What Are Domes?
The dome looks like a simple dome-shaped structure, but it contains rich architectural wisdom. Shelter gives you a detailed description of what a dome is, and gives you an in-depth understanding of its characteristics, principles, and application areas. Enter the world of the dome and explore its mysteries together.
What is a Dome?
Everyone has a different definition of a dome. Simply put, a dome is a hemispherical structure that provides shelter for an interior space. A space composed of a frame + an outer covering + other accessories is a dome. The characteristics of a dome structure are its simple and elegant shape, excellent stability, and load-bearing capacity.
Domes were widely used in medieval Islamic temples (such as the Dome of the Rock in Jerusalem) and churches in the Byzantine Empire (such as the Hagia Sophia in Constantinople). In the 20th century, R. Buckminster Fuller designed many geodesic domes and applied for patents in the United States. He played an indelible role in the development of geodesic domes. The dome's lightweight and low material usage make it ideal for large-scale buildings and temporary structures.
With the advancement of material science, the materials and construction technology of dome structures have been significantly improved. Domes continue to adapt to the changes of time and the advancement of technology, and have been widely used and developed around the world.
Why are Domes so Popular?
The dome structure is sought after because of its unique appearance and shape. The dome structure developed from the dome-shaped building and has evolved over a long period of time. The dome carries a wealth of cultural and symbolic meanings as a form of architecture. For example, the Pantheon in ancient Rome had a smooth circular outline without sharp edges. This architectural style was widely used in churches and palaces in medieval Europe and became one of the symbols of architectural art of that era. In many cultures, the dome is regarded as a perfect shape, representing unity, harmony and integrity. The design principle of symmetry and this sense of balance further enhance the beauty of the dome.
On the other hand, compared with traditional straight or flat building structures, the dome structure reduces the use of building materials through its unique curved shape. It can pre-fabricate each component and then assemble it on site. The construction process is also relatively simple. Its economical use of materials and unique aesthetics make the dome structure more and more widely used in modern architectural design.
What are the Types of Dome Structure?
Domes are mainly divided into lamella fabric domes and geodesic fabric domes according to their structures.
Lamella Domes
Lamella domes is Shelter's groundbreaking structure. Each level is a regular triangular structure with horizontal lines and a neat appearance. The structure is relatively simple, and the top is reinforced to enhance the overall stability and load-bearing capacity. This design makes the structure suitable for large and medium-sized span applications. The location and size of the door can be adjusted according to actual needs and usage habits.
- Here are some advantages of lamella structure:
- It withstands large loads and vibrations, and has high seismic resistance.
- Effectively disperses external loads, reduces rod stress, and extends service life.
- Rods and nodes are arranged regularly, the manufacturing process is simple, and the production cycle is reduced.
- With good maintainability, individual components can be easily replaced or repaired.
Lamella domes are a stable and secure solution that can be used in a variety of situations. Shelter designed this structure based on the shape of the Eskimo Igloo. This structure also facilitates faster production, so Lamella domes can reach your hands as soon as possible.
Geodesic Domes
What is a geodesic dome? Geodesic domes are one of the most commonly used structures on the market. It is a geometric model from point to line segment to sphere. Products are designed through "frequency". "Frequency" refers to the number of elements contained in the product's structure. The more the number, the more rods there are in the dome, and the smoother the appearance. When designing products, Shelter will select different frequencies according to actual needs to achieve the best effect.
The geodesic dome adopts the geometric shape of an inscribed regular icosahedron, and each face is an equilateral triangle. There are relatively few types of rods and their lengths are similar, which helps to achieve uniform force distribution and improve the stability of the structure. It is suitable for single-story structures with a height of less than 20 meters. However, compared with the lamella structure, it is relatively troublesome to install curtains and doors, because the special shape of the structure requires a special installation method.
What is Dome Frequency?
- Choosing a lower frequency number can save material because it reduces the number of rods in the structure.
- Choosing more frequencies means that the structure is closer to a perfect sphere, but it also means that more material is needed.
How to Choose Lamella Domes and Geodesic Domes?
When choosing between lamella domes and geodesic domes, there are several aspects to consider:
Dome Size Requirements
For large domes over 20 meters, a lamella structure is recommended because of its better overall stability.
For small domes less than 10 meters, geodesic domes are usually recommended because of their relatively simple structure and ease of building.
Transparency Requirements
Geodesic domes are usually recommended for fully transparent domes because geodesic curved doors are more visually beautiful.
Functional Requirements
For activities that require frequent movement or replacement of content, geodesic domes may be more convenient. Because of its relatively simple structure and fewer rods, it is easy to quickly build and dismantle.
Budget
With the same specifications, geodesic domes are cheaper than lamella domes because geodesic domes have fewer rods than lamella domes. The more rods in a lamella dome also means that it has better stability and durability than a geodesic dome.
What are the Advantages of a Dome?
Simple Structure
The design of the dome structure is based on a simple hemispherical geometry, which simplifies the complexity of the building. Due to its symmetry and repetitiveness, the dome structure requires less adjustments and corrections during construction.
Quick to Build
Quick to Build
The prefabricated components and modular design of the dome structure allow for quick assembly. Since most of the work can be done in the factory, the on-site installation time is greatly reduced. The reduced installation time means that you can schedule your time for other more important matters.
Low Cost
The design reduces the use of materials, and the dome structure has a low material cost. The fast construction speed can reduce labor costs and on-site management expenses. The use of prefabricated components also reduces the generation of on-site waste, which is beneficial to environmental protection. Simple maintenance procedures and long service life also help to reduce the maintenance cost of the dome.
