Monolithic

Dome Openings

Monolithic Dome Shapes

Image: Openings

Openings Linda Ware

Continuous horizontal reinforcing beam; 300’ diameter limit

A dome can have all kinds of openings, especially if it is not huge. With a smaller dome, you can do almost anything you can imagine. If the dome’s diameter measures 50 to 100 feet, you have to be a little more careful. When domes have diameters larger than 100 feet, we need to pay more attention since stresses are higher. Again, don’t design the building for the openings; build the openings for their uses.