INTRODUCTION

HISTORY
TYPES
CONSTRUCTION TECHNIQUE
CASE STUDY

A dome is an element
of architecture that resembles the
hollow upper half of a sphere.
Dome structures made of various
materials have a long
architectural lineage extending
into prehistory.

A dome is a rounded vault made of either curved segments or a

shell of revolution, meaning an arch rotated around its central
vertical axis
Corbel domes achieve their shape by extending each horizontal
layer of stones inward slightly farther than the previous, lower,
one until they meet at the top. These are sometimes called "false"
domes. A "false" dome may also refer to a wooden dome.
"True" domes are formed with layers of wedge-shaped voussoirs,
the joints of which are aligned with a point at the center of the
dome.

The construction of the first technically advanced

true domes began in the Roman Architectural
Revolution, when they were frequently used by the
Romans to shape large interior spaces of temples and
public buildings, such as the Pantheon. This
tradition continued unabated after the adoption of
Christianity in the Byzantine (East Roman) religious
and secular architecture, culminating in the
revolutionary pendentive dome of the 6th-century
church Hagia Sophia. Squinches, the technique of
making a transition from a square shaped room to a
circular dome, was most likely invented by the
ancient Persians

Saint Basils Cathedral at Moscow,

Russia

Dome of the Rock in Jerusalem

completed in 691

An original tradition of using multiple domes was developed

in the church architecture in Russia, which had adopted
Orthodox Christianity from Byzantium. Russian domes are
often gilded or brightly painted, and typically have a carcass
and an outer shell made of wood or metal. The onion dome
became another distinctive feature in the Russian
architecture, often in combination with the tented roof.

Domes in Western Europe became popular again

during the Renaissance period, reaching a zenith
in popularity during the early 18th century
Baroque period. Reminiscent of the Roman
senate, during the 19th century they became a
feature of grand civic architecture. As a domestic
feature the dome is less common, tending only to
be a feature of the grandest houses and palaces
during the Baroque period.

San peitro by Bramante

Rome, Italy

Construction of domes in the Muslim

world reached its peak during the 16th
18th centuries, when the Ottoman,
Safavid and Mughal Empires, ruling an
area of the World compromising North
Africa, the Middle East and South- and
Central Asia, applied lofty domes to
their religious buildings to create a
sense of heavenly transcendence. The
Sultan Ahmed Mosque, the Shah
Mosque and the Badshahi Mosque are
primary examples of this style of
architecture

 Geodesic Domes

Monolithic Domes
Bow Domes

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.

Forms have been made using nearly every common structural material including air
pressure supported fabric.

Monolithic domes are a form of monolithic architecture.

Advantages: Very strong efficient structure requiring very little in the way of
heating/cooling.
Disadvantages: The outer airform that acts as a weatherproof membrane can be
damaged easily allowing water into the insulation layer. Both the PVC airform and the
urethane foam insulation are oil based chemical materials, which are not that
environmentally friendly. Most monolithic domes require dehumidifiers or heat
exchange systems due to the fact that they are so airtight.

A geodesic dome is a spherical or

partial-spherical shell structure or lattice
shell based on a network of great
circles (geodesics) on the surface of
a sphere. The geodesics intersect to
form triangular elements that have local
triangular rigidity and also distribute
the stress across the structure. When
completed to form a complete sphere, it is
a geodesic sphere. A dome is enclosed,
unlike open geodesic structures such as
playground climbers.
The geodesic dome is composed by
straight structural elements, so called
struts which themselves connect to hubs.
It's a rather complex approach, and one of
it significance and advantage is it can be
fine grained as required, at any size - that
why "Size Flexibility" has the highest
rating.

The bow dome is composed by bows,

either under tension or prevent to stay in
shape, and tied to a central hub. Different
ways of bending provides different shapes
of the dome, like peak-tie or cross-tie
bows.

