Stability Analysis of Arches, Rings and Shells

Abstract

Arches, rings and shells constitute a very important class of structures in themselves. An arch and a ring are usually considered to be the basic components of a more versatile shell structure. The classical stability analysis of these structures is cumbersome. In general they can be conveniently analysed by finite element method. For the cases where the structure axis follows the pressure curve, shear forces appear only at the stage of collapse and the solution can be obtained in a simple manner by using corresponding differential equations e. g. for a circular curve, this situation is realized for a uniform pressure normal to the axis i.e. radial pressure. The following analysis of a flat arch may serve as simple illustration.