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The Elastic Instability of a Complete Spherical Shell

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  07 June 2016

J.M.T. Thompson
J.M.T. Thompson*
Affiliation:
Department of Engineering, University of Cambridge
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Summary

The elastic instability of a complete spherical shell under uniform external pressure is studied experimentally and theoretically. The premature snapping of a thin elastic shell, made of polyvinyl chloride, is seen to be classical in nature. The experimental maximum pressure and pre-snapping bending deformation are correlated with the theoretical behaviour of an initially imperfect shell. The large deflection behaviour of a perfect shell is assessed experimentally, and the stable post-buckling states are observed to be rotationally symmetric. A fairly precise theoretical analysis of these states is performed, the use of a high-speed digital computer allowing a considerable advance over previous treatments. The experimental and theoretical post-buckling curves are in good agreement, yielding the first detailed correlation of post-snapping equilibrium states in the field of shell instability.

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Type
Research Article
Information
Aeronautical Quarterly , Volume 13 , Issue 2 , May 1962, pp. 189 - 201
Copyright
Copyright © Royal Aeronautical Society. 1962

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References

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