This paper presents a finite element investigation into the behaviour of shallow spherical shells on a tensionless elastic foundation subject to a central point load. This problem tensionless elastic foundations, although a significant represents an idealization of shallow shell foundations of the number of existing studies have examined plates and beams inverted dome type for tower-shaped structures and other on tensionless foundations. The results to be described in similar situations. Since the foundation resists only this paper will lead to better understanding of this practically compression. separation occurs between the shell and the important problem and will also be useful for benchmarking foundation once loading is applied. Particular attention is results from other sources in the future. thus paid to the variation of contact zone size with applied load and foundation stiffness. It is found that for a given foundation stiffness, the size of the contact zone remains unchanged during loading according to the small deflection theory. However, if the effect of large deflections is taken into account: the contact zone expands as the load increases until full contact is eventually achieved. A chart for the determination of contact zone sizes based on the small deflection theory is presented, which provides useful information in a compact form for designers of shallow shells on tensionless foundations.

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