Geodesic dome house.

[Hughe]

Hi all,

My single man house project has been coming well. I'm at the 50% mark. Things that only delays this project are personal laziness and isolation from time to time.

The top one is a scaled down dome I built few weeks ago. I'm confident that after building one or two domes, I'll be able to build a real dome out of custom wood strut I make. I plan to build three domes: one for a single bed room, another for workshop and living quarter, the last for small power station cover.

Most Permaculture farmers build Earthbag houses if they can. It has practical advantages indeed. Frankly speaking pure Earthbag house is simply labor intensive and somewhat obsolete technology. I decided to get rid of using heavy machines for the house project when I started. Then, I realized digging ground to supply all soil for Earthbag house with shovel and bucket is too much for me. 40kg to 50 kg per Earthbag. If I had big property, I could have tried it.

So I started looking for another building technology that I can use. There was Geodesic Dome by Buckminster Fuller. When I found it, I had flash of intellectual enlightenment. LOL. Constructing a perfect sphere that spreads impact to whole surface is simply brilliant. Also it does not have a single supporting column.

There are web sites and commercial dome software that helps to design dome. Entering dome radius and shape in the program automatically generate all data: element strut sizes for creating triangles, hub or joint size, exploded assembly diagram on 2D. I'll personally recommend it who has interest in Geodesic dome.

I chose the hard way though: pencil and paper, couple books, a pocket calculator. Even though I'm using Geodesic dome software, I like to understand the dome technology thoroughly.

What I've learned is symmetric model has one serious flaw, which is if one component is in wrong place the entire structure become unstable. When you build a Geodesic dome model, swapping two different strut means you need to find the mistake or rebuild it again. The advantage is same pattern repeats itself to create whole structure. Once you master pattern manipulation by few trial and error, dome building becomes very simple and in consistence. Then size becomes irrelevant. Mastering a dome with radius 50cm make you build any size of domes practically. This is beauty of symmetric model. Only variation is the strength of strut and joint material.

I'll keep uploading pictures of dome models and real domes later on.

3rd model. a geodesic dome model. I didn't calculate the joint size.
http://butterflyofdream.files.wordpress.com/2013/04/himg_0217.jpg?w=640&h=425

http://butterflyofdream.files.wordpress.com/2013/04/himg_0214.jpg?w=640&h=425

2nd model, tensegrity structure

http://butterflyofdream.files.wordpress.com/2013/04/himg_0203.jpg?w=640&h=425

http://butterflyofdream.files.wordpress.com/2013/04/himg_0209.jpg?w=640&h=425

http://butterflyofdream.files.wordpress.com/2013/04/himg_0208.jpg?w=640&h=425

1st model, tensegrity structure

http://butterflyofdream.files.wordpress.com/2012/11/img_0760.jpg?w=640&h=426

http://butterflyofdream.files.wordpress.com/2012/11/img_0762.jpg?w=640&h=426

http://butterflyofdream.files.wordpress.com/2012/11/img_0763.jpg?w=640&h=426

[Ba-ba-Ra]

I lived in a Buckminster Fuller dome house for 10years that my late husband build himself. Loved it. Too bad he isn't still alive, he could give you some pointers. It was a 3 BR, 1-1/2 bath in N. Calif. The bedrooms were down below and then the dome started from the 2nd floor.

Good luck.

[Lost Soul]

Monolithic. No Sheetrock. No fear of fire ants or termites. No dry rot.

[grannyfranny100]

Hughe, I know you are fascinated by the structural properties of creating a dome home but take some time to think about this project from the inside, too. "I plan to build three domes: one for a single bed room, another for workshop and living quarter, the last for small power station cover."

Now I hate to cook and I assume your combination workshop and living space, means kitchen littered with work tools. saw dust, whatever. Of course, my perfect kitchen would only require a counter top, phone and take out menus, but if you plan to cook, I doubt any building inspector would approve this plan. Please take the time to visually walk through your place and see how you would use it from the moment you get up.

[Kor]

I was at one time considering to do the same. But it was in theory only as i do not have the resources it takes.


My idea was this:


http://i1302.photobucket.com/albums/ag134/korkor2/details_zps0c49064e.jpg


http://i1302.photobucket.com/albums/ag134/korkor2/details2_zps70076c2e.jpg


I was playing with the idea of having a concrete foundation, possibly slightly elevated from the ground.

The frame would consist of stainless steel. The frame would be covered by a polycarbonate or it could also be wood. From the inside the frame cover could be plasterboard (or also wood) and between the two there would be adequate isolation material.

Two floors, second floor only partial (half floor), pillar in the middle that could also serve as chimney if need be or/and a main ventilation duct. Around the pillar a stair case would be made or the stair case is made on the sides of the dome and is actually a progressive upwards inclination ledge. Large window (or set of windows) right across the the "ending" of the second floor. There would be as little walls as possible in the entire structure (only as much to ensure the basic privacy, then again...depends on who u live with or if u live alone..etc)

Living are would be in two floors, total of about 200 square meters with the estimated final price of around 500EUR per square meter, unfurnished. Cost of land, taxes, permits (and such), architect...also not included.

Bellow picture is a real life, actual size, example of the frame only

http://i1302.photobucket.com/albums/ag134/korkor2/2fc3d08f-3944-4d19-941c-e32365cfaf80_zpsaca1570a.jpg?t=1372431093


Bellow picture is my "drawing", what i had in mind at the time

http://i1302.photobucket.com/albums/ag134/korkor2/osnovna_ideja_zps5427f8d0.jpg



I did make one geodesic dome..out of cart-board paper.


Making the dome yourself would be quite an undertaking. Unless you are skilled in hand crafting and have some construction knowledge and experiences.

I saw some kits for sale. You buy a kit and put it together yourself or they do it for you.

[Hughe]

Buckminster Fuller’s Geodesic Dome House

http://assets.inhabitat.com/wp-content/blogs.dir/1/files/2012/03/buckminster-fuller-dome-restoration-grant-1.jpg

http://assets.inhabitat.com/wp-content/blogs.dir/1/files/2012/03/buckminster-fuller-dome-restoration-grant-4.jpg

I consider Buckminster Fuller as Nicola Tesla in modern architect. But I'm afraid collective humanity hasn't ready for his great vision yet. Why? Housing companies ignore this wonderful technology and schools hardly teach it to students for decades.

9/06/2013

The 4th model. I applied real strut assembly method for real-size dome building in mind.
I spent two days to make hundreds of metal connectors out of thin sheet metal.

From start to finish
http://butterflyofdream.files.wordpress.com/2013/09/img_1103.jpg?w=640&h=425

http://butterflyofdream.files.wordpress.com/2013/09/img_1104.jpg?w=640&h=425

A real dome, 30 cm in diameter.
http://butterflyofdream.files.wordpress.com/2013/09/img_1111.jpg?w=640&h=425

http://butterflyofdream.files.wordpress.com/2013/09/img_1115.jpg?w=640&h=425

http://butterflyofdream.files.wordpress.com/2013/09/img_1117.jpg?w=640&h=425

@Kor

I agree. It depends on how to approach Geodesic Dome. Technically speaking building Geodesic Dome after few models should give enough experience to build real dome house provided the person has some trade skills. Also there are few websites such as http://simplydifferently.org/ that provide a simple design program and building instruction. http://www.domerama.com/software/geodesic-software/ has list of free / commercial dome programs that are available.

