Reflection and transmission of waves across a gap between two semi-infinite elastic plates on water

• Published in: The Quarterly Journal of Mechanics and Applied Mathematics
• Main Authors: Chung, Hyuck, Linton, C. M.
• Format: Text
• Language: English
• Published: Oxford University Press 2005
• Subjects: Articles; Ice Sheet
• Online Access: http://qjmam.oxfordjournals.org/cgi/content/short/58/1/1; https://doi.org/10.1093/qjmamj/hbh011

We describe a new approach to investigating the waves that propagate across a gap of finite width between two semi-infinite elastic plates floating on water of finite depth. The velocity potential for the fluid motion satisfies Laplace's equation, with the linearized free-surface boundary condition in the gap and thin plate equations modelling the elastic plates. The method of solution is based on the residue calculus technique (RCT) which was previously used by the authors to solve the semi-infinite ice-sheet problem. We highlight the advantages and limitations of the RCT when applied to the finite-gap and related problems.