Buckling analysis of shallow shells having linear-variable thickness

One way to increase the overall stiffness of a shell structure is design shells with variable thickness. The effect thickness change on stability flexible shallow panels has been little studied due complexity solving such non-linear problems. Geometrically nonlinear deformation, buckling and postbuckling behavior thin elastic linearly subjected uniform normal pressure investigated. axisymmetric spherical compared for three laws distribution along meridian shell. A more rational material in volume from point view revealed. same mass will be used rationally if thickened its central part. method based geometrically equations three-dimensional thermoelasticity without use simplifying hypotheses theory, moment finite-element scheme 3D universal finite element. element makes it possible model sections both step-variable smooth-variable thickness, as well other geometric features. problem buckling, inhomogeneous solved by combined algorithm that employs parameter continuation method, modified Newton–Kantorovich procedure automatic correction parameters. results calculations performed using are solutions obtained LIRA SCAD software packages.