I used Geodome to design and study Geodesic dome, which is open source software.
Some screen shots
http://butterflyofdream.files.wordpress.com/2013/09/v3dome_1row_less.png?w=640

http://butterflyofdream.files.wordpress.com/2013/09/v3dome_1row_less2.png?w=640&h=543

A dome calculation output example


210 struts total, 5 different lengths

strut count length a0 a1 length2 cut length
A 90 4.941 12 12 4.943 5.068
B 70 4.836 12 12 4.839 4.964
C 30 4.181 10 10 4.183 4.308
D 10 4.842 7 16 4.845 4.970
E 10 4.103 15 4 4.105 4.230

Notes:

length: distance from vertex to vertex
a0, a1: bend angles at the two ends
length2: distance between bolt holes (accounts for bends)
cut length: total strut length, including margins



I have full confidence of building a dome house but I want to understand every aspect of Geodesic Dome technology so I've been taking some time off.

[Inaiá]

I don't know about arquitecture and engeneering, but would like to make a sugestion: It may be interesting to study the possibilities of using bamboo in the building of the dome house. Bamboo is a plant with so many fantastic qualities...

[Hughe]

I built a second dome model for studying. Next one will be a real size dome.

http://butterflyofdream.files.wordpress.com/2014/03/f3_58_r20cm_icosa_dome.png?w=640

http://butterflyofdream.files.wordpress.com/2014/03/f3_58_r20cm_icosa_dome_diagram.png?w=640

http://butterflyofdream.files.wordpress.com/2014/03/cdsc_0828.jpg?w=640&h=428

IuoY7bkJo-Q

[Hughe]

Excerpt from http://www.desertdomes.com/links.html
I removed broken links.



Geodesic Dome Sites

2v Dome Sites

Step-by-step Photobook of a 2v Dome
The Nebraska Dome (http://drazium.com/mustard/dome/index.html) - 2v dome fabrication and setup. This site even has a section on eating
How to make a 2V newspaper dome
Cardboard Domes - MonkeyHouse Geodesics
Design and Implementation for a Geodesic Dome
Earl's 2v Dome (http://dome.zillabit.com/homedome.html)

3v Dome Sites

24' 3v Dome (http://burningman.rengeekcentral.com/Dome.html) - Includes pictures and step-by-step instructions

4v Dome Sites

Earl's Recharge Dome (http://dome.zillabit.com/rechargedome.html)

Cardboard Domes

More Cardboard Domes - Step-by-step instructions

Concrete Domes

Dome of a Home (http://www.domeofahome.com/) - A concrete dome in Florida
Domes made out of alternative materials
Beezer's PlayDome Page (http://buzzard.ups.edu/playdome.html) - Tire Domes

General Dome Sites

Howard Cohen's Dome Deck Plans (http://timefold.com/domedeck/) - Step by step instructions!
Jeff Deifik's Dome Plans (http://www.weasel.com/dome.html) - Step by step instructions to build 16ft and 24ft domes!
David Anderson's Monkey House Geodesics - David's site is back up, and moved to a new location!
Mathworld's Geodesic Page (http://mathworld.wolfram.com/GeodesicDome.html)
Earl's Geodesic Domes (http://dome.zillabit.com/index.html) - Has some really useful information on modifying dome geometry to allow for doors
Applied Synergetics Home Page
Hexayurts - Made with cardboard, and perfect for Burning Man!
Zometool (http://www.zometool.com/)
Detail Plans for a Geodesic Dome Observatory (http://eoni.com/~garlitzj/geodome.htm)
Geodesic Structures by Steve Miller - This site also includes plydomes
Geodesic Domes at Kibbutz Lotan (http://www.kibbutzlotan.com/creativeEcology/altBuilding/geodesicDomes.htm)
Links to geodesic and alternative building (http://www3.sympatico.ca/geodome/links.htm)
René K. Müller's Extensive site that also covers other types of structures (http://simplydifferently.org/)

Geodesic Dome Companies

Pacific Domes (http://pacificdomes.com/) - Conduit frame domes with exquisite coverings
Professional Dome Plans (http://www.domeplans.com/)
American Ingenuity Domes (http://www.aidomes.com/)
Geodesics Unlimited (http://www.geodesics-unlimited.com/index.htm)
Monolithic Dome Institute (http://www.monolithic.com/)

[chocolate]

Architect's hat on ( :) ), and I will only try to point out different elements that you may want to consider while at the initial stage:

To start with I would like to quote Wikipedia (I know, it is fashionable right now not to trust Wiki's info) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Geodesic_dome

The first dome that could be called "geodesic" in every respect was designed after World War I by Walther Bauersfeld, chief engineer of the Carl Zeiss optical company, for a planetarium to house his planetarium projector. The dome was patented, constructed by the firm of Dykerhoff and Wydmann on the roof of the Zeiss plant in Jena, Germany, and opened to the public in July 1926.
The geodesic dome appealed to Fuller because it was extremely strong for its weight, its "omnitriangulated" surface provided an inherently stable structure, and because a sphere encloses the greatest volume for the least surface area.
[...]
Fuller hoped that the geodesic dome would help address the postwar housing crisis. This was consistent with his prior hopes for both versions of the Dymaxion House.
Residential geodesic domes have been less successful than those used for working and/or entertainment, largely because of their complexity and consequent greater construction costs. Professional experienced dome contractors, while hard to find, do exist, and can eliminate much of the cost overruns associated with false starts and incorrect estimates.

Although dome homes enjoyed a wave of popularity in the late 1960s and early 1970s, as a housing system the dome has many disadvantages and problems. A former proponent of dome homes, Lloyd Kahn, who wrote two books about them (Domebook 1 and Domebook 2) and founded Shelter Publications, became disillusioned with them, calling them "smart but not wise".[13] He noted the following disadvantages, which he has listed on his company's website:

- The shape of a dome house makes it difficult to conform to code requirements for placement of sewer vents and chimneys. Off-the-shelf building materials (e.g., plywood, strand board) normally come in rectangular shapes therefore some material may have to be scrapped after cutting rectangles down to triangles, increasing the cost of construction. Fire escapes are problematic; codes require them for larger structures, and they are expensive. Windows conforming to code can cost anywhere from 5 to 15 times as much as windows in conventional houses. Professional electrical wiring costs more because of increased labor time. Even owner-wired situations are costly, because more of certain materials are required for dome construction.

- Air stratification and moisture distribution within a dome are usual, and these conditions tend to quickly degrade wooden framing or interior paneling, however a 40 year work/study program by a company called New Age Construction in Alabama has revealed that the addition of a cupola eliminates the moisture condensation that is common in domes with no cupola through passive ventilation and elimination of pressure.

- Privacy is difficult to guarantee because a dome is difficult to partition satisfactorily. Sounds, smells, and even reflected light tend to be conveyed through the entire structure which if planned correctly can be a bonus.

- As with any curved shape, the dome produces wall areas that can be difficult to use and leaves some peripheral floor area with restricted use due to lack of headroom. Circular plan shapes lack the simple modularity provided by rectangles. Furnishers and fitters usually design with flat surfaces in mind, and so placing a standard sofa against an exterior wall (for example) results in a crescent behind the sofa being wasted. This is best overcome by purpose-built fittings, though it adds to cost.

- Dome builders using cut-board sheathing materials (as was common in the 1960s and 1970s) find it hard to seal domes against rain, because of their many seams. Also, these seams may be stressed because ordinary solar heat flexes the entire structure each day as the sun moves across the sky. Subsequent addition of straps and interior flexible drywall finishes has virtually eliminated this movement being noticed in the interior finishes.