The bow dome goes back to the very first

habitat built by humans to shelter himself composed by flexible and rather thin tree
branches, can be thereby considered an
archaic form of habitat aside of the tipi.

TYPES
For a start a few different types of bow
domes, derived from the bow bending,
tying and assembling:

Segmental

Hemispherical

Faceted

Pointed

Conical

On Pendentives

On Squinches

Cloister Arch

STRUCTURAL PRINCIPLE
Generality:
A dome is composed of a series of rings, resting on each other
A dome is characterized by a thrust, with pushes on the walls
Two forces are acting in a dome:
The thrust (T), which pushes down with an angle on the walls
A concentric thrust (CT), which acts in every ring and compresses
it
The thrust (T) is composed of 2 forces:
CT : Concentric thrust
A horizontal force (HT), which tends to push the walls apart
HT : Horizontal thrust
The weight (W), which is the weight of the masonry

Technique Basics:
The clay which is present in a soil binds a brick or block
This technique can use adobe (sun dried bricks), stabilized
CEB (compressed earth blocks), or fired bricks
The blocks must be dry before starting the block laying
process
The mortar is like a glue, it is very sticky; clay is the binder
The mortar contains more soil than sand, and some cement
The cement does not help for adhesion, the clay does it
Mortar proportions will vary according to the soil quality
The mortar thickness should not exceed 2-3 mm

W : Weight of the masonry

T : Resultant of the thrust

SUITABILITY OF DOMES
Hemispherical dome
It often

needs a tie ring

The round wall can be a difficulty
If

it is for an exposed roof, the waterproofing often cracks

Pointed cloister arch dome Hemispherical dome on pendentives
It is advised to use a tie beam
It always needs a tie beam
It needs arches
It does not need arches to
If the segmental sphere is the roof, the
support it
waterproofing often cracks
It is suitable for roofs with a
pyramidal shape. Durable
waterproofing

Segmental cloister arch dome

It always needs a tie beam
It does not need arches to support it
Suitable for floors of apartments in multi- storey
buildings

Plan

All dimensions in centimetre

These dimensions and

specifications must be
rigorously respected! Any
disregard to them may cause
collapse...

Adjust the sliding guide at

the proper radius

Support the compass in the

centre
The compass level (articulati
is at the same level
as the springer level

Wooden reaper

(4 x 4 cm x 4 m)Supporting
plate with a pipe welded
at 90
Articulation with flat
steel and 2 bolts welded
at 90

1. Setting up the
Compass

2. Detail of a Compass
Sliding pipe (45 x 45 x 45
mm) with a nut welded
and a bolt
Block to support the

compass and adjust

it in the centre

Soak the block for 2 seconds just

before laying it
It will start a capillary action which
will suck the glue in
The glue is made of soil, sand, a
little cement and a lot of water
Immediately after soaking the
block, apply 3-4 mm glue on it

Blocks must touch each

other in their lower part:
Intrados = 0 mm mortar
for the side joint The
laying mortar must be
thin (2-3 mm)
The previous course must
be humid

3. Soaking the Block

and Laying the Glue

4. Stick the Block on

the Masonry

Handle the compass to

check if the block is on
the radius
Adjust the block if
needed

The outside joint must be

wedged with a stone chip or
pebble
The wedge is inserted by hand
and must be tight in the joint

5. Adjust the Block

6. Wedge the
Joints

 Adjust the length

It must touch on either

side at the intrados = 0
mm of mortar
Wedge tight, by hand, the
outside of the joint

of the last block

Start laying the blocks

in the same way, but
dont forget to cross
the bonds

7. Laying the
Last Block

8. Starting a
New Ring

 Template with

steel pipes

Lay the template

in the corners,
adjust it and pull
the strings

Soak the block for 2

seconds just before
laying it on the
mortar
The block start a
capillary action, which
suck the glue in
The binder is glue, which is made of soil,
sand, a little cement and a lot of water
Immediately after soaking the block, apply
3-4 mm glue on it

