Effect of step bottom and waterway on flexural gravity wave scattering

Flexural gravity wave scattering by two semi-infinite non-identical ice sheets, which are separated by a clean water surface, is investigated in the presence of a step bottom topography. The problem is investigated in the cases of (i) intermediate water depth and (ii) shallow water. The effect of two edge conditions, (i) simply supported edge and (ii) free edge, on wave scattering is also analyzed. Employing linear velocity potential theory, the problem is studied in the frequency domain. The physical phenomenon is modeled as a boundary value problem having the Laplace equation as the governing equation, and it is solved using the eigenfunction expansion method. Considering the bottom topography and upper boundary, the fluid domain is divided into three regions, and in each region, velocity potential is expressed in terms of infinite Fourier series. Velocity and pressure are matched at the intermediate surface of two regions, and a system of algebraic equations with unknown coefficients is obtained. The complete solution of the present problem is recognized by solving the system of equations numerically. The energy relation is derived using Green's theorem. The reflection and transmission coefficients are computed and compared with the energy relation to check the accuracy of the present method. For different parameters (depth ratio, clean waterway, and different ice properties), reflection coefficient and transmission coefficient are computed and presented as a function of angular frequency. The value of the reflection coefficient ranges from zero to unity, whereas at certain frequencies, the transmission coefficient attends value more than unity.