Abstract:

Instability of asymmetric deformations of an incompressible thermo-hyperelastic spherical shell, subjected to internal pressure, is examined within the framework of finite elasticity. When the inflation pressure is small, the thin-walled shell undergoes a symmetric inflation. But when the inflation pressure is larger than a certain critical value, the thin-walled shell undergoes an asymmetric deformation. One part becomes highly distended while the rest remains lightly inflated and the shell takes up an aspherical shape. But the thick-walled shell always undergoes a symmetric inflation even if the pressure reaches a very high value. A critical thickness for the shell to take an instability deformation is given based on the change regulation of the deformation curves along with its slope. Furthermore, the effect of temperature on the deformation is discussed.

Key words: asymmetric deformation, critical thickness

incompressible thermo-hyperelastic material