Hydroelastic interaction of nonlinear waves with floating sheets

Abstract Hydroelastic responses of floating elastic surfaces to incident nonlinear waves solitary and cnoidal type are studied. There N number the deformable surfaces, these represented by thin plates variable properties different sizes rigidity. The coupled motion fluid solved simultaneously within framework linear beam theory for structures Level I Green–Naghdi fluid. water surface elevation, deformations velocity pressure fields, wave reflection transmission coefficients calculated presented. Results model compared with existing laboratory measurements other numerical solutions. In absence any restriction on nonlinearity field, their rigidities, a wide range wave–structure conditions considered. It is found that from an changes significantly rigidity, highest observed when plate rigid (not elastic). also due interaction, local fields length celerity formed under plates. case multiple it spacing between has more significant effect field than lengths. Also, presence relatively smaller upwave modifies remarkably deformation response downwave surface.