Counter-Intuitive Behavior in Elastic-Plastic Spherical Shells and the Application to the Design of Containment Vessels

Counter-intuitive phenomenon has been reported in beams, plates and rings. In this paper, we present thorough investigation on the counter-intuitive breathing mode response of elastic-plastic spherical shells subjected to impulsive loading, which is due to the combined effects of the plastic energy dissipation and the kinematic hardening of the shell material. It is proposed that the application of the present discovery may achieve a proper design of explosion containment vessels. The present study may also help improve the understanding on the dynamic response of elastic-plastic spherical shells subjected to impulsive loading.