SECTION 6 -INTRODUCTION TO TRANSVERSE STATICAL STABILITY

INTRODUCTION
Having discussed the positions of the centre of gravity and the centre of buoyancy in the previoussection,
it is now appropriate to introduce how their relative positions affect the stability of a ship as
it is heeled.

In this section the stability of a ship is introduced in terms of how it may be quantified within small
angles of heel. It introduces the 'Curve of Statical Stability' or 'GZ Curve' as a means of
representing the stability of a ship in a graphical format.

Learning Objectives
On completion of this section the learner will achieve the following:
1. Understand the term Transverse Statical Stability:
2. Understand the term 'Righting Lever' and how righting levers are presented as a 'Curve of
Statical Stability'(GZ Curve) for different angles of heel.
3. Understand the term 'Righting Moment'.4.
Understand the term 'Initial Transverse Metacentre' and it's relevance to the initial stability
of a ship when heeled within small angles.
5. Understand the term 'Metacentric Height' and it's relevance to current IMO minimum
stability criteria.
6. Calculate the 'Moment of Transverse Statical Stability' for a ship at a specified angle of
heel.

CLASS 2/1 STABILITY -SECTION 6 Introduction to Transverse Statical Stability

 TRANSVERSE STATICAL STABILITY

'Transverse statical stability' is a term used to describe the ability of a ship to return to the upright
when it has been forcibly heeled by an external force and is momentarily at rest when floating in
still water.

The words: external force;

momentarily at rest: and;
still water are very important.

A simple way of considering the above statement is to imagine someone with a model boat floating
in a bath of still water. The model is held in a heeled position, representing the external force, and
then let go. If a snapshot photograph is taken the instant that the person lets go of the model, then
the positions of the centre of gravity and centre of buoyancy may be considered at the same
instant, hence the term momentarily at rest. This idea should be borne in mind when considering
transverse statical stability.

When a ship is heeled at sea by wind and waves the situation might be different to our imagined
still water situation. This is one of the limitations of evaluating ship stability for still water conditions
only to be applied in the dynamic environment in which the ship actually operates!

It is the relative positions of the centre of gravity (G) and the centre of buoyancy (8) as the ship is
heeled to a particular angle that determines how stable a ship is.

Consider the ship shown. When upright, in still water, lines of action of both the weight force (Wf)
and buoyancy force (Bf) acting through the points G and B respectively are shown. If the ship is
heeled by an external force to some angle the relative positions of G and B change causing the
lines of action of Wf and Bf to become horizontally separated.

If the external force is removed it is evident that the ship will return to the upright as a result of the
forces acting through G and B,.

CLASS 2/1 STABILITY -SECTION 6 Introduction to Transverse Statical Stability 48

6.1
6.2 RIGHTING LEVER (GZ)

Righting lever (GZ) is defined as the horizontal distance,

measured in metres, between the centre of gravity (G) and
the vertical line of action of the buoyancy force (Bt) acting
through the centre of buoyancy (BJ when the ship is
heeled.

Fig. 6.2

Righting lever (GZ) increases to some maximum value and then decreases as the ship
progressively heels further.

Fig. 6.3

The righting levers for specified angles of heel are represented on a Curve of Statical Stability,
commonly known as a GZ Curve as shown.

CLASS 2/1 STABILITY -SECTION 6 Introduction to Transverse Statical Stability

. 49
 oc-ccoooo '=""" ...,
0;),
"' -t'-T-1
"" \"":"""'-'1

0.2
~ l ~ .t:..~':
Ei .:':::1
0..1
"r.cct c "1
GZ
(mj f~:':::J i.j , .J

01-'

-4.1 t

.02
~~r~ " ,
"..t"O""r"'"""i""""""":~""""
r~~1=f=S ,
;
He" {deg..}

Fig. 6.4

The procedure for producing such a curve is discussed in Section 10.

CLASS 2/1 STABILITY -SECTION 6 Introduction to Transverse Statical Stability

50

.:
6.3 MOMENT OF STATICAL STABILITY (RIGHTING MOMENT)

The moment of statical stability, commonly referred to as the righting moment, at any given angle
of heel is found by:

RIGHTING MOMENT (t-m) = GZ (m) x DISPLACEMENT (t)

which results from the buoyancy force (Bf) (being equal to the ship's
displacement (Wf»),acting on the end of the lever GZ, which pivots about G.

The righting moment at any angle of heel represents the instantaneous 'value'
of the ship's ability to return to the upright, expressed in tonnes-metres, when G, z
the ship is in 'still water' conditions and is momentarily at rest i.e. acceleration I
forces as the ship rolls are ignored. .I

ExamIJle 1
s-
Calculate the moment of statical stability (righting moment) for a ship with a
displacement of 12000 tonnes if the righting lever (GZ) is 0.46 m when heeled
over.
Fig. 6.5
Solution

RIGHTING MOMENT = GZ x DISPLACEMENT

RM = 0.46 x 12000
RM = 5520 tom

CLASS 2/1 STABILITY. SECTION 6 Introductionto Transverse Statical Stability 51

 6.4 INITIAL TRANSVERSE METACENTRE (M)

Is defined as the point of intersection of successive lines of action of buoyancy force (Bt) when the
ship is in the initial upright condition and subsequently heeled conditions.

t is assumed to be at a fixed position when the ship is heeled within small angles only.

