NONDESTRUCTIVE METHOD FOR PREDICTING BUCKLING LOADS OF ELASTIC SPHERICAL SHELLS

摘要

In this paper, the Southwell's nondestructive method for columns is analytically extended to spherical shells subjected to a uniform external pressure acting radially. Subsequently, finite element simulation and experimental work proved that the theory is also applicable to spherical shells with an arbitrary axi-symmetrical loading. The results show that the technique provides a useful estimate of the elastic buckling load provided care is taken in interpreting of the results. The usefulness of the method lies in its generality, simplicity and in the fact that, it is non-destructive. Moreover, it does not make any assumption regarding the number of buckling waves or the exact localization of buckling.