A rectangular river barge 10 m wide 40 m long and 4m deep ha

A rectangular river barge, 10 m wide, 40 m long and 4m deep has a draft has a draft of 0.5 m when empty. What is its draft when 1000 tons of gravel (SG = 2.4) is dumped in the center of the barge?

Solution

When barge is empty, draft = 0.5 m

When loaded with 1000 tons of gravel , weght of gravel = 1000 x 907.18 kg.

surface area of barge = 10 x 40 = 400 m²

Volume of water displaced = weight / unit weight of water = 1000 x 907.18 / 1000 (kg/m³) = 907.18 m³

Draft = volume displaced / surface area = 907.18 / 400 = 2.26 m

Total draft = 0.5 + 2.26 = 2.76 m