Abstract: Assuming the deformation of the shell has an axial symmetrical form, we transform Marguerre’s equations[1] into difference equations, and use these equations to discuss the buckling of an elastic thin shallow spherical shell subjected to impact loads.The result shows when impact load acts on the shells, a jump of the shell takes place dependent on the values λ and the critical buckling load increases with the enlargement of the loading area.

Key words: shell, buckling, impact