Models

The torus (donut) model I've been building our of string & straws doesn't work. The donut idea should be alright but not the way I was thinking about it. I did, on the other hand, build a geodesic dome the same way and it hold together very nicely. Even though it's made from cheap flimsy straws and twine of lackluster strength, it takes quite a lot of pressure to cause the top to cave in. Wrapping each vertex with multiple wraps of string in different directions would increase the strength quite a lot. My thought is that the greater the density of the framework (more sticks but smaller) the less imperfect the dome will be. The straws model is a little crooked looking, but it's pretty close.

I'm stuck even more on the "ropes & pipes" way of building the shelter because:

• The dome becomes self-arranging. All you need is the correct measurements of pipes. No angles to calculate and measure. For a decent lower-density dome, all you need is 65 sticks, 30 of which are 92.9% the size of the rest.
• Materials are readily available. Steel fencepoles (which are also fairly cheap) would probably work, or any other kind of tube if it's strong enough. You can string the thing together with chains, or nylon rope, or steel cable, etc. No bolts, nails, or other small items.
• Altough it's not a super-accurate dome, who cares. While super-accuracy probably means more strength, it's close enough, even without reinforcing the corners it will still stand on it's own. You could even weld the thing together when you're done.
• You can build it top-down, and raise it up as you go.
• You can easily connect several together.
• You can store the materials and get crackin' when the time is right so you don't lose your job for being "crazy" or lose friends.

Once I build 2 more models out of more realistic materials, I'll post webpages explaining how to make the dome from 65 pipes, then another one of higher density once I figure that out. The goal is to make it as easy as possible so the most people can benefit from it. The framework is the hardest part, then you can cover it with whatever you got.

Offered by Joe.