The object of this paper is to study how to use the scaling rules and the dynamic behaviour of a scale plate to predict the dynamic characteristics of a full-size plate. To this end, the scaling rules for the design of scale models of the full-size structural systems are presented. Some important parameters closely relating to the current research topic, such as structural sizes, free and forced vibration characteristics, etc., are studied. From the presented experimental and theoretical analyses results, it is found that the presented scaling rules can be used to accurately predict the dynamic characteristics of the full-size structural systems from those of their corresponding scale models.