[...]

~~~

That is not to say that you cannot make the domes you envision. Anything that appeals to you I am sure you will find the way to make it happen. But from a very practical perspective you need seriously to think about everything that will be involved in the construction, not just the support structure.

I am stating all of the above only because I do understand the appeal of the complex yet simple looking design of the construction. I have been in your position at one point, but I ran the whole process in my mind, and it turned out to be unjustifiably more complex than expected.

The monolitic dome suggested above is a good option for obvious reasons, but again, the shape relative to the utilization of the space inside remains an issue.

Such structures are really very useful for building greenhouses, temporary shelters, and of course spaces with the necessity of no support inside, as is the case with stadiums, public halls, etc. But in that case the structural aspect is by far much more complex and elaborate than just using wooden struts.

It is a nice and enjoyable mental exploration.
I hope you will give yourself the time and the space to think this through from all sides.

Otherwise, I will be happy to see photos of your standing real-life domes. :)

[Hughe]

@chocolate

Thanks for the comment.

Provided shelter, food, and energy are free or easy to get, people can enjoy freedom in true sense.

A house that costs $40,000 to $50,000 sucks up bigger amount of money in ten to fifteen years. This is outrageous situation but it's normal. Being depend on food, house, and energy one never get free. That's why they use money and fear to create manufactured monopolized energy, housing market in world wide. Literally governments and few corporations own everything for modern humans need to survive.

One has to make a choice for new life or stay with the rest. Building a house is technically illegal nowadays due to so many laws unless one has all certificates. I'm positive that building a decent house under few thousands of dollars is feasible, and the maintenance cost of the house is zero dollar for utility is achievable. Buckminster Fuller envisioned this type of shelter decades ago. But the world didn't embrace his idea for humanity.

There are alternative solutions such as Michael Reynolds' Earthships. The house provides everything for water, food, and power year round.
https://encrypted-tbn3.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcQEWE4fzxon_16DSx3EzYnu5sacnXlBJrRn0Oq61b97fenh6_Uk-Q

[chocolate]

Hi Hughe!

I am totally with you behind the idea of affordable home/energy/society.
I only wanted to point that the dome might give you more problems than not. But that doesn't mean it is impossible, or that there aren't alternative ways. Because there are.

I had in mind starting a separate space for such discussion, because I don't want to interfere with any particular space already created and specific.
I need some more time until I figure out how to make it in the best possible way.

I hope to manage to be helpful there.

In the meantime, I am a supporter of the free choice of ideas, as you have presented here!

[Hughe]

@chocolate

Definitely.

SimplyDifferently.org (http://simplydifferently.org/)
This site provides wealth information about traditional mobile shelters: Tipi, Yurt, Dome vairants, Wigwam, Zome

http://simplydifferently.org/view/Pics/building-typo.png-w500.png

Permaculture folks love Earthbag house, which I was going to building in the beginning.
Cost reduction compared to conventional house is 1/10 to 1/15. Proven archicture over thousonds years.
https://encrypted-tbn1.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcQ2vdyCztX3kur0ruQ_vv_j0xCWUkzFZRlrAW-AvcxD155SD8uGrQ

Lloyd Kahn's Shelter is considered classic of alternative housing. The second edition is on sale for some twenty dollars at Amazon.com.
http://www.shelterpub.com/_shelter/SH_cover-288W.jpg

[Hughe]

I spent about $600 for materials of the house, $1,000 for various tools.

It seems time is irrelevant to me. Most of time I look for a solution that reduces expense rather than saving time.
I've been building medium duty tools for two weeks - table saw, drop saw - so that I process wood with precision.
I'll apply soybean oil to finished wooden strut of the dome for water proof. Water proof chemical in hardware store is not cheap.

Earthship Volume 1, 2, 3 by Michael Reynolds arrived yesterday.
On the back cover of Earthship Volume 1


IMAGINE...living in a home that cost you nothing to heat or cool
IMAGINE...building this home yourself
IMAGINE...growing own vegetables year round in this home
IMAGINE...no utility bills
IMAGINE...easily available "limitless natural resources" to build this type of home
IMAGINE...a more earth friendly civilization
IMAGINE...EARTHSHIPS

[Redstar Kachina]

..........

[Hughe]

I think applying knowledge of the following books make anyone or a group build off-grid house less than 1/10th to 1/20th cost of conventional one.



Earthship Volume I
How to build your own
Michael Reynolds
1990

Earthship Volume II
Systems and components
Michael Reynolds
1990

Earthship Volume II
Evolution beyond economics
Michael Reynolds
1990

Earthbag Building
The Tools, Tricks and Technicques
Kaki Hunter, Donald Kiffmeyer
2004

[Hughe]

A house that's under few thousands dollars of expense to build, provides reliable, secure off-grid living so that even the grid falls, the occupants live well.
Buckminster Fuller tried to revolutionize conventional housing of general public in North America using geodesic dome technology for decades. But his
attempt for humanity failed cause the U.S government, corporations, and general public wouldn't welcome it.

Individuals such as Lloyd Kahn were early adapter of geodesic dome but they are simple copy cats without creative thinking and great vision.
Most of them apparently walked away dome housing and some spoke negative opinion how geodesic dome are impractical since then.
Hilarious! What would they suggest for potential housing problem in modern countries which literally make working class as debt slaves forever?
"Let's back to old times."
"Build a tiny home or mobile shelter and live free in Nature."

I made an emergency shelter last year. I began to spend a night for two days of work in my village house since late February 2014.
Honestly I wouldn't recommend this primitive lifestyle to anybody. Recreational outdoor camping is a choice. When it becomes day to day reality,
life becomes extremely challenging.
http://butterflyofdream.files.wordpress.com/2014/04/dsc_0660.jpg?w=640&h=428

I gonna build two geodesic domes, floor radius 3 meters to decide which one is better: wood and steel pipe.
I've built upgrade/conversion kits for power tools to do precise cutting and looked around local hardware suppliers: table saw, mini table saw for small grinder, cross cut saw, hydraulic press.

I'm stick to the original goal which was "Reduce total cost as possible as I can."
It's tempting to buy few hundred dollars of tool, i.e. table saw. But I'm resisting to accept the norm "Money talks. Save time."

I might use Blender as designing tool later on. It has a plugin that imports DFX file generated by DomeMaker Pro.
DomeMaker Pro in Windows XP
http://www.popdome.com/siteimages/domemaker%20pro%20main.jpg

Blender 2.69 in Debian Wheezy, imported 3v 5/8 icosahedron dome
http://butterflyofdream.files.wordpress.com/2014/04/dfximport_test1.png?w=640&h=400

Rendered dome
http://butterflyofdream.files.wordpress.com/2014/04/3v_58_icosa_dome1.png?w=640&h=360

