Diffraction of obliquely incident surface waves by a soft vertical plane barrier of finite depth (Q1176024)

The authors consider the wave scattering by a finite ``soft barrier'' (modeled as a line of ``height'' 1), vertical to the free surface of an inviscid and incompressible fluid. The boundary value problem, described by the Laplace equation for the velocity potential \(\chi\) and its adequate boundary conditions, e.g., along the soft barrier, \(\chi=0\), is investigated and solved first by Williams' method (previously used only in connexion with rigid barriers) [see: \textit{M. H. Williams}, Q. J. Mech. Appl. Math. 35, 103-124 (1982; Zbl 0482.73024)] and, second by the method of Jones [see: \textit{F. John}, Trends Appl. pure Math. Mech., Collect. pap. present. Conf. Univ. Lecce 1975, 175-185 (1976; Zbl 0369.35014)], i.e., in terms of the Wiener-Hopf technique. The paper contains all important details to find both the reflection and transmission coefficients and the diffracted field. But, although all presented numerical results are physically reasonable, i.e., show only expected behaviour, it would have been very interesting to see at least one comparison to results of other authors, e.g., for the diffracted field in the special case of a rigid barrier.