Means and methods for construction and use of geodesic rhombic triacontahedron

Abstract

A structural system comprising the symmetrical interpenetration of an icosahedron and dodecahedron, further articulated to form a rhombic triacontahedron with each rhombus subdivided by two diagonals at its midpoint. The vertices of the original icosahedron and dodecahedron, and the midpoints of the rhombi, are projected such that a single circumscribed sphere would touch or nearly touch all three sets of resulting vertices. This geometry may used to create a hemispheric geodesic dome. Alternatively, this dome may be subdivided along the hemisphere's great circle segments into two half domes or four quarter domes. Rectangular structural elements may be inserted between the half or quarter domes to increase dome area without increasing dome height and to provide other advantages. The basic triangular components of the disclosed structure may be cut with minimal waste from conventional rectangular construction material such as Structural Insulated Panels. These basic triangular components may be connected with a living hinge.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS [0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. provisional application “Geodesic triacontrahedron” application No. 60 / 760,009, filed on Jan. 18, 2006 and is incorporated herein by reference.STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT [0002] Not Applicable REFERENCE TO A SEQUENCE LISTING [0003] Not Applicable BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0004] (1) Field of the Invention [0005] The invention relates to means and methods of combining two platonic solids, the icosahedron and the dodecahedron, as a dual geometry and further articulating this geometry to form a rhombic triacontahedron with each rhombus subdivided by two diagonals at its midpoint. The vertices of the original icosahedron and dodecahedron, and the midpoints of the rhombi, are projected such that a single circumscribed sphere touches or nearly touches all three sets of resulting vertices. This geometry creates dome-like dwelling designs with unique and useful co...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0012] The present invention overcomes shortfalls in the related art by disclosing a dome structure that may be efficiently fabricated with Structural Insulated Panels (SIPs) or other conventional planar bui...

Problems solved by technology

Gavette is not suited for the construction of dome segments from conventional planar or flat surfaced construction components.

Structural Insulated Panels (SIPs), sheets of plywood, and other widely available and relatively inexpensive construction materials are planar and hence not usable for construction of a Gavette dome.

Gavette's integrated ribbing structure or support system also makes Gavette unsuitable for efficient construction of larger structures, Gavette requires curved support components built into curved pan...

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