3v 5/8 icosahedron dome I built last month
http://butterflyofdream.files.wordpress.com/2014/03/dsc_0845.jpg?w=640&h=428

Floor radius formula of 3V 5/8 Icosa dome
The book doesn't explain how to get the angle theta for floor radius.
http://butterflyofdream.files.wordpress.com/2014/04/floor_radius_formula_book1.jpg?w=640&h=428

I had to do extra work. Here is I found the angle theta.
http://butterflyofdream.files.wordpress.com/2014/04/3v_59_icosa.jpg?w=640

http://butterflyofdream.files.wordpress.com/2014/04/floor_radius_formula1.jpg?w=640&h=428

http://butterflyofdream.files.wordpress.com/2014/04/floor_radius_formula2.jpg?w=640&h=428

[Carmen]

The next house I build will be a Pahs house, designed by John Haght. (I think that's how it's spelt) Pahs stands forPassive Annual Heat Storage. These houses temperature is 21 degrees Celsius summer and winter so no need for any heating or cooling.

It is also round, but is mostly buried under earth with large windows facing the sun.

[Hughe]

Since I changed wood to metal pipe for dome strut, I've been dealing with new challenges. I started playing with less than 1 mm of margin of errors in metal fabrication work.

http://butterflyofdream.files.wordpress.com/2014/03/cdsc_00122.jpg?w=640&h=428

Metal thickness increased by 40 times. It seems play time is gone. I need to have a hydraulic press for flattening the end of pipe struts, diameter 26 mm and thickness is 2 mm for now. Last two days tested cutting, bending, flattening of the pipe I bought for 3 meter dome.

http://butterflyofdream.files.wordpress.com/2014/06/cdsc_0012.jpg?w=640&h=428

The brand new 3 ton hydraulic jack got broken a week ago. Due to serous design flaw of the first press, I suspected the jack broken by exceeding the limit.
http://butterflyofdream.files.wordpress.com/2014/06/cdsc_0025.jpg?w=640&h=428

It's the second press. I'm working on rebuilding new press that fixes major flaws I found yesterday during test operation.
http://butterflyofdream.files.wordpress.com/2014/06/cdsc_0001.jpg?w=640&h=428

The final version will like the below press.
http://mkctools.com/mvc-885s.jpg

[Hughe]

I've built few devices. Processing and building metal parts have little room of errors. The margin of error I experienced is below 0.5 mm that slows down literally pace of the project.

2 tons hydraulic press station for pipe press
Combination of 3rd version of hydraulic press and pipe alignment device
http://butterflyofdream.files.wordpress.com/2014/07/cdsc_0055.jpg?w=640&h=428

http://butterflyofdream.files.wordpress.com/2014/07/cdsc_0498.jpg?w=640&h=428

http://butterflyofdream.files.wordpress.com/2014/07/cdsc_0499.jpg?w=640&h=428

Jack stand tripod
http://butterflyofdream.files.wordpress.com/2014/07/cdsc_0013.jpg?w=640&h=428

http://butterflyofdream.files.wordpress.com/2014/07/cdsc_0016.jpg?w=640&h=428

Pressing and drilling holes on 210 struts had finished by July 18, 2014.
http://butterflyofdream.files.wordpress.com/2014/07/cdsc_0579.jpg?w=640&h=428

http://butterflyofdream.files.wordpress.com/2014/07/cdsc_0581.jpg?w=640&h=428

9.6 mm bit, 3.0 mm bit, and a syringe with tapping fluid.
http://butterflyofdream.files.wordpress.com/2014/07/cdsc_0583.jpg?w=640&h=428

[Hughe]

Floor area is 3.8 square meter. The height is around 2.3 m to 2.4 m. It took me two days to assemble the dome.

http://butterflyofdream.files.wordpress.com/2014/07/cdsc_0883.jpg?w=640&h=428

http://butterflyofdream.files.wordpress.com/2014/07/cdsc_0887.jpg?w=640&h=428

[Hughe]

Design flaw I was aware during strut manufacturing.

http://butterflyofdream.files.wordpress.com/2014/08/dsc_0008.jpg?w=640&h=428

Finishing first layer of primer paint

http://butterflyofdream.files.wordpress.com/2014/08/dsc_0300.jpg?w=640&h=428

http://butterflyofdream.files.wordpress.com/2014/08/dsc_0306.jpg?w=640&h=428

[Hughe]

Hexagon has six equal sides. Each vertex angle forms 120 degrees.
http://www.kidsmathgamesonline.com/images/pictures/shapes/hexagon.jpg

Hexagon door frame
The length of side is 59 cm.

http://butterflyofdream.files.wordpress.com/2014/09/cdsc_0031.jpg?w=640&h=427

http://butterflyofdream.files.wordpress.com/2014/09/cdsc_0038.jpg?w=640&h=427

[Hughe]

The layout of door and three windows.
http://butterflyofdream.files.wordpress.com/2014/09/cdsc_0053_m.jpg?w=640&h=666

http://butterflyofdream.files.wordpress.com/2014/09/c3windows_20140907.jpg?w=640&h=427

[Hym]

2705327052Hughe,

I admire your tenacity pursuing this project. I also like the contributions of others during the time this thread has been up.

I was brought on to a large single family 28ft. tall dome home after the initial contractor bailed on it. As a carpenter, roofer, contractor I loved the challenge as it only had the foundation, basement, and stick framework up. It was a Monterey Dome Home. If you build, as in this case in Calif., the plans have already met the stringent building codes for earthquake strength (7 x's stronger than code requires), stability, and energy efficiency (depending on how much attention is paid to securing the envelope).

It was challenging to shoot in (nail w. 8's) the pre-cut triangular and rectangular plywood panels that are the structural/sheer strength connecting the 2x4's, which are connected by 2" wide, welded metal hubs (with either 5 or 6 extensions, and a hole in each 1" from the end) that are placed into slits cut into the end of each 2x4 piece…which then have a bolt, washer and lock nut tightened thru each end. This is a very strong connection to each 2x4 and this all makes for a series of pentagons and hexagons that are the design of the structure, which is fastened on top of a 4 ft. stub wall anchored to the flooring. As I have climbed for most of my life and worked on many roofing structures it was an easy fix to slip on a harness, bolt a 1/2" circular lag bolt thru the apex of the roof structure and use the climbing gear to do all of the high carpentry and roofing work, which after the plywood sheathing was secured, included applying 30' felt and the longest lasting architectural asphalt shingles the owner could buy. It was fun to work on.

I'm writing to share with you an interest in the power of the shape of the dome and it's influence on health. I have been in caves, adobe domes, and domed structures as a student and teacher in their construction, but singing in them and meditating in them is the Real Reward. As a builder/designer of sacred spaces I can appreciate the attention to detail and the strong drive you have to do it right. You are doing that now. The next step is your experience that should be interesting to listen to………………………………………...
I would recommend that you get to this experience as soon as you can.

The first time I was in an adobe dome I immediately had the recollection of the sweat I experienced with the spiritual leader of AIM, Ernie Peters. I was on a quest to get a brother free, and the next day,after 6 months of fruitless petitioning to the court, (and a very painful experience during the sweat) I was granted conservatorship. Though this lodge, shaped like a wide, flattened dome top, was just very long branches covered with layers of blankets, the effect was very similar to an earthen structure….very powerful. The words spoken there, though few by me, were intensified by the moist heat from the lava rocks in the center, the darkness and the effect they had on us all. If we had done this anywhere but on the ground, with the anchors of the branches tapping into the many energetics of the living earth below, nothing of any significance would have happened. Consider this connection when you experiment with anchoring, or not anchoring, your structure to the ground.

