Interaction of hydro-elastic waves with a vertical wall

The linear two-dimensional problem of hydroelastic waves reflected by a vertical wall is analysed. The fluid is of finite depth and is covered by an ice sheet. The fluid is assumed incompressible and inviscid. The ice sheet is assumed thin compared with both the water depth and wavelength of the incident wave. The deflection of the ice sheet is described by linear elastic plate theory, and the fluid flow by using the potential-flow model. The ice sheet extends infinitely and is clamped to the vertical-walled structure. The incident hydroelastic wave is regular. An analytic solution is found by integral-transform methods. The ice deflection, the vertical and horizontal forces acting on the wall and the bending stresses in the ice caused by the incident wave are determined. The forces on the wall are analysed in detail, and relevant physical parameters are varied for comparison. The phase shift between the incident and reflected wave amplitudes is found as part of the complete solution. It is shown that the ice clamping condition leads to a specific effect on the ice deflection.