Consider the ship shown.

tat

Fig. 6.6

the ship heels beyond small angles the point of intersection has to move, hence the terr
Initial Transverse Metacentre.

It's position is expressed as a height above the keel in metres and is termed KM.

value of KM is tabulated in ship's hydrostatic data and its position varies with draught

Initial Transverse Metacentre is investigated fu ler in Section 8.

CLASS 2/1 STABILITY ON 6 Introductionto Ie Statical Stabilit 52

r:I
~
When
The
The
 6.5 METACENTRIC HEIGHT (GM)

This is the vertical distance between the ship's centre of gravity (G) and the initial transverse
metacentre (M).

"-
'fWf

Fig. 6.7

The GM is very important in determining the initial stability of the ship i.e. the stability of the ship at
small angles of heel.

If the centre of gravity (G) of the ship shown was higher, the righting lever (GZ) would be smaller
and the ship would be less stable (since the righting moment would be smaller!).

If the centre of gravity (G) of the ship shown was lower, the righting lever (GZ) would be larger and
the ship would be more stable (since the righting moment would be larger!).

Consider the vertical positions of the centre of gravity (G) and the initial transverse metacentre (M)
for the ship shown in Figure 6.7.

M is above G.

IKM-KG=GM I

where GM is a positive value.

Whenever M is above G the ship will be in a stable condition, in other words, the ship will have
positive stability. It is the aim of the officer in charge of loading the ship to ensure that this is the
case at all times.

In the normal loaded condition the initial metacentric height (GM) should not be less than 0.15 m.
(Code on Intact Stability for All Types of Ships Covered by IMO Instruments (IMO) -Chapter 3
Section 3.1.2.4)

L-.: CLASS 2/1 STABILITY -SECTION 6 Introduction to Transverse Statical Stability 53

 6.6 CALCULATING THE MOMENT OF STATICAL STABILITY AT SMALL ANGLES OF HEEL

In triangle GZM: Sin e = Q.E.E= Qb

HYP GM

Therefore:

Having found GZ:

The above formula for GZ can only be used for

small angles of heel.

Example 2 Fig. 6.8

A ship has a displacement of 9420 tonnes and a KM of 9.22 m. In its present loaded condition the
KG is 7.46 m.
Calculate the moment of statical stability available if the ship is heeled to:
(a) 2 deg.
(b) 4 deg.
(c) 8 deg.

GZ = GM x Sin e
(a)
GZ = 1.76 x Sin 20 = O.O6142m

RM = GZ x DISPLACEMENT.
RM = 0.06142 x 9420 = 578.6 t-m

(b) GZ = GM x Sin e
GZ = 1.76 x Sin 40 = 0.12277 m
RM = GZ x DISPLACEMENT
RM = 0.12277 x 9420 = 1156.5 t-m

(c) GZ = GM x Sin 9
GZ = 1.76 x Sin 80 = 0.24494 m
RM = GZ x DISPLACEMENT
RM = 0.24494 x 9420 = 2307.4 tom

Example 3
A ship has a displacement of 8900 tonnes, a corresponding KM of 9.400 m and a KG of 7.620 m.

(a) Calculate the moment of statical stability when the ship is heeled to 5 degrees.

(b) A weight of 200 tonnes is shifted from the lower hold (Kg 4.26 m) to the upper deck (Kg
12.60 my.
Calculate the moment of statical stability that will now exist if the ship is again heeled to 5
degrees.

Solution
(a) KM 9.400 m
KG 7.620 m
GM 1.780m
CLASS 2/1 STABILITY -SECTION 6 Introduction to Transverse Statical Stability 54

~
 GZ = GM x Sin 9;RM GZ = 1.780 x Sin 50 = 0.15514 m
= GZ x DISPLACEMENT; RM = 0.15514 x 8900 = 1380.7 tom

(b) Take moments about the keel:

Initial dis I.
!Discharge

GZ = GM x Sin 9; GZ = 1.593 x Sin 50 = 0.13884 m

RM = GZ x DISPLACEMENT; RM = 0.13884 x 8900 = 1235.7 tom

Available righting moment has reduced as a result of the increased KG!

In this section the transverse statical stability of a stable ship at small angles of heel has been
discussed.

A small angle of heel is often considered to be any inclination of the ship up to approximately 1Qo.
A more accurate definition of a small angle of heel for a particular ship is the subject of discussion
for Section 16 -The Wall Sided Formula.

CLASS 2/1 STABILITY -SECTION 6 Introduction to Transverse Statical Stability

55