@zander I have an idea. When I decide to build my house, I will install a ceiling fan to make up for the discomfort and promote the cooling. A dome is like a funnel that is upside down. It can help draw in warmer air to the top and keep the cold air towards the bottom.

Thank you very much.

I have been watching the La Palma situation. I was thinking how is this going to turn around for good? I am wondering if all that ash could be used for good since so many plants were destroyed. I assume not all ash is the same so it would vary per volcano but thoughts on maybe using it to help rebuild right?

@obo-martin Regarding structural integrity, a 10-12 inch round hole should not be a significant structural weakness, assuming your wall thickness is at least 3.5 inches. Circular penetrations have the least structural impact. Read this post describing the impact of earthquakes on raw cut circular openings for windows that were about 4 feet diameter cut into 3.5" thick dome walls.

@obo-martin Are you saying that you put steel mesh into your plaster? Can you please clarify what you mean by "ferro cement mix plaster"?

Dog house and Pump house are two practical ideas.

For something more creative, try pouring a blob or block and sculpting it. It is easier to sculpt after curing for 2-3 days. The longer it cures the more firm it becomes (up to 30 days).

Make several blocks to conduct performance tests such as thermal resistance and load bearing capability. Allow a full 30 day cure before conducting these tests.

Those are the ideas that come to mind right away.

@niartallagh hi there I’m also building a sauna . In fact it’s already built . A lovely dome and I’m trying to figure out the best way do the finishing coats as well with moister in mind . Did you find any solutions . I been down so many rabbit holes with this I’m not even sure what to recommend or use . But I will share when I figure it out . If anybody has advice I’d love to hear

@gbathree cracking is avoidable with a strong outer shell and fabric wrap. Also using a silicone base paint will create a water membrane for impermeability.

Here is a time lapse of a 8 Meter diameter dome that I built for a client in Turkey 9 years ago. Perhaps some of you may find it interesting / inspiring. This was my first one, to see my most recently completed build please go to the showcase section. Best wishes to one & all.

Re: AirCrete Form box Looks good. I will be following. Interested in the materials used, cost ect.

**3.5 diameter (Stone fusion) in Turkey in 2018 Sacred Space.
Sep 2018 Dome Concept 1.jpg

Dome Sep 2018.jpg
I am based in Spain & open to building in any country in this part of the world.
I am available for on line consulting, design work & to lead builds. Feel free to reach out to me.
You can contact me via whats app on +34 663 911 066
Or email me at: holisticprogressiondesigns@gmail.com
Here is my full portfolio: http://www.holisticprogressiondesigns.com/portfolio.html
More photos of my dome builds here: http://www.holisticprogressiondesigns.com/domes.html

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1MPmdjeFCc2aYqnglY2kSBaPtkkSl1RPIUmDifbPIM0o/edit?fbclid=IwAR2rbEmq1Q949h_uA2xp6LzrRAHKOzR1tfpFNFxvuquz60POGGt34sLfCGU

I found this but not much else. I tried to reach out to Domegaia and Steve Areene and neither really remember making the magnesium domes.
I will be contacting: https://www.premiermagnesia.com/magox by phone because I haven't heard back from them yet. I have tried to do a cost comparison and it looks like MgO would be more expensive, but it might be worth it. Or still use cement, just a much smaller portion.

@mtman08 Aircrete is not a suitable finish for exterior or interior use. It is too porous and soft for that. However, stucco is a perfect exterior finish application to use on an aircrete structure. Stucco is precisely what I applied to finish the dome we built in Hawi, HI in 2018 and I'm fairly certain that it is one of the more common ways to finish aircrete domes in general. Stucco has the density and resilience required for the job. Think of it as the crust, if you will.

@Jim_Scan

@Jim_Scan said in pouring floor: in sections? Dry sticking to wet?:

Traveler, I too have been mixing in a 50gal drum with the hand mixer and found it a lot of work for my 67year old body. What I found was that, for me, the hardest part was getting a thorough mixing of the cement and water only, to be the most demanding. It was hard to get all the cement mixed into the 'slurry', with no or little residue/paste on the bottom of the barrel after I poured it out. (especially since I was doing this myself) What I was thinking, was that mixing the cement in a barrel mixer, assuring that it was well mixed, then pouring that slurry into my 50-gallon drum and adding the foam at that point. I'm new to this and have only done a few test batches, but my first test batches raised concerns with me since in the future I want to add sand 1:1 for a slab and can only imagine it getting more difficult. I guess the next best thing would be to find a 'younger' helper 🙂 Your thoughts would be welcome.
Aloha,
Jim

Hi Jim, I guess you turn 69, I'm 66, just find out about this product, maybe we can make a younger guy out of 2 of us, lol,how are you doing there, I'm in NC, and interested to work with this materials, I work on stucco and plaster, special finishes, will like to know how you where doing on your project and if you accomplished anything
Your opinion will be very helpful. Thank you, hopping you are doing great.

@Tumaini
Hi, thanks for your reply. I'll check them out. I've seen some of their videos online and they seem very clever!

Thanks,
Elyssa

Can you give us a report on your pool project: what process did you settle on & how well is it working out? I would be grateful for an update. Thank you
Tumaini

@noni volume

@little-pig-store how did the weed mesh work out? I have been using hessian (known as burlap in the US) as the fabric but learnt that it could be subject to wicking or rot so I want to put a second, inert layer over it. Weed mesh seems a likely contender. But advice would be welcome.

I’m wondering what type of climate you’re intending to build in?

@Trevor-Mathewson no I bought up the last of the Seventh Generation liquid imported to Australia (at great cost). Apart from that I found Trucking Blue a truck wash detergent with very strong bubbles that makes a good mix.