Trapped Modes Along Periodic Structures Submerged in a Three-Layer Fluid with a Background Steady Flow

In this study, we study the trapping of linear water waves by infinite arrays of three-dimensional fixed periodic structures in a three-layer fluid. Each layer has an independent uniform velocity field with respect to the fixed ground in addition to the internal modes along the interfaces between layers. Dynamical stability between velocity shear and gravitational pull constrains the layer velocities to a neighbourhood of the diagonal $U_1=U_2=U_3$ in velocity space. A non-linear spectral problem results from the variational formulation. This problem can be linearized, resulting in a geometric condition (from energy minimization) that ensures the existence of trapped modes within the limits set by stability. These modes are solutions living the discrete spectrum that do not radiate energy to infinity. Symmetries reduce the global problem to solutions in the first octant of the three-dimensional velocity space. Examples are shown of configurations of obstacles which satisfy the stability and geometric conditions, depending on the values of the layer velocities. The robustness of the result of the vertical column from previous studies is confirmed in the new configurations. This allows for comparison principles (Cavalieri’s principle, etc.) to be used in determining whether trapped modes are generated.