EN400

LAB #3 PRELAB

INCLINING EXPERIMENT
Instructions

1. The prelab covers theories that will be examined experimentally in this lab.

2. The prelab is to be completed and handed in to your instructor at the beginning of the lab
period.

3. If you can, answer the questions without referring to your notes. Only refer to your notes
if you are confused or fail to understand a concept. This will greatly improve your
understanding of the concepts this lab is designed to reinforce.

4. By conscientiously completing this prelab, you will have a thorough understanding of

what the lab is trying to show. Your lab performance will be maximized.

5. For full credit, all work must be shown. Show generalized equations, substitution of
numbers, units, and final answers. Engineering is communication. Work that is neat and
shows logical progression is much easier to grade.

Student Information

Name(s): ______________________________________________________

Section: __________

Date: ____________

PRE-LAB 3 - 1
Lab Apparatus
A small ship model, (27-B-1 model), will be inclined to port and starboard by shifting 4 x 0.2 lb
weights in several combinations between three posts. The resulting moments will incline the ship
and the angle of list from each weight shift will be measured with a pendulum assembly.

Before the inclining experiment can begin and the inclining weights and equipment added, the
27-B-1 model will be in its light-ship condition. This is with the model holding the solid floored
tank internally with the solid floor down.

Theory
The major goal of the inclining experiment is to find an accurate value for the vertical
height of the center of gravity above the keel (KG). This is performed after a ship has
been launched and fully fitted out and after any major refit where it is considered that
there may have been a significant alteration to KG.

The experiment is conducted alongside the pier, in calm water, and with the ship free to list. The
following major steps are then performed.

Light-ship Condition

The Inclining Experiment is usually performed with the ship in its light-ship condition.
The light-ship displacement (∆ light ) is defined by Introduction to Naval Architecture, p131 as:

The weight of the ship complete in every respect, including hull, machinery,
outfit, equipment, water in the boilers at steaming level, and liquids in machinery
and piping, but with all tanks and bunkers empty and no crew, passengers, cargo,
stores, or ammunition on board.

It is necessary to determine the displacement of the light-ship (∆ light ). This is achieved by

observing the forward and aft draft marks and consulting the ship’s curves of form. In this step it
is also important to find the density of the water the ship is floating in.

1. Why is water density important? _____________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________

2. Show the equation that links the displacement of a ship to the water density it is floating
in.

PRE-LAB 3 - 2
Addition of Inclining Weights and Apparatus

The inclining weights and apparatus are brought on board. Typically, the inclining weights are
approximately 2% of the displacement of the light-ship (∆ light ). With the inclining weights and
apparatus on board, the ship is said to be in an inclined condition. All quantities are then given
the inclined suffix. For example ∆ incl , KG incl .

The inclining apparatus consists of a pendulum on a mast that is positioned so that the pendulum
is free to swing in the transverse direction. Figure 1 below shows the typical pendulum
arrangement. It is used to record the tangent of the inclining angle.

3. On Figure 1, show the inclining angle (φ)

and the adjacent and opposite sides (d adj and
d opp ) to the triangle that allows the
calculation of tan φ.

Based on the geometry, give the equation for

tan φ in terms of these quantities

Figure 1 Inclining Apparatus

For reasons that will be explained later on, the height of the center of gravity of the inclining
apparatus and weights is important to know. On full scale ships, the weight of the pendulum is
insignificant, but for our model it does have an effect.

These distances are often termed Kg pendulum and Kg weights respectively.

PRE-LAB 3 - 3
Inclining the Ship

With these stages complete, the inclining can then proceed. The theory behind the experiment is
evident when considering the diagram of the inclined ship in Figure 2.

Figure 2 The Inclining Ship

4. Give the geometric relationship between the angle of inclination (φ) and the distances
GG 1 and GM incl .

The distance GG 1 can also be determined from the weight being shifted (w) and the distance it is
moved (t).
TCGOLD ∆ OLD + wi tcgi
TCGNEW =
∆ NEW
Tcg = t. When a ship’s TCG OLD = 0ft, then GG 1 = TCG:
wt
GG1 =
∆

5. Combine the geometric triangle and weight shift equations to solve for GM incl .

At each angle of inclination, the tangent of the inclining angle (tan φ) is recorded. A plot is then
made of inclining moment (wt) against tan φ. This data plots as a straight line and a line of best
fit can be placed through this data. The slope of this line can then be determined.

PRE-LAB 3 - 4
6. Write an expression for the slope in terms of the measured quantities.

7. Combine this with the previous expression to find GM incl in terms of the slope of the plot.

Finding KG incl

With a value for GM incl calculated, determining the distance KG incl is fairly straightforward.

8. On Figure 3, insert the locations of the Keel (K), the center of buoyancy (B), the center of
gravity (G) and the transverse metacenter (M). Assume all centroids are on the
centerline. Also show the distances KM, GM and KG.

Figure 3 The Upright Ship

9. Use Figure 3 to determine an expression for KG incl in terms of GM incl and KM.

10. Where would you obtain a value for KM? ____________________________________

PRE-LAB 3 - 5
Removing the Inclining Weights and Apparatus and Finding KG light

The final stage in the experiment is to correct the value of KG incl for the removal of the inclining
weights and apparatus to obtain KG light .

11. Give the general expression for the new KG of a ship after the removal or addition or
shift of a weight.

This equation can be applied to the removal of the inclining equipment given the following:

w wt - The weight of the inclining weights.

