3.1 Effect of free surfaces of liquid in tanks
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Statutory Documents - IMO Publications and Documents - International Codes - 2008 IS Code – International Code on Intact Stability, 2008 - Part B – Recommendations for ships engaged in certain types of operations, certain types of ships and additional guidelines - Chapter 3 – Guidance in preparing stability information - 3.1 Effect of free surfaces of liquid in tanks

3.1 Effect of free surfaces of liquid in tanks

  3.1.1 For all loading conditions, the initial metacentric height and the righting lever curve should be corrected for the effect of free surfaces of liquids in tanks.

  3.1.2 Free surface effects should be considered whenever the filling level in a tank is less than 98% of full condition. Free surface effects need not be considered where a tank is nominally full, i.e. filling level is 98% or above. Free surface effects for small tanks may be ignored under condition specified in 3.1.12.footnote

 But nominally full cargo tanks should be corrected for free surface effects at 98% filling level. In doing so, the correction to initial metacentric height should be based on the inertia moment of liquid surface at 5° of heeling angle divided by displacement, and the correction to righting lever is suggested to be on the basis of real shifting moment of cargo liquids.

  3.1.3 Tanks which are taken into consideration when determining the free surface correction may be in one of two categories:

  • .1 tanks with filling levels fixed (e.g., liquid cargo, water ballast). The free surface correction should be defined for the actual filling level to be used in each tank; or

  • .2 tanks with filling levels variable (e.g., consumable liquids such as fuel oil, diesel oil and fresh water, and also liquid cargo and water ballast during liquid transfer operations). Except as permitted in 3.1.5 and 3.1.6, the free surface correction should be the maximum value attainable between the filling limits envisaged for each tank, consistent with any operating instructions.

  3.1.4 In calculating the free surface effects in tanks containing consumable liquids, it should be assumed that for each type of liquid at least one transverse pair or a single centreline tank has a free surface and the tank or combination of tanks taken into account should be those where the effect of free surfaces is the greatest.

  3.1.5 Where water ballast tanks, including anti-rolling tanks and anti-heeling tanks, are to be filled or discharged during the course of a voyage, the free surface effects should be calculated to take account of the most onerous transitory stage relating to such operations.

  3.1.6 For ships engaged in liquid transfer operations, the free surface corrections at any stagefootnote of the liquid transfer operations may be determined in accordance with the filling level in each tank at that stage of the transfer operation.

  3.1.7 The corrections to the initial metacentric height and to the righting lever curve should be addressed separately as follows.

  3.1.8 In determining the correction to initial metacentric height, the transverse moments of inertia of the tanks should be calculated at 0° angle of heel according to the categories indicated in 3.1.3.

  3.1.9 The righting lever curve may be corrected by any of the following methods subject to the agreement of the Administration:

  • .1 correction based on the actual moment of fluid transfer for each angle of heel calculated; or

  • .2 correction based on the moment of inertia, calculated at 0° angle of heel, modified at each angle of heel calculated.

  3.1.10 Corrections may be calculated according to the categories indicated in 3.1.2.

  3.1.11 Whichever method is selected for correcting the righting lever curve, only that method should be presented in the ships stability booklet. However, where an alternative method is described for use in manually calculated loading conditions, an explanation of the differences which may be found in the results, as well as an example correction for each alternative, should be included.

  3.1.12 Small tanks which satisfy the following condition corresponding to an angle of inclination of 30°, need not be included in the correction:

where:

  • M fs free surface moment (mt)

  • Δmin is the minimum ship displacement calculated at dmin (t)

  • dmin is the minimum mean service draught of the ship without cargo, with 10% stores and minimum water ballast, if required (m).

  3.1.13 The usual remainder of liquids in empty tanks need not be taken into account in calculating the corrections, provided that the total of such residual liquids does not constitute a significant free surface effect.


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