Nonaxisymmetric Modes of Vibration of Thin Spherical Shells

Abstract

Discussions of modes of vibration of thin spherical shells usually are restricted to axisymmetric vibrations. While nonaxisymmetric modes do exist, they are degenerate, that is, the frequencies are identical to the frequencies of the axisymmetric modes. This is shown to be a consequence of the spherical symmetry of the shell. The modes can be divided into three classes; for large mode numbers these classes correspond to extensional, shear, and flexural vibrations.