Bending and stretching actions in shallow domes. Part 1. Analytical derivations

Abstract

In this two-part set of articles the response of shallow axisymmetric shells with circular plan is investigated with the aid of the two-surface shell theory. Such an approach has the unique advantage of elucidating, both qualitatively, and quantitatively, the complex—and key—interaction of bending and stretching actions in such shells in a simple and direct manner. Although discussion centres upon a shallow paraboloid of revolution, the general features emerging from the study are, obviously, relevant for the generic family of shallow domes (e.g. spherical) covering the various limiting cases of support around their circumference. This first paper begins with a two-surface exposition of the set of equations describing the behaviour of the shell. Next, analytical bending solutions to the specific practical problem wherein the shell is subjected to uniformly distributed vertical loading (corresponding, say, to its self-weight) are presented; and this is followed by the working out of closed-form expressions for the distributions of bending and stretching effects in theshell under consideration.