Mechanics and Mechanical Engineering Vol. 20, No. 2 (2016) 185–190 c ⃝ Lodz University of Technology Comparision of Numerical Results with Known Solutions of Buckling Problem of Pressured Shallow Spherical Shells Olga Lykhachova Department of Structural Mechanics and Strength of Materials Prydniprovs’ka State Academy of Civil Engineering and Architecture Chernyshevskogo 24a, 49600 Dnipropetrovs’k, Ukraine lykhachova.olga@gmail.com Zbigniew Ko lakowski Department of Strength of Materials Lodz University of Technology Stefanowskiego 1/15, 90–924  L´od´z, Poland Zbigniew.Kolakowski@p.lodz.pl Received (10 March 2016) Revised (20 March 2016) Accepted (10 April 2016) Buckling problem of pressured shallow spherical shells is studied numerically for two types of finite elements: axisymmetric and non–axisymmetric. A very good correspon- dence of obtained results and known solutions is revealed in the case of clamed and hinged spherical segments for both types of finite elements. The comparison of results also shows that using non–axisymmetric finite element lets one get full pre– and post– buckling equilibrium path in the range of relative deflections w/h. Keywords : buckling, spherical shells, external pressure, numerical simulation, axisym- metric and non-axisymmetric finite elements. 1. Introduction The most effective bearing elements used in many fields of technology are thin– walled spatial structures, in particular, thin–walled shells. The ability to cover large spans without intermediate supports, strength at relative lightweight, architectural expressiveness cause a wide application of shells in the practice of both industrial and civil constructions. The comparison of different shapes of shells shows a certain tendency towards design of ever more shallow shells. From the viewpoint of material saving and uniform distribution of stresses, the most favorable shape of shells is spherical one. The buckling of real spherical shells under external pressure is a very difficult process that can appear in axisymmetric or non–axisymmetric deformations. For-