The time-dependent response of a floating flexible plate to an
impulsively started
steadily moving load defines the time taken to approach a steady-state
deflection
due to the load, or indeed whether such a steady state is achieved at all.
The
asymptotic analysis for large time reported here, for both a concentrated
point load
and a uniformly distributed circular load, confirms that a steady-state
deflection is
achieved at both subcritical and supercritical load speeds. This analysis
also predicts
a logarithmically growing response near the critical speed corresponding
to the
minimum phase speed of the hybrid waves generated, but an eventual steady-state
response when the load speed moves at the shallow water wave speed. These
results
are supported by numerical computation.