Abstract
In this paper, the problem of dynamic thermoelastic stresses in a spherical shell with fixed boundaries whose inner surface is subjected to a step jump in temperature is considered. The analysis is carried out in the uncoupled framework under the classical Lord and Shulman and green and Lindsay formulations of thermoelasticity. Numerical solutions for the temperature and displacement equations are obtained using the finite difference method. Numerical results are presented graphically along with a comparison of the three models. In addition, special and limiting cases of the physical parameters are investigated and the application of this research to fuel vessels used in rocket engine testing are noted. Lastly a discussion concerning which of the three theories are the most physically acceptable is given, with the Lord and Shulman formulation emerging as the clear overall choice.