Axisymmetric shells and plates on tensionless elastic foundations (Q1302504)

This paper first describes a finite element method for the large deflection analysis of axisymmetric shells and plates on a nonlinear tensionless elastic foundation. Through the use of discrete data points, any form of nonlinear elastic foundation behaviour can be easily modelled. The analysis is then validated by comparison with existing results for circular plates and beams as the only existing results for shells on tensionless foundations are found to be in error. Following this verification, the analysis is applied to investigate the behaviour of shallow spherical shells subject to a central concentrated load on tensionless linear elastic foundations.