Monolithic Dome

Presented By
M. Bilal Arif
B.E Civil IIIrd Year
15CVB738
GG1021
 CONTENTS:
1. Introduction
2. History
3. Construction
•Material Used
•Method Of Construction
4. Stresses Acting On Dome
5. Advantages
6. Disadvantages
7. Conclusion
 INTRODUCTION
•Monolithic dome is a thin wall reinforced
concrete shell structure.
•It may be defined as a thin shell generated by
the revolution of a regular curve about one of its
axis .
•It is a structure cast in one-piece form.
•It is the most energy efficient and safest
buildings that can be build.
•Can be designed as personal as well as public
use.
 HISTORY
• The igloo maybe 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, homogenous
structure
• The strength is due to the natural strength of
the arch and insulation is due to the minimal
surface area of the spherical section.
 CONSTRUCTION
•First constructed by three brothers David, Berry
and Randy in Idaho(US) in 1975 was 32m in dia
and 10m high and is still used today.
•Now they are used throughout the US, Russia,
Indonesia as churches, schools, gymnasiums,
cafeteria, storages, homes, recreational
centers, etc.
•Size ranges from very small dia(2.5m) to very
large(80m)
MATERIALS USED:-

• Airform kits
• Polyurethane Foam
• Reinforcing Steel
• Concrete
METHODS OF CONSTRUCTION:-
• A reinforced concrete foundation, or “ring
beam” is constructed, defining the shape of
the structure
• The fabric form or air form is attached to the
foundation and inflated with air blower which
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. It gives rigidity to the
air form, secure the rebar in place, provide
support for spraying in the concrete mix and
to insulate the final structure.
• Doors and window frames are attached
• Rebar is attached to the outside layer of foam
using a specially engineered layout of hoop
and vertical steel bar
• Shotcrete – a special spray mix of concrete is
applied to the interior surface of the dome.
• After steel rebar is embedded in the concrete
another 3inches of shotcrete is applied
• After the concrete is set, the blower is turned
off.
• The exposed surface may be left as is, or a
surface treatment such as paint, tile, etc may
be applied
• This curved structure, monolithic dome may
sound as well as may seem monotonous but
with proper interior planning you will get the
desired result.
 STRESSES ACTING ON DOMES
Two types of stressed acting on dome are

•Meridional Thrust (T)- along the direction of meridian

•Hoop Stress- along latitudes

Imagine a dome consisting of a no of horizontal rings placed

one over the other with increasing diameter in the downward
direction and the equilibrium is maintained independently of
the rings above it.
• The circle of each ring is called latitude
• The circle drawn through two diametrically opposite points
on a horizontal diameter and the crown is known as
meridian
 ADVANTAGES
From the point of view of architecture, the
development of dome structure offers unexpected
possibilities and opportunities for the combined
realization of functional, economic and aesthetic
aspects

1. ECONOMY
• Cost is less
• Require less maintenance
2. SECURITY
• These are the safest buildings that can be built and that
can be designed for multi uses
• Immune to climatic catastrophe
• Ability to survive tornadoes, hurricanes and earthquake
• Provides fire protection as well as protection to
corrosion hazards
• If constructed with proper earth sheltering, it can
withstand a bomb blast more efficiently.

Other than that, these structures are most energy efficient

as the spherical section offer minimal surface area for the
volume they contain, so there is less surface for heat
transfer with the outside air
 DISADVANTAGES
1. ENGINEERING
• Only special trained construction crews.
• Using the modern techniques
• Wasted space in narrow corners

2. SOCIAL
• These structures cannot be build in densely populated area
where there is no availability of enough land.
• Different appearances 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
• Building permits may be difficult to obtain if local officials
are not familiar with the monolithic dome.
 CONCLUSION
Monolithic is dedicated to improving people’s lives worldwide by
introducing and constructing monolithic domes, for personal and
public use, that are disaster-resistant, energy-efficient and cost-
effective.

Monolithic dome building technique is an effective alternative to

conventional methods.

They provide near-absolute disaster protection

Used throughout the United States, Russia, and Indonesia