Experimental and theoretical models of wave-induced flexure of a sea ice floe

Abstract

An experimental model is used to validate a theoretical model of a sea ice floe’s flexural motion, induced by ocean waves. A thin plastic plate models the ice floe in the experiments. Rigid and compliant plastics and two different thicknesses are tested. Regular incident waves are used, with wavelengths less than, equal to, and greater than the floe length, and steepnesses ranging from gently sloping to storm-like. Results show the models agree well, despite the overwash phenomenon occurring in the experiments, which the theoretical model neglects.