Generation of exact stiffness matrix for a spherical shell element

This paper deals with a method of generating stiffness coefficients and fix ed edge forces for a spherical shell frustrum element. The formulation is b ased upon an approximate analytical solution of the differential equations governing elastic behaviour of the frustrum. Effect of uniform pressure p(n ), self weight, uniform temperature rise and edge loads have been considere d. The paper also presents results of application of the proposed method to some selected problems. (C) 1999 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved .