Concrete Geodesic Domes: Building Thin Shell Concrete Domes Using Latex Cement

Maybe next time use a "Hopper Sprayer" where you scoop the concrete out of the wheel barrow where it was dumped from the mixer. Then you use compressed air to blow the cement mortar on to the dome. An airform dome might also work for you, where you blow up an airbag, tie rebar over the airbag 1' on center, and then just hopper spray the cement mix on. I've seen some guys mixing ground up polystyrene into an aircrete mix for more insulation properties.

Posted on social platform GAB in group 'alternative housing' (the nearest to what this video fits in a GAB group' I've been waiting for this video for a couple of years, thanks so much!

So excited to see a new video. I can’t Waite to get my dome up!

When I first saw her concrete covered zip tie dome on your website I thought of using her technique along with aircrete Harry's insulated aircrete. I thought using aircrete would make a good base and you could make it a lot thicker and it would be insulated already. Check out his website or yt videos to see where I got the idea to put the two ideas together. Also I thought of using the covered hubs to hold the screen tight so you can spray the thin light coat of aircrete on the dome... 😊

I have studied and applied various teqniques such as this for the past 7 years or more. I can attest that latex- cement or "paint crete" does work well. I have a 3 bedroom 2 bathroom Earthbag house as well as a 2 story geodesic cabin. Both have withstood 2 major earthquakes as well as fires that destroyed over 250 structures nearby. I will be applying this to my teepee next and then an outdoor kitchen and another dome. I recommend though when covering a dome - if it uses pvc or other pipe to run your electrical through the pipe and bring the outlets to wherever you choose BUT - FILL THE HOLLOW PIPING WITH GREAT STUFF or something that will seal them - especially if you are building into a mountainside. I used the hubs off of a childrens geodesic playground equipment and replaced the 2 sizes of struts with struts 4 x the size. Raised it up and secured it to wood posts. Added an atrium in front and over that a deck with handrail. A zip tie dome system would be what I would go with next one- as they are lighter weight and with this system you have just show would be awesome and much easier to cover. All the best ! Thanks for the video ! W

Sir, this is Electrifyin' Information!!! Back in my long-ago youth I spent a year thinking I was going to study Architecture, and some of the folks in the programs were investigating innovation in materials and structures, and some of those went on to do great things. Meanwhile, you have come up with brilliant solutions that are grounded in ACCESSIBLE Technologies, that don't require at every level using hideously expensive, precious, rare, and exotic tools, materials, or processes. Well, I'm going to finish watching this post, and do some planning.

Your video was fascinating. I just knew there was a more cost-effective way for constructing these dome homes rather than some of the others which are marketed. Thank you for sharing the video of your own latex/concrete structure as it gives us viewers a realistic expectation of results; plus how results can be improved upon. Looking forward to checking out the building plans you offer.

Hello -Good Sir. We had emailed a few times back in 2019 ( or there abouts :-) ) It's good to see that your still working away with your Domes. B.T.W I have seen worse jobs using a trowel. :-) I also wanted to thank-you for the Geodesic Dome Calculator at your web site. It has saved me a lot of time, and it's easy to adjust the size of a dome and get the strut lengths. Have you used that Concrete bonding adhesive in aircrete ??

Awesome! Lots of possibilities here...hempcrete, sprayfoam insulation...thank you!

Thanks for this authentic video. You solved my roofing dilemma of my poorly designed semi circular cob building🙄

You are the best, buddy. God bless you, and your family.

thank you for sharing the process of experimentation, this is very encouraging for me and others to just fearlessly keep trying things out :)

Other ways possible to do : Hang the dome upside down (so it doesn't touche the ground), and empty the bucket, then ''roll" the dome so the cement mix is equally applied all over, with a little thicker layer on top, where you're happy the rain doesn't bucket. One other : Stapple one layer of cloth so it is enough tensionned. Second layer is put after each square of fabric is dipped in the mix.

I remember talking to you about this concept a couple of years ago. I'm glad you ran with it, you just didn't tell me that you were already working on a similar idea, grin. The Gemini concept is perfect. Aircrete could be pumped into the cavity for great insulation. I bought some land in west Texas and I will be building there.

It looks like to me some sort of "balloon" is needed on the inside to help press the concrete, cement, or mortar mix outward and act as a barrier to the latex cement. The result should be more round and reduce the sunk in look that would be a water, or snow catching and holding problem.

Cool!

То есть подойдет и дешевая латексная краска. Спасибо .

For screwing to emt conduit, use self tapping sheet metal screws. But it occurs to me, IF you wanted to use regular re-bar (cheaper, I think, than basalt or fiberglass rebar) you Could just run it up in 1/2" PVC and seal it with silicone, JB weld, or epoxy putty on the ends. (this would have the added benefit of being able to add an eye loop on the end to make connecting easy.) It Also occurs to me, you could maybe run steel Cable down your PVC , tied to your connectors, for additional strength- that would take some playing- with to figure out though. probably more expense than it's worth- though a good strong nylon rope, or several strands of nylon string run back and forth should significantly improve the strength of a regular pvc dome frame. That might work really well. you could just make several loops, just longer than the pvc, pull them through with a wire hook, and ziptie through that loop and onto your connector as normal. just thoughts there

Am I to understand from this video that flat, white latex paint will suffice for the source of latex in the concrete?

Interesting, I think you are on to a method that almost worked. I plan to give it a try with a design and process change. I will use sheet EPS to support the sagging screen and apply the slurry with a paint roller in several coats.