Monolithic

A floating slideable foundation has advantages to survive strong jolts. The wind pressure is one thing, and flying rocks and trees are another. You could put a dome completely above ground that could withstand the wind pressures but will it then withstand flying boulders and trees that act like battering rams. If the dome is partly underground then flying items can only hit and make a glancing blow. The less of an angle the dome makes with the path of the object the more likely it is to not break through but to glance off.

Monolithic domes will not take much if any flexing, they are rock hard inflexible when it comes to something hitting them. So if hit by something heavy going fast there is a likelihood of such an object breaking through to the inside. You cut down on this by pushing dirt up on all sides (done in such a way that it doesn't blow away) or building the dome partly underground. The decision depends on whether you think the greater damage will come from wind or earthquakes, as a result of the pole shift. Right now I am leaning in the direction of greater damage from flying objects. However, if your dome is shielded from high winds by close surrounding hills or other not likely to move objects then sliding may become the primary consideration.

With regard to the wind speed for which a dome should be designed, does anyone on this planet know what the limits of hurricane force winds are? We have been assuming 300-400 mile/hr but is this really high enough?

Offered by Mike.

According to the engineers at Monolithic, a 300 MPH wind will deliver a force of about 400 psi to a flat wall. Very few structures can survive this magnitude of force, an exception, of course, being the Monolithic Dome.

Offered by Michael.