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M. K. HURD
ut 6-inch-thick triangles of extruded polystyrene foam, assemble a geodesic dome, and encase it with reinforced concrete. This method of homebuilding requires no heavy equipment, uses locally fabricated materials, and delivers a strong, ene rg y-efficient dwelling suitable for many climate zones. Shell costs are moderate for the space enclosed.
crete dome are arranged in hexagons and pentagons to approximate a spherical surface. Take a close look at a soccer ball and youll see the same pattern. Dome designs are available in 32and 40-foot base diameters. Each dome is about three-eighths of a complete sphere. The aerodynamic
shape helps it resist strong winds, and snow tends to form its own arch over the dome structure. The dome is designed for a safe snow load of 50 pounds per square foot and for a wind velocity of 120 mph. The shell of concrete and polystyrene has an R value of 27. This insulating capability can readily be in-
Five rectangular base panels are first erected on the slab foundation. Then preassembled pentagons are mounted on top of them and braced and shored to the slab.
sign. Dowels embedded in the edge beam project 1 foot into the dome shell to tie it to the foundation. The center of the slab must be clearly marked as a reference point for polystyrene panel erection. The dome designer recommends using a polyethylene film membrane under the slab as a vapor barrier.
Welded wire fabric in two layers is placed over the polystyrene panels to reinforce the geodesic dome. A hoop of reinforcing bars circles the dome (at level of workers foot) to reinforce a ring beam.
Foundation requirements
A 32-foot-diameter dome weighs about 25 tons. That weight usually can be carried by an edge beam 12 inches wide and 110 feet in perimeter, resulting in soil pressure less than 500 pounds per square foot. Local soil conditions should always be investigated to be sure the soil is
stable, with adequate bearing capacity. Where the soil is subject to f re ezing, the footing must be placed below the frost line, with perimeter insulation to reduce heat loss through the foundation. The 4-inch slab on grade with its edge beam can be laid out as a 10sided polygon. The slab is thickened to 12 inches at the location of any load-bearing interior partitions called for by the architectural de-
Then the preassembled pentagons are set on top of the base panels and joined with clamping plates and interior wood ribs. Next the half hexagons are clamped into place, and assembly proceeds with more panels until the dome is complete. A continuing check measurement from panels to the center point of the base slab maintains the geometrical accuracy of the dome. Any joints not filled during the preassembly must be filled with urethane as the erection goes on. Internal struts and shores are added to support the dome and workers on it when they place reinforcing steel and concrete. Why are the polystyrene panels all square cut and erected this way even though they join at an angle? The polystyrene is not dimensionally stable enough to be glued accurately. It expands slightly as panels are cut from the manufactured billets. Also there are nine different angles, which would make panels difficult to shape. The polyurethane foam is like mortar between bricks; it allows for any imperfect cuts and surfaces. When the polystyrene is fully assembled and braced, it should be temporarily anchored with tie wires to prevent uplift by wind.
SLAB ON GRADE WITH EDGE BEAM 3000-psi concrete, cubic yards Wire mesh, 6x6W10xW10, square feet Rebar for edge beam, pounds 6-mil vapor barrier, square feet DOME INCLUDING ARCHES (FIVE OPENINGS) Extruding polystyrene (density 1 pound per cubic foot), board feet Galvanized wire mesh, 6x610Wx10W, square feet Hoop rebar, #4, Grade 40, pounds 3000-psi concrete, cubic yards Lumber, 2x4 framing grade, board feet Urethane foam, two-component, gallons Latex rubber cement, gallons Galvanized 14-guage steel for clamp plates, square feet Galvanized 1/4 -inch threaded rod, feet 1/4 -inch galvanized nuts, each 1/4 -inch galvanized washers, each
The builder has a choice of three ways to apply the concrete: s Troweling by hand s Shotcreting, either wet- or drymix s Laminating with a plaster gun For the owner-builder who trowels the mix on by hand in small quantities, a stiff mix using one part cement, two parts sand, and three parts pea gravel (by volume) is suggested. You place the concrete in 8inch layers, working up from the base of the dome. By the time you have made a full circle around the dome the first layer has begun to set enough to support the next layer. As you go higher and the slope of the polystyrene is less steep, depth of the layers can be increased. Built with shotcrete, the dome requires a 3000-psi mix. Or, using a plaster gun, a stucco mix of sand and cement can be applied in several layers, each 38 to l2 inch thick. Whatever method of application is
for erection of the dome, or the ribs can be removed to permit continuous application of plaster. Gypsum board can be installed over wood furring strips if preferred. Interior partitions are of conventional wood framing. Typically a loft or second floor is placed in the center of the dome where 8 to 10 feet of headroom is available.
dome is 1,300 square feet, with 500 square feet more on the upper floor. The 32-foot diameter dome has 850 square feet on the main level plus 300 square feet in the second floor loft. Both are designed with two bathrooms. Standard plans and step-by-step construction procedures are available from the designer for 32- and 40-foot domes. Larger diameter, high-profile geodesic domes up to 50 feet in diameter are available as custom designs.
PUBLICATION #C881018
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