MONOLITHIC DOMES

CONTENT

CHAPTER 1

1.1 INTRODUCTION

CHAPTER 2

2.1 HISTORY

CHAPTER 3

3.1 OBJECTIVES
3.2CURRENT CONSTRUCTION METHODS

3.2.1CLIMATE CONTROL

3.2.2 STRESS ACTING ON DOMES

3.2.3 MATERIAL USED
CHAPTER 4 CONSTRUCTION OF MONOLITHIC DOMES

4.1 STEPS OF CONSTRUCTIONS

4.2 PROFILE AND SHAPES OF DOMES

CHAPTER 5

5.1 ADVANTAGES
5.2DISADVANTAGES

CHAPTER 6

CONCLUSION

REFERENCE

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ABSTRACT

Domes is a element of architecture that resembles a hollow upper half of a sphere. Domes
structure made of various materials have a long architectural lineage extending into
prehistory. It may be defined as a thin shell generated by the revolution of a regular curve
about one of its axis. The shape of the dome depends upon the type of the curve and the
direction of the axis of revolution.

When the segment of a regular curve revolves about its vertical diameter, a spherical dome is
obtained. Domes are used in variety of structures such as roof, circular areas, circular tanks,
exhibition halls, auditorium, bottom of tanks and bunkers.

With the introduction of monolithic dome structure find wide application in many branches
of technology. From the point of view of architecture, the development of dome structure
offers unexpected possibilities and opportunities for the combine realization of functional,
economic and aesthetic aspects. Energy efficiency of building design should be considered
and is high in monolithic domes. A monolithic dome is a structure casting in a one piece
form. The form may be permanent or temporary and may or may not be remains part of the
finished structure.

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CHAPTER 1

INTRODUCTION:

A monolithic dome (from Greek monoand -lithic, meaning "one stone") is athin wall
reinforced concrete shell structure. The structure provides safe shelter for the people in the
area with hurricanes and earthquakes.This article includes a list of references, but its sources
remain unclear because it has Learn more structure cast in a one-piece form. The form may
be permanent or temporary and may or may not remain part of the finished structure.
Monolithic domes are a form of monolithic architecture. Building consist of : an outer
airtight form polyurethane foam and reinforced concrete

This technique is an effective alternative to conventional methods. A curve rotated about a

central axis to form a surface, creates a Dome.

A Monolithic Dome is a structure cast in a one-piece form.

The construction of monolithic dome with proper earth sheltering will withstand bomb blast
more effectively .

Domes are designated as tornado shelters.

Today, monolithic domes are used in a variety of residential, commercial and industrial
projects. Because of the strength, durability and economics, they are used to store large
amounts of various commodities in the cement, fertilizer, agricultural, power and mining
industries. Due to their structural

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CHAPTER 2

2.1 HISTORY

The igloo may be the earliest form of monolithic dome. While it is constructed of blocks of
compressed snow, these blocks melt and re-freeze to form a strong, homogeneous structure.
The dome-like shape of the igloo exhibits the two major advantages of a dome-shaped
structure: great strength, and good insulation.

The strength is due to natural strength of the arch, and the insulation is due to the minimal
surface area of a spherical section.

The first modern monolithic dome structure was built in Provo, Utah and opened in 1963 as
an ice skating rink. Called Turtle Reams after its 1967 conversion into a general store by new
owner Paul Ream, the building stood until it was demolished in 2006 for new construction.

Turtle Reams was built by first creating a mound of dirt in the desired shape of the shell, an
ellipsoidal section 240 feet (73 m) long, 160 feet (49 m) wide and 40 feet (12 m) high. The
mound was then

covered in a grid of rebar, to provide strength, and a layer of concrete approximately 4 inches
(100 mm) thick. After the concrete was cured, the dirt was excavated through the doorways,
leaving the roof standing in its place. The floor was then poured to finish the structure.

Today, monolithic domes are used in a variety of residential, commercial and industrial
projects. Because of the strength, durability and economics, they are used to store large
amounts of various commodities in the cement, fertilizer, agricultural, power and mining
industries. Due to their structural

integrity, they are used as the containment buildings at some nuclear power plants. Forms
have been made using nearly every common structural material including air pressure
supported fabric.

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CHAPTER 3

3.1 OBJECTIVES

➢ To study the design of domes.

➢ To study about monolithic concrete domes.
➢ Discuss about the constructions and thermal performance of monolithic domes.
➢ Discuss about the advantages and disadvantages of monolithic domes.

