Non-linear theory of curved elastic sheets

The theory developed in this paper is an outgrowth of a research project carried out by the College of Engineering of New York University, under a contract with the War Production Board. The investigation, which was largely experimental in character, was concerned with the feasibility of constructing buildings circular in form with a thin steel roof supported by excess air pressure on the inside of the building. The design problems which arose led to the theory presented here. In this case the sheets considered were so thin that there was no doubt about the validity of neglecting bending stresses.