ANALYSIS OF A SHALLOW SPHERICAL-SHELL ON NO-TENSION FOUNDATION

The behaviour of a shallow spherical shell resting on a no-tension fou ndation with concentrated load at its centre is investigated. Distribu tion of the displacement along the radial distance is determined for f ree, hinged and clamped edge conditions. This study reveals that the c entral deflection, as well as the radial distance al which the shell l eaves the foundation, increases rapidly with increase in base circle r adius in the beginning, but stabilizes gradually to limiting values. T he central deflection varies linearly with load, but the distance of s eparation is found to be independent of the load at the centre and the radius of curvature of the shell. The central deflection and the dist ance of separation decrease very slightly with increase in the value o f foundation modulus. Variation of the deflection with radial distance for various edge conditions is found to fall on the expected line.