Hydrodynamic characteristics of a thin rolling plate in finite depth of water

The two-dimensional problem of the small-amplitude forced rolling motion of a thin vertical plate in finite water depth is considered using linear water wave theory. A range of geometric cases is considered, allowing the plate to be surface-piercing, attached to the bottom, unmounted and in each case either isolated or in the presence of a vertical wall. The method of solution uses two complementary formulations in conjunction with an accurate and efficient Galerkin method which are shown to give results that are in good agreement for all cases. (C) 1997 Elsevier Science Limited.