1. Setting up the
Template

2. Soaking the
block and laying
the glue

 The previous course

must be humid

Blocks must touch each other in

their lower part:
Intrados = 0 mm mortar for
the side joint The laying
mortar must be thin (2-3 mm)

Check that the block

does not touch the
string (1 mm below)

3. Stick the
Block on the
Masonry

4. Adjust the Block

The outside joint must

be wedged with a chip
or pebble
The wedge is inserted by
hand and must be tight
in the joint

5. Wedge the Joints

Adjust the block

length and cross the

bonds
It must be touching at
the intrados = 0 mm of
mortar
Wedge tight, by hand,
the outside of the joint

6. Laying the Keystone

Lay the blocks in the

same way, dont
forget to cross the
bonds
Dont forget to build
each arch and the
dome symmetrically

8. Starting a
New Arch

 Flattened conduit Probably the simplest way to build a geodesic dome frame, all you do is flatten the end
of some metal tubing bend it slightly then drill a hole. Do this to both ends get yourself
a bag of bolts and you can easily build a dome framework in a day. Used for burning
man, climbing frames and other small projects.
Advantages: Really easy to build, easily assembled/disassembled, no special tools
required, just make sure you don''t split the tube when you flatten it and that you
flatten enough so you can put the bend in without interfering with other struts.
Disadvantages: Quite crude, can only be covered with material because joints don''t
finish level.

CONSTRUCTION
It is a simple way to build a geodesic
dome frame, using conduit that has the
end flattened in a vice is a good starting
point. This method may be a bit crude
but its cheap and easy to implement.
Use this technique for building geodesic
tent structures, climbing frames and
other small homebrew projects.

Building the frame

Making the struts
Once you have your tubing cut to length
Use the dome calculation tools to find
you will need to flatten the end and put a
the strut lengths and number of struts to
slight bend in, the angle doesnt have to be
build your dome. Strut length is from
hole centres so you need to cut your tube exact because the bolts will pull
everything
a little longer to allow for this.
together
when you
assemble
your dome
framework.

Covering the framework

This type of dome framework is usually
covered in canvas or similar material,
which can be quite difficult to get tight
and crease free over the structure. Also
of the unevenness of the joints can
make it difficult to cover

Construction tips
Using a thin wall tube will make
flattening the ends easier but dont go
too thin if youre making a climbing
frame.
Colour coding the struts will make it
easier to assemble, try using different
coloured insulation tape.

Conclusions:
This method is a bit rough and ready but
its cheap and simple to build a dome
framework. Covering is quite difficult to
get crease free and I wouldnt recommend
trying to cover with a hard covering
material. This technique is best suited to
building climbing frames and small
experimental projects to get the feel for
building geodesic structures.

Tube and hub

Another simple construction technique, slightly more work than the flattened conduit
method but is a more professional and flexible system. Instead of joining the struts directly
together a larger diameter pipe is used as a hub holes are drilled through the hub and the
struts are bolted to it.

Advantages: Makes a nice neat job with all struts finishing level while still being cheap and
easy to build.
Disadvantages: Great for material covers but there is no easy way to fix a hard covering
material.

Construction
This is a great technique for building a tubular
dome framework, much nicer and more
flexible than the flattened conduit method
but still simple to build.
Making the struts
This is very similar to the flattened
conduit method except youll need to bend the
ends just less than 90 degrees. There are other
ways of connecting the struts to the hubs

Making the hubs

The hubs are real easy to make all you do is take
some large diameter metal tube cut it into short
lengths and drill the appropriate number of holes
evenly around the side. The only thing youll need
to be careful of is making sure the tube is big
enough so you can get a spanner in to tighten the
bolts when you come to assemble the dome.

Building the frame.

This method uses tubing with a flattened
end like the flattened conduit method but
instead of overlapping the ends a hub is
used at each vertex. This has many
advantages not least being able to take one
strut out at a time. The only downside is that
youll need five or six times as many nuts
and bolts, what the heck bolts are cheap
anyway.

