Structural response relationship between scaled and prototype concrete load bearing systems using similarity requirements

This study is focused on the investigation for similitude the requirements between prototype and scaled models to determine the structural behavior of concrete load bearing systems. The scaling concept has been utilized in many engineering branches, has been assisted to engineers and scientists for obtain the behavior of the prototype by using scaled model. The scaling can be done for two purposes, either scaling up or scaling down depending upon the application. Because, scaled down models are the experimentation on scaled models is cheaper than huge structures. These models also provide facilities for experimental work. Similarity relationships between systems are created either by field equations of the system or by dimensional analysis. Within this study, similarity relationships were obtained by both methods. The similarity relations obtained are applied to different load bearing systems and it is determined that the similarity relation is a general expression. In this study, as an example, column, frame, cantilever beam and simple beam are chosen and 1/2, 1/5 and 1/10 scales are applied. The results are compared with the analytical results which are obtained by creating of the finite element models with SAP2000 software of different scaled load bearing systems. The analysis results of all systems are examined and it is determined that the scale factors are constant depending on the scale types for different load bearing systems.