GEODESIQUE DOME

RESEARCH 2
Al Ghurair University, Dubai Academic City

Done By:
Azra Maliha
Sara Hashim
CONTENTS:
 Introduction
 History
 Methods of construction
 Materials to be used in construction
 Advantages
 Disadvantages
 Example in architecture
 References
 Introduction
• A geodesic dome is a thin shelled arrangements made out
of triangles connected together to form a true sphere.
• The triangles are architecturally firm and distribute the
stress throughout the dome, allowing the structure to
bear heavy loads for their size.
• Space frame is the three dimensional framework that
makes the dome stabled.
• The triangles are put as hexagons and pentagons to
eventually form the dome.
 History of geodesic dome
• I the year 1919, Walter Bauersfelt who is from Germany has decided to base a
moveable projectors within a still dome.
• The first model ever made was more that half a sphere but Walter Bauersfeld has fixed
the issue of how to make a really huge sphere by approximating it.
• After 30 years, an American architect R. Buckminster Fuller has invented a similar idea
but the difference is that he designed it to be affordable and efficient that can be
made fast. It was R. Buckminster Fuller who called it a geodesic dome.
• The geodesic dome is the strongest, lightest and most cost-effective building that was
ever made because it’s ability to cover space without any interior supports “such as
columns” that usually cover up space in an interior. Not only is it cost effective but it is
also easy to construct.
First build geodesic dome
In the year 1957, in Honolulu Hawaii, a geodesic dome was built so quickly
it only took them 22 hours after all the parts/materials were delivered.
Nowadays there is over 300,000 domes around the world
• R. Buckminster Fuller’s first world
acceptance by the architectural
community happened in the year
1954 where his cardboard dome was
exhibited for the very first time. His
cardboard dome was presented in
the Milan triennale where they stage
international exhibitions all over the
world to show their most advanced
and groundbreaking
accomplishments in the field of
design, architecture..etc
 METHOD OF
CONSTRUCTION
Planning the construction:

 Designing the dome is the first step to start with. The size and amount of triangles and their calculations to form the dome is
needed. For example, the basic dome has equilateral 20 triangle, which then further divided into smaller triangles to form the
sphere. More triangles results in bigger and more complex domes.

 Struts: these are the framework for the dome which are made up of rods. Normal geodesic domes have same length of struts
where as complex ones have struts of different sizes.

 Material selection should be made as different materials create different kinds of dome.

 Finalizing the structure: several things should be kept in mind while putting all the pieces together, such as, the struts and their
dimensions, their edges flattened so that they fall on the same plane when attached, and to make sure the flattened edges bend
slightly (found by calculation).

 The calculation differs by class of the dome, like 2V, 3V, 4V, etc.
Calculation sample
 Strut preparation

1. Cutting the struts as per calculations 2. Flattening the edges

3. Drilling holes for joints 4. Bending the flattened edges 5. Sealing and painting the struts
Dome assembly method

 The assembly should be planned according to the class and

complexity of the dome constructed.
 It also depend on what arrangement will the triangles be, for
example pentagon, hexagon.
 It is better to start the assembly from top pieces and
gradually coming downwards.
Assembly sample
 Materials used in construction
• There are options when building the geodesic dome, you can
choose to cover the triangular panels with either plastic,
wood, drywall or plastic, you get to decide the material
according to the different categories of geodesic domes. But
the most common material used to build a geodesic dome is
steel as they connect the network of the beams/struts
together.
ADVANTAGES
• Geodesic dome is a stable and easy construction which is very strong. they are ideal for
almost any type of spaces
• The even distribution of weight throughout the structure makes it stable during earthquakes
and similar hazards
• Geodesic domes have an aerodynamic shape which protects them against strong wind or
storms.
• Domes being spherical has less surface area per unit of internal volume, reducing the interior
temperature and heat gain and enables uniform air flow.
• This type of domes can be very large in size with less surface area, meaning less materials are
required, hence lowering costs.
• Very quick and easy assembly, making them less labor intensive
• This type of domes are famous for their vast usage in sustainable projects, because the
materials required are all environment friendly and the structure itself is very safe and
creates healthy interior.
DISADVANTAGES
• The unusable space inside of a geodesic dome.
• Windows and doors: using a normal door in a geodesic sphere can cause a
problem, you’d have to custom make all doors and windows needed.
• The building’s permit can also be a problem as drainage and fire escapes can be an
issue and they need to meet code requirements.
• The financing and rescale .
• Building a geodesic dome needs very skilled labors.
• Strong wind will cause separation between the materials between the nozzle and
the point of deposit.
• geodesic knowledge is greatly required for such building.
Architectural
examples: 1

BIOSPHERE

 Constructed in 1947 for world expo

 Largest geodesic dome in the worlds
 Located in Canada, the only museum dedicated to Water
Architectural
examples: 2

DISNEY’S EPCOT CENTER

 Constructed based on Fuller’s plan for

a temperature controlled dome
 It is a theme park + greenhouse
containing over 1500 species of plants
 Located in Florida
Architectural
examples: 3

THE EDEN PROJECT

 The largest greenhouse

in the world
 Completed in 2001
 Located in United
Kingdom
Architectural
examples: 4

TELUS World of Science

 Science displays and

exhibition center
REFERENCES

• https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Geodesic_dome
• http://www.madehow.com/Volume-6/Geodesic-Dome.html
• http://www.sustainabledomes.com.au/flex/the-different-methods-of-constructing-geodesic-domes/22/1
• http://www.byexample.net/projects/current/dome_construction/
• https://waymoot.org/home/dome/
• geodesicgreenhouse.org/wp.../Modular-assembly-of-a-Geodesic-Dome-Frame.pdf
• http://www.sustainabledomes.com.au/flex/the-benefits-of-geodesic-dome-homes/13/1
• https://sites.google.com/site/dsdomes/conceptos
• http://www.kuriositas.com/2011/05/geodesic-magic-theres-no-place-like.html
• http://www.brighthub.com/education/homework-tips/articles/60412.aspx
• http://www.ideafinder.com/history/inventions/geodesicdome.htm
• http://www.sustainabledomes.com.au/flex/the-different-methods-of-constructing-geodesic-domes/22/1