Wave scattering by an infinite straight-line array of axisymmetric floes

Abstract

The linear and time-harmonic problem of an infinite, equispaced, straightline array of identical floes is considered. Under the asssumption of axisymmetry, the floes are permitted to vary in thickness through both their upper and lower surfaces. Furthermore, a realistic draught may be incorporated. An approximation technique is implemented, which combines a variational principle and an association of the vertical motion to the mode that supports propagating waves. The resulting equations exist in the horizontal plane and are solved through the use of a Green’s function in the free-surface domain and a Fourier expansion in the ice-covered domain. Numerical results are given for example problems that show the influence of the varying thickness and realistic draught.