3.2 CURRENT CONSTRUCTION METHOD:

constructed in April 1976 in Shelley, Idaho:

A reinforced concrete foundation, or "ring beam", is constructed, defining the shape of the
base of the structure. The fabric form, or air form, is attached to the foundation and inflated
with an air blower. The air form contains an airlock to allow workers to enter the form while
it is inflated. A layer of polyurethane foam is sprayed on the interior of the form. (Its
purposes are to give rigidity to the air form, secure the re-bar in place, provide support for
spraying in the

concrete mixture, and insulate the final structure.) Rebar is attached to the outside layer of
foam, using clips that are attached to the foam. Several inches of concrete are sprayed over
the re-bar frame. After the concrete has set, the blower is turned off. The exposed surface of
the air form may be left as is, or a surface treatment such as paint, tile, etc., may be applied.
(Proper selection of air form material will ensure prevention from long-term degradation due
to ultraviolet radiation.)

In instances where necessity requires economical construction for multiple small and basic
dwellings, the dome can be built without insulation and the air form can be removed after
completion and re-used to build additional domes.

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Durability

Several monolithic domes in Florida survived direct hits by Hurricane Katrina in 2005.by a
5,000 lb (2,300 kg). bomb. Apart from the hole made by the entry of the bomb, it remained
structurally sound.

Many monolithic domes were in the path of the 2005 and 2006 wildfires in Oklahoma and
Texas, and survived with only slight charring of the exterior foam insulation.

In 2003, a monolithic dome government building in Iraq survived a direct hit by a 5,000 lb
(2,300 kg). bomb. The interior of the structure was totally destroyed, but the dome itself
remained standing (see picture).

The demolition of Turtle Reams also demonstrated the durability of the monolithic dome
structure. A wrecking ball demolished a strip several feet wide around the perimeter of the
structure, without a collapse. When a doorway on one side was pulled down, the dome finally
tipped over, and collapsed.

3.2.1 CLIMATE CONTROL:

The monolithic dome, for a number of reasons, is very energy efficient. The spherical
sections of the dome offer minimal surface area for the volume they contain, so there is less
surface for heat transfer with the outside air. The one piece construction of the monolithic
dome also eliminates many of the seams through which air can leak, though this is mitigated
to some degree in residential domes by the addition of multiple doors and windows. By
placing the insulating foam on the outside of the concrete shell, the concrete acts as a
Thermal mass inside the building, reducing interior temperature fluctuations far more than the
traditional home's insulation inside of a brick or stone veneer.

3.2.2 STRESSES ACTING ON DOMES:

Generally, a spherical dome may be imagining consisting of a number of horizontal rings

placed one over the other. The diameters of the successive rings increase in the downward
direction and the equilibrium is maintained independently of the rings above it.The circle of
each ring is called latitude while the circle drawn through to two diametrically opposite
points on a horizontal diameter and the crown is known as meridian circle. The entair

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meridian circles coverage at the crown of the spherical dome. Two types of stresses acting on
the domes are

➢ Meridional thrust (T) along the direction of meridian

➢ Hoop stress along latitudes
The process for building dome enclosures has been refined and streamlined over the years.
There are two principle types of dome enclosures: monolithic domes, larger insulated homes
and buildings, and eco-shells, smaller domes developed especiallyfor hot weather climates,
disaster relief and redevelopment of substandard housing. Eco-shells represent the best option
for the low cost safe housing in areas where earthquakes, fires, floods and hurricanes are a
possibility. Although eco-shells are not insulated, their design maintains a cool, near constant
temperature. Eco-shells are ideal for areas with high summer and moderate winter
temperature. They are constructed using concrete and rebar and can be built in a short amount
of the time. Limited specialized tools are needed and the skills to build these unique
structures are learnt quickly. Each eco-shells airform can be used as many as one hundred
times.

3.3 MATERIAL USED:

Airform Kits – The air form kit was obtained from monolithic constructors, Italy. The kit
consisted of a 40ft diameter form along with reinforced steel anchors. It is ordered in the
shape of half sphere.

Polyurethane Foam– Sprayed on polyurethane foam insulation was of type using a part
process in which Diaphenylmethane-4, 4-di isocynate was mixed with blended polyol resin.

Reinforcing steel – Steel in the foundation and slab was 5/8 inch and grade 40 rebar. Dome
shell 13mm and 9.5mm grade 60 rebar was used.

Concrete – Foundation and slab a standard sack concrete foundation mix was used. Concrete
used in the dome shell was 9 sack per cubic yard mix.

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CHAPTER 4

CONTRUCTIONS OF MONOLITHIC DOMES:

Monolithic dome is a rounded building structure typically made of concrete and rigid steel
rods. It consist of an outer airtight form, polyurethane foam insulation and reinforced
concrete. The building process of monolithic domes entailed:-

1. Lay down the foundation of the dome, usually made of reinforced concrete.
2. An air form or fabric is inflated over the foundation.
3. Poly urethane foam is then added to the inside of the form.
4. Special clips are affixed to the foam interior, and rebar is installed. Finally concrete is
poured over the air form, rebar, and foam supporters and dome like shape emerges.

