Spherical inflatables under axisymmetric loads: another look*

Further results on the axisymmetric large-deflection and stability behaviour of spherical pneumatics subjected to a vertical concentrated load applied at the apex are presented. In particular, the effect of the extensibility on the membrane's behaviour is evaluated. For very high profiled structures, wrinkling at and next to the support is admitted, treating both the case in which a horizontal surface is present at the level of the supports as well as the “stove-pipe-like” support, in which the membrane deflects and wrinkles in a particular manner at the base above a certain load value. Finally, discontinuities in the load-deflection curves, resulting from insufficient accuracy in our earlier numerical work, are eliminated.