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Masonry Dome in the form of an Ellipsoid

Conference Paper · February 2012

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Masonry Dome in the Form of an Ellipsoid

DESHPANDE Avinash, JAGADISH K. S., MANJUNATH, S.

Rashtreeya Vidyalaya College of Engineering, Bangalore, India
avin.deshpande@gmail.com, ksjagadish@gmail.com, manjuamalkar@yahoo.com

Abstract. It is a well known fact that spherical domes of masonry can be constructed without
the use of formwork. The technique involves using a rod or a thread from the centre of the
sphere to describe the spherical surface where the length of the rod is equal to the radius of
the sphere. This concept is mainly useful to cover rooms, which are either circular or square
in plan. However, if a room is rectangular in plan, this concept cannot be used. When a room
is rectangular, the ideal shape of a dome in plan will be an ellipse with major and minor axis
being equal to sides of a rectangle. It is also well known that any ellipse can be drawn using a
thread of constant length but fixed from two points known as pins and string method. The
locus of points describing the ellipse will be obtained when a point on the thread is moved
along the ellipse. A masonry dome with major axis of 4m and minor axis of 3 m length and a
height of 1.5 m was constructed using table moulded bricks with 1:4 proportion cement
mortar. The ellipsoidal dome constructed proved to be economical as compared to reinforced
concrete slab of same dimension.

1. Introduction

The structures built by our ancestors in masonry have been standing in good condition for
centuries, where as structures built recently using modern material like steel and reinforced or
pre-stressed concrete are failing to serve beyond a period of fifty to hundred years. The
durability of masonry is unrivalled. Masonry when constructed in shell form is a unique
combination of durability and spanning capacity. It is a well-known fact that nature has
maximized the capacity in shell structure to span over larger area with minimum thickness.
The shell of egg is an impressive example of shell structure [1]. The conventional roofing
consists of reinforced concrete slab, the cost of which is around 2 percent of the total cost of
the building. The brick masonry shell, in particular the dome has proved to be more

Energy Efficient Design of Buildings and Cities, DCRUSTM and HSOWL, 2012 41
©C. Kabre, U. Pottgiesser and J. P. Sharma (eds)
 A. DESHPANDE, K. S. JAGADISH, S. MANJUNATH

economical than the conventional reinforced concrete slabs for spans up to 5 m. This is
mainly due to ease of construction, reduction in cost of formwork and the use of locally
available materials and labour. The use of dome can be mainly attributed to their unique
structural behaviour and for aesthetics. Dome structure provides strength, stiffness and
stability. They are capable of supporting the self weight and applied loads without excessive
deflection and unstable displacements. Masonry domes are more durable than reinforced
concrete slabs [2].
It is well known that spherical domes of masonry can be constructed without use of
formwork. Many spherical domes of brick have been constructed in recent times for spans
going up to 10 m using this technique [3]. Many biogas plants are also constructed by the
same technique. The technique involves using a rod or a thread from the centre of the sphere
to describe the spherical surface. If a room is rectangular this concept cannot be used. When a
room is rectangular the ideal shape of a dome in plan will be an ellipse with major and minor
axis being equal to sides of rectangle. It is also well known that any ellipse can be drawn
using a thread of constant length but from two fixed points known as foci. The locus of points
describing the ellipse will be obtained when a point on the thread is moved along the ellipse.
This is similar to the description of a sphere by a rod & it is proposed to use this concept to
demonstrate the construction of an ellipsoidal dome.

2. General equation of prolate spheroid

The ellipsoidal masonry dome constructed in this study is a prolate spheroid. The plan of the
prolate spheroid and any vertical section parallel to major axis is elliptical while any vertical
section parallel to the minor axis is semicircular (Figure 1).

Fig.1.Sectional views and coordinate axes in a prolate spheroid

The general equation of ellipsoid is given by [4]

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 MASONRY DOME IN THE FORM OF AN ELLIPSOID

x2 y2 z2
+ 2 + 2 =1 (1)
a2 b c

For a prolate spheroid (where b=c) the equation can be written as,
x2 y2 z2
+ + =1 (2)
a2 b2 b2

Where a, b and c are the dimensions of spheroid in x, y and z directions respectively (refer
Figure 1).

