| Abstract: | A large number of internal resonances, sensitivity to small imperfections and to a small external non-conservative action are characteristic for a number of elastic shells subjected to conservative forces. It is shown that, in combination, these three features result in dynamic instability of a system, that manifests itself in the existence of a solution of the explosive instability type when the deviation from the equilibrium state becomes infinitely large in a finite time. A simple method is proposed to calculate the ultimately allowable load by which one should be guided in designing structures containing thin shells. This load calculated by a linear model corresponds to the appearance of the first internal resonance in the system. The results are illustrated by well-known experimental facts. |
