Calculations for floatation of a pontoon

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around calculating the flotation required for a pontoon that weighs approximately 2 tonnes. Participants explore the principles of buoyancy and displacement in relation to the weight of the pontoons and their carrying capacity.

Discussion Character

  • Technical explanation
  • Mathematical reasoning
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant seeks a calculation for the flotation needed to support a pontoon weighing about 2 tonnes.
  • Another participant states that the pontoons will displace 2 tonnes of water, suggesting that the calculations are straightforward geometry and math.
  • A participant explains that the displacement of the pontoons minus their weight will determine the actual carrying capacity, using a 55-gallon drum as an example of displacement.
  • There is a reiteration of the previous point about displacement and weight, with an emphasis on the practical implications for a plumber seeking assistance.
  • One participant questions the logic of subtracting the weight of the pontoons from the displacement, suggesting that it depends on the context of the calculation (classroom vs. practical application).

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on whether to include the weight of the pontoons in the calculations, indicating a lack of consensus on the approach to take for the flotation calculations.

Contextual Notes

Participants have not resolved the assumptions regarding the context of the calculations, such as whether to consider the weight of the pontoons in the overall flotation requirement.

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I am looking for a calculation to work out the amount of floatation that would be required to hold up a pontoon weighing apptox 2 tonne?
 
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The pontoons will displace 2 tonnes of water. It's all just geometry and simple math from there.
 
Displacement of the pontoons(floats) minus the weight of the pontoons will give you the actual carrying capacity.
A 55 gallon drum will displace approximately 440 pounds in fresh water-subtract the actual weight (22 lbs for a plastic barrel) and off you go!
Hope this helps.
 
Pontoon

BillBLack said:
Displacement of the pontoons(floats) minus the weight of the pontoons will give you the actual carrying capacity.
A 55 gallon drum will displace approximately 440 pounds in fresh water-subtract the actual weight (22 lbs for a plastic barrel) and off you go!
Hope this helps.

Thanks very much for your help I am only a plumber
 
BillBLack said:
Displacement of the pontoons(floats) minus the weight of the pontoons will give you the actual carrying capacity.
A 55 gallon drum will displace approximately 440 pounds in fresh water-subtract the actual weight (22 lbs for a plastic barrel) and off you go!
Hope this helps.
Well yeah, but the pontoons are still part of the structure you're floating, so why subtract them out?.

(I guess it depends on whether you're doing the calc in the classroom or on the shore. In the classroom, you'd calc the entire weight of the device, which would include the pontoon. On the shore, you're really interested in floating the device only - the pontoon is merely the solution, thus its weight would be a side-effect. So OK, yeah.)
 

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