Openings — Continuous horizontal reinforcing beam; 300’ diameter limit

Openings — Continuous horizontal reinforcing beam; 300’ diameter limit (Linda Ware)

Dome Openings

Monolithic • Published • Monolithic Dome Shapes

A dome can have all kinds of openings, especially if it is not huge. With a smaller dome, you can do almost anything you can imagine. If the dome’s diameter measures 50 to 100 feet, you have to be a little more careful. When domes have diameters larger than 100 feet, we need to pay more attention since stresses are higher. Again, don’t design the building for the openings; build the openings for their uses.

Columns — Design for columns shear and bending

Columns — Design for columns shear and bending (Linda Ware)

Compression ring — Continuous compression ring at bottom

Compression ring — Continuous compression ring at bottom (Linda Ware)

Oval opening — 300’ diameter limit

Oval opening — 300’ diameter limit (Linda Ware)

Different designs — 200’ diameter limit

Different designs — 200’ diameter limit (Linda Ware)

Unique shape — 300’ diameter limit

Unique shape — 300’ diameter limit (Linda Ware)

Connecting ribs — Must have connecting ribs, 200’ diameter limit

Connecting ribs — Must have connecting ribs, 200’ diameter limit (Linda Ware)

1/4 sphere — Bandshell (1/4 sphere) 150’ – 200’ diameter upper limit

1/4 sphere — Bandshell (1/4 sphere) 150’ – 200’ diameter upper limit (Linda Ware)

Different Openings

Different Openings (Linda Ware)

Eccentric

Eccentric (Linda Ware)

Shell at base 1 of 3 — It is better to continue shell at base – at the tension zone of shell.

Shell at base 1 of 3 — It is better to continue shell at base – at the tension zone of shell. (Linda Ware)

2 of 3

2 of 3 (Linda Ware)

3 of 3

3 of 3 (Linda Ware)