Recently I found myself with loads of spare time – I had intended to write a few articles for an online CAD publication, but declined due to communication problems – so I decided to dig up a project that I first thought about doing a few years ago, related to dome structures. This project started out as a study of geodesic structures, tensegrity and synergetics but I never really had the time to develop a viable design.
The structure is based on a 3V dome format with a radius of 56 inches. The main structural elements are timber with hub connections forming the main geometric arrangements. So far I have managed to complete the main structural elements and resolved some of the major connection details, but there is still a lot of base work to do, with further development work required for the entrance.
I must admit that I am happy with the concept at this stage even though it is at a preliminary stage. It has taken a long time; much more than I intended; to develop this structure primarily due to sizing restrictions as the project is designed for a typical garden environment. I initially started with a 58″ structure and then a 54″ structure but I found limitations in both designs that I was not happy with, consequently the 56″ seemed to be a good compromise.
Sponsorship:
This dome design has been developed using AutoCad Inventor (the actual design units are millimetres). The design addresses many issues concerning the use of panels in conjunction with a space frame that relate to how the 2 structural forms align and merge together to minimise open joints and create a strong structure.
At some stage I would wish to build a prototype for design assessment and to ensure that all the fundamental clearances and accessibility criteria are met. I would be happy to discuss options for sponsorship to help take this project to the next level and build a prototype with eventual intent to manufacture
Dimensions:
- Floor Area: 5.4m2 approx
- Overall Height: 2.5m
- Maximum Outside Diameter: 2.64m
- Volume: 9.2m3 approx
Aviation CAD TechNotes 
I thought about this some time ago to do with beach huts, here are a few links from then:http://www.borinvanloon.co.uk/loondna.htmlhttp://www.solardome.co.uk/http://www.google.co.uk/search?hl=en&q=construct+a+dome&btnG=Google+Search&meta=http://www.greenhouses-uk.com/geodesic_dome_greenhouses.htmhttp://agidomes.com/http://www.grunch.net/snelson/http://www.c4multimedia.co.uk/html/clients/audi.swfhttp://www.strafe.com/bj/photo/beach/beach1.htmlhttp://history.fnal.gov/neutrino.htmlhttp://www.hammacher.com/publish/60687.asp?cm_ven=CJ&cm_pla=1443200&cm_ite=Geodesic+Climber&cm_cat=1016568http://www.cora.nwra.com/~gourlay/dome/I haven’t time to check these old links still work but I hope they do and they are relevant for your studies.My apologies if they are not useful, read about you from a shed site: shedworking daily roundup.My websites are http://www.msbnews.co.uk (look in the A-Z for beach hut deign and architecture articles, and http://web.mac.com/beachhutmanCheers Tim
Hi Tim,Thank you very much for your contributions, which I really appreciate – you must have taken a lot of time to list all those sites – I am sure they will be a very useful resource.Hugh