J. Rezaeepazhand et al., DESIGN OF SCALED DOWN MODELS FOR PREDICTING SHELL VIBRATION RESPONSE, Journal of sound and vibration, 195(2), 1996, pp. 301-311
The importance of employing scaled down models in designing advanced c
omposite structures has been gaining momentum in recent years. This st
udy investigates problems associated with the design of scaled down mo
dels 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 limita
tions and acceptable intervals of all parameters and corresponding sca
le 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 tha
n those of the prototype can predict the behaviour of the prototype wi
th good accuracy. (C) 1996 Academic Press Limited