Adhesion- and friction-induced suppression of buckling in thin spherical shells in contact with a rigid wall

Abstract

Understanding the contact mechanics of thin elastic shells is essential for a wide range of applications, from structural systems to soft robotics. This study focuses on how interfacial adhesion and friction influence the mechanical response of spherical shells in contact with a rigid plane, with particular attention to the suppression of buckling instabilities (or more precisely, snap-back instabilities, or snap-buckling). A comprehensive mapping of the transition between buckling and non-buckling regimes is carried out using the Finite Element Method. Numerical results are further validated through experiments, which demonstrate that for thin shells in contact with smooth surfaces – where interfacial adhesion and friction are high – buckling can be entirely suppressed, resulting in a more stable contact configuration.