Thermal stresses around circular holes in spherical shells

The thermal stress problem of a circular hole in a spherical shell of uniform thickness is solved by using a continuum approach. The influence of the hole is assumed to be confined to a small region around the opening. The thermal stress problem is converted as usual to an equivalent boundary value problem with forces specified around the cutout. The stresses and displacement are obtained for a linear variation of temperature across the thickness of the shell and presented in graphical form for ready use.