Structural similitudes for the vibration characteristics of concave thin-walled conical shell

Abstract A structural similitude is proposed for the analysis of the vibration characteristics of concave thin-walled conical shell. The similitude laws are derived by invoking the least square method and transition models with different proportional input parameters. Analytical calculations show that satisfactory similitude in terms of natural frequency scaling can be achieved. Based on the analytical study, a series of modal tests is performed on the three-scaled thin-walled conical shell to verify the scaling laws. Emphasis is especially predicting and verifying the vibration characteristics of concave conical shell through the standard thin-walled conical shell to avoid manufacturing limitations.