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Monolithic Dome Institute

Academic Papers

Updated 20 Sep 2023 Resources»
Extreme wind load analysis of Monolithic Domes.

The Academic Papers section contains white papers, theses, monographs, dissertations, and other scholarly articles related to the Monolithic Dome, concrete dome, thin-shell, and curved architecture industry.

Adoption of Air-Supported Forms for Thin-Shell Concrete Structures: Understanding Uses, Benefits, and Barriers to Scale

Exterior of Pantheon in Rome, Italy.
10 Photos 10
By Andrew South & Evan Bingham Posted 9 May 2023 Academic Papers»

With an almost 100-year history of development, it is estimated that the air-supported forming processes has been used to construct over 10,000+ structures, 2,500–3,000 structures across the globe in the last 40 years. Although significant, this number remains proportionately small compared to other structure types. Drawing from a database of over 1,000 structures, this paper outlines a research agenda of continued practical inquiry into market adoption. … read more

Building Survivability: A Guru's Analysis of Monolithic Dome Tornado and Earthquake Resistance

Plan diagram of wind forces against a concrete dome shell.
4 Photos 4
By Arnold Wilson, Ph.D, S.E. Posted 14 Jan 2022 Academic Papers»

“The Monolithic Dome is the most disaster-resistant building that can be built at a reasonable price without going underground or into a mountain,” writes Dr. Arnold Wilson—the expert in Monolithic Dome engineering. Dr. Wilson analyzes the tornado and earthquake resistance of Monolithic Domes in this seminal first whitepaper on the Monolithic Dome. … read more

Disaster Survivability of Thin-Shell Concrete Dome Structures: Experience and Practice

Figure 11: Satellite image after tornado event.
15 Photos 15
By Andrew South & Chris Zweifel Posted 15 Sep 2014 Academic Papers»

Concrete thin-shell domes constructed using air-supported forms are increasingly built for a variety of uses. A number of these structures have experienced extreme natural events including hurricanes, earthquakes, and tornados. We provide evaluations of loads applied to these structures based on reported forces during the events and analyze building performance. We compare this theoretical analysis to reports of building survivability from owners and users of the structures after event occurrence. We determine that in most cases the loads experienced do not approach minimum practical design loads, and identify special considerations for designers. … read more

Concrete Dome Structures and Extreme Wind Loads: The Design of Community Shelters

Figure 1: Dale Oklahoma Storm Shelter / Cafeteria.
9 Photos 9
By Andrew South & Chris Zweifel Posted 15 Sep 2014 Academic Papers»

Public agencies are investing in the development of community shelters as resilient structures to provide a place of refuge for citizens during extreme wind events. An analysis of code-based design parameters for traditional assembly type dome structures is contrasted with an analysis of design parameters required by the United States Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) document 361—“Design and Construction Guidance for Community Safe Rooms.” It demonstrates that the factors governing the code-based design of thin-shell domes are such that an extension of FEMA 361 compliance requires a marginal increase compared to alternate building types. … read more

FEMA: Design and Construction for Community Shelters and Its Application to Domes

Aerial view of the Louisville Community Safe Room in Louisville, Mississippi.
By Arnold Wilson, Ph.D, S.E. Posted 5 Feb 2004 Academic Papers»

After reviewing the FEMA requirements for a structure capable of providing a safe shelter for people in areas where hurricanes and tornados represent a real danger, the Monolithic Dome, because of its very nature, heads the list for economy and strength to resist extreme loads. … read more

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© 1996–2023 Monolithic Dome Institute LLC