Finite Element In-Depth Verification: Base Displacements of a Spherical Dome Loaded by Edge Forces and Moments

Round 1

Reviewer 1 Report

Comments and Suggestions for Authors

In this paper a finite element study for the evaluation of a spherical dome is presented and the results are compared with analytical theory.

The conclusions are well supported by the presented results.

The paper is clearly written and it contributes to increase the computational tools for assessing the response of spherical dome, as a numerical application.

It is indeed well in line with the journal aims and scope and deserves publication. 

However, there are some issues that should be addressed prior to publication for sake of clarity, listed below:

 -        Fig. 2 – the global coordinate system has to be represented and specified for the correct understanding of the equations that follows: does the angle φ increase in a clock-wise way?

-        Eq. 8.1-8.2-9.1-9.2 it is not clear the difference. Do they refer to different loading conditions? φ= φ_o is the base or the top of the dome? Please specify.

-        Line 154: how can a force be equaled to a moment Ho=Mo? Something is wrong.

-        Line 211-214: this part is obsolete and obvious for the finite element modeling. The Reviewer suggests to remove this part.

-        Line 245: the Y axis is not defined in Fig. 7.

-        Fig. 11: it is not clear and a legend is missing.

Author Response

Firstly, the authors would like to thank the Reviewer for the fruitful comments. Furthermore, all the questions have been answered in the attached file and all the changes are highlighted in the body text.

Author Response File: Author Response.pdf

Reviewer 2 Report

Comments and Suggestions for Authors

THis paper presents a verification of the axisymmetric loading by edge forces/moments of a spherical dome. Two formulations of analytical solutions are derived and compared with the results of finite element method. Four ratios of radius of curvature and shell thickness are examined.

Some comments:

1. Differences between the numerical and analytical results are detected for r/t = 30.  More analysis should focus on the transition region. 

2. Four cases may not be sufficient.

3. It will be better to include error quantification.

Author Response

Firstly, the authors would like to thank the Reviewer for the fruitful comments. Furthermore, all the questions have been answered in the attached file and all the changes are highlighted in the body text.

Author Response File: Author Response.pdf

Reviewer 3 Report

Comments and Suggestions for Authors

Finite element in-depth verification: Base displacements of a spherical dome loaded by edge forces and moments

Vasiliki G. Terzi ,Triantafyllos Makarios

In the paper, the authors propose the  verification of a basic problem, referring to the axisymmetric loading by edge forces/moments of a spherical dome, truncated at various roll-down  angles.

The topic addressed in this investigation is important, worthy investigation, and lies within the scope of this prestigious journal.

The reviewer’s remark

1)     The authors' contribution to the field should be pointed in the Introduction section. What's new?

2)     The reviewer propose to correct the formulas, i.e.  “d” in derivatives is not variable and it should not be italic. The same denotes to trigonometric functions.  

3)     Some data is missing for calculations. Data for calculations should be presented in a way that can be reproduced by other researchers - in application to other methods or experiments. I suggest that the data for calculations be presented in a table.

Author Response

Firstly, the authors would like to thank the Reviewer for the fruitful comments. Furthermore, all the questions have been answered in the attached file and all the changes are highlighted in the body text.

Author Response File: Author Response.pdf