There is a complex of adobe domes that make up the living quarters, prayer spaces and library of a Muslim settlement near here. When I went in I couldn't help but notice the resonance of our talking to each other, so I began to do a variety of chants. I enjoyed the feedback I got from the makeup, the form and feel of the space I was in. In the library, which consisted of many domes starting at about 10 feet high, you can turn your back to someone, 20 ft. away, whisper and still hear them talk as if they are standing next to you! This was the same thing we could do in the large Monterey when one of us was upstairs and the other was downstairs in separate rooms.

There is no comparison to a rectangular, square, or even tetragonal space where there is not such a natural convergence and immediate beauty of the sounds we make in a rounded structure. Not even the power of song bouncing off of the most intricate, cathedral marble and granite walls can compare to the interaction of the music we make in naturally shaped earthen structures. Even the echo has many layers.

When you consider how you or anything you place in the dome lives in there, remember that it was common amongst many practices to place someone or something that needed healing and balance in the middle of the dome to receive healing during chants, prayers, etc. The caves of Mustang (MoosTaang) and the many rooms at Golbi Tepki remind us that such spaces, as well as the power of the amazing, hours long, non-stop chants/songs sung by the Eskimos in the rounded and grounded structures of their Igloos, should inspire you to do experiment in your own way in your own domed space.

I am glad that I have a degree also in earthen building, just for the fact of the marriage of skill and craftsmanship finally blending with the final product that is something more than just a building. In fact we can add to the power of an adobe structure, a rock structure by adding an interior, as well as an exterior finish that has fine quartz embedded into the plaster. The crystalline structure of earthen plasters can hold sound for many years, even centuries……if only you listen.

[Hughe]

@Hey it's me

Thanks a lot for personal story about dome structures.
People should start thinking house as a living entity, a place of dreaming and healing, gateway to access the higher consciousness.

The door panel diagram
http://butterflyofdream.files.wordpress.com/2014/09/cdsc_0074.jpg?w=640&h=427

Checking operation
http://butterflyofdream.files.wordpress.com/2014/09/cdsc_0056.jpg?w=640&h=427

http://butterflyofdream.files.wordpress.com/2014/09/cdsc_0059.jpg?w=640&h=427

http://butterflyofdream.files.wordpress.com/2014/09/cdsc_0062.jpg?w=640&h=427

http://butterflyofdream.files.wordpress.com/2014/09/cdsc_0071.jpg?w=640&h=427

[Hughe]

Full size of earthbag pounder

http://butterflyofdream.files.wordpress.com/2014/09/cdsc_00222.jpg?w=640&h=427
http://butterflyofdream.files.wordpress.com/2014/09/cdsc_0016.jpg?w=640&h=427

83 cm bubble level

I applied a layer of fiber glass on the wooden body to make it strong.
http://butterflyofdream.files.wordpress.com/2014/09/cdsc_00321.jpg?w=640&h=427
http://butterflyofdream.files.wordpress.com/2014/09/cdsc_00331.jpg?w=640&h=427

[778 neighbour of some guy]

Schweeeet dome man, are you planning make a covering for it or is just all experimental?

[Hughe]

I'll make a complete house first before I gonna start building a bigger dome building.

[Hughe]

The foundation
https://butterflyofdream.files.wordpress.com/2014/10/cdsc_0140.jpg?w=640&h=427

[778 neighbour of some guy]

The foundation
https://butterflyofdream.files.wordpress.com/2014/10/cdsc_0140.jpg?w=640&h=427


Are you putting in a roll of barbed wire for rebar before you start pouring the concrete/cement?

[Hughe]

I plan to put one layer of small rocks and pebbles, and one layer of plaster for solid floor.

This incident which happened early of last month made me seriously think about problem of the soil floor.
https://butterflyofdream.files.wordpress.com/2014/10/cdsc_0270.jpg?w=640&h=427

[Hughe]

I've been busy to upgrade and build new equipment for making a real workshop.
Soon I'll have the following equipment:
Kossel Mini 3D Printer (WIP)
Wood lathe (have)
Milling (WIP)
Metal lathe

Kossel Mini 3D Printer

It prints 3D objects within 0.03 mm accuracy.

The base assembly that has three NEMA 17 stepper motors
https://butterflyofdream.files.wordpress.com/2014/10/cdsc_0089.jpg?w=640

https://butterflyofdream.files.wordpress.com/2014/11/cdsc_0089.jpg?w=640

Precision 3D modeling in Blender
It took me fifty hours to finish the ball bearing model by following the instruction in 0.001 mm accuracy.
https://butterflyofdream.files.wordpress.com/2014/09/precision_modeling_rendering2.png?w=640

Wood Lathe

https://butterflyofdream.files.wordpress.com/2014/11/cdsc_0029.jpg?w=640

https://butterflyofdream.files.wordpress.com/2014/11/cdsc_0034.jpg?w=640

Few samples I made
https://butterflyofdream.files.wordpress.com/2014/11/cdsc_0035.jpg?w=640

[Hughe]

Upgrade drill press

Foot switch installation

https://butterflyofdream.files.wordpress.com/2014/11/cdsc_0003.jpg?w=640
https://butterflyofdream.files.wordpress.com/2014/11/cdsc_0004.jpg?w=640
https://butterflyofdream.files.wordpress.com/2014/11/cdsc_0005.jpg?w=640

Replacement of two spindle bearings
https://butterflyofdream.files.wordpress.com/2014/10/cdsc_0029.jpg?w=640

Checking runout of the spindle after the bearing replacement
https://butterflyofdream.files.wordpress.com/2014/10/cdsc_0166.jpg?w=640

Reinforce the hollow column

Blocked the bottom end of column using a circular steel plate
https://butterflyofdream.files.wordpress.com/2014/10/cdsc_0175.jpg?w=640
https://butterflyofdream.files.wordpress.com/2014/10/cdsc_0180.jpg?w=640

Filled hollow space in dirt
https://butterflyofdream.files.wordpress.com/2014/10/cdsc_0213.jpg?w=640

I bought all the parts to build the milling attachment.
https://butterflyofdream.files.wordpress.com/2014/10/popular_mechanics_196901_how_to_mill_on_a_drill_press-3.png

[Hughe]

Upgrade workbench

Anchored it on concrete floor
https://butterflyofdream.files.wordpress.com/2014/10/cdsc_00203.jpg?w=640

Rust removal
https://butterflyofdream.files.wordpress.com/2014/11/cdsc_0401.jpg?w=640

Flat wooden top
It's almost finished.
https://butterflyofdream.files.wordpress.com/2014/11/cdsc_0657.jpg?w=640

Outdoor worklight

https://butterflyofdream.files.wordpress.com/2014/10/cdsc_0039.jpg?w=640

I could work any time I want.
https://butterflyofdream.files.wordpress.com/2014/10/cdsc_0660.jpg?w=640

Typical work clothes:
Safety glasses
Earmuff
Beanie, light winter jacket, T-short, two long sleeves, underwear pants, pants, two pairs of sock, Kevlar toe work boots.

https://butterflyofdream.files.wordpress.com/2014/11/cdsc_0039.jpg?w=640

Cold weather sucks. Well I have to deal with for the three months.

---

From next week I'll be able to start laying earthbags.

[Hughe]

Solar air heater

https://butterflyofdream.files.wordpress.com/2014/12/cdsc_0246.jpg?w=640&h=429

It uses a 12V, 0.08A fan to blow warm air out of the heater .
https://butterflyofdream.files.wordpress.com/2014/12/cdsc_0254.jpg?w=640&h=429

Ambient temperature was six Celsius degrees.
https://butterflyofdream.files.wordpress.com/2014/12/cdsc_0258.jpg?w=640&h=429

The heater was producing warm air at twenty one Celsius degrees.
https://butterflyofdream.files.wordpress.com/2014/12/cdsc_0245.jpg?w=640&h=429

[Hughe]

Insulation of the solar air heater

https://butterflyofdream.files.wordpress.com/2015/01/cdsc_0035.jpg?w=640&h=430