3. Experimental program

The experimental program consists of firstly laying the Plain Cement Concrete (PCC) for the
bed concrete (bed concrete of proportion 1:4:8 and of depth 10 cm with plan area 45 cm x 45
cm was laid) onto which the brick masonry pillars (each of size 0.23 m width x 0.23 m length
x 0.75 m height) were constructed [5]. The beams were precast (reinforced concrete) in the
laboratory. The precast beams were then placed onto the pillars in the form of an ellipse in
plan. The concrete was filled in between the space left between the two adjacent beams so as
to form the required ellipse shaped base ring beam for the construction of actual ellipsoidal
dome. Two foci points were located in the ellipse at distances shown in Figure 2a. Tie rods
were then tied to precast beams parallel to the minor axis of ellipse to avoid the maximum
horizontal thrust that will be developed in the ellipsoidal dome. At the two points of foci
similar brick pillars were erected (refer Figure 2a). Ring or hook shaped arrangement was
made onto the two foci pillars. A thread of length equal to the length of the major axis was
taken. The two ends of the thread were tied to the two hooks of foci pillars. Tie rods were
then tied to precast beams parallel to the minor axis of ellipse. Brick masonry dome with
cement mortar of proportion 1:4 was constructed with the help of thread tied to two foci
points which describes the full surface of ellipsoidal dome (Figure 2b).

Fig.2a.Details of an ellipse Fig.2b.Placing of brick by the help

of thread tied to two foci points

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 A. DESHPANDE, K. S. JAGADISH, S. MANJUNATH

Fig.2c.Steel hook with counter weight for the support of brick.

Fig.2d.Side view of ellipsoidal dome along major axis (elliptical section).

Fig.2e.Side view of ellipsoidal dome along minor axis (semi-circular section).

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 MASONRY DOME IN THE FORM OF AN ELLIPSOID

The following points were of importance during construction:

• In this method each course or ring of brick was laid in cement mortar of proportion
1:4.
• The bricks had to be temporarily supported (Figure 2c) until the entire ring was
completed [6].
• To facilitate this, the bricks before completion of the ring were supported by S-
shaped G.I. wire hooks. One end of the hook was fixed to the brick while the other
end was loaded by suspending a counter weight (Figure 2c).
• The hooks were removed after every course and further reused for laying the next
course.
• The level of each course was checked with the help of level tube and a level pipe.
This procedure was continued till the completion of the dome. Each day not more
than 3 courses were constructed.
• Ellipsoidal masonry dome (unreinforced) was constructed as a prolate spheroid.
The plan of the prolate spheroid and any vertical section parallel to the major axis
is elliptical (Figure 2d) while any vertical section parallel to the minor axis is
semicircular (Figure 2e). The dome was constructed without any formwork. The
dome has major axis length as 4 m, minor axis length as 3 m and a height of 1.5 m.
Cement mortar with proportion of 1:4 (cement: sand) was used in the construction
of the dome.

4. Calculations

Some important calculations like finding the distance of foci of an ellipse, curved length
between two pillars and design of tie rods are discussed below.

4.1. Foci of an ellipse

Foci of an ellipse can be simply calculated by using Pythagoras theorem, provided knowing
the length of major axis and length of minor axis of ellipse (i.e room dimensions are known).
The length of major axis will be equal to the length of the line joining the foci points to any
point on the ellipse (Figure 3).
Now from Figure 3, X2 = 22 – 1.52
»X = 1.3228 m
WKT, X+Y =2m
»Y = 2 − 1.3228 = 0.6772 m

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 A. DESHPANDE, K. S. JAGADISH, S. MANJUNATH

Fig.3.Pythagoras theorem to find the distance of foci

4.2. Curved length between two pillars

a2 +b2
Perimeter (P) =2.π.�
2
22 +1.52
= 2.𝜋𝜋.�
2
= 11.1072 m.
11.1072
»curved length between two pillars = = 0.9256 m.
12

4.3. Design of tie rods

Tie rods are designed for the maximum horizontal thrust 2.568 kN acting on the precast
beams [7] as given below, i.e, at minor axis of ellipsoidal dome. Therefore tie rods are
connected to precast beams in the direction parallel to minor axis of ellipsoid. 6 mm dia G.I.
wires at 1000 mm c/c are used.
4.W.R
» Horizontal thrust = = 2.568 kN.
3.π

5. Cost comparative analysis

The cost of construction of ellipsoidal masonry dome was compared with normally used R.C
rectangular slab, keeping the dimensions of rectangular slab same as the dimensions of major
and minor axis of ellipsoidal dome i.e., the length of the major axis as longer span of slab (4
m) and length of the minor axis as shorter span of slab (3 m).

5.1. Estimation of the cost for reinforced concrete slab

The reinforced concrete slab was designed as two-way slab and the following quantities were
estimated for the slab:

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 MASONRY DOME IN THE FORM OF AN ELLIPSOID

Total quantity of Concrete in cu.m = 1.8 cu.m.

Total quantity of steel bars used ≈ 80 Kg.
The abstract of estimated cost of reinforced slab of 3 m width and 4 m length (Table 1).

Table 1. Abstract of estimated cost of reinforced concrete slab of 3m×4m(b×l) .

