Experimental investigations of wave interaction with semi-submerged horizontal rectangular cylinder of elastic bottom

Abstract

Laboratory experiments were conducted to investigate the interaction of gravity waves with a semi-submerged rectangular cylinder of elastic bottom. Laboratory investigations were conducted for a wide range of wave parameters and a structure of different drafts. The analysis of results focuses on wave transmission at the structure, wave-induced pressures excreted on the plate, plate deflections, etc. The results shows that the nonlinear pressure and plate deflection components arising from the interaction of incoming waves with the structure are often significant. The results show that the nonlinear components often exceed their linear counterparts even for waves of low steepness. This is an original and surprising outcome of significant practical importance as the large nonlinear pressure and plate deflection components may spark a resonance. The problem is serious because plate natural vibration frequencies are often lower than the frequency of fundamental waves or their nonlinear components and the vibration of a plate may be amplified by incoming waves or their nonlinear products. The occurrence of a resonance amplified by incoming waves may lead to the failure of a structure. This outcome is of significant practical importance because it may occur for a wide range of wave parameters.