THE NATURE OF BUCKLING IN THIN SPHERICAL SHELLS
Abstract
The report deals with a number of questions concerning the buckling of thin elastic spherical shell segments under uniform external pressure. Both experimental and analytical studies were performed to determine the nature of the buckling phenomenon. The experimental work was performed on plastic shells which buckled elastically so that tests could be repeated. The size and position of the buckle or dimple, effect of creep on buckling loads, importance of the precision of clamping conditions, and the reproducibility of buckling loads under unchanged conditions were determined. A general discussion was given of the shape of the load-deflection curve, the appearance of the buckle through the post-buckling range and the dependence of buckling pressures, unbuckling pressures and minimum pressures on the shape parameter. No correlation was possible between the observed imperfections and the buckling loads. In the analysis, the nonlinear equation for total potential energy was derived for deep shell investigations. The equation developed is adequate in the range near buckling but needs improvement for use in the large deflection range.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- May 01, 1962
- Accession Number
- AD0610809
Entities
People
- Lynn Seaman