Water entry of a flexible wedge: How flexural rigidity influences spray root and pressure wave propagation

Abstract

Wedge water entry serves as a key model to understand phenomena like high-speed craft slamming, seaplane landings, and diving aquatic birds. In this paper, wedge water entry experiments and simulations are used to examine how hydrodynamic loads, structural deflection, water contact lines, and rigid body motions are influenced by changes in the flexural rigidity of the wedge's bottom panels. Preliminary findings indicate that the nondimensionalized spray root position and velocity versus time collapse despite significant variations in the panel's flexural rigidity values (see figure for velocity curves). The study provides insights for future research and model improvements in water entry dynamics.