Kg wt - The height of the center of gravity of the weights above the keel.
w pend - The weight of the pendulum apparatus.
Kg pend - The height of the center of gravity of the pendulum above the keel.

12. Apply all of the above terms to the general expression to find the mathematical
expression for KG light .

The calculation of KG light is the FINAL GOAL of the inclining experiment. The height of G
above the keel is vitally important in determining the stability characteristics of the ship, which
will be explored in future labs.

PRE-LAB 3 - 6
 EN400

LAB #3

THE INCLINING EXPERIMENT

Instructions:

1. This lab is conducted in the Hydromechanics Lab on the ground floor of Rickover Hall.

2. Prior to arriving, read through the lab procedure so that you are familiar with the steps
necessary to complete the lab.

3. Bring this handout and a calculator to the lab.

4. The lab is to be performed in small groups of 2 or 3. Your instructor will specify whether
the group or each individual must submit the completed lab.

5. Follow the stages of the lab in consecutive order. The lab follows a logical thought
pattern and jumping ahead without completing the intervening theory questions will limit
your understanding of the concepts covered.

6. For full credit, all work must be shown on the lab. Show generalized equations,
substitution of numbers, units, and final answers.

7. Keep your workstation (including the floor) clean and dry. Ensure all equipment and the
models are returned to their original location when you complete the lab.

Student Information:

Name(s): ______________________________________________________

Section: __________

Date: ____________

LAB 3 - 1
Apparatus

1. Before beginning the experiment, ensure the 27-B-1 model number corresponds with the
number on the solid floored tank, the pendulum assembly and the tank. Record the data
below, as you will need to use the same model in the next three EN400 labs.

27-B-1 model number = ______________________

Light-ship Condition

The first step is to ensure the model 27-B-1 is in its light-ship condition. This is achieved
by the following:

• Ensure all detachable weights are off the model (4 x 0.2 lb weights and
pendulum apparatus). Do not remove the transverse weights used to adjust list.
• Ensure there is no loose water within the central compartment.
• Ensure the solid floored tank with its solid side down is securely installed in the
center compartment.

2. Important! You will need to know the height of center of gravity for the inclining
weights and pendulum for future calculations. Measure and record their respective kg’s
before placing the model in the tank.

Carefully place the 27-B-1 model in the water. Make sure it is floating freely and is not
being inhibited by the tank sides and appendages.

3. Using the curves of form, determine the light ship weight, ∆ light, for the actual water
temperature. (The displacement from the curves of form is for fresh water @ 59 o F.)

LAB 3 - 2
4. In this inclining experiment, the inclining weights consist of 4 x 0.2 lb weights. Use the
scale to determine the weight of pendulum apparatus (w pendulum ). Record this data in the
table below and calculate the weight of the inclined model (∆ incl ).

Displacement in light-ship condition, ∆ light (lb)

Weight of inclining weights, w weights (lb)
Weight of pendulum apparatus, w pendulum (lb)
Displacement in inclined condition, ∆ incl (lb)

The model should be freely floating in the tank with the inclining weights on the centerline post
and the pendulum apparatus secure in its stowage. The model is now floating in its inclined
condition. For best results, the model should be at zero list.

Inclining the Ship

5. With the ship in its inclined condition, the actual inclining part of the experiment can
proceed. Record the distances on the pendulum needed to determine Tanφ.

6. Carefully move all 4 inclining weights to complete the following table:

Weight Weight creating Moment Arm Inclining Moment Pendulum Tan. heel angle
Combination the moment t (in) wt (in-lb) deflection tan φ
w (lb) (in) (no units)
4 - Port Post
0 - Center Post
0 - Stbd Post
3 - Port Post
1 - Center Post
0 - Stbd Post
2 - Port Post
2 - Center Post
0 - Stbd Post
1 - Port Post
3 - Center Post
0 - Stbd Post
0 - Port Post
4 - Center Post
0 - Stbd Post
0 - Port Post
3 - Center Post
1 - Stbd Post
0 - Port Post
2 - Center Post
2 - Stbd Post
0 - Port Post
1 - Center Post
3 - Stbd Post
0 - Port Post
0 - Center Post
4 - Stbd Post

LAB 3 - 3
7. Plot the results of the inclining experiment in Excel. Your plot should be inclining
moment (wt) on the y-axis against the tangent of the heel angle (tanφ) on the x-axis.
Remember to name and label your plot correctly. Use Excel to determine the line of
best fit. Record the Slope and its units below:

Slope = ______________________

8. What is the advantage of using a ‘line of best fit’ for multiple data points?

_______________________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________________

9. Complete the inclined ship diagram in Figure 4. Your diagram should include the initial
and final centers of buoyancy (B and B1), the initial and final centers of gravity (G and
G1), the metacenter (M), the inclining angle (φ) and the 2 equal and opposite resultant
forces (∆ S and F B ).

Figure 4: The Inclined Ship

10. Calculate the metacentric height of the 27-B-1 model in its inclined condition (GM incl ).

LAB 3 - 4
Calculating of KG incl and Correcting for Removal of Inclining Equipment to find KG light

11. Calculate KG incl . Be sure to show any equations used.

12. The last step in the inclining experiment is to correct KG incl for the removal of the
inclining weights and apparatus to find KG light .

Why is this necessary? __________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________

13. Write the equation and calculate KG light .

14. Is this value for KG light sensible (refer to the model)? _______

Why? __________________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________________

LAB 3 - 5