Construction tips.
Make sure that the pipe used
for the hub is of sufficient
diameter to allow up to six
connections and still get the
spanner in to tighten the
bolts.

Covering the framework

This system is great for making canvas
domes. Cut and stitch a canvas dome
slightly smaller than the framework then
pull the canvas tight through the centre
of each hub (see picture below)

Conclusions:
This is a nice easy way to build a dome only requiring slightly more work than the
flattened tube method but gives a much more flexible and professional looking job. Use
this method for building climbing frames, portable dome structures and even permanent
large domes. Probably not suitable for dome homes or greenhouses (glass doesnt like to
be stretched)

BENDING THE WOOD

Wood can be bent within boiled water like a steam chamber easily.
Other materials such as aluminium or sheet metal might allow natural bending without
breaking. Modern bow domes have prefabricated struts composed by:
several segments making up a bent bow
multiple layers of thin wooden layers (0.2-0.5 cm) bent and glued together.

CROWN OR CROWNLESS
The bows need to be bind together at the top,
and one good approach is a small wheel where
all bows enter, tied, or fixated with a screw.

CANVAS
The tricky part is the canvas for the outer layer
(e.g. rain canvas) for the bow domes. Along
the bows the canvas forms leaf-like segments
so it rather obvious to compose the canvas by
such, more below.

SECTION-VAULT ENTRANCE

PLAN

ALL DIMENSIONS IN
MILLIMETER

CONSTRUCTION OF DOME

DOME SECTION

PLAN OF THE
DIFFERENT BROCK
COURSES
ALL DIMENSIONS IN
CENTIMETER

CONSTRUCTION TIMELINE

CASE STUDY- DOME TECHNOLOGY(DOME CONSTRUCTION

USING CONCRETE)

1. Geotechnical & Subgrade Preparation

The initial phase of
construction activity
ensures that the
building subgrade is
prepared for the longterm performance
and unique loading of
the stored
materials and
handling systems.

2. Foundation & Tunnels

After proper preparation of the subgrade, work activities shift focus towards
construction of the Domesilo foundations and tunnel systems. Depending on
geometry of the Domesilo, the foundations may be functioning only for gravity loads
of the building, or with significant reinforcing steel to establish the tensioning ring
beam that provides the primary thrust resistance for the dome portion of the structure.
The circular beam footing provides significant resistance against lateral movement
and bridges against potential localized subgrade failures in the foundation system. T
unnels may be an integral part of the material handling processes and require careful
integration with the Domesilo foundations. Dome Technology integrates
construction of tunnels with the construction of the foundation systems.

3. Airform
After foundation and tunnel systems are complete, preparations follow for primary
construction activities to complete the Domesilo. Construction equipment and
materials are staged inside the footprint of the Domesilo. The reinforced PVC
airform is unfolded over the top of staged materials and the airform edges are
secured to the ring foundation system. Temporary openings are positioned to allow
access to the interior of the dome structure during construction activities. The
airform is inspected to ensure integrity prior to inflation.

4. Inflation
Inflation of the Domesilo airform occurs relatively quickly and results in a watertight
sheltered environment for the duration of remaining primary construction activities. Large
fans are connected to the airform and when activated inflate the airform to provide
sustained pressure within the airform. Inflation pressures vary by building size, but
typically range from 1.5-2.5 inches of water column. The inflation pressure is maintained
throughout subsequent construction activities until the reinforced concrete has cured.

5. Blockouts, Penetrations, Entrances

rough in
Locations for openings, entrances and similar penetrations in the
finished building are laid out and marked on the inflated
airform. Forming materials may be installed at the boundary
conditions of the future opening to provide a delineated
demarcation of openings during application of insulation foam
and shotcrete. Rough-in of openings and penetrations at early
stages of construction yields consistently better conditions for
connection of auxiliary building assemblies at these opening and
penetration locations.

