Are you a traditional home builder?

Builders, generally, use a scale model to have a frame of reference before they go on to build the actual object. So, in layman terms, a scale model is one that would physically represent the true object in all respects. It should maintain the aspect ratio, the build configuration, the physical constitution and should use the same scientific work principles as meant for the original object. Moreover, the way the scale model would behave with the real world should be as close as possible to the real objects expected behaviour in the real world. In simple words, a scale model is a prototype or a miniature version of an object that would physically and functionally represent the object.

Builders, Engineers, Architects, Military Agencies, Salesmen and many other professionals use scale models to check out, test or demonstrate their ideas in a miniature scale before assessing its feasibility on the real world scale. Whatever be the purpose of the scale model, it is imperative that the scale model should functionally and physically represent the original object in mind. If it does not, then it defeats the purpose of building a scale model.

For Engineers and Builders, a scale model is indispensable. People in these trades face a lot of practical hindrances if not working with an already tested scale model. There are various reasons for this, which we will analyze and understand here.

• Some plans of high-rise buildings, bridges, railway stations, dams and the like involve complex real world interactions. It has been seen that, in most of these cases, computer simulations, theoretical calculations and drawings do not suffice. They do not give a reliable picture of the real world scenario because computer generated simulations are completely dependent on the data you feed them, and they cannot go beyond the inferences obtained from that data. This is where the need to have a scale model comes in.
• Though computer-based simulations can scale the original object, they cannot give an accurate picture of the effects of other conditions like temperature, pressure, wind speed and other such prevailing parameters.
• Computer simulations do not allow builders to test the object before building it. On the other hand, a scale model needs to be built itself and reflects the challenges that would be required to build the real object.

In order to achieve the similitude between the scale model and the real object, the following similarities are required to be maintained:

• The scaled model should be of the same shape as the object, only that the size should be proportional. This is called Geometric Similarity.
• The fluid flow of the scale model and the real object should be subjected to the same velocity and for the same period of time. This is called Kinematic Similarity.
• It should be ensured that the forces acting on the scale model and the real object should be proportional. This is called Dynamic Similarity.

A scale model when properly analyzed and well built becomes an indispensable tool in the hands of any builder or engineer by helping them understand the dynamics of an object or application that any computer-aided simulation fails to decipher.