Geodesic Dome

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.

Geodesic Domes are Structures in Several Ways: The Triangle is a very stable shape; for example, a force applied to the corner of a rectangle can deform it into a parallelogram, but the same force will not deform a Triangle. This makes Geodesic Dome buildings highly resistant to such forces as snow coverings, earthquakes, wind, and even tornadoes.

The surface area of a Geodesic Dome is only 38%: The surface area of a Geodesic Dome is only 38% of the surface area of a box-shaped building enclosing the same floor space. There is less surface exposed to outdoor temperature fluctuations, making the building cheaper to heat and cool than a rectilinear structure. Geodesic Domes can be constructed quickly without heavy equipment. Using prefabricated components, it takes just a few people to erect the Dome for a 2,000-sq ft (185-sq m) home in 10 hours or less.

Interior Load Bearing Walls: A geometric Dome supports itself without needing internal columns or interior load-bearing walls. This property makes such structures appealing for use as churches, sports arenas, and exhibition halls.

Raw Materials: Most residential Dome kit manufacturers use wood components, primarily kiln-dried Douglas fir struts covered with 0.5-in (1.3-cm) exterior-or structural-grade plywood. Such Kits include various designs of connectors to securely fasten the wood struts together in the proper configuration; high-strength aluminum, or steel coated with zinc, epoxy, or industrial primer are commonly used for connectors. Zinc-plated steel bolts secure the connectors and paneling is nailed on.

Most Dome Kits are built atop concrete foundation slabs: These slabs are recessed into the ground to provide a basement level. Foundation walls and riser walls are usually made of concrete or wood. Interior insulation generally Building a Geodesic Dome consists of fiberglass batting or sprayed-on urethane, cellulose, or Icynene plastic foam.

Design: Although Dome homes are built from manufactured Kits, designs are flexible. As many as half of the Triangles in the Dome's lowest row can be removed without weakening the structure, so door and window openings can be plentiful. Vertical walled extensions can be built out from such openings to increase the floor space.

The Manufacturing Process: The Dome can sit directly on ground-level footings, or it can be erected atop a riser wall up to 8 ft (2.5 m) tall. The following is a composite of techniques used by several individuals using Kits from various manufacturers.

After clearing and leveling the home site: After clearing and leveling the home site, a trench is dug for the foundation footing, following detailed drawings supplied by the kit manufacturer. The base of the Dome is not circular; rather, it is outlined by five short walls alternating with five long walls. Forms are placed for the footings; many builders like to use permanent Styrofoam forms that need not be removed. Concrete is then poured in the footing forms.

A layer of Sand may be used to further level: A layer of Sand may be used to further level the surface and provide a base for the foundation slab. Reinforcing steel bars are tied together in a grid, and concrete is poured to form the foundation. Foundation walls are built atop the footings, up to approximately ground level. If desired, riser walls are installed atop the foundation walls and bolted to one another.

Floor joists are installed: By standing wooden 2x12 (1.5x1.5 in [3.8x29.2]) boards 16 in (40 cm) apart above the foundation. The joists are nailed to a perimeter wooden frame and a wooden crossbeam. Three-quarter-inch (1.9-cm) thick plywood sheets are laid across the joists and nailed in place.

Finishing: Windows, skylights, and exterior doors are installed. The roof is covered with rubber sheeting, and conventional roofing material (such as shingles or tiles) is applied. Conventional siding material is applied to the exterior of the riser walls. Insulation is placed between the struts and studs inside the Dome and extension walls.

Walls are framed to divide the Interior into Rooms: Conventional drywall sheets are cut according to patterns included in the kit, and they are nailed to the interior walls and the inside surfaces of the Dome and riser walls. Because of the many angles between triangular sections of the Dome, amateur builders often hire a professional to tape the drywall joints.

Quality Control: A quality Geodesic Dome structure is airtight and structurally sound. These are the factors that lower energy costs, the main consideration when building a Geodesic home. Because the structure is basically airtight, condensation can sometimes be a problem. It is controlled by the heating and cooling system but when the house has been closed up for a few days, moisture can build up. This is easily solved by turning the air system on or opening a door or window.

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