Description of Problem

CHAPTER VII.

Quantities of Materials (Cont'd).

II. Volumes from Original Contours.

4. Displacement Diagrams.

Description of Problem.

The extension of the use of the Polar Planimeter to many other Engineering problems of similar nature to those already described can easily be made in the light of the explanations given and need not be further discussed here. There is, however, a certain class of problem more especially met with in the work of the marine engineer or constructor, and to which the peculiar principles governing the operation of the Planimeter seem to especially adapt the instrument. To this class belong those operations involving the measurement of tonnage, the displacement of vessels, obtaining the coefficients of Water Lines, areas of wetted surfaces and similar applications too numerous to mention.

The special adaptability of the Polar Planimeter to all calculations of this nature is at once apparent, as they will be readily seen to be in reality only special forms of the particular form of measurement we have been discussing. The use of the Planimeter, both in theory and practice, in all operations of this class will be readily seen to be alike in all, being modified only in details to meet special conditions, and the general application being clearly understood, the modifications necessary to meet special conditions can be easily and intelligently made.

As a typical problem of this class we will take the measurement of volumes from displacement diagrams and briefly describe the use of the Planimeter in this connection.

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