4.1 STEPS OF CONSTRUCTION:

1. Lay down the foundation of the dome, usually made of reinforced concrete.
2. An air form or fabric is inflated over the foundation.
3. Poly urethane foam is then added to the inside of the form.
4. Special clips are affixed to the foam interior, and rebar is installed. Finally concrete is
poured over the air form, rebar, and foam supporters and dome like shape emerges.

Step 1

1. Ring Beam Foundation

2. Monolithic Dome starts as a concrete ring foundation.
3. Continuous reinforcing bars are embedded in the ring beam foundation.
4. The ring creates a solid base to construct the dome.

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Step 2

1. Inflate Air form

2. Made of tough, weather -impermeable material.
3. The air form is inflated with dual inflator fans.
4. It determines the final shape of the dome.

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Step 3

1. Polyurethane foam
2. Foam is applied in the interior to stiffen the air form, and provide a secure surface to
which reinforcement bar is affixed.
3. It get hardens and creates a superior insulation layer.

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Step 4

1. Steel Reinforcing
2. Steel reinforcing rebar is attached to the foam using a specially engineered layout of hoop
and vertical steel bar.
3. Small domes need small diameter bars with wide spacing.
4. Large domes require larger bars with closer spacing.

Step 5

1. Shotcrete
2. It is a special spray mix of concrete, applied to the interior surface of the dome.
3. The steel rebar is embedded in the concrete and when about three inches of shotcrete is
applied.

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4.2 PROFILES AND SHPAPES OF MONOLITHIC DOMES:

The profile of a dome determines the size of its surface area or dome shell, and the amount of
surface area affects the construction cost. The surface area of hemisphere dome is twice that
of its floor area i.e., 2*pi*radius*radius. Most of the monolithic dome have an oblate ellipse
profile.

Shapes of Monolithic Dome

Low profile spherical segment

● Most efficient shape .

● Used for large domes.

Hemisphere

● Surface area is double the floor area.

● Useful for high-volume storage buildings and smaller structures ,such as homes.

High profile spherical segment

● Most volume for the least floor area.

● Used for water tanks, storage buildings, homes etc.

Oblate ellipsoid

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● Very efficient for single structures.

● Wall have maximum vertical slope vs. structure size.

Prolate ellipsoid (Long axis horizontal)

● Elliptical base creates a very unique space

Prolate ellipsoid (Long axis vertical)

● It is very tall.
● Useful for bulk storage and buried building.

Monolithic Dome Profiles

Dome Profiles

● Lower the profile the less expense.

● Windows and doors on the second floor can be augmented.
● If the land is a premium, go up with integrated stem wall

Multi-dome Combination

The caterpillar is great design . It can span 60 feet wide , 300-500 feet long. It is easy
to build and allow for linear functions.

CHAPTER 5

5.1 ADVANTAGES OF MONOLITHIC DOMES:

Advantages of a monolithic dome fall in to three general categories :

1. Economy

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2. Security
3. Aesthetics and comfort

1. Economy in construction

● Cost of a dome is less.

● Streamlined construction process and use of only four ingredients contribute to the domes
economy.
● Require less maintenance.

2. Security

● Ability to survive tornadoes, hurricanes and earthquakes.

● Provides fire protection .

3. Aesthetics and comfort

● Any structure appears bare and unattractive when its first built.
● But just as enhancement can soften and beautify straight lines and corners.

5.2 DISADVANTAGES OF MONOLITHIC DOMES:

Engineering

1. Only specially trained construction crews.

2. Using the modern techniques.
3. Wasted space in narrow corners.
4. Lack of seams.

Social

1. Different appearance of the domes decreases the appeal for their use as private residences
and the strange appearance and design may run afoul of neighborhood building
covenants.
2. Depending on the situation a large variety of variations available from the standard
circular shape can avoid some of these problems.
3. Building permits may be difficult to obtain if local officials are not familiar with the
monolithic dome.

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4. Resale of a monolithic dome home may be difficult because of its unconventional

appearance.

CHAPTER 6

CONCLUSION

● Monolithic Dome building technique is an effective alternative to conventional methods.

● Monolithic domes are disaster -resistant, energy efficient and cost effective.
● Safest buildings that can be built and can be designed for many uses.
● Monolithic domes are designated as tornado shelters.

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● Monolithic domes are used throughout the United States, Russia, and Indonesia.

REFERENCES:

Noel neighor, et.al 1997”An evaluation of the monolithic dome construction method for
biological containment structures”.

South D.B et.al 1990,”Economics and the thin shell dome”.

Department of architecture and planning, faculty of engineering, October 2008.

FCC monolithic dome facts, archived from the original on 2008-02-29.

Architectural dome facts, archived from the original.

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