Effects of cracked semi-infinite ice sheets on the wave excited motion of a body floating on water

Abstract

This study investigates the hydrodynamics of a floating body near cracked semi-infinite ice sheets under wave action, addressing two configurations: an ice channel (Model 1) and a single cracked ice sheet adjacent to open water (Model 2). By combining eigenfunction expansions with Green's identity under linear wave theory and Kirchhoff-Love plate assumptions, we solve the coupled wave-ice-body interaction problem through multi-subdomain matching. The results reveal that crack locations and ice thickness critically govern resonance phenomena. Key findings include: (1) Crack-induced wave reflections generate distinct oscillation patterns—U-shaped in Model 1 and Z-shaped in Model 2—with peak forces amplified at critical wavenumbers; (2) Increased crack distance enhances oscillation amplitudes, and cracks in the ice sheet prevents the amplitude of the wave-induced excitation forces from increasing with the wave number. Notably, cracks elevate heave motions by 30–50% compared to intact ice, crucial for polar vessel design. This work establishes predictive relationships between ice defects, hydrodynamic coefficients, and body responses, providing actionable insights for optimizing Arctic engineering structures in fractured ice environments.