Nonlinear stability of shells in uniform temperature fields

Critical loads of laterally loaded shallow shells are sensitive to temperature changes. The paper estimates this dependence. The analysis is carried out within the geometrically nonlinear range. The equilibrium equations are derived from the principle of virtual displacements. Material of the shell is isotropic, linearly elastic and its properties do not depend on temperature. Changes in mechanical and thermal fields proceed statically. The general algorithm allowing to construct the load-displacement nonlinear equilibrium path at given temperature is presented. This general procedure is applied to shells. The dependence of the critical load on the temperature change is found. The problem is solved numerically by FEM. An illustrative example is given.