Numerical investigation of dynamic characteristics of water entry of a wedge constrained by an ice floe

The water entry of a wedge is a canonical model for studying hull-slamming dynamics. However, existing studies have not considered the combined effects of the three-degree-of-freedom (3-DOF) motion of a nearby ice floe and hydroelasticity. This study aims to elucidate the dynamic characteristics of the water entry of an elastic wedge constrained by an ice floe. A two-dimensional numerical model was established by combining computational fluid dynamics and the finite-element method and was validated through comparisons with benchmark experimental results of the water entry of a wedge. The results revealed that the 3-DOF motion of the ice floe decreased the normalised force by approximately 22% on the left side and 48% on the right side and decreased the stress by approximately 20% at the top of the right side compared with those obtained during the water entry of a wedge without the constraint of an ice floe. The effects of the initial velocity, distance between the wedge and ice floe, length of the ice floe, and thickness of the ice floe were also clarified. This study provides useful guidance for the design and navigation of ships in polar regions.