6. Primer & Foam Insulation

A coat of specialized primer is applied to the interior
side of the inflated airform. This primer is followed by
several coats of spray-applied foam insulation to
achieve the design thickness for the specific project.
The foam insulation provides a continuous and
uninterrupted thermal barrier between the exterior
and interior sides of the Domesilo.

7. Stickers
During application of the spray-applied insulation, metal sticker rods and
depth gauges are embedded in the foam insulation. The stickers allow for
attachment of steel reinforcing bars during later stages of construction.
Depth gauges provide consistency for the finished thicknesses of both foam
insulation and reinforced concrete.

8. Premat Steel
Premat steel reinforcing is placed over the
final thickness of foam insulation and tied to
the sticker rods. This premat steel is not part
of the required structural reinforcing for the
concrete, but it does aid in the initial
shotcrete applications until sufficient depth is
achieved to provide coverage for the
structural reinforcing steel

9. Shotcrete & Reinforcing Steel

The shotcrete process for construction of a Domesilo requires multiple applications of
shotcrete materials and installation of required steel reinforcement until the necessary
minimum design thickness for the Domesilo concrete thin shell assembly is achieved.
The thickness of the assembly may vary depending on location in the Domesilo.
Additionally each project may require different thicknesses of shotcrete and
reinforcement based on the design parameters for the specific project. The shotcrete
process is the final primary process in constructing the Domesilo and represents
completion of the concrete thin shell assembly.

INTRODUCTION
HISTORY
TYPES
CONSTRUCTION TECHNIQUE
CASE STUDY

A vault, in architecture, is an arch-shaped structure,

usually of masonry, used as the ceiling of a room or
other enclosed space, as the roof of a building, or as
the support for a ceiling or roof.

Masonry vaults are usually composed of wedgeshaped pieces called voussoirs, which are held in
place, like the stones of an arch, by the pressure of
the neighboring pieces.

Because of the combined pressure of its components,

any arch exerts an outward pressure at its base, and
the base, therefore, must be so constructed as to
withstand the outward as well as the downward
thrust of the arch.

This construction can be accomplished by using

strong, heavy walls to support the arch or by
supporting the walls with exterior structures, or
buttresses.

A temporary supporting structure must be erected

within the vaulted area during construction, because
a masonry vault does not become selfsupporting
until the central voussoirs or keystones are put in
place.

ANCIENT WORLD

In ancient Egypt brick vaulting was used, chiefly for drains.

The Chaldaeans and Assyrians used vaults for the same

purpose but seem also to have made architectural use of high
domes dome, a roof circular or (rarely) elliptical in plan and
usually hemispherical in form, placed over a circular, square,
oblong, or polygonal space.
ROMAN AND ROMANESQUE STYLES

The vaulting technique of the Etruscans was absorbed by the

Romans, who started in the 1st cent. A.D. the development of
a mature vaulting system.

Casting concrete in one solid mass, the Romans created vaults

of perfect rigidity, devoid of external thrust, and requiring no
buttresses.

Thus vaults and domes could be easily erected over vast

spaces, producing impressive and complex thermae,
amphitheaters, and basilicas.

The semicircular arch was universally employed in

Romanesque vaulting throughout Europe, and the Roman
cross vault was the type used for covering square or
rectangular compartments.

Nave of Lisbon Cathedral

with a barrel vaulted soffit.