https://butterflyofdream.files.wordpress.com/2015/01/cdsc_0038.jpg?w=640&h=430

https://butterflyofdream.files.wordpress.com/2015/01/cdsc_0046.jpg?w=640&h=430

Front
https://butterflyofdream.files.wordpress.com/2015/01/cdsc_0050.jpg?w=640&h=430

Rear
https://butterflyofdream.files.wordpress.com/2015/01/cdsc_0054.jpg?w=640&h=430

It generates twenty some Celsius degrees of warm air while consuming 5W of electricity.
The 12V DC fan consumes 0.09A of current - 1.08W.
https://butterflyofdream.files.wordpress.com/2015/01/cdsc_0064.jpg?w=640&h=430

[grant]

Hey hughe hows the solar heater working? Whats the ambient temp inside now?

[Deega]

Hi Hughe, woua!, you did a lot of work, even though this Tread has been created a while back, I just had a look today, and I have a few links you might find interesting, hope you don't have them already.

The best to you!

http://community.eonpermaculture.ca/forum/going-deeper-biodomes

http://www.domekits.info/preview_006.htm

[Hughe]

I built Bulbul Junior Reprap 3D Printer. Technically speaking it's a copy of Mini Kossel 3D Printer.
https://butterflyofdream.files.wordpress.com/2015/02/cdsc_0126.jpg?w=640&h=429

Printing the first object, 10 mm cube.
https://butterflyofdream.files.wordpress.com/2015/02/cdsc_00441.jpg?w=640&h=429

The second object called effector for E3D V6 hotend of Bulbul Junior
https://butterflyofdream.files.wordpress.com/2015/02/cdsc_0127.jpg?w=640&h=429

The thrid, 4th, and 5th object that are part of the effector assembly
https://butterflyofdream.files.wordpress.com/2015/02/cdsc_0141.jpg?w=640&h=429

https://butterflyofdream.files.wordpress.com/2015/02/cdsc_0163.jpg?w=640&h=429

It turns out that the operational side of 3D Printer requires steep learning curve. I haven't managed to experience the excitement and fun for the last few days due to problems I have to solve. Hopefully I'll get Bulbul Junior ready to print any 3D object with few clicks so that I'll use it as powerful engineering tool.

[Muzz]

Wow, cool thread. Very impressed with your skills and resourcefulness Hughe. I'm in the process of fitting a DIY hot water solar system to my house at the moment and was intrigued by your solar air system. Is it your own invention or is there a website you got the plans from?

[Hughe]

@Murray

There are many plans for solar air heater on the net.
I just copied one solar air heater on Youtube.
What I learned is that close-loop solar air heater provides more heat than open-loop system - circulating air in the house through the solar air heater or preheated warm air one meter under the ground. The open-loop solar air heater is only good for sunny days.

[Hughe]

Small geodesic dome
https://butterflyofdream.files.wordpress.com/2015/02/cdsc_00572.jpg?w=640&h=429

3/22/2015

Female daurian redstart is building a nest.
https://butterflyofdream.files.wordpress.com/2015/03/dsc_0082.jpg?w=640&h=429

https://butterflyofdream.files.wordpress.com/2015/03/dsc_0187.jpg?w=640&h=429

Male daurian redstart
http://images4.fotop.net/albums2/cwchan/digiscope/DSCN5094c_copy3.jpg?w=640&h=429

[Hughe]

https://butterflyofdream.files.wordpress.com/2015/03/cdsc_0352.jpg?w=640&h=429

https://butterflyofdream.files.wordpress.com/2015/03/cdsc_03531.jpg?w=640&h=429

https://butterflyofdream.files.wordpress.com/2015/03/cdsc_0008.jpg?w=640&h=429

[Hughe]

https://butterflyofdream.files.wordpress.com/2015/03/cdsc_0019.jpg?w=640&h=429

At the center I will build geothermal chamber that exchange heat with circulating air by radiator and electric motor.
Depth of the chamber is 100 cm to 120 cm, diameter is between 106 cm and 110 cm.

https://butterflyofdream.files.wordpress.com/2015/03/cdsc_0024.jpg?w=640&h=429

https://butterflyofdream.files.wordpress.com/2015/03/cdsc_0025.jpg?w=640&h=429

The chamber frame

https://butterflyofdream.files.wordpress.com/2015/03/cdsc_0028.jpg?w=640&h=429

https://butterflyofdream.files.wordpress.com/2015/03/cdsc_0029.jpg?w=640&h=429

https://butterflyofdream.files.wordpress.com/2015/03/cdsc_0027.jpg?w=640&h=429

[buckminster fuller]

Keep it up ! Designing is being a human being to its full extent. You're doing that perfectly.

[Hughe]

Mixture ratio I used:
Crushed stone : sand : cement = 3 : 3 : 1.5

The foundation:
concrete layer - 5 cm of thickness
wire mash
crushed stone layer - 2.0 to 2.5 cm of thickness
plastic sheet - water proof
soil ground

https://butterflyofdream.files.wordpress.com/2015/05/cdsc_0088.jpg?w=640&h=953

Wire mash

https://butterflyofdream.files.wordpress.com/2015/05/cdsc_0273.jpg?w=640&h=428

Building concrete layer
https://butterflyofdream.files.wordpress.com/2015/05/dsc_07331.jpg?w=640&h=428

https://butterflyofdream.files.wordpress.com/2015/05/dsc_11551.jpg?w=640&h=428

Interesting time is ahead of me. I think I've done 65% to 70% of the dome house building so far. I plan to finish building the wall and roof using earthbag over the dome before rainy period starts.

[Hughe]

https://butterflyofdream.files.wordpress.com/2015/05/cdsc_00021.jpg?w=640

Three layers of the foundation
- concrete
- wire mash
- crushed stones
- two sheets of transparent plastic
https://butterflyofdream.files.wordpress.com/2015/05/cdsc_0346.jpg?w=640

Finding the true south by tracking shadow of a pole on the ground.
https://butterflyofdream.files.wordpress.com/2015/05/cdsc_00421.jpg?w=640

https://butterflyofdream.files.wordpress.com/2015/05/cdsc_0188.jpg?w=640

https://butterflyofdream.files.wordpress.com/2015/05/cdsc_0218.jpg?w=640

https://butterflyofdream.files.wordpress.com/2015/05/cdsc_0319.jpg?w=640

https://butterflyofdream.files.wordpress.com/2015/05/cdsc_0343.jpg?w=640

[Hughe]

First layer needs 29 earthbags.

https://butterflyofdream.files.wordpress.com/2015/06/cdsc_0001.jpg?w=640&h=429

https://butterflyofdream.files.wordpress.com/2015/06/cdsc_0148.jpg?w=640&h=429

https://butterflyofdream.files.wordpress.com/2015/06/cdsc_0298.jpg?w=640&h=429

[Hughe]

Twenty two to twenty three layers to lay down.

1st layer
https://butterflyofdream.files.wordpress.com/2015/06/dsc_0587.jpg?w=640

2nd layer
https://butterflyofdream.files.wordpress.com/2015/06/dsc_0383.jpg?w=640

[Hughe]

I installed twelve 8.5 m ropes to reinforce earthbag wall.

https://butterflyofdream.files.wordpress.com/2015/06/dsc_0123.jpg?w=640

https://butterflyofdream.files.wordpress.com/2015/06/dsc_0193.jpg?w=640

https://butterflyofdream.files.wordpress.com/2015/06/dsc_0223.jpg?w=640

[sandy]

Wow, what a lot of work you are doing and accomplishing Hughe>>>>>enjoying your journey as you post you steps along the way. Thank you for sharing as it is very interesting and heart warming to see you actualize your dreams right here in front of our eyes....................:highfive:

[Hughe]

Twenty layers to go.
https://butterflyofdream.files.wordpress.com/2015/06/cdsc_0559.jpg?w=640

@sandy

Thanks for the comment.

I would have put away personal dreams for a while.

I believe in natural human being should know how to build shelter, how to farm, how to prevent and cure illness, how to produce and to distribute energy. The corrupted system, civilizations has taken away must-have knowledge from general public.

I'm in the process of regaining the true knowledge that I could've learned. I think true knowledge must provide the power of manifestation in physical world. Without it knowledge is easy to be subjective, eventually leads to destruction of civilization or even species.

Human is powerful, creative being. It's hard for me to imagine the world people will live once general public get rid of slavery existence in modern civilization. It's technically feasible to create small, independent community / village that provides everything to the members less than twenty to thirty hours' community work per week.

