Scale Models for Laminated Cylindrical Shells Subjected to Axial Compression

Abstract

This study investigates problems associated with the design of scaled down<br><br>models. Such study is important since it provides the necessary scaling laws,<br><br>and the factors which affect the accuracy of the scale models. For better<br><br>understanding the applicability of scaled down models in designing<br><br>laminated composite structures, an analytical investigation was undertaken<br><br>to assess the feasibility of their use. Employment of similitude theory to<br><br>establish similarity among structurai systems can save considerable expense<br><br>and time, provided that the proper scaling laws are found and validated. In<br><br>this study the limitation and acceptable interval of all parameters and<br><br>corresponding scale factors are investigated. Particular emphasis is placed<br><br>on the case of buckling of cross-ply cylindrical shells under uniaxial<br><br>compressive loads. Both complete and partial similarity are discussed. This<br><br>analytical study indicates that distorted models with a different number of<br><br>layers and geometries than those of the prototype can predict the behavior<br><br>of the prototype with good accuracy. However, it is shown that a scaled<br><br>down model with different material properties than those of the prototype<br><br>is incapable of predicting the response of the prototype.