geodesic dome

A geodesic sphere is an arrangement of polygons that approximates a true sphere. A geodesic dome is a portion of a geodesic sphere. Buildings or roofs have been constructed out of geodesic domes that range from 5-100% of a sphere. Domes used for houses are usually arrays of triangles that form three-or five-eighths of a geodesic sphere.

By：Hanying Zhao

sketch for geodesic dome

By：Xiaohan Ding & Hanying  Zhao

working process

With our method decided,we began construction of the dome.a normal geodesic dome made of PVC may be the most cost-effective method of building a structurally solid yet transportable shelter,but it could be a big challenge for us, using timber is the best way to do

it,because it doesn't spend too much time and also achieve the same effect.

Firstly,we bought some materials and did some preparation for this project.

-using pen to do marks on the timber

-using saw to cut every clubs

- a simple testing for the project

- using electric drill to bore the clubs

Secondly, we would start doing

- connecting all of clubs

- Part 1 finish the structrue

Part 2  put the big cover on the surface,the purpose is testing it is waterproof or not.

－using nail to reinforces the whole construction

After texting,the result displayed  it was waterproof, success !!

By：Xiaohan Ding & Hanying Zhao & Kaichen Zhang

Video for geodesic dome

By：Kaichen Zhang

Details for geodesic dome

By：Hanying Zhao

Research for geodesic

The history of geodesic dome：

In 1919, seeking a way to build a larger planetarium, German engineer Walter Bauersfeld decided to mount movable projectors within a stationary dome. Until that time, planetarium domes rotated while external light entered through holes on the dome shell to simulate stars and planets. This limited the practical size of the dome and the number of people it could hold. Bauersfeld's concept of interior projection would work in a much larger dome. The first model constructed was more than half of a sphere; 52 ft (16 m) in diameter. Bauersfeld solved the problem of how to construct such a large sphere by approximating it with an icosahedron (20-sided solid with equal triangular faces) and subdividing each face into smaller triangles. He framed the triangles from nearly 3,500 thin iron rods. To construct a spherical shell over this framework, he erected a sphefical wooden form inside the frame and sprayed on a pasty concrete mixture. The shell was designed to be the same proportional thickness as that of an eggshell compared to its diameter, a ratio later considered appropriate for geodesic domes.

Building a geodesic dome.

The uses of geodesic dome：

Arenas

• As with movie theaters, the geodesic dome's efficient use of space makes it an excellent shape for venues that require the containment of large groups of people, such as arenas. Geodesic domes are used as arenas in several places in the world, including as the Nagoya Dome in Nagoya, Japan, which is 614 feet in diameter and can hold 40,500 people; the Tacoma Dome in Tacoma, Washington, which is 530 feet in diameter; and the Superior Dome in Marquette, Michigan, which is 536 feet in diameter.

Storage

• Domes can also contain substances instead of people. Many domes, such as the Formosa Plastics Storage Facility in Taiwan or the Lehigh Portland Cement Storage Facility in Maryland, house industrial products. Geodesic domes are also commonly used as silos to store grain.
• Theaters
• • Another advantage of the dome shape is the exceptionally large space it creates, volume that is perfect for venues that demand exceptional quantities of unbroken space, such as movie theaters. The Cinerama Dome in Hollywood, California, is a single-screen movie house constructed in the 1960s as a hemispheric dome. Built in less than half a year, the dome, located on Sunset Boulevard, is made of 316 concrete sections.

  Greenhouses

  • Although the sections used in the construction of geodesic domes are typically solid, the dome is strong enough to allow the panels to be made of glass as well. In several locations, domes have been transformed into greenhouses and solariums. The Growing Spaces company, listed in the Resources section, in fact sells prefabricated geodesic dome greenhouses. Each unit comes outfitted with temperature-activated vents, solar panels, water tanks and solar ventilation fans.

  The benefits of geodesic dome：

  Absolute Assurance of Strength

  Geodesic dome homes assure their occupants of absolute strength. This is owing to their robust structures that increase in strength as the sizes of the geodesic dome homes increase. This is strength is completely independent of structural supports. Contemporary residential homes on the other hand have structures that spread the stress load at right angles and not across the whole structure as in the case of geodesic dome homes. This in turn means that their strength is half that of geodesic dome homes. How about that for limited assurance!

  Easy To Put Up

  We are all aware of the many labor hours, complicated building techniques and provisions for contingencies that characterize the building of contemporary structures. These difficulties often put off many prospective owners of buildings. It does not have to be this way. Geodesic dome homes are easy to put up since their structures are light weight and come in shapes that make it easy for assembly.  As such, geodesic dome homes can be converted from permanent to temporary residential homes very easily. The wherewithal of putting up a geodesic dome are easy to transport to the site and also do not require a lot of manpower to assemble.

• Resilience In The Face Of Disaster

  There are certain places on earth that are prone to natural calamities such as earthquakes, tornados and fire. Construction of contemporary homes in such places is equivalent to flogging a dead horse. Residents of such places, especially those living close to the coast and close to river banks are better of settling for geodesic dome homes. This is because of their aerodynamics which allows them to withstand huge loads of pressure and their components which make them resistant to fire, water proof and anti rust.  Their ease of assembly also means that residents of such places can easily migrate without incurring substantially higher losses.

  Environmental Friendliness

  Gone are the days when we consumed earth resources with reckless abandon; not caring about the impact on future generations. We are scrutinizing our activities in terms of the environmental footprint they leave. One activity that has not escaped our foraging scrutiny is house building. Governments all over the world are spending billions of dollars into research efforts in a bid to come up with more energy efficient and sustainable homes. Sustainable dome homes have been around for quite some time bearing the quality of environmental friendliness. The components used in making geodesic dome homes are predominantly made from recyclable sources which reduce the amount of waste. Wood is not used in any way when making geodesic dome homes. Geodesic dome homes are also very energy efficient thanks to the insulating properties of its components.
  References：
• http://www.madehow.com/Volume-6/Geodesic-Dome.html#ixzz3kBCkPMPO
• http://www.ehow.com/list_6453448_geodesic-domes-used-for_.html
• http://www.sustainabledomes.com.au/flex/the-benefits-of-geodesic-dome-homes/13/1
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• By：Hanying Zhao & Xiaohan Ding