[Hughe]

https://butterflyofdream.files.wordpress.com/2015/07/cdsc_0265.jpg?w=640

https://butterflyofdream.files.wordpress.com/2015/07/cdsc_0344.jpg?w=640

[Hughe]

I stacked earthbag wall to center line of the dome.
https://butterflyofdream.files.wordpress.com/2015/08/08122015_0273.jpg?w=640

Building main door frame

https://butterflyofdream.files.wordpress.com/2015/08/dsc_0003.jpg?w=640

https://butterflyofdream.files.wordpress.com/2015/08/dsc_0017.jpg?w=640

[spacejack]

Hey Hughe, mind if I ask what this is costing so far. And how many hours you put in. Even if it was longer and cost more, I think its awesome that your are doing it.

Whats the option of putting it into the ground? Excavating a bit and putting the dome on top at its half point. Would that still work as well?

[Hughe]

Improvised protractor
https://butterflyofdream.files.wordpress.com/2015/09/20150912_0027.jpg?w=640


Top door frame is done.
It's made out of I beam, 5 mm thickness of steel plate, 60 mm to 100 mm of old lumber.

https://butterflyofdream.files.wordpress.com/2015/09/20150912_0033.jpg?w=640

https://butterflyofdream.files.wordpress.com/2015/09/20150912_0039.jpg?w=640


A blue frog

https://butterflyofdream.files.wordpress.com/2015/09/20150912_00311.jpg?w=640

[Hughe]

@spacejack

Thanks.

I had spent abount $500 to $600 so far. Raw building material is extremely cheap. For example, a truck load of crushed rock only costs $50 plus shipping and handling. Most of time when I buy raw materail, I spend equal amount of money as shipping fee.

As you might see, I started builing it as an emergency shelter out of personal fear and realization of scary human condition in 21st civilization in late 2013. Twenty to thirty percent of time I had spent wasn't related to acutla construction of the dome.

How many time I spent? I could say thousands hours. I passed the point of return so that I'll have finished the dome all by myself. It really sucks but I will be able to share all the knowledge and hand-on skills of shelter constrution with people some day.

[IChingUChing]

Just saw the thread. Looks great, from all aspects. Thought you might enjoy a look at a half dome I made back in 2013 - aluminium and although it does actually form a complete half dome, I left it in a partially constructed state as part of an exhibition I was doing:

[spacejack]

I saw a cool dome on vacation in Montreal. I read about it, it was designed by Buckminster Fuller for the US but given to Montreal. Its a icosahedron dome. I thought it was interesting because the walls are actually 3d, not flat. I thought it was flat until I was up close and you can see how its made of pyramid like structures instead of triangles.
https://www.ec.gc.ca/biosphere/default.asp?lang=En&n=30956246-1

[Hughe]

I spent good hours to design the door frame so that it will withstand few tons of weight and give rigidity to the dome. Concrete and reinforcement bars were not my option.

https://butterflyofdream.files.wordpress.com/2015/09/09162015_0414.jpg?w=640&h=429

Two side panels
https://butterflyofdream.files.wordpress.com/2015/09/09162015_0194.jpg?w=640&h=429

Three top plates
https://butterflyofdream.files.wordpress.com/2015/09/09162015_0304.jpg?w=640&h=429

Six cross bars using old lumbers
https://butterflyofdream.files.wordpress.com/2015/09/09162015_0420.jpg?w=640&h=429

I made a mistake on side panel assembly. I swaped the left and right and, due to the design flaw, I did not secured the top sides.
https://butterflyofdream.files.wordpress.com/2015/09/09162015_0418.jpg?w=640&h=429

One more day of work will finish the door frame:
- install the center panel
- another layer of black paint

[Hughe]

https://butterflyofdream.files.wordpress.com/2015/09/09212015_0203.jpg?w=640

https://butterflyofdream.files.wordpress.com/2015/09/09212015_0368.jpg?w=640

https://butterflyofdream.files.wordpress.com/2015/09/09222015_0131.jpg?w=640

[Hughe]

Essential handtools for construction are a pickaxe, two shovels - pointy one, flat one.

Sharpened the pickaxe
https://butterflyofdream.files.wordpress.com/2015/09/09262015_0425.jpg?w=640

https://butterflyofdream.files.wordpress.com/2015/09/09262015_0421.jpg?w=640

https://butterflyofdream.files.wordpress.com/2015/09/09262015_0423.jpg?w=640

Measuring the height to the top. It was around 75 cm.
https://butterflyofdream.files.wordpress.com/2015/09/09252015_0214.jpg?w=640

I ran out of earth and found digging spot for the rest walls, 65 cm to stack.
Two hundreds of onion bag will be sufficent.
https://butterflyofdream.files.wordpress.com/2015/09/09262015_0335.jpg?w=640

[Hughe]

Checking the angles of three sides of the window frame against the normal plane (triangle)
https://butterflyofdream.files.wordpress.com/2015/10/10062015_0005.jpg?w=640

https://butterflyofdream.files.wordpress.com/2015/10/10062015_0007.jpg?w=640

Three window frames
https://butterflyofdream.files.wordpress.com/2015/10/10062015_0236.jpg?w=640

Applied a can of spray paint on the window frames
https://butterflyofdream.files.wordpress.com/2015/10/10062015_0288.jpg?w=640

[Hughe]

https://butterflyofdream.files.wordpress.com/2015/10/10082015_0434.jpg?w=640

I need to fill up the fifteen triangles which firms the roof cap.
https://butterflyofdream.files.wordpress.com/2015/10/10102015_0001.jpg?w=640

[Hughe]

https://butterflyofdream.files.wordpress.com/2015/10/10152015_0257.jpg?w=640&h=428

https://butterflyofdream.files.wordpress.com/2015/10/10152015_0245.jpg?w=640&h=428

https://butterflyofdream.files.wordpress.com/2015/10/10142015_0559.jpg?w=640&h=428

https://butterflyofdream.files.wordpress.com/2015/10/10152015_0250.jpg?w=640&h=428

The dome has consumed about 650 to 670 earth bags, around 8,321 kg.
My estimate of total earth quantity is between 8.5 ton and 8.7 ton because the sample earth bag was medium size.

https://butterflyofdream.files.wordpress.com/2015/10/10152015_0262.jpg?w=640&h=428

https://butterflyofdream.files.wordpress.com/2015/10/10152015_0270.jpg?w=640&h=428

[Hughe]

A bag of lime plaster (CaO 80%)
https://butterflyofdream.files.wordpress.com/2015/10/10152015_0260.jpg?w=640

What was I thinking?
I was mixing lime plaster with water in a plastic container. I knew lime plaster generates heat when it meets water but did not expect high temperature.
https://butterflyofdream.files.wordpress.com/2015/10/10202015_0037.jpg?w=640

The heat destroyed brand new plastic container I bought for 4,000 KRW.
https://butterflyofdream.files.wordpress.com/2015/10/10202015_0172.jpg?w=640

https://butterflyofdream.files.wordpress.com/2015/10/10202015_0176.jpg?w=640

Anyway I ended up finishing the work early yesterday.
https://butterflyofdream.files.wordpress.com/2015/10/10202015_0168.jpg?w=640

[Hym]

Hey Hughe!
It's good to see you getting it done. Great work and even more importantly working it out, trial and error making success! You've put up an inspiring series of works for us.
By the way, we use lime plaster to exterior coat a lot of adobe here in the Southwest, that is, when we have to cover an adobe roof or dome, trying to leave exterior and interior walls coated with an earthen plaster as they can be repaired more easily.
We built a small adobe chapel for a fellow student with a vaulted roof that had to have lime plaster on its exterior to keep it from deteriorating, just like you are doing with your dome.
The process of building adobe ovens, ornos, and domes by stacking adobe bricks (10 x 4 x 14) is fun and very strong if done right.