Particulars of items of Rate Per Amount

Item
work/ labour/ Quantity
No. INR INR
contingencies

Reinforced cement
concrete work 1:2:4
excluding steel and its 1.80
1 3000.00 cu.m 5400.00
bending but including cu.m.
centering, shuttering and
binding of steel
Steel bars including
0.80
2 bending in Reinforced 4000.00 Quintal 3200.00
quintal
cement concrete work
5 % of total of above
items for contingencies
3 - - - 430.00
and for work charged
establishments
Person/
4 Labour cost 3 400.00 1200.00
day
Grand Total 10230.00

5.2. Estimated cost of ellipsoidal dome constructed

The estimated cost here for labour is more than that as compared to reinforced concrete slab.
The cost of ellipsoidal dome constructed here requires skilled labour for its construction. The
abstract of estimated cost of ellipsoidal dome constructed is given in Table. 2.
Reduction in cost of ellipsoidal masonry dome as compared to reinforced concrete slab =
10230.00 − 6273.20= 3956.80 INR
6273.2
Reduction in cost percentage = 100 − ( 𝑥𝑥100) = 39.66%≈ 40% The cost
10230
comparative analysis shows that the cost of ellipsoidal masonry dome constructed comes to
around 6270 Rs, which is less than as required for a reinforced concrete slab for the same
dimension of a room. About 40 percent of the cost is reduced.

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 A. DESHPANDE, K. S. JAGADISH, S. MANJUNATH

Table 2.Abstract of estimated cost of ellipsoidal dome constructed.

Item Particulars of items of work/ Rate Amount

Quantity Per
No. labour/contingencies INR INR
Single brick thick masonry 1st
1 17.368 sq.m 200.00 sq. m. 3473.60
class in 1:4 cement mortar
Steel hooks for support for
2 2 kg 60.00 Kg 120.00
masonry work
5 % of above items for
3 contingencies and for work - - - 182.60
charged establishments
4 Labour cost 5 500.00 Person/day 2500.00
Grand Total 6273.20

6. Advantages of construction

The structure has many advantages as compared to other types of roofs which are given
below [8]:
• These are economical compared to reinforced cement concrete sections.
• There is no need of formwork as compared to reinforced concrete slab.
• The amount of steel required is also very negligible.
• The construction is simpler as there is no reinforcement.
• Locally available materials are used for the construction.
• There is better thermal insulation.
• There is an improved aesthetic appearance.

7. Conclusion

These types of constructions can be effectively used for both single storied as well as multi
storied houses besides offices or for any other works such as biogas plants, storage units in
industries etc. If a structure has predominantly compressive stresses, masonry is indeed
advantageous. This type of construction can be effectively used in areas of heavy rainfall and
intense summer. The structure proved to be economical and also acts as an environmental
friendly structure since the consumption of cement quantity is less as compared to RC slabs.

48
 MASONRY DOME IN THE FORM OF AN ELLIPSOID

8. Acknowledgements

I express my deep sense of gratitude to my respected guides Dr. K. S. Jagadish, Professor,

Department of Civil Engineering R.V.C.E and Mr. Manjunath S. Asst. Professor, Department
of Civil Engineering R.V.C.E for their invaluable advice. I also thank Karnataka State
Council for Science & Technology (KSCST) for providing the funds for the project work.
Finally, I would like to express my heartfelt gratitude to all my friends especially Sankh
Akshay C. & all staff members of Department of Civil Engineering R.V.C.E for their help
during the course of the work.

References

1. Varma, M. N., Jangid, R. S. & Achwal, V. G. (2006). Tension Ring in masonry domes.
International conference on Structural Analysis of Historical Constructions, December, New
Delhi, vol. 2, 1187-1193.
2. S., Raghunath & P. Prasanna Kumar (1994). Experimental investigations on brick masonry domes,
Dept of Civil Engineering. B. M. S. C. E. Bangalore.
3. Jagadish, K. S. & Modi, P. (2010). Domes and Vaults of South India, Indian National Academy of
Engineering.
4. Heyman, J. (1967). On shell solutions for masonry domes. International Journal of Solids and
Structures 3:227-241.
5. Balaji, N. C. (2008). Behaviour of brick masonry domes. Unpublished thesis of Master of Science
in Engineering by research, N.I.E Mysore.
6. Yogananda, M. R. (1991). The analysis of unreinforced brick masonry vaults. Unpublished Ph.D.
thesis, dept of civil Engineering, IISC Bangalore.
7. Jagadish, K. S., Venkataramareddy, B. V. & Nanjunda Rao, K. S. (2007). Alternative building
materials and technologies. New Age International Publishers, 1st edition.
8. Maini, S. (2003). Building with Arches, Vaults and Domes. Technical manual for architects and
engineers, Auroville Earth Institute.

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