Literature review
Although Shell structures are widely used there are no rules in the European standards corresponding with the practical construction or the stresses of spherical dome shells. The European ECCS recommendations (2008) has one chapter on domes, however the information available is very approximate.
Previous research has been conducted on the efficiency of dome structures and their construction methods related with masonry and wood (in early eras) and steel and concrete (in modern eras). There is limited research towards concrete dome structures and this concept is the foundation that shaped the focus of my thesis topic; concrete domes of different geometries.
My research began looking into the development of design, analysis and construction methods presented by the International Association for Shell and Spatial Structures, (I.A.S.S). ‘Towards lightness in concrete: Some 20th century shells and bridges’ by I.Mungan and J.Abel, (2011) identifies milestones for the construction of concrete shells and arch bridges, displaying the advantages of using concrete as a construction material; large spans with limited thickness, (Centennial Dome and Carl Zeiss Planetarium).
I.Mungan and J.Abel, (2011) highlights the design advantages related with concrete. This identifies key dimensions that can be analysed for this thesis.
Although concrete has its benefits as a construction material, ‘Construction methods and quality control for concrete shell roofs’ (M. Mihailescu and R. Sundaram, 2009) highlights some key construction issues for concrete shells. It discusses the importance of quality control during construction and once fully completed; waterproofing and insulation. It also recognises the extensive formwork required during construction, emphasising the advantages of pre-cast concrete domes.
M. Mihailescu and R. Sundaram, (2009) established key concepts; the requirement of extensive formwork and construction issues that this thesis should address.
From the lack of analytical research available, it is valid to state that there is a high demand for further research and development of this topic. In order to generate data to analyse, it was necessary to initially explore how domes originated. The background of domes is covered well in
Jacques Heymann and Francis Woodmans, (2012), Dome [Lat.domus: 'house']. It defines the origin of the dome, its use and explains the development of the structure throughout Europe identifying major historic domes.
I will use this and other related books and documents to explain the history of domes, their use and status. It will begin with the origins of domes detailing the development through the Greek, Roman, Byzantine, Romanesque and Gothic buildings eras and finally modern domes.
With the history aspect in mind ‘The Seventy Architectural Wonders of Our Wolrd’ by Neil Parkyn (2002) was the next source to read, broadening my knowledge on the major domes in the world, identifying their key features.
The analytical aspect of this thesis will initially look at spherical domes, changing the dimensions and in turn the geometries of a dome, ‘The Seventy Architectural Wonders of Our Wolrd’ provides examples of different geometry domes, that are still standing, which may be included in this thesis.
Due to construction of domes being costly, identified by ‘Construction methods and quality control for concrete shell roofs’, modern construction methods where researched. Dante Bini’s ‘inflatable domes’ where revolutionary. Will Mclean, (2013) published an article in the architectural review explaining the design concepts and construction methods behind the ‘inflatable dome’ .Due to the nature of the Bini shell the construction process, although independent of formwork required precision in order to ensure the stability of the dome once erected. The expected stresses in the domes if erected incorrectly would be distributed unevenly resulting in dome failure. Bini failures where covered by Carl Hubben, (2012) who’s report stipulates why two Bini shell high schools collapsed in Australia.
Additional both Aurelio Muttoni’s ‘Concrete shells-towards efficient structures: construction of an ellpitcal concrete shell in Switzerland) and G.Poleni also analyse the dome structure identifying and expanding on failure modes of domes.
It is important to have an understanding of failure modes with domes in order to analyse domes of different geometries. The aim is to develop this understanding through the use of analytical research.
The information discussed in the structural section of this thesis is well described in the following books:
All four sources provide a good understanding of the key concepts related to the analysis of domes, identifying key equations which will be used in this thesis.
The analysis section of this thesis requires the use FELEASH. FELEASH contains the two computer programs PASHA and LEASH. In order to develop my computational competence I have read Professor Michael Rotter’s FELEASH manuals, developing an idea of the necessary inputs required for analysis.
