Similitude Laws for the Structural Response Under Impact Loading

Similitude laws for the structural response under impact loading are proposed and analyzed in this paper. The scaling process is promoted from analytical, experimental, and numerical perspective. It is demonstrated that impact cases in different structures will be dynamically similar, having the same vibration response despite being different with respect to their size, impact time, and amplitude. In cases of simple structures, acceleration response and shock response spectrum, measured in an impact test on a set of plates, are successfully scaled to extrapolate the behavior of the complete or incomplete similarity of the prototype. Similarity conditions are presented for more precise re-modulating. In cases of complex structures, spacecraft are discussed to validate the similarity conditions and scaling laws. It is expected that the proposed similitude laws will help researchers to reduce costs and risks for experimental studies.