Interaction of nonlinear waves with floating, elastic sheets in arbitrary water depths

Interaction of nonlinear waves with thin, floating, elastic sheets in arbitrary water depths is studied computationally. Regular waves with various height and periods are considered. Attention is confined to thin sheets. The fluid flow is governed by use of the Navier-Stokes equations, and the structural responses is captured by solving the constitutive equations. Both the fluids governing equations and the structural constitute equations are solved by use of a finite volume approach, and the system of equations is solved in time domain. The coupling between the fluid and structure is achieved at the boundaries of the structure where the fluid-induced loads on the structure and motion and elastic deformation of the structure are considered simultaneously at each time step. Results of the model are first compared with laboratory experiments and other numerical solution of wave interaction with elastic ice sheets. The model is then used to investigate the hydroelastic response of floating sheets to a range of wave conditions. Discussion is provided on the effect of wave conditions and structural rigidity on the hydroelastic responses. The impact of the structure on the wave field is also investigated by determining the wave reflection and transmission.