Previous research has been conducted on the efficiency of dome structures and their construction methods related with masonry and wood (in early eras) and steel and concrete (in modern eras). There is limited research towards concrete dome structures and this concept is the foundation that shaped the focus of my thesis topic; concrete domes of different geometries.
My research began looking into the development of design, analysis and construction methods presented by the International Association for Shell and Spatial Structures, (I.A.S.S). ‘Towards lightness in concrete: Some 20th century shells and bridges’ by I.Mungan and J.Abel, (2011) identifies milestones for the construction of concrete shells and arch bridges, displaying the advantages of using concrete as a construction material; large spans with limited thickness, (Centennial Dome and Carl Zeiss Planetarium).
I.Mungan and J.Abel, (2011) highlights the design advantages related with concrete. This identifies key dimensions that can be analysed for this thesis.
Although concrete has its benefits as a construction material, ‘Construction methods and quality control for concrete shell roofs’ (M. Mihailescu and R. Sundaram, 2009) highlights some key construction issues for concrete shells. It discusses the importance of quality control during construction and once fully completed; waterproofing and insulation. It also recognises the extensive formwork required during construction, emphasising the advantages of pre-cast concrete domes.
M. Mihailescu and R. Sundaram, (2009) established key concepts; the requirement of extensive formwork and construction issues that this thesis should address.
From the lack of analytical research available, it is valid to state that there is a high demand for further research and development of this topic. In order to generate data to analyse, it was necessary to initially explore how domes originated. The background of domes is covered well in
Jacques Heymann and Francis Woodmans, (2012), Dome [Lat.domus: 'house']. It defines the origin of the dome, its use and explains the development of the structure throughout Europe identifying major historic domes.
I will use this and other related books and documents to explain the history of domes, their use and status. It will begin with the origins of domes detailing the development through the Greek, Roman, Byzantine, Romanesque and Gothic buildings eras and finally modern domes.
With the history aspect in mind ‘The Seventy Architectural Wonders of Our Wolrd’ by Neil Parkyn (2002) was the next source to read, broadening my knowledge on the major domes in the world, identifying their key features.
The analytical aspect of this thesis will initially look at spherical domes, changing the dimensions and in turn the geometries of a dome, ‘The Seventy Architectural Wonders of Our Wolrd’ provides examples of different geometry domes, that are still standing, which may be included in this thesis.
Due to construction of domes being costly, identified by ‘Construction methods and quality control for concrete shell roofs’, modern construction methods where researched. Dante Bini’s ‘inflatable domes’ where revolutionary. Will Mclean, (2013) published an article in the architectural review explaining the design concepts and construction methods behind the ‘inflatable dome’ .Due to the nature of the Bini shell the construction process, although independent of formwork required precision in order to ensure the stability of the dome once erected. The expected stresses in the domes if erected incorrectly would be distributed unevenly resulting in dome failure. Bini failures where covered by Carl Hubben, (2012) who’s report stipulates why two Bini shell high schools collapsed in Australia.
Additional both Aurelio Muttoni’s ‘Concrete shells-towards efficient structures: construction of an ellpitcal concrete shell in Switzerland) and G.Poleni also analyse the dome structure identifying and expanding on failure modes of domes.
It is important to have an understanding of failure modes with domes in order to analyse domes of different geometries. The aim is to develop this understanding through the use of analytical research.
The information discussed in the structural section of this thesis is well described in the following books:
- An article on Earth Auroville, ‘Stability notions
- David Billingtons, Thin Concrete Shell Structures, (1965)
- Jacques Heyman, The Stone Skeleton, (1995)
- Jacques Heyman, ‘The Equilibrium of Shells’, (1977)
All four sources provide a good understanding of the key concepts related to the analysis of domes, identifying key equations which will be used in this thesis.
The analysis section of this thesis requires the use FELEASH. FELEASH contains the two computer programs PASHA and LEASH. In order to develop my computational competence I have read Professor Michael Rotter’s FELEASH manuals, developing an idea of the necessary inputs required for analysis.