Geodesic dome

From RevSpace
Jump to navigation Jump to search
Project Geodesic dome
Geodetische koepel.jpg
Status In progress
Contact User:Morphje
Last Update 2016-03-08

Morphje is building a geodesic dome. This page houses all related information about this project.


Background

I've always wanted to build a geodesic dome. That's basically it. I positively enjoy the beautiful shape, it's geometrics and sturdiness using only basic materials. The round shape makes it an ideal candidate for high wind sites, since the drag coefficient is very low. For a 9.1 meter dome, the wind load is only 500 KG in a gale force wind (8 bft).

Project goals

At the hackerspace, bigger is better and when doing it's worth overdoing. The only thing i'm overdoing is it's size: 9.1 meter in diameter. All materials are chosen for lightweight, low cost, but still be able to carry my own weight.

  • Total costs: <400 EUR
  • Primary material: wood (pine 22x48 mm)
  • Size: 9.1 meter
  • Height: 3.7 meter (or 5.4m when extended to 5/9 3v)
  • Type: 4/9 3v Krushke dome

Costs

Costs so far:

Item Notes Cost (EUR)
Wooden struts Pine; 22x48mm. hornbach, 60 3m60 lengths
It's basicly strong enough to hold me, see pictures
101
Metal pipe inserts 12mm CV pipe; galvanized; Installand 4 6m lengths
This one was a gamble, but it paid out nicely
29
Metal end cap rings 25x50x1.5 mm rectangular steel, cut into 10mm sections. 6m length
This is used to strengthen the wood, so it won't split
33
nuts and bolts m3; hornbach 50(-ish tbd)
dogtail M6 bolts m6; tbd
dogtail bolts are awesome for assembly
tbd
tarp 70-ish/TBD
Ratchet straps 1500kg 40-ish/TBD
Anchors 30x30 square tubing 30-ish/TBD
Paint

Calculations

http://www.domerama.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/BL191104B-Geodesic-Analysis1.pdf

Stats

Days to build: 5 days (so far op 80/20 point) Cuts and brushes: too many to tell XD. At least one a day Sweat: too much (including complains from other hackerspace members) Hammerblows: 10000+ Drill bits destroyed: 5


Buildlog

Testing

Final conclusion: It works like a charm, full steam ahead!

Metal parts fabrication

There are 2 metal parts. A collar and a pipe.

The collar is used to prevent the wood from splitting. I procured square tubing 50x25x1.5mm, inner dimensions are 47x22, perfect for the wooden struts. There were cut on an industrial cut off saw. I can highly recommend using a decent machine and use plenty of cutting fluid! Cutting each collar takes about 30 seconds. Using a disc grinder will use more material (you cannot cut straight), go through a lot of discs (one disc will only cut 10 collars i reccon) and setting up each cut will take up more time.

alternative: 50kg dyneema kite rope. Wrap it around tight and fasten it like a hangman noose. Glue into place. Or use wet rope and wrap it around tight, when the rope dries it shrinks.

The pipe is cut, deburred, scored using a blunt chissel type of tool and then whacked flat on the anvil. It took me the better part of the day (10 hours including breaks and dinner) to finish these pipes. Whacking 265-ish pipes takes at least 5000 hammer blows and my shoulder was pretty sore the next day.

Alternative: use an arbour press, an electric hammer or any other means to crush the pipes. Do NOT use your vice, a vice is not made for repeated crushing action, although these are only 12mm pipes, you can find lots of examples on the web of people destroying their vices crushing pipes for domes. Be prepared to repair your vice when doing so. I've (pre-)crushed a couple of pipes, but ended up still whacking them on the anvil. When grinding, cutting, and working around our vice i ended up repairing it anyway, i guess i just gave it the final push and ended up repairing it. If and when i decide to create another dome i will definitely use a press of some kind :)

Wooden struts assembly

Door

Tarp

Anchors

Custom tools

Actual full build

Geodetische koepel.jpg

Timelapse of the build

Dome in use