Smoothed particle hydrodynamics simulations for wave induced ice floe melting

In this paper, ice melting under the impacts of water waves was studied numerically via smoothed particle hydrodynamics simulations. Effects due to the ice elasticity were also included. Accordingly, the melting of an ice plate, modeled as an elastic object and interacting with transitional water waves with wave height and wave steepness up to 0.32 m and 0.093, respectively, was simulated and analyzed. The simulations showed that water waves' effects on the ice melting are seen via overflow over the top surface and local fluid circulations in the submerged region due to water-ice interactions and wave motions. Those effects result in a melting amount of the ice plate up to 1.78 times higher than the ice in still water. The overflow contributes up to 25% of the total amount of the melted ice. In comparison, fluid convection in the submerged region also leads to an increase in about 43% in the ice-melting amount over the submerged region. The melting rate is seen highest at the early stage of the simulation period and then is constantly reducing. The melting rate of the ice is seen linearly varying with the initial water temperature.

Automated summary

In this study, ice melting under water wave impacts was investigated using smoothed particle hydrodynamics simulations. The elastic behavior of the ice was also taken into account. The results showed that water waves affect ice melting through overflow and local fluid circulations caused by water-ice interactions and wave motions. Additionally, fluid convection in the submerged region increased the ice-melting amount by about 43%. The melting rate of the ice varied linearly with the initial water temperature and was highest at the early stage of the simulation period.