Abstract
The similarity principle serves as the theoretical foundation for experimental research on scaled ship structures. While extensive studies have been conducted on global longitudinal responses using scaled hydroelastic segmented ship models, there is a notable gap in experimental research on scaled local ship plate structures. This research introduces a novel composite similarity principle tailored for local ship plate structures, drawing upon classical beam and plate theories. We propose a design methodology to determine the appropriate scaled model for ship plate structures. To validate our proposed similarity principle and its associated design method, we present several numerical experiments. These methods are not only expected to inform future experimental design for local ship plate structures but also to enhance the current experimental framework, contributing to a more holistic approach to experimental, structural ship research.