Block thickness, dome diameter, Fabric Reinforement
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@zander said in aircrete vs. ferrocement:
We walk on our domes frequently.
Interested in the block thickness. You walk often on 3.5 thick blocks. I presume at the density DomeGaia publishes i. e. 19lbs cubic foot. My dome will be 21foot dia internal and I was thinking I needed 5" block thickness. If I can go 3.5-4 that would certainly help out in material cost. Has anyone figured out the ratio of needed block thickness to dome diameter?
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Does the fabric re enforcement increase the structural streangth?
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@anthonydjones The dome complex I spoke of in aircrete-vs-ferrocement regarding the minor effects of major earthquake activity is based on a 21 foot internal diameter dome and it is made with 3.5" block wrapped (exterior only) with a APOC 483/Fabric Cement shell and painted with Behr Exterior Latex Paint. I don't heartily recommend using latex paint, however, Gabe just now confirmed to me that he distinctly recalls walking around and working on that dome with two other grown adults simultaneously. His memory of the situation is that he would not have hesitated to work with a fourth adult if the need or whimsy had arose. I don't know of a table or formula for determining block thickness per dome diameter, but I can say 3.5 inches is plenty for a 21 foot dome.
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@zander Zander thanks for the info. This will have significant effect on my bottom line and let me build more. I greatly appreciate those of you who are posting actual experience. I hope to be joining you soon with detailed documentation of my build experience.
