ANALYTICAL AND EXPERIMENTAL STUDIES OF SPHERICAL RIGID GROUND RANDOMES
Abstract
An evaluation is presented of existing methods of structural analysis that have been applied in the design of hemispherical and three-quarter spherical radome shells of space frame, sandwich, and flanged shell constructions. The major effort was the design and implementation of experiments on a true structural model of a three-quarter spherical radome of a rigid polyurethane foam material subjected to a specified wind loading distribution. A unique and versatile method of wind load simulation was devised. A series of tests were performed on a 38-in.-O.D. shell of nominal radius-to-thickness ratio r/t = 48. Wind loads up to a stagnation pressure of 6 psi were applied without damaging the shell. The measured deflections at this loading were 80% of the shell thickness at the apex and 53% of the thickness at the stagnation point. A new buckling theory of spherical shells under uniform external pressure was developed. Results obtained support the view that the buckling due to wind loading may be studied on the basis of a uniform distribution of stagnation pressure over the buckled shape. (Author)
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Feb 01, 1961
- Accession Number
- AD0254188
Entities
People
- Eugene Sevin
Organizations
- IIT Research Institute