Design of scaled down models for predicting shell vibration response

The importance of employing scaled down models in designing advanced composite structures has been gaining momentum in recent years. This study investigates problems associated with the design of scaled down models for vibration response. Such study is important since it provides the necessary scaling laws, and the factors which affect the accuracy of the scale models. The employment of similitude theory to establish similarity among structural systems can save considerable expense and time, provided that the proper scaling laws are found and validated. In this study a number of parametric studies are performed. The limitations and acceptable intervals of all parameters and corresponding scale factors are investigated. Particular emphasis is placed on the case of free vibration of cross-ply cylindrical shells. Both complete and partial similarity are discussed. This analytical study indicates that distorted models with a different number of layers and geometries than those of the prototype can predict the behaviour of the prototype with good accuracy. (C) 1996 Academic Press Limited