Ship wave patterns on floating ice sheets

Abstract

This paper aims to explore the response of a floating icesheet to a load moving in a curved path. We investigate the effect of turning on the wave patterns and strain distribution, and explore scenarios where turning increases the wave amplitude and strain in the ice, possibly leading to crack formation, fracturing and eventual ice failure. The mathematical model used here is the linearized system of differential equations introduced in Dinvay et al. (J. Fluid Mech. 876:122–149, 2019). The equations are solved using the Fourier transform in space, and the Laplace transform in time. The model is tested against existing results for comparison, and several cases of load trajectories involving turning and decelerating are tested.