Demountable and Reusable
The modularity of dome structures makes them easy to disassemble and reconfigure. Domes can be reused in different locations. After some temporary exhibitions or resorts are over, the dome structure can be disassembled and rebuilt elsewhere. Reusability reduces costs and contributes to the sustainable use of resources.
Low Foundation Requirements
Dome has relatively low foundation requirements due to its uniform pressure distribution. They can be built on soft soil and unstable ground. This feature makes the dome an ideal choice for areas with complex terrain or poor foundation conditions. However, pay attention to the leveling of the ground between construction. In humid areas, when using the dome as an accommodation dome, you can also choose a modular deck as a platform to prevent moisture and mildew.
High Safety
The arc of the dome provides inherent strength, allowing it to withstand heavy snow. Its spherical surface can reduce wind resistance and improve the stability of the structure in strong winds. It also performs well in earthquake resistance. It is recommended that earthquake-prone areas such as Japan can choose this structure if you want to build a tent.
Applicable to Multiple Scenarios
The open interior space has no load-bearing walls of traditional buildings, providing great design freedom. This flexibility makes the dome suitable for a variety of functions, such as living, office, entertainment and exhibition. The curved shape and smooth surface of the dome structure enhance sound distribution and minimize echo, so it is also ideal for concert halls, theaters and places of worship.
Application of Dome Structures
- Venue
- Stage
- Decoration
- Venue
- Advertising carrier
- Brand release/promotion event venue
- Display carrier
- Restaurant/theater/reception hall/exhibition hall
- Semi-permanent building
- Green plant cultivation room
- Plant exhibition venue
- Children's amusement facilities
- Campus activity facilities
- External fabric main body spray painting
- External projection
- Internal projection-immersive experience
FAQs
What should I do if My Dome is Damaged?
Shelter Dome's product warranty period is one year. The reference life of our products is as follows. If the corresponding product does not reach the expected service life, you can contact us for consultation.
- The service life of the frame structure is 15 years.
- The service life of the overall outer membrane structure is 8-10 years.
- The service life of the transparent tarpaulin is 2-3 years, and it is recommended that the outer fabric be split.
How should the Dome be Packaged for Transportation?
Rods use steel pipe brackets, outer fabrics and other accessories are packed with plastic rubber brackets, and single sets of glass doors are packed with wooden frames.
What is the Fabric of Domes?
The outer covering of domes is PVC or PVDF tarpaulin. The parameters of PVC are 850GSM opaque PVC and 950GSM transparent PVC, and the working temperature is -25-75C. PVC/PVDF tarpaulin is composed of a base fabric, an external coating, and a surface treatment. The tensile strength of PVDF is higher than that of PVC.
The material that is coated with PVDF resin on the surface of PVC is called PVDF. The base fabric used in both is high-strength polyester fiber. Compared with ordinary PVC membrane, the durability of PVDF membrane is improved to more than 10~15 years.
What Problems will Fabric Structures Encounter and How to Solve Them?
Fabric structures may encounter a variety of problems during use, such as yellowing, gullies, unclearness, and cloudiness. These problems are often caused by long-term folding, weather changes, or material aging.
Yellowing problem: Long-term exposure to sunlight and ultraviolet radiation causes the membrane material to oxidize and yellow. Choose UV-resistant fabric materials, or use a split-piece design to replace the yellowed parts promptly.
Creases and unclear phenomena: physical damage caused by long-term folding. In cold weather, especially when the temperature is below -10 degrees, it is not suitable to lay the fabric. What to do if the deadline is tight? Before installation, preheat the fabric material to a suitable temperature indoors, unfold the fabric for about 10-15 minutes, and then install it. Use appropriate stretching and fixing methods to ensure that the fabric material is unfolded flat.
What is the Flame Retardant Grade?
The flame retardant grade is the grade of the material's combustion performance.
National standard: divided into Class A (non-combustible), Class B1 (difficult to burn), Class B2 (combustible) and Class B3 (flammable)
European standard: divided into M0 (non-combustible), M1 (difficult to burn), M2 (difficult to burn), M3 (combustible), M4 (flammable)
Is There a Problem with the Outer Fabric being Split?
We designed the transparent fabric as a separate piece, which is connected to the main fabric through a zipper and Velcro. In this way, when it needs to be replaced, only the damaged part needs to be removed, without having to replace the entire outer fabric. This design not only improves the convenience of maintenance, but also extends the service life of the tent.
For dome tents over 40 meters, we use eyelets and tie ropes as the main connection method, and use Velcro to fix them. This design makes the construction and disassembly of large domes more efficient.
How to Deal with the Condensation Problem?
Condensation is mainly water vapor contained in the air. When the temperature drops, the humidity content of the air decreases, and the excess water condenses into water droplets. Excessive condensation will cause the steel pipe to rust and reduce the strength of the steel pipe.
Condensation can be prevented mainly through the following ways:
A: When the sun is directly exposed during the day, the indoor temperature is much higher than the outdoor temperature, and the indoor water vapor cannot be dissipated to the outside after evaporation. Strengthening ventilation can remove indoor water vapor in time, and the temperature difference between the inside and outside will not be too large, avoiding condensation.
B: In the rainy season or other seasons with high humidity, close the doors and windows in time, and use mechanical equipment such as dehumidifiers to dehumidify.
C: Make a waterproof layer on the ground or suspend the platform, divide the indoor dry and wet areas, and arrange windows in the wet area and other ventilation measures.
