Finite similitude theory-based similarity design of structures subjected to various types of impact loads through nonlinear mapping of material properties

Abstract

Full-scale testing remains most effective to investigate deck dynamic buckling, yet scaled-model testing is widely adopted by researchers due to economic and spatial constraints. The key challenge is developing reliable scaled design to predict Full-scale prototypes’ dynamic responses. In the current study, a universal similarity method for different structural forms, impact loading types and material constitutive equations was proposed according to the finite similitude theory. By scaling physical systems through mapping of Full-scale and scaled-down spaces, the scopes of application of the proposed similarity method were expanded to various structure forms, loading types and material constitutive relations, and thus facilitating the similarity design and prediction of structural responses under dynamic load. To verify the proposed method, systematic numerical validation analyses were conducted, including all the cases of stiffened plates under impact mass loads, the cases of stiffened plates under simplified sinusoidal triangular loads, and the cases of box girder models under simplified sinusoidal triangular loads. The validation results indicated that the proposed similarity approach had acceptable effects in keeping the same dynamic structural responses between prototype and scaled-down models. This study could be regarded as the supplement to the existing similarity research of dynamic responses of ship and ship-like structures.