Scaling of cylindrical shells under axial impact

A technique of correcting scaled strain rate sensitive structures subject to dynamic loads is described and applied to a shell under axial impact. The prototype and models responses were simulated using finite element method. Final deformed shape, collapse mode, displacement at the top of the shell and maximum force of scaled models are compared to the respective prototype. It is shown that the models response are quite different from the prototype if no correction is performed. By correcting the initial impact velocity, the models scale quite well and it is even possible to obtain the transition phenomenon between global and progressive buckling of shells subject to the axial impact of a mass. (C) 2006 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.