This is a diagram overlay of a typical 8’ square tunnel as compared to a 10’ wide by 8’ high air-formed tunnel. It is easy to see that the round tunnel is biggest (2’ wider) where it is needed. Any engineer can verify that the round shape is much stronger than the square. The round tunnel walls are 8" thick as opposed to 12" to 16" for the square. Even though it is wider, the total amount of wall and roof is about 15% less. Approximately 35% less concrete and reinforcing bars are needed in the construction.
Featured Domes
Geronimo! Bond Passed!
There’s not much to look at as you drive up Interstate 44 from Texas into Oklahoma – until you get a bit south of Lawton. Then, surprise, surprise! Off to your right you spot the rounded tops of a cluster of copper colored Monolithic Domes, just sitting there in the middle of what appears to be nowhere. It isn’t. It’s Geronimo, Oklahoma, 0.53 square miles of Comanche County and home for almost 1000 residents. (Continued…)
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Topic Listing
Use this link to view a complete list of Topics used in the content organization of the monolithic.com website. (Continued…)
What's Hot
New Denim Line to Benefit One Dome at a Time
Haitian rapper. Humanitarian. Jean designer. Those are just a few of the words that describe Won-G—- Monolithic’s partner in One Dome at a Time, our nonprofit that is helping with long-term rebuilding efforts in Haiti. (Continued…)
To Every American in favor of Green Housing
For thirty plus years America’s leaders have been wanting more energy efficient, more hazard resistant, more cost efficient green structures for houses, churches, schools, etc. To those leaders and citizens we now say: We have such structures! Please implement the rules to allow them to happen. (Continued…)
Introducing the Under Sink Ceramic Water Filter
I replaced the water filter that was under my sink with this one about 3 months ago. It was very easy to install, the whole process took about 30 min. Here is what I have noticed while using it. (Continued…)
News
Florida Dome Home Featured in Online Newspaper
Like many Americans, Charlie and Margaret Simmons opted to retire in Florida. Unlike most other retirees, they decided to make their retirement home a Monolithic Dome. The online newspaper, NorthEscambia.com recently profiled the Simmons’ new dome home in a feature story, touting its many benefits that range from energy efficiency to durability. (Continued…)
A Cold Study Brings A Gratifying Result
So you’re nested in the mountains and up comes a cold spell. What to do? Maddy and I decided to turn our dome-in-progress into a controlled laboratory with the goal of putting the thermodynamics of thin shell concrete domes to the test. (Continued…)
21st Century School: Grand Meadow in Minnesota
In a special section on the 21st century school, The Post-Bulletin in Rochester, Minnesota highlighted a number of innovations ranging from new teaching methods to state-of-the-art building styles. There’s Gibbs Elementary, set to open later this year, which features interactive white boards that can display videos and other high-tech material. There are the 5,000 Minnesota students who are taking all of their classes online. And then there’s arguably the most innovative school of all, and it’s Grand Meadow School, which opted to build five Monolithic Dome buildings in 2002. Eight years after it opened, the school is still making news. And it’s not just the shape that makes the school noteworthy. Superintendent Joe Brown reports that the school saves 25 percent per year on maintenance and energy costs. (Continued…)
Sierra Leone Concert Benefits One Dome at a Time
One of the poorest nations on earth is reaching out to Haiti in its time of need. Sierra Leone recently held a benefit concert for earthquake victims in the Caribbean nation, and selected One Dome at a Time as one of the relief organizations benefiting from the event. Twenty Sierra Leonean artists, including musician and producer Jimmy B. and political rapper Emmerson, performed for free at the concert. (Continued…)
Monolithic Newsletter-February 2010
The Roundup — presenting the latest Monolithic news – February 23, 2010 (Continued…)





















