The Elastic Instability of a Complete Spherical Shell

Abstract

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.