Development of a Platform for Semi-Submersible Stability Studies

Stability, platform, semi-submersible, buoyancy, metacentric height, center of gravity.

Authors

  • W. A. Akpan Department of Mechanical Engineering, School of Engineering and Engineering Technology, Federal University of Technology Ikot Abasi, Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria.
  • W. A. Onuh Department of Aerospace Engineering, School of Engineering and Engineering Technology Federal University of Technology, Ikot Abasi, Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria.
  • E. O. Usungurua Department of Mechanical Engineering, School of Engineering and Engineering Technology,Federal University of Technology, Ikot Abasi, Nigeria.
  • K.E. Akpan Department of Mechanical Engineering of Mechanical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, University of Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria.
  • C. M. Orazulume Department of Electrical and Electronics Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, TopFaith University Mkpatak, Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria.
  • U. S. Umoh Department of Mechanical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, University of Uyo. Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria.
March 10, 2026

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Stability of a semi-submersible body is of serious concern because of the consequences of the capsize of floating bodies in waters-rivers, sea, and ocean. Understanding the key parameters that affect the stability of a body is crucial to safeguarding such incidences of capsize. Research has shown that the metacentric height, center of gravity and center of buoyance are the key parameters affecting the stability of a semi-submersible body. Practical illustrations of the variations of these parameters with respect to the stability of semi-submersible body is crucial and is the crux of this research work. The design, which is novel in its entirety, developed a platform to enable stability of semi-submersible of a body to be carried out under similar conditions in real life. The Composite system of the design consists of a platform with three legs support in a reserviour of water. The water is supplied by a centrifugal pump connected to a storage tank. The system has a vibrator to generate sea current and wave and a blower to produce wind turbulence. There is a flowmeter to record the exact volume of water from the storage tank via the pump to the reserviour. This composite system was developed and produced for the purpose of this research. With the success recorded, the stability studies of a semi- submersible body has been effectively studied and it is very useful to students and other interested researchers in this area.