GOTHIC VAULTING
Unlike Romanesque Buildings, in which
continuous mass of wall is necessary to sustain
the load, the Gothic structure is a skeletal
system that transfers roof loads down to the
ground at discreet points , thereby freeing large
expanses of wall to be opened for window.
When the system of using ribs to form a
complete organic supporting skeleton was
developed, it became one of the basic principles
of perfected Gothic architecture.
The pointed arch, which was dominant in
medieval architecture from the 13th cent.
onward, helped to overcome the difficulties of
vaulting oblong compartments exclusively with
semicircular sections and to bring the various
ribs of unequal spans to a crown at the same
height.
Gothic Arch in
RENAISSANCE AND LATER VAULTING
Exter,Devon
The architects of the Renaissance and baroque England
periods abandoned Gothic methods and
Domical
returned to Roman vault forms.
vault in The
Kratochvl
New devices were added to these basic forms,
including barrel vaults of semielliptical section, e Chteau
National
domes mounted on drums, and cross vaults
Cultural
with groins of elliptical section.
Monument

IT CONSISTS OF AN ONGOING SERIES OF

SEMICIRCULAR ARCHES. ONE IS DIRECTLY
BEHIND ANOTHER

A VAULT REINFORCED BY MASONRY

RIBS IS KNOWN AS A RIB VAULT.

A GROIN VAULT IS CREATED BY TWO BARREL

VAULTS INTERSECTING AT RIGHT ANGLES

HALF CONES THAT ARE FAN-SHAPED ARE

KNOW AS FAN VAULTS. THE CONES MEET IN
THE CENTER OF THE VAULT.

.Cloister Vault .
* A cloister vault has a domed
shape and has a base that is
square or shaped like a
polygon.
* It has curved sections that
rise from the square or polygon
to a centered point.

Annular Vault
* An annular vault uses the
barrel vault as its base.
Instead of a straight line
* the barrel vault has a ring
shape and springs out from
two walls that are concentric.

.Net Vault
* The Another variation of
the rib vault is the net
vault.
* The masonry ribs have a
complex design that
resembles a net.
Rampant Vault
A rampant vault is a
continuous barrel vault
where one side is higher
than the other.
Rrampant vault is used
to support or form the
ceiling of a stairway.

TIMBREL VAULT
* The Brick, stone and concrete are materials
strong in compression, but weak in
* the tensile strength of steel is significantly
more than that of bricks, stone or plain
concrete.
* the weak tensile strength of brick was
compensated for by superior craftsmanship.
* The technique was cheap, fast, ecological
and durable.
* The timbrel vault does not rely on gravity but
on the adhesion of several layers of overlapping
tiles which are woven together with fast-setting
mortar .

Catalan Vault
* The Catalan vault consists of plain bricks
that form a low arch.
*It is also known as the Catalan turn, timbrel
vault,
* It is widely used in Catalonia from which it
derives its name.

 CENTERING IS THE TERM USED TO DESCRIBE THE NECESSARY

TEMPORARY SUPPORT ON WHICH THE CURVED R.C.C SHELL STRUCTURE

IS CAST
CENTRINGS CAN BE MADE OF WOOD, STEEL OR MASONRY. WOOD AND

STEEL CENTRINGS ARE USEFUL WHEN THE SAME ARCH HAS TO BE BUILT
SEVERAL TIMES. MASONRY CENTRINGS ARE OFTEN USED TO SAVE THE
COST OF A PREFABRICATED CENTRING, AS THEIR COST IS MOSTLY THE
LABOUR WHICH MADE IT.

WOODEN CENTERING

STEEL CENTERING

MASONRY CENTERING

PROCESS INVOLVED IN CONSTRUCTING ARCH

SLIDE THE BLOCK

LATERALLY

6. REMOVING WEDGES AND

DECENTRING

2. CHECK THE RIGHT

ANGLE

5. PRESSING THE
MORTAR JOINT

3. BUILD THE ARCH

SYMMETRICALLY

4. TRIANGULAR JOINT
OF THE MORTAR

BUILDING A VAULT WITH THE NUBIAN

TECHNIQUE

THE BACK WALL SHOULD BE BUILT FIRST.

IT CAN HAVE EXACTLY THE SHAPE OF THE
EXTRADOS OF THE VAULT OR IT CAN BE
QUADRANGULAR AND THE EXTRADOS OF
THE VAULT WILL BE DRAWN ONTO IT.

