Impact experiments on shallow spherical shells

Experimental and theoretical results on the dynamic response of shallow spherical shells subjected to concentrated impact forces at the apex are presented in this work. Theoretical transient response results for half sine impact forces with several pulse durations have been obtained on the basis of improved shell theory which includes transverse shear and rotatory inertia effects. With a view to checking the acceptability of the analytical results, experiments were conducted on four shallow spherical shell models. For several pulse durations, covering short and long pulse ranges, the shells were subjected to axisymmetric and asymmetric impact loads at the apex. The applied force and the resulting deformations were recorded for each of the loadings. Experimental results agree quite well with analytical predictions, and they clearly illustrate the effect of pulse duration as well as other dynamical aspects. © 1975 Academic Press Inc. (London) Limited.