A coupled fluid-elasticity model for the wave forcing of an ice-shelf

Abstract

A mathematical model for predicting the vibrations of ice-shelves based on linear elasticity for the ice-shelf motion and potential flow for the fluid motion is developed. No simplifying assumptions such as the thinness of the ice-shelf or the shallowness of the fluid are made. The ice-shelf is modelled as a two-dimensional elastic body of an arbitrary geometry under plane-strain conditions. The model is solved using a coupled finite element method incorporating an integral equation boundary condition to represent the radiation of energy in the infinite fluid. The solution is validated by comparison with thin-beam theory and by checking energy conservation. Using the analyticity of the resul..