BACK WALL

A TEMPLATE IS NEEDED TO ENSURE THE SHAPE OF THE

VAULT. IT CAN ADVANTAGEOUSLY BE THE FUTURE
WINDOW FRAME ON WHICH ARE TEMPORARILY FIXED
SOME SPACERS TO GET THE EXTRADOS SHAPE OF THE
VAULT. THE TEMPLATE CAN ALSO BE MADE OF WELDED
TOR STEEL, WHICH CAN BE RE-USED AFTERWARDS FOR
REINFORCED CEMENT CONCRETE.
IT IS NECESSARY TO CREATE A NET OF
STRING LINES BETWEEN THE BACK WALL
AND THE TEMPLATE

WINDOW FRAME AS A TEMPLATE

SPECIFICATIONS
VAULTS AND DOMES BUILT WITH THE NUBIAN TECHNIQUE
THE BINDER FOR VAULTS AND DOMES IS LIKE GLUE AND SHOULD BE MORE CLAYEY
THAN THE ONE FOR WALLS IN ORDER TO STICK THE BLOCKS PROPERLY AGAINST EACH
OTHER. NEVERTHELESS, THIS GLUE SHOULD NOT BE TOO CLAYEY, AS IT SHOULD NOT
HAVE AN EXCESSIVE SHRINKAGE, WHICH WILL INDUCE A LOT OF CRACKS IN THE
STRUCTURE LATER ON. SOIL AND SAND SHOULD BE SIEVED WITH 1 MM MESH.
IF THE MORTAR FOR WALLS (1 CEMENT: 4 SOIL: 8 SAND) GIVES SATISFACTORY RESULTS,
THE FOLLOWING MIX CAN SUCCESSFULLY BE USED FOR VAULTS AND DOMES: 1 CEMENT: 6
SOIL: 3 SAND.
IF THE MORTAR FOR WALLS IS 1 CEMENT: 3 SOIL: 9 SAND, MEANING THAT THE SOIL IS
TOO CLAYEY, THE SPECIFICATION FOR VAULTS AND DOMES COULD BE 1 CEMENT: 5 SOIL:
4 SAND OR, IF NEEDED, LESS SOIL AND MORE SAND.
IF THE MORTAR FOR WALLS IS 1 CEMENT: 7 SOIL: 5 SAND, MEANING THAT THE SOIL IS
TOO SANDY, THE SPECIFICATION FOR VAULTS AND DOMES COULD BE 1 CEMENT: 7 SOIL: 2
SAND OR, IF NEEDED, MORE SOIL AND LESS SAND.
IF THE SOIL IS TOO SANDY, NO SAND SHOULD BE ADDED AND THE MIX COULD BE 1
CEMENT: 9 SOIL.
IF THE SOIL IS REALLY TOO SANDY AND THE MIX 1 CEMENT: 9 SOIL DOES NOT GIVE
GOOD RESULTS, THE CEMENT/SOIL RATIO COULD BE INCREASED TO 1CEMENT: 8 SOIL OR
1CEMENT: 7 SOIL, OR EVEN MORE.
THE FLUIDITY OF THE GLUE IS ESSENTIAL FOR THE ADHESION. THE FLUIDITY AND
THICKNESS OF THE GLUE VARIES ACCORDING TO THE WORK:

ANY NUMBER OF CONTINUOUS BARRELS OR

CONTINUOUS SPANS ARE POSSIBLE EXCEPT THAT
EVENTUALLY PROVISION IS MADE FOR THE
EXPANSION OF THE JOINTS IN A LARGE
STRUCTURES.
THE BARREL VAULTS ARE USED AS PARKING,
MARKET PLACE, ASSEMBLY HALL ,ETC.

