GEODESIC FORMS
GEODESIC DOMES
B.ARCH, 3RD YEAR ,5TH SEMESTER
AR 3502 BUILDING CONSTRUCTION AND TECHNOLOGY - V
INTRODUCTION
• A geodesic, the shortest distance between any two points
on a sphere, is an arc of the great circle through the two
points.
• A geodesic dome is a sphere-like structure composed of a
complex network of triangles. The triangles create a self-
bracing framework that gives structural strength while using
a minimum of material.
• It being a collection of triangles which, by staying in state of
tension, together forms in the space a hypothetical sphere.
• The more complex the network of triangles, the more
spherical the geodesic dome and the higher the class
number.
• The structure becomes more and more sphere like as the
number of the diverse sizes of the struts increases.
• Geodesic domes are the only man-made structure that
gets proportionally stronger as it increases in size.
• The first dome was designed after World War- I by Walther
Bauersfeld.
FEATURES OF A GEODESIC DOMES
• A geometric dome supports itself without needing internal columns or
interior load-bearing walls.
• The design allows massive interior space, free from columns or other
supports.
• The geodesic shape is extremely strong for its weight. 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.
• The surface has a stable structure. The sphere encloses the greatest Compression at the joints is balanced by
volume for the least surface area. tension in the sides.
TYPES
• There are several dome classes that are referred to as 1V, 2V, 3V etc.
• A 1V dome has fewer triangles, uses only one size triangle in its simple pattern, and less closely
approximates a hemisphere.
• 2V geodesic dome is comprised of only two different sized triangles.
• 3V dome is comprised of three triangle sizes.
Different types of lattice domes
• 4V dome is made of 4
triangle sizes. 6V dome
has many triangles of
multiple sizes that are
arranged in a complex
pattern to create a
more smooth and
spherical shape.
• Higher class domes offer
greater structural
stability and are ideal for A lattice regular geometrical arrangement of point or
larger dome frames. objects over an area or in space.
PROFILES
LEVELING THE BASE OF A DOME
MATERIALS USED IN CONSTRUCTION
MUD AND WOOD
CONCRETE
GLASS AND STEEL
STONE
CONSTRUCTION DETAILS
METAL
WOOD
CONSTRUCTION DETAILS
BAMBOO JOINERY DETAIL
PVC JOINERY DETAIL
APPLICATIONS
UNION TANK CAR DOME AUROVILLE MATRI MANDIR
DISNEY’S EPCOT CENTRE FUKUOKA JAPAN
RESIDENCES
GREENHOUSE -CASE STUDY
• Project type: Greenhouse – geodesic
dome
• Location: Lithuania
• Cover: Transparent
• Frame: STAR connectors and Fibro
frame
• Type: Geodesic dome
• Diameter: 5 m
• Height: 2,5 m
• Floor area: 20 m2
JOINERY DETAIL
• Step 1- Frame construction : Stainless
steel star connectors
• Step 2- Fiberglass Fiber panel on
frame structure and transparent
coating – A transparent, reinforced
PVC tarpaulin.
JOINTS FROM OUTER SIDE JOINTS FROM INNER SIDE
ADVANTAGES & DISADVANTAGES OF GEODESIC DOMES
Advantages Disadvantages
1. Minimum amount of materials are required for 1. Doors and Windows-either make or special order
the construction of geodesic domes when has to be given.
compared to ordinary domes.
2. It is difficult to permanently seal the geodesic
2. Elliptical geodesic domes have the advantage domes as there are many seams.
that they can cover elongated or irregular shaped
3. Also, heat of the sun causes flexure of the
spaces that vary in elevation.
geodesic dome material.
3. They are lightweight, strong and require no
interior supports.
4. They are structurally simple and once a module
is prepared, it can be duplicated many times for
assembling into a specified plan.
5. Transportation is easy because of their light
weight.
6. Highly Acoustic: Sound flows naturally in a
sphere.
7. Higher R-Value : Thermal Resistance is a high
gain.
THANK YOU….
