On the Contact Problems of Inflated Cylindrical Membranes With a Life Raft as an Example

Abstract

The class of contact problems involving inflated cylindrical membranes is studied. It is shown that the governing equations can be reduced to quadratures provided that the contact stress is normal to the membrane. As an example, the problem of a loaded life raft is analyzed in detail. It is found that the load on the life raft is a maximum when the life raft is just completely submerged in the water. Moreover, for loads less than the maximum load, there exist two equilibrium states, one floating and one submerged. The floating state, however, is the state of least energy.