TYPES OF BARREL VAULTS

1. SHORT SPAN BARREL VAULTS
2. LONG SPAN BARREL VAULTS

SHORT SPAN BARREL VAULT

SHORT SPAN BARREL VAULTS ARE THOSE IN
WHICH SPAN IS SHORTER THAN ITS WIDTH.
IT IS USED FOR THE WIDTH OF THE ARCH
RIBS BETWEEN WHICH THE BARREL VAULT
SPAN.

LONG SPAN BARREL VAULT

LONG SPAN BARREL VAULTS ARE THOSE IN
WHICH SPAN IS LARGER THAN ITS WIDTH
USUAL SPAN OF THE LONGITUDINAL BARREL
VAULT IS FROM 12-30 M WITH ITS WIDTH
BEING ABOUT 1/2 THE SPAN AND RISE IS 1/5
OF THE WIDTH.
TO COVER LARGER AREAS MULTIBAY ,MULTI
SPAN ROOFS CAN BE USED WHERE THE ROOF
IS EXTENDED ACROSS THE WIDTH OF THE
VAULT AS A MULTIBAY

TO STRENGTHEN THE SHELL AGAINST THIS

POSSIBILITY OF STRESS, STIFFENING BEAMS
OR ARCHES ARE CAST INTEGRALLY WITH
THE SHELL.
THE COMMON PRACTICE IS TO PROVIDE A
STIFFENING MEMBER BETWEEN THE
COLUMN SUPPORTING THE SHELL.
DOWNSTAND STIFFENING RCC BEAM IS
MOST EFFICIENT BECAUSE OF ITS DEPTH,
BUT THIS INTERRUPTS THE LINE OF SOFFIT
OF VAULTS, FOR THIS UPSTAND STIFFENING
BEAM IS USED.
THE DISADVANTAGE OF UPSTAND BEAM IS
THAT IT BREAKS UP THE LINE OF ROOF AND
NEED PROTECTIONS AGAINST WEATHER.

EDGE AND VALLEY BEAMS:

DUE TO SELF WEIGHT AND IMPOSED LOAD THE THIN SHELL WILL TEND TO
SPREAD AND ITS CURVATURE FLATTEN OUT. TO RESIST THIS RCC EDGE BEAMS ARE
CAST BETWEEN COLUMNS.
EDGE BEAMS MAY BE CAST AS DROPPED BEAMS OR UPSTAND BEAMS OR PARTIALLY
AS BOTH. IN HOT CLIMATE THE DROPPED BEAM IS USED WHEREAS IN TEMPERATE
CLIMATE UPSTAND BEAM IS USED TO FORM DRAINAGE CHANNEL FOR RAIN
WATER.
IN MULTI-BAY STRUCTURES, SPREADING OF THE VAULTS IS LARGELY TRANSMITTED
TO THE ADJACENT SHELLS, SO DOWN STAND AND FEATHER VALLEY BEAM IS USED.

STABILIZED EARTH TILES AND THE ANCIENT

TILE VAULTING TECHNIQUE
THE LARGEST FREE-FORM VAULTS SPAN 14.5M.IT
IS UNREINFORCED MASONRY VAULT WHICH
ONLY 300MM IN THICKNESS
THE PROJECT INCORPORATES TEN MASONRY
VAULTS,RANGING IN SPAN FROM 5 METERS TO
20 METERS,AND A SIMILAR NUMBER OF
REGULAR BARREL VAULTS AND DOMES.

THIS PICTURE SHOWS THE WOOD IS BEING

CONSTRUCTED AS A STRUCTURE BEFORE
BRICKS IS LAID.

BRICKS ARE ARRANGED

USING MORTAR

THE BRICKS WITH MORTAR ARE ARRANGED

FROM THE EDGE OF THE VAULT UNTIL IT
REACH AT THE THRUST OF THE VAULT

THE MORTAR IS LAID OVER THE SURFACE IN

ORDER TO WITHSTAND MORE PRESSURE AND
MORE STABLE

THE VAULT ARE CONSTRUCTED