The design of a test rig for combined loading of circular plates and shallow shells

Abstract

This note describes a method for testing circular plates and shallow shells under combined in-plane and lateral-pressure loading. Some basic considerations and details of the design of a test rig are discussed and it is shown that the system used makes it possible to study yielding and post-yielding of circular plates and shallow shells. Typical test results for a shallow shell are shown. It is suggested that the design of the test rig and the test method should prove useful for experimental verification of theoretical predictions in engineering plasticity and stability.