The Monolithic Dome
The Monolithic Dome is
a super-insulated, steel reinforced concrete structure used for
homes, schools, gymnasiums, bulk storage facilities, churches, offices,
and many other uses.
Step
by step illustrations of the Monolithic Dome (insulated thin-shell
concrete structure) construction process.
Who is running this site? What IS the Monolithic Dome Institute?
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The following information was compiled by Dr. Arnold Wilson, a leading engineer in thin shell concrete construction.
The Monolithic™ Dome is the most disaster resistant building that can be built at a reasonable price without going underground or into a mountain. |
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People often ask us, Is a Monolithic Dome suitable for hot, humid climates -- even very hot and humid ones, such as the tropics? Another favorite question is, Do Monolithic Domes work well in really cold climates? The answer to both is Yes! |
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Liquefaction has proven to be a huge problem for some of the California earthquakes. Even though the soil doesn't become as thin like water, its ability to support buildings is greatly compromised.The solution is to construct an uninsulated concrete thin shell dome upside down underneath the main dome. The inverted dome can be filled with dirt or concrete. By inverting a shallow dome underneath the main dome, it will act as a boat in the sand to prevent the dome home from sinking.
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According to a National Geographic website, lightning is an electrical discharge between positive and negative regions of a thunderstorm. While there are different kinds of lightning, the most damaging and dangerous kind is cloud-to-ground lightning. Its bolts can have temperatures that are hotter than the sun. So what will lightning do to a Monolithic Dome? Based on the evidence we have gathered so far and on the opinions of experts we have questioned, not much of anything. |
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When we refer to The Map in the office these days we all know what we're referring to: A beautiful full color National Georgraphic world map, mural size, which has been permanantly installed in our front reception area.
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Written by Freda Parker to whom David told his story, this book is absolutely chockful of photographs, so you can see as well as read about the people and events David describes. Those events are true-life experiences and fond memories, many funny and some sad. David recalls his grandparents and parents, their triumphs and tribulations and the lessons they taught him that ultimately helped shape the person he became.
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Monolithic Gets the Job Done. If you need a Monolithic
dome with all of its benefits - contract with Monolithic to
get the job done. We have the experience and expertise to
help you meet your commercial or residential building needs,
on-time and within budget.
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Passing the Bullet Test--
The strength and durability of Monolithic Domes
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As they say on TV, "Don't try this at home." Don't shoot
holes in your home with a 30-06 caliber rifle. In the photograph
on the left Gary Clark is firing on one of our 32-foot Monolithic
Dome storage buildings. He is firing from very close range,
nearly perpendicular to the dome.
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While attending high school in Idaho back in the 1950's I
attended a lecture given by Buckminster Fuller. He was promoting
the geodesic dome. I was instantly fascinated with the concept
of a building which, because of it's shape, would cover more
area with less materials than any other structure.
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A Few Samples of Sports Domes before the Monolithic™
Dome
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In its 13 years of business along Interstate 35, the company
has grown from a 4-dome office building and 32-foot Monolithic
Dome model home to over 50 domes on approximately 26 acres
with its main attraction being "Bruco,
The Texas-Italian Caterpillar," home of Monolithic
Airform Manufacturing.
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NEW!
Domes
and Uses - A Collection of Monolithic Dome Structures
and Their Uses
Now available is an updated edition of the popular book,
Domes and Uses - A Collection of Monolithic Dome Structures
and Their Many Uses.
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Monolithic recently designed an airplane hangar door, tailored
for Monolithic Dome Hangars, that is not only stronger and
safer than currently available, conventional doors but also
affordable. We expect the new door (patent pending) to significantly
enhance an aircraft's safety while it's housed in a Monolithic
Dome Hangar.
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Monolithic
Domes and Property Value
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... if you build a dome home to at least the
quality standards of the neighborhood, and with attention
to its design and detailing, your home can only have a positive
effect.
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The construction technique for Crenosphere
Domes makes it possible to build very huge, very durable structures,
with clear-span interiors much more affordably than ever before.
The Crenosphere?s other advantages include a life-span measured
in centuries, superior insulation, low energy consumption,
low maintenance, reduced construction time, disaster survivability
and affordability.
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Unlike that of its cousins, the Monolithic
Dome and the Crenosphere, EcoShells are not insulated.
An EcoShell's Airform can be removed and used over and over
again. This mitigates its cost and makes it an ideal structure
for housing in less developed, equatorial countries or garages, sheds, small warehouses
and storages in the US.
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FEMA Grant Awarded to Sigler Family of Pensacola Beach,
Florida for A
Dome of a Home!
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Once completed, the new Florida dome will be available to
rent on a weekly basis. During non-rental times, the home
will be open for scheduled tours. Being able to actually live
in a dome before building one is an opportunity that the Siglers
would have found extremely advantageous.
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Recently, MDI president David
B. South and MDI architect Rick Crandall gazed into their
crystal ball and did some informed speculating on life in
a future community called Dometown USA. Here are their shared
thoughts...
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The Orion Series Dome is a great alternative
Monolithic Dome. Some like it, some don't. In any case, it
provides more options for those wanting to build and enjoy
the benefits of the Monolithic Dome.
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Many consider Hagia Sophia the supreme masterpiece of Byzantine
architecture. A lofty central dome, 102 feet in diameter and
184 feet in height, spans its spacious nave.
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Step by step illustrations of the EcoShell (economical thin-shell
concrete structure) construction process.
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Monolithic's President David South says that in building
Monolithic Domes we have three major advantages the Pantheon's
builders simply did not have...
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| Press Room