In the design and construction of ship lifts,the integrated physical model test is an effective means to study and solve hydraulics,machinery,electric,control and many other issues during the operation of ship lifts.Combining the previous research results,this paper respectively conducts the preliminary analyses of the similarity criteria that the model design must meet of ship chamber,balance weight system,tower structure,mechanical synchronous system and other core parts of the wire rope winding vertical lifting ship lift,points out the theoretical conditions and design ideas needed in its full-similar simulation,and mainly puts forward a full-similar simulation method of mechanical synchronous system.Finally,this paper discusses the feasibility and necessity of the ship lift’s full-similar simulation.