HomeCalculatorsGM from Rolling Period

GM from Rolling Period

Estimate effective GM from an observed natural rolling period using the Weiss/IMO formula - no inclining test required.

StabilityGM
Estimated GM
2.548m

Formula, assumptions, and limits

$$GM = \frac{4 \pi^2 (C \cdot B)^2}{g \cdot T^2}$$

Time an unforced full roll cycle (port-starboard-port = one period) at least five times and average. Accurate ±10 % for small heels. Not a substitute for the inclining experiment in the lightship condition.

Symbol legend

SymbolMeaningUnitSource
$B$Ship beam at waterlinemship particulars
$T$Natural rolling periodstimed observation
$C$Empirical roll factor (≈0.373) - IMO Res A.749(18)
$g$Gravitational accelerationm/s²9.81
$GM$Metacentric heightmresult

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