Concrete Geodesic Domes: Building Thin Shell Concrete Domes Using Latex Cement

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John Hurt

[wulfclaw]

I have studied and applied various teqniques such as this for the past 7 years or more.
I can attest that latex- cement or "paint crete" does work well.
I have a 3 bedroom 2 bathroom Earthbag house as well as a 2 story geodesic cabin.
Both have withstood 2 major earthquakes as well as fires that destroyed over 250 structures nearby.
I will be applying this to my teepee next and then an outdoor kitchen and another dome.
I recommend though when covering a dome - if it uses pvc or other pipe to run your electrical through the pipe and bring the outlets to wherever you choose BUT - FILL THE HOLLOW PIPING WITH GREAT STUFF or something that will seal them - especially if you are building into a mountainside.
I used the hubs off of a childrens geodesic playground equipment and replaced the 2 sizes of struts with struts 4 x the size. Raised it up and secured it to wood posts. Added an atrium in front and over that a deck with handrail.
A zip tie dome system would be what I would go with next one- as they are lighter weight and with this system you have just show would be awesome and much easier to cover.
All the best !
Thanks for the video !
W

[Theimpromptulife]

So excited to see a new video. I can’t Waite to get my dome up!

[wuttasweety]

Your video was fascinating. I just knew there was a more cost-effective way for constructing these dome homes rather than some of the others which are marketed. Thank you for sharing the video of your own latex/concrete structure as it gives us viewers a realistic expectation of results; plus how results can be improved upon. Looking forward to checking out the building plans you offer.

[animtorfiddler]

Sir, this is Electrifyin' Information!!! Back in my long-ago youth I spent a year thinking I was going to study Architecture, and some of the folks in the programs were investigating innovation in materials and structures, and some of those went on to do great things. Meanwhile, you have come up with brilliant solutions that are grounded in ACCESSIBLE Technologies, that don't require at every level using hideously expensive, precious, rare, and exotic tools, materials, or processes.
Well, I'm going to finish watching this post, and do some planning.

[sjr]

Posted on social platform GAB in group 'alternative housing' (the nearest to what this video fits in a GAB group' I've been waiting for this video for a couple of years, thanks so much!

[KarasCyborg]

Maybe next time use a "Hopper Sprayer" where you scoop the concrete out of the wheel barrow where it was dumped from the mixer. Then you use compressed air to blow the cement mortar on to the dome. An airform dome might also work for you, where you blow up an airbag, tie rebar over the airbag 1' on center, and then just hopper spray the cement mix on. I've seen some guys mixing ground up polystyrene into an aircrete mix for more insulation properties.

[maggietaylor]

Thanks for this authentic video. You solved my roofing dilemma of my poorly designed semi circular cob building🙄

[ryancampbell]

You are the best, buddy. God bless you, and your family.

[joen]

When I first saw her concrete covered zip tie dome on your website I thought of using her technique along with aircrete Harry's insulated aircrete.
I thought using aircrete would make a good base and you could make it a lot thicker and it would be insulated already.
Check out his website or yt videos to see where I got the idea to put the two ideas together.
Also I thought of using the covered hubs to hold the screen tight so you can spray the thin light coat of aircrete on the dome... 😊

[Mynx]

Awesome! Lots of possibilities here...hempcrete, sprayfoam insulation...thank you!

[MikeKeesler]

I remember talking to you about this concept a couple of years ago. I'm glad you ran with it, you just didn't tell me that you were already working on a similar idea, grin. The Gemini concept is perfect. Aircrete could be pumped into the cavity for great insulation. I bought some land in west Texas and I will be building there.

[sigram]

thank you for sharing the process of experimentation, this is very encouraging for me and others to just fearlessly keep trying things out :)

[drlangattxdotnet]

Hi Thanks for videos. I made my first dome model in 1960 at the age of 10. It was a model of a globe map. I still have not found a solution that I can afford for a insulated dome. I like your hub strut design.

[ultimape]

My only complaint with your idea of a double layer dome is that the plastic itself can act as a thermal bridge between the outer and inner layer. That can add up quite a bit when you have so much. Granted PVC is less of a conductor than a metal structure would be, it still might be an issue given that it is on par with a piece of wood. I think having a gap between the spokes and using something like spray foam would solve this issue quite well.

An aside, I bet that aircrete (foamed concrete mixture) would work really well as a filler material.

[garyhanfling]

Hello -Good Sir. We had emailed a few times back in 2019 ( or there abouts :-) ) It's good to see that your still working away with your Domes. B.T.W I have seen worse jobs using a trowel. :-) I also wanted to thank-you for the Geodesic Dome Calculator at your web site. It has saved me a lot of time, and it's easy to adjust the size of a dome and get the strut lengths. Have you used that Concrete bonding adhesive in aircrete ??

[Skeptik]

Interesting, I think you are on to a method that almost worked. I plan to give it a try with a design and process change. I will use sheet EPS to support the sagging screen and apply the slurry with a paint roller in several coats.

[AutoNomades]

Other ways possible to do : Hang the dome upside down (so it doesn't touche the ground), and empty the bucket, then ''roll" the dome so the cement mix is equally applied all over, with a little thicker layer on top, where you're happy the rain doesn't bucket.
One other : Stapple one layer of cloth so it is enough tensionned. Second layer is put _after_ each square of fabric is dipped in the mix.

[KimLeah-ue]

How about high wind hurricanes, or tornados ?

[mauricioacosta]

@ZipTieDomes are these structures strong enough to bury past frost line?

[AutoNomades]

Have some peoples alternative to this chemical ''latex" ? For waterproofing, traditionaly was not used so maybe there are non toxic and cheaper alternatives ? Apart from traditional stucco, i also heard about milk paint (white cheese+lime) and the juice from the prickly pear..
Anyone has other alternatives ?