A monolithic dome is a structure cast in a one-piece form. The form may be permanent or temporary and may or may not remain part of the finished structure. Monolithic domes are a form of monolithic architecture.
History
The igloo may be 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, homogeneous structure. The dome-like shape of the igloo exhibits the two major advantages of a dome-shaped structure: great strength, and good insulation. The strength is due to the natural strength of the arch, and the insulation is due to the minimal surface area of a spherical section. The first modern monolithic dome structure was built in Provo, Utah, by architect Lee C. Knell, and opened in 1963 as an ice skating rink. Called [|Turtle Reams] after its 1967 conversion into a general store by new owner Paul Ream, the building stood until it was demolished in 2006 for new construction. Turtle Reams was built by first creating a mound of dirt in the desired shape of the shell, an ellipsoidal section long, wide and high. The mound was then covered in a grid of rebar, to provide strength, and a layer of concrete approximately thick. After the concrete was cured, the dirt was excavated through the doorways, leaving the roof standing in its place. The floor was then poured to finish the structure. Today, monolithic domes are used in a variety of residential, commercial and industrial projects. Because of the strength, durability and economics, they are used to store large amounts of various commodities in the cement, fertilizer, agricultural, power and mining industries. Due to their structural integrity, they are used as the containment buildings at some nuclear power plants. Forms have been made using nearly every common structural material including air pressure supported fabric.
Current construction methods
Modern construction differs significantly from the original concrete-over-dirt method. The current methods were developed by three brothers from Idaho: David, Barry, and Randy South. The first dome built using these method was constructed in April 1976 in Shelley, Idaho:
A reinforced concrete foundation, or "ring beam", is constructed, defining the shape of the base of the structure.
The fabric form, or air form, is attached to the foundation and inflated with an air blower. The air form 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.
Rebar is attached to the outside layer of foam, using clips that are attached to the foam.
Several inches of concrete are sprayed over the re-bar frame.
After the concrete has set, the blower is turned off.
The exposed surface of the air form may be left as is, or a surface treatment such as paint, tile, etc., may be applied.
In instances where necessity requires economical construction for multiple small and basic dwellings, the dome can be built without insulation and the air form can be removed after completion and re-used to build additional domes.
Durability
The dome, when finished, is earthquake, tornado and hurricane resistant. Recently, a number of monolithic domes constructed using MDI techniques have survived major disasters:
Many monolithic domes were in the path of the 2005 and 2006 wildfires in Oklahoma and Texas, and survived with only slight charring of the exterior foam insulation.
In 2003, a monolithic dome government building in Iraq survived a direct hit by a. bomb. The interior of the structure was totally destroyed, but the dome itself remained standing.
The demolition of Turtle Reams also demonstrated the durability of the monolithic dome structure. A wrecking ball demolished a strip several feet wide around the perimeter of the structure, without a collapse. When a doorway on one side was pulled down, the dome finally tipped over, and collapsed.
Climate control
The monolithic dome, for a number of reasons, is very energy efficient. The spherical sections of the dome offer minimal surface area for the volume they contain, so there is less surface for heat transfer with the outside air. The one piece construction of the monolithic dome also eliminates many of the seams through which air can leak, though this is mitigated to some degree in residential domes by the addition of multiple doors and windows. By placing the insulating foam on the outside of the concrete shell, the concrete acts as a thermal mass inside the building, reducing interior temperature fluctuations far more than the traditional home's insulation inside of a brick or stone veneer.
Disadvantages
While the monolithic dome has numerous demonstrated engineering advantages, there are also some disadvantages, both engineering and social.
Engineering
The techniques used in monolithic dome construction are very different from normal construction methods, so only specially trained construction crews are suited for building a dome using the modern techniques.
The curved surfaces inherent to monolithic dome construction often result in oddly shaped rooms when divided up, which can result in wasted space in narrow corners. There are issues of wasted floor space due to wall curvature and problems fitting furniture, similar to those of Quonset huts. This effect can be minimized by constructing the dome on a stem wall, or by using an airform of such shape as to allow for straight, vertical walls at ground level.
The monolithic dome's lack of seams may make it too well sealed; dehumidifiers are required in all but the driest climates.
Social
Social disadvantages of monolithic domes are to a large degree shared by geodesic domes, due to the similar shape and unorthodox construction. These disadvantages are:
The radically different appearance of the domes also decreases the appeal for their use as private residences—the standard circular base doesn't fit well on small lots found in many areas, and the strange appearance and design may run afoul of neighborhood building covenants. Depending on the situation, a large variety of variations available from the standard circular shape can avoid some of these problems.
Building permits may be difficult to obtain if local officials are not familiar with the monolithic dome.
Resale of a monolithic dome home may be difficult because of its unconventional appearance.
in 2005
Construction records
The largest monolithic dome in the world is the home of Faith Chapel Christian Center in Birmingham, AL, which is tall, and in diameter. Inside is a floor area of in two levels. Some communities in the United States have chosen to use monolithic dome technology in the construction of new schools. A map of recently built monolithic dome schools can be found here: A residential house, the monolithic in Pensacola Beach, Florida, has experienced several hurricanes since it was built.
