metacentric height

English

Noun

metacentric height (plural metacentric heights)

1. (nautical, physics) The vertical distance between the metacentre and center of mass (conventionally taken to be positive when the metacentre is above the center of mass, and negative when the center of mass is above the metacentre) of a vessel (such as a ship or a boat) when the vessel is upright with zero bank angle; measures the vessel's tendency to resist being rolled from the upright orientation; must be positive in order for the vessel to have positive static stability.
   • 2017 December 12, National Transportation Safety Board, “1.12 Stability Information - 1.12.1 Concepts”, in Marine Accident Report: Sinking of US Cargo Vessel SS El Faro, Atlantic Ocean, Northeast of Acklins and Crooked Island, Bahamas, October 1, 2015‎^[1], archived from the original on 15 May 2022, page 132:

     The distance from a ship's center of gravity (G) to its metacenter is known as the metacentric height (GM). GM is a measure of the vessel's ability to right itself when experiencing an overturning moment. For the same vessel, a higher GM value indicates a greater initial static stability.

Synonyms

• GM

Related terms

• metacentric stability