Determination of the Shape of a Free Balloon. Consideration of Material Elasticity

摘要

Linear membrane theory is used to determine the effect of material elasticity on the stresses and shape of a free balloon which is originally inelastic. Two cases are considered: a zero superpressure natural-shape polyethylene balloon of taper-tangent design, and a superpressure Mylar balloon of tangent-harness design. Deformations and stress changes are small in both balloons, except that at the top of the natural-shape balloon, linear membrane theory does not apply and stress changes and deformations are not determined. Reference is made to a non-linear membrane theory which can be used to determine these parameters. (Author)