ABSTRACT
The classical assumption in centrifuge testing is that the lengths in the model are N times smaller than the length in prototype, where N is the scale factor. The stresses are the same in model and prototype and that implies that the acceleration is N times higher in the model compared to the prototype. Kinematics lead then to the following set of scaling equations:
L N
L a Nas m s p m p, = = 1
(1,2)
t N
(3,4)
m : indicates model p : indicates prototype where Ls is the characteristic length dimension, a the acceleration, g the acceleration of gravity, ts the characteristic time and us the characteristic velocity (velocity for dynamic effects). Other scaling relations are possible, as will be discussed below.
