Furthermore the approximations must be made because the VCG values are not
known at the time that the "Curves of Form" are made.

However in the "Trim and Stability Sheets," that are available on this website, the VCG values are known
for the conditions at hand, so the moment to trim values are computed accurately.  Three basic formulas
are applied.  First, by definition, the restoring moment = GMLDTanq.  Second geometry present requires
that Tanq = Opposite/Adjacent = TRIM/L.  Three, by definition GML = KML - VCG, where KML is obtained
from the "Curves of Form" instead of MTI or MTC.  All three of these equations are combined and
rearranged yielding: MTF = (KML - VCG)D/L.  MTF in this case is moment to trim one foot, where TRIM
equals one foot.  Note that ML can be obtained from the following formula: KML = BML + VCB.  The
"Curves of Form" may just give BML and VCB, but this is alright since these can be summed to obtain the
KML value.  Another article in this website, "Understanding Stability" explains the theory discussed in
this paragraph.  However, a little adaptation is required by the reader because that article applies to
stability in the transverse direction and this article applies to stability in the longitudinal direction.

Case II - Forward & Aft Drafts Known, Find Displacement & LCG Location

This option is used by naval architects, yacht and boat designers, marine surveyors, marine inspectors and
others for deadweight surveys and for stability tests.  It is also used by dock masters, by captains, mates,
fisherman and others who may want to determine a vessel's weight and center of gravity location.

The first goal of this analysis is to find the LCF draft.  This draft is needed because the "Curves of Form" are
based on the LCF draft and not the mean draft.  After this draft is determined, the primary goals of obtaining a
displacement and the LCG location are easily determined through the use of the "Curves of Form" data.

Step 1 - Calculate the Mean Draft & Trim Present

 Compute the mean draft present, where TM = 1/2(TF + TA).  Remember the "Curves of Form" are not
based on this mean draft but on the LCF draft.  However this mean draft serves its purpose as a close
estimate for the LCF draft and is initially used to retrieve preliminary data from the "Curves of Form."

Compute the trim present, with this formula  TRIM  = TA - TF.

These values of draft and trim are now used to help determine the LCF draft (TLCF).

Step 2 - Obtain the LCF Draft Through Iteration

At TM go into the Curves of Form and obtain a initial value for LCF.

An expression for the LCF draft needs to be derived.  Fortuitously the waterline slope (or Tanq = TRIM /
L) and the ship length (L between forward and aft draft marks) are known.  From similar triangles we
have  dTLCF / TRIM = LCF / L.  From geometry we have  TLCF = TM + dTLCF.  Combining the preceding two
equations we have:  TLCF = TM + (TRIM)LCF / L

Compute the initial guess for LCF draft through application of TLCF = TM + (TRIM)LCF / L

Go back to the "Curves of Form" with initial TLCF just computed and obtain a new value for LCF.

Recompute the LCF draft, by using the LCF value just obtained into the following formula: TLCF = TM +
(TRIM)LCF / L.

The LCF just obtained should be close to the one previously calculated.  If not, repeat this process using
the most recent LCF draft value to enter the "Curves of Form" to get a new LCF value.  Recompute
another LCF draft using the formula TLCF = TM + (TRIM)LCF / L and compare it with the preceding LCF
draft computed, they now should be very close.  Usually only need to iterate once.  The last value for LCF
draft is the considered the actual LCF draft and it is applied in the rest of this analysis.

Step 3 - Obtain "Curves of Form" Data Based on the LCF Draft

With the last TLCF value enter the "Curves of Form" and obtain the following:

Displacement, D

Longitudinal Center of Buoyancy, LCB

Moment to Trim, MTI or MTC.  Which term depends on applicable units system.

MTI for English units of inches, the value obtained from "Curves of Form" must be converted to
feet, by dividing by 12,  prior to applying it in the formulas which follow.

MTC for metric units of centimeters, the value obtained from "Curves of Form" must be converted
to meters, by dividing by 100, prior to applying it in the formulas which follow.

Step 4 - Derive Relationships Between Trim and LCG

Two relationships for trimming are presented and then equated to each other, the combined result is
then manipulated to give an expression for computing LCG.

First the applied trimming moment is defined as TM = D(LCG - LCB).

Second the hydrostatic response moment is defined as TM = MTITRIM.

These equations are equated to each other and solved for LCG to obtain the following result:
LCG = LCB + MTI TRIM / D

Step 5 - Calculate the LCG Value

With the LCB, TRIM, MTI (converted to per foot or meter) and displacement compute the LCG using the
formula just derived in Step 4.

Step 6 - Important Points to Remember

It  trim value is positive, the vessel is has trim by the stern (the stern is submerged deeper than the bow)
then the LCG must be located aft of the LCB.

If trim value is negative, the vessel has trim by the bow (the bow is submerged deeper than the stern),
then the LCG must be located forward of the LCB.

Sign convention consistency remains extremely important!  If they are not followed exactly the formulas
presented here will not work properly.

Update: Another article on this website, "Understanding Ship and Boat Stability (Stability & Trim - Part 1)" is
meant to be a prelude to this article.  This article apples to stability in the longitudinal direction, whereas the
prelude article applies to stability that is in the transverse direction.
 Simple box barges also present an interesting and quick way to learn about stability, trim, list, weights and
moments.  There is an article entitled "Barge Trim, List and Initial Stability (GM - metacentric heights)" that
should be helpful.

Understanding the parallel axis theorem is also very useful for both stability and structural analysis.  This
subject is comprehensively discussed in an article entitled "Parallel Axis Theorem."

Application: The concepts described in this article are utilized in the following templates:

Trim and Stability Sheet, English Units

Trim and Stability Sheet, Metric Units

Quick Box Barge Calculations, English Units

Articles in this website are provided for education purposes only.  It is understood and agreed that nothing expressed in the articles contained in this website is
intended or shall be construed to give any person, firm, or corporation any right, remedy or claim against Hawaii Marine Company or any of its owners, officers,
or employees.

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