Finite amplitude spherically symmetric wave propagation in a prestressed hyperelastic shell

Spherically symmetric finite amplitude wave propagation in a prestressed compressible hyperelastic spherical shell is considered. The prestress results from quasi-static application of internal pressure and a numerical solution for this elastostatic problem is obtained first. Dynamic change of the internal pressure results in the propagation of a spherically symmetric wave. A Godunov type finite difference scheme is proposed for the solution of the wave propagation problem and numerical results, which are valid until the first reflection, are presented for a particular isotropic strain energy function acid for the special cases of sudden removal and sudden increase of the internal pressure. (C) 1999 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.