Response of Modelled Ice Masses to Regular Waves and Regular Wave Groups

An experimental investigation to determine the maximum instantaneous velocities attainable by a range of ice masses in regular waves and regular wave groups has been conducted. Models constructed of paraffin wax were shown to attain velocities approximately equal to those of the particle velocities in regular waves, for model beam to wavelength ratios of less than approximately 0.33. A matrix constructed for the results of wave group velocity tests illustrated that the velocity attainable in certain groups is greater than that predicted from the regular wave analysis. This effect was further illustrated by subjecting the models to wave spectra containing eight regular wave components.