structural similitudes for the dynamic response of plates and assemblies of plates

a structural similitude is proposed for the analysis of the dynamic response of plates or assemblies of plates. the similitude is defined by invoking the energy distribution approach which allows the representation of all the fundamental parameters. then, the similitude laws are defined by looking for equalities in the structural responses. two test cases are herein discussed: the first involves a single plate response and the second is related to an assembly of two plates. only the bending waves are taken into account. if the original damping values are kept, a complete similitude is defined in both the cases which allows to enlarge or reduce independently the plate surfaces and the thickness. an approximate similitude is defined if the damping is modified: in this case only a mean response can be predicted in similitude.