Superdomes – Extreme Engineering – Big Bigger Biggest

This documentary reveals the technological leaps forward that have allowed some of the world’s largest dome’s to be built. The Oita Stadium in Japan has a colossal roof spanning a mighty 274 metres. A steel, Teflon and titanium structure over 270 metres across, and 60 metres high, the Oita’s roof covers a sports stadium big enough to seat 43 thousand spectators. At the flick of a switch its seats retract to reveal a running track and its roof opens and closes like a giant eye.

The film explores how this building was made possible through a series of six engineering breakthroughs. We explore how six landmark buildings – including the Pantheon in Rome and Florence Cathedral – each feature a major technological innovation that allowed engineers to build bigger Domes. Using computer generated imagery, this film reveals the incredible stories behind these super domes and the inventions that have enabled them to grow ever larger. Six ingenious leaps forward that enabled domes to evolve, from small, to complex and BIG!

Episode from the “Big Bigger Biggest” documentary series exploring the engineering breakthroughs that have enabled us to develop some of the largest structures in existence.

[SJR_Media_Group]

*_Dome looks so light that it might take off and fly_* ...

The main arched trusses use triangulated space frame techniques. It is very strong but very light too. You can see through them to ceiling or sky overhead. The structure of the 2 movable dome sections are also amazingly light. Use of dome material in center is translucent and allow natural daylight to flood the playing field below. In fact, it is probably brighter inside when dome is closed because sunlight is very direct. Part of field or seating areas might be in the sun, while every where else is much darker. Closed panels allows diffused light to be scattered evenly over majority of field.

I am a former Seattle resident... our Kingdome was largest reinforced concrete dome in world at the time. It outlived it's usefulness and was imploded by CDI. It remains largest concrete dome imploded and set a Guinness Record.

[ArtOfHealth]

Air flow concept is from the simple design of the incredible rocket stove. I am surprised you did not give it credit. Thank you for your coverage on domes.

[NCSVeniceShorebase]

The actual Superdome in New Orleans outshines the Astro Dome and the Georgia dome by far!

[kimchristiansen-ih]

This is whats needed in remote areas & icy areas & desserts for people to grow their vegies & live under in a comfortable environment.

[ChristopherGrant-my]

I love that shortly after this came out, the national dome in singapore became the biggest dome

[PritzbjoostnMosesjr]

It's amazing how much it can calm and soothe the mind and body.

[globetrotter]

The Pantheon is such an incredible building. A building of such architectural complexity in such condition after such a period of time is awe-inspiring.

[francescos]

I'm a little and normale engineer I like this educational videos .

[_Daio_]

Who knew domes could be so interesting?

[FUNKINETIK]

The Iota Dome is a beautiful elegant design.

[wackowacko]

Looks like a ladybug. Also, the hole in the roof of the Pantheon wasn't to save weight, it was to insure that the roof didn't collapse. If they had filled the hole in the roof in, the translation of the forces of the roof would come to a single point. No building material available of that time would have been able to withstand the translated forces at a single point, it would have just crumbled under the load causing the structure to fail. Instead, the builders used an arch (a complete arch would be a round hole in this instance) to spread the load to the surrounding material. Any structural engineer would be able to tell you that this is the reason for the hole.

[vickyschnorbus]

My uncle was an electrician on the Astrodome. It was a Houston, Texas landmark when it was built.

[trespire]

The Pantheon is by far the most impressive, considering how many technolgical break throughs were required for it be stil standing.
I doubt anything we build today will last 200 years, not to mention 2000 years.

[josea.delgado]

Jose Delgado , good job engineer, architecture , impresionant super big structure / Puerto Rico Caribbean

[GermanGreetings]

I would add the Hagia Sophia in Turkey... Thank you for your impressive presentation !

[moosefactory]

It would be so simple if only a large stadium could be built using the same materials and dimensions based on a much smaller model. This is not possible as new dynamics come into play as you build it bigger. I give both thumbs up to the engineers would were able to design modern marvel and also give a thumb up to this video.

[Mordred]

Never mind the sporting events, how about just for living? The dome could be made out of transparent solar panels, which exist now, which also filter out the sun's damaging UV rays. The air that is pumped in could be filtered and cleaned first, likewise the water. And, like those summer themed domes that people go to for for a bit of summer vacation in the middle of winter, the temperature and climate could be controlled as best suits inhabitants. Also, it would be legal to dress as Krusty the Klown in the dome.

[emaneman]

This what makes engineering so amazing, engineers takes ideas from past projects to implement present projects.

[robertmceuen]

I did not mention that the cables hold what is known as the "Oculas" (score board) which itself weighs 100 tons.

[tallesrodrigues]

Can't wait for 360° dome, one dome to roll them all.