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 building materials. The invention also presents a unique connection system wherein each SIP panel is connected by a spline design using a flexible or living hinge. Unlike Gavette, no internal support system is needed.

[0015] The basic geometry of the disclosed design produces advantageous resolutions to several of the design limitations inherent in dome architectures based on other geometries. The present invention has the following advantages over the related art: 1) Only one basic triangle is utilized to accomplish geodesic projection, thus reducing manufacturing costs and installation time; 2) All manifestations of the basic geometry are hemispheric domes, thus maximizing the efficiency of enclosed space and building materials; 3) An intersection of two great circle segments at the geometry's apex allows for attractive and efficient rectilinear floor plans; 4) The basic triangle closely approximates a right triangle, thus minimizing costly waste in cutting the triangles from conventional rectangular stock.

[0017] These dome extensions produce several new and advantageous design features not seen in other dome structures. These design features are: 1) increased ratio of enclosed space to the surface area of the dome, 2) increased ratio of enclosed floor area to the height of the dome, 3) the capacity to increase the dome's enclosed space and floor area without increasing the size of the basic triangle, 4) the option for functional segregation of the enclosure based on the extended portion's more rectilinear and utilitarian geometry, 5) increased potential for rectilinear floor plan divisions due to the increased use of great circles segments and the straight joints of the extension panels, and 6) the capacity for an extended half dome to be attached as an addition to conventional rectilinear structures.

[0018] The preferred embodiment of the disclosed design utilizes Structural Insulated Panels (SIPs) as the material from which the dome triangles are formed. A SIP is a very strong, pressure-laminated building material typically consisting of an outer and an inner face made form an engineered structural board such as Oriented Strand Board (OSB) and an insulating inner core of rigid plastic foam. Although SIP stock with other parameters is manufactured, the preferred embodiment is based on rectangular SIP stock which is 8 feet wide with a thickness varying from 6.5″ to 12.15″ inches. These dimensions, coupled with the basic triangle's close approximation to a right triangle, minimize SIP stock waste, and maximize thermal and building efficiency in most anticipated applications. However, the disclosed design and its extensions are not limited to these SIP parameters, or even to SIP utilization in general.

[0020] The use of SIPs to implement the proposed Geodesic Triacontahedron dome and its extensions produces the advantageous and synergetic interaction of three factors. These factors are: 1) The strength to weight ratio of the SIP surpasses that of conventional building materials and ideally matches the parameters of the proposed domes and their extensions; 2) The beveled edges of the insulated triangles, along with the relatively few number of components required to construct the dome, ensure extreme thermal efficiency; 3) The single installation of a triangular SIP in the proposed design replaces the “stick-built” tasks of framing, sheathing and insulating, thus saving a substantial amount of labor.

[0023] A hub system is also disclosed to speed installation time and to make construction of the dome safer. These designed hubs are welded steel and all sixty of the dome triangles are connected to these hubs. The resulting increase in structural integrity makes the dome panels securely connected to each other and to the ground. These hubs also are part of the temporary support system during assembly to support the partial dome until all components are in place and the dome is self-supporting.

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 panels.

These larger curved panels are inefficient for efficient storage and shipment.

Furthermore, the integrated rib system of Gavette does not allow for the Gavette dome to easily and efficiently integrate doors, windows and other standard building components typical of full scale structures,

This permits some separation and expansion but not the four way separation and expansion possible with the disclosed design.

The inwardly curving portion of this ⅝ dome near the base makes door and window integration additionally problematic.

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