Keep up the great work and send us an audio recording or video of you singing (or chanting or praying...) inside after you're finished, if you will.
Thank You !!! !!!!!! !!!!!!!!!

[sandy]

WOW!! What a labour of LOVE :)

[Hughe]

One coating is done. I used five bags of lime plaster.
https://butterflyofdream.files.wordpress.com/2015/10/10222015_0436.jpg?w=640&h=428

https://butterflyofdream.files.wordpress.com/2015/10/10222015_0429.jpg?w=640&h=428

Close shot
https://butterflyofdream.files.wordpress.com/2015/10/10222015_0437.jpg?w=640&h=428

@Hey it's me

Thanks for the kind words. When the dome house is done, I'll release a documentary film that contains background music and voice, dome build guide which covers every aspect of geodesic dome house from tool selection, design and materials under GPL license.

@sandy

I realized that the essence of labor that's directly related to human survival is sacred, invaluable.

[Hughe]

So far I spent about $626 (711,260.00 KRW) to build this dome.

Bill of Material




Earth, 8.5 ton, W0 (free of charge by Nature)

Onion mesh bag x750
large x150, W15,000
large x500, W50,000
large x50, W5,000
medium x50, W5,000
sub total: W75,000

Fasteners
6x60 bolt x250, nuts 6, washer, W14,500
6x60 bolts and etc., W28,800
3/8 bolts and nuts, W6,000
U-bolt 20A x20
U-bolt plate x20, W6,560
Washer x60
U-bolt 20A x30, W6,000
U-bolt 25A and etc., W2,000
Screw for wood, x500, W7,500
Sub total: W71,360

Barbed wire, total length 270m
90m roll x1- W37,400
90m roll x1 - W30,000
90m roll x1 - W34,000
sub total: W101,400

Steel pipe - diameter 26.5mm x 5m, x30, W189,000
H beam - 200*200 x2, W32,000
(Delibery charge, W50,000)
Sheet metal
W36,000
W15,000
sub total: W322,000

PP rope - 5 mm x2, W12,000
Cement - 40kg x10, W50,000
Square wire net x6, W15,000
Crushed rock, 2 ton, W50,000, donation

Paint
Primer, W16,000
Solvant x1, W4,500
Spray paint x1 can,W2,000
Brush x1, W1,500
Brush x1, W1,500
sub total: W25,500

Lime plaster x10, W30,000
Fertilizer container, W4,000
Metal container, W5,000
sub total: W39,000

Total: 711,260.00 KRW


Marked the holes to be patched.
https://butterflyofdream.files.wordpress.com/2015/10/10232015_0011.jpg?w=640&h=429

https://butterflyofdream.files.wordpress.com/2015/10/10232015_0005.jpg?w=640&h=429

https://butterflyofdream.files.wordpress.com/2015/10/10232015_0014.jpg?w=640&h=429

[Hughe]

Sample window frame

I found two design flaws from it.
- a bit small
- the width of frame is too wide.

https://butterflyofdream.files.wordpress.com/2015/10/10262015_0002.jpg?w=640

https://butterflyofdream.files.wordpress.com/2015/10/10262015_0003.jpg?w=640

Measurement of three window frames

https://butterflyofdream.files.wordpress.com/2015/10/10292015_0014.jpg?w=640

Applied black paint to prevent water absorption and wraping
https://butterflyofdream.files.wordpress.com/2015/10/10292015_0016.jpg?w=640

It took full two days to make and install the three window frames.

West side
https://butterflyofdream.files.wordpress.com/2015/10/10302015_0236.jpg?w=640

North side
https://butterflyofdream.files.wordpress.com/2015/10/10302015_0238.jpg?w=640

East side
https://butterflyofdream.files.wordpress.com/2015/10/10302015_0240.jpg?w=640

Started coating lime plaster one more time to finish the surface.
https://butterflyofdream.files.wordpress.com/2015/10/10302015_0217.jpg?w=640

https://butterflyofdream.files.wordpress.com/2015/10/10312015_0532.jpg?w=640

[Hughe]

I definitely missed the window of plaster curing weather, above 10 degrees of zero and dry days.
For the past five months, I've been watching it how plaster react to water.
The dome leaks water when it snows or rains.

I'm designing another dome that will serve as water proof barrier and insulation zone.

4/15/2016

Measuring the circumference of dome
https://butterflyofdream.files.wordpress.com/2016/04/20160415_0022.jpg?w=640

Plaster layer of the roof turned into white sand during the winter.
https://butterflyofdream.files.wordpress.com/2016/04/20160415_0015.jpg?w=640

Cracks on the side wall here and there.
https://butterflyofdream.files.wordpress.com/2016/04/20160415_0003.jpg?w=640

I guess over 80 percent of earth bags soaked water.
https://butterflyofdream.files.wordpress.com/2016/04/20160415_0007.jpg?w=640

Weeds are resilient.
https://butterflyofdream.files.wordpress.com/2016/04/20160415_0013.jpg?w=640

[Hughe]

NASA hasn't disclosed it yet. Why?
I obtained excerpt version of it by Jay Salsburg.


NATIONAL AERONAUTICS AND
SPACE ADMINISTRATION

STRUCTURAL DESIGN CONCEPTS FOR
FUTURE SPACE MISSIONS

Progress Report for period
May 1, 1968 to October 31, 1968

N69-29417
CODE 1
CR# 101577

Jullan H. Lauchner
R. Buckminster Fuller
Joseph D. Clinton
Mark B. Mabee
Richard M. Moeller
Richard Flood

Joseph D. Clinton advanced Geodesic technology further. He apparently had provided essential data of geodesic domes to some writers whose books became authoritative study materials in public domain.

Advanced structural geometry studies. Part 1: Polyhedral subdivision concepts for structural applications
http://ntrs.nasa.gov/archive/nasa/casi.ntrs.nasa.gov/19710028059.pdf

Advanced structural geometry studies. Part 2: A geometric transformation concept for expanding rigid structures
http://ntrs.nasa.gov/archive/nasa/casi.ntrs.nasa.gov/19710028061.pdf

The geodesic dome design program I uses, Geodome is Open Source software which has been stopped in development. It's written by C language and OpenGL graphic library in Linux in 2005.

I decided to port the source code of Geodome to Python language and OpenSCAD module that builds dome parts for small dome models using a 3D Printer before building big ones.

https://github.com/ghpenguin/workshop/blob/master/R50cm_dome_flat_bottom.png?raw=true

https://github.com/ghpenguin/workshop/blob/master/r12_pydome_513.png?raw=true

[Hughe]

I'll be able to use my 3D Printers to build prototype domes soon.
Python version of Geodome I've been developing is functional now. I already put a name on it as pydome, which I would have released as GPL license when it's done.

This dome is a test model.
Frequency: 10
Radius: 30.00 mm
Vertices: 842
Edges: 2371
Faces: 1500

842 vertices
http://thingiverse-production-new.s3.amazonaws.com/renders/13/86/eb/54/5c/a00c11f216f46093f06e8499bb69e2a6_preview_featured.jpg

http://thingiverse-production-new.s3.amazonaws.com/renders/56/8f/3f/66/25/f36680ea6b90c26f90bd3c9c39e43171_preview_featured.jpg

Each color represents a group of edges that have equal length.
http://thingiverse-production-new.s3.amazonaws.com/renders/50/3e/ae/f0/6a/2faa3f0c2f05442f1f0849d3c4fee1e1_preview_featured.jpg

It took 35 minutes to generate the STL model for 3D Printing in OpenSCAD.
http://thingiverse-production-new.s3.amazonaws.com/renders/a9/a3/b3/f4/8c/b277b86f8461530da3df856ef5e00dc6_preview_featured.jpg

Source link: http://www.thingiverse.com/thing:1593404

I gotta make a complete package for building a dome house. Anybody who want to build a geodesic dome structure or dome house should spend as little money and time as one spare. That's the beauty of Open Source.

When Open Source hardware and software meets money becomes irrelevant. It gives the power of manifestation to an individual or an organization. Once people know the beauty and experience accomplishment that affects the surrounding, they can not go back to zombie-like existence.

I think a dome house needs two domes. Outer dome acts as shell that protects natural elements, inner dome which supports Earthbags or insulation material. Space between outer dome and inner dome serves as heat barrier.