Abstract:
The thin-walled spherical cap loaded by an external pressure shows a non-linear behavior.
This phenomenon is further amplified in the case of the simply supported cap with free radial
displacements of the edge. Using normal calculation procedures based on the linear mechanics is
not possible here. A detail numerical computational analysis using, for example, the finite element
method (FEM) is necessary. In addition to large displacements, non-linear behavior of material is
possible to consider. It should also be noted that stability carrying capacity might be considerably
influenced by initial imperfections. Using standard procedures for calculations of real spherical caps
is possible, however, often quite conservative. The question of the initial imperfection effect on
stability of spherical caps is a subject of further research.
