Hydroelastic analysis of articulated floating elastic plate based on Timoshenko–Mindlin plate theory

Abstract

The wave interaction with articulated floating elastic plate is investigated considering the Timoshenko–Mindlin thick plate theory for both finite and shallow water depths. The elastic plates are modelled as finite flexible floating structure interconnected with vertical linear/rotational spring stiffness. The eigenfunction expansion method along with the orthogonal mode-coupling relation is used to analyse the hydrodynamic behaviour of the interconnected structure. The study is performed for different articulated edge conditions for varying plate thickness and water depths to understand the behaviour of articulation under the action of an ocean wave. The hydroelastic response of the interconnected floating elastic plate with different connector stiffness is observed to compare well with the result available in the literature. The present study provides an insight into the effect of articulated joints with varying spring stiffness for the suitable design of the structure. © 2018, © 2018 Informa UK Limited, trading as Taylor & Francis Group.