DESIGN OF SCALED DOWN MODELS FOR STABILITY OF LAMINATED PLATES

This study investigates problems associated with design of scaled down models. Similitude theory is employed to develop the necessary simila rity conditions. Sealing laws provide the relationship between a full- scale structure and its scale models and fan be used to extrapolate th e experimental data of a small, inexpensive, and easily tested model i nto design information for the large prototype. Both complete and part ial similarity are discussed. Particular emphasis is placed on the cas es of buckling of rectangular symmetric angle-ply laminated plates und er uniaxial compressive and shear loads. This analytical study indicat es that distorted models with a different number of layers, material p roperties, and geometries than those of the prototype can predict the behavior of the prototype with good accuracy.