•DOMES

TYPES OF DOMES

LECTURE BY:
AR. IZNA ISAR
AR. KHIZRA SHAHZAD
DOME
 A rounded vault forming the roof of a building or structure,
typically with a circular base.

 Dome, in architecture, hemispherical structure evolved from

the arch, usually forming a ceiling or roof.
TYPES OF DOMES
Corbel dome
 Dating back to Paleolithic construction, this is one of
the earliest dome forms, also known as a
‘beehive dome’. They are not domes in the strict
sense, as they are formed by
horizontal masonry layers that are slightly
cantilevered until meeting in the centre.

Qutb Mosque in India

Cloister vault
 Cloister vaults, also known as dome vaults, maintain a
polygonal shape in their horizontal cross-section.
They arch towards the centre from a constant spring point
along a wall.
Crossed-arch dome
 This is one of the earliest type of ribbed vault where the ribs,
instead of meeting in the dome’s centre, are intertwined to
form polygons, leaving an empty space in the centre. The
earliest known example is in Spain’s Great Mosque of
Cordoba, dating back to the 10th century.
Geodesic dome
 Geodesic domes are sphere-like structures consisting of a
network of triangles which provide a self-balancing
structural framework whilst using minimal materials. They
were developed by the
American engineer and architect Buckminster Fuller in the
late 1940s.
Monolithic dome
 This is a dome structure that is cast in a one-piece.
Onion dome
 These domes are characterized by the way they bulge out
beyond their base diameters and taper smoothly in an ogee
(S-curve) profile. Their height usually exceeds their width
and they are often gilded or brightly painted. These are
traditionally associated with Russian architecture, in
particular their multi-domed churches.
Oval Dome
 An oval dome may be defined as a dome whose plan or
profile (or both) has an oval form. The geometry is defined as
using combinations of circular arcs that transition at
tangential points.
Rotational dome
 Also known as ‘hemispherical domes’, these are one half of a
sphere, constructed on a circular ring beam.
Saucer dome
 In terms of area these are often some of the largest domes,
and are shallower in profile than other forms of dome.
Umbrella dome
 Also known as a ‘ribbed’, ‘parachute’ or ‘scalloped’ dome.
These are divided into curved segments that follow
the elevation’s curve. Radial lines of masonry that act as
the dome’s ‘ribs’ extend down the springing from the apex.
DOMES

 A shell with double curved surface is

known as dome (double curvature)

 A rounded roof with a circular base,

shaped like an arch in all directions

 Dome has double curvature and the

resulting structure is much stiffer and

stronger than a single curved surface, such
as barrel shell.
Terminology
Stability

Hemispherical dome
 It often needs a tie ring.
 The round wall can be a difficulty.
 If it is for an exposed roof, the
waterproofing often cracks.

Hemispherical dome on pendentives

 It is advised to use a tie beam.
 It needs arches.
 If the segmental sphere is the roof, the
waterproofing often cracks
Stability

Pointed cloister arch dome

 It always needs a tie beam.
 It does not need arches to support it.
 It is suitable for roofs with a pyramidal
shape.
 Durable waterproofing
Segmental cloister arch dome
 It always needs a tie beam
 It does not need arches to support it.
 Suitable for floors of apartments in multi-
story buildings.
Structural Principles
 A dome is composed of a series of rings,
resting on each other.
 A dome is characterized by a thrust, with
pushes on the walls.
 Two forces are acting in a dome;
1) The thrust (T), which pushes down with
an angle on the walls.
2) A concentric thrust (CT), which acts in
every ring and compresses it. CT : Concentric thrust
 The thrust (T) is composed of 2 forces; HT : Horizontal thrust
 A horizontal force (HT), which tends to W : Weight of the masonry
push the walls apart.
T : Resultant of the thrust
 The weight (W), which is the weight of
the masonry.
Structural Strength
 The dome element of the structure was chosen for its structural strength as
well as the savings envisaged by replacing a conventional roofing system with
a monolithic element.
 The dome is defined as a doubly curved surface element.
 The dome’s doubly curved surface allows it to carry loads (especially its dead
weight) very effectively.
 The load is carried primarily by membrane action.

Moments and shears are limited to the

area around the base (or boundary) of the
shell.

Stiff horizontal rings around the shell

limit the deformation in the meridian
direction.
Characteristics of Dome Structure

 Hemispherical in shape
 They have certain height and
diameter ratio and usually are of
very small thickness
 Constructed from stone, concrete,
brick and steel and glass
 Can be constructed with or
without lanterns
 They are of two types
~ Smooth shell domes
~ Ribbed shell domes
Construction Techniques

 As with other funicular structures,

the more vertical the structure is
at the base, the less the horizontal
force.

 Thus deeper domes have less

horizontal thrust and the hoop
tension is sufficient to prevent the
dome from spreading out of base

 A shallow dome, with greater horizontal thrust, needs additional

help in the form of tension ring at the base, a thickening of the shell
to strengthen it.
 Usage of Dome Structure in Historic Times

Pre-Historic Period
 The earlier domes
were probably roofed
primitive huts and
consisted of bent over
branches plastered
with mud .

 Ancient examples have been found in the tombs of Mycenae

and can also still be seen in the folk architecture of Sicily.
Although there is evidence of widespread knowledge of the
dome, its early use was apparently restricted to small
structures built of mud brick.
Dome Construction in Roman Empire
 The Romans were the first who fully realized the Architectural
Potentialities of the Dome.
 The Roman development in dome construction culminated in
the Pantheon constructed in 125AD which is still stand and
retain its position.

PANTHEON SAN TENDORO

Dome Construction in Byzantine Empire
 The Romans however failed to
discover a proper handling of
the pedentive and the device
essential to placing a dome
over a square compartment
that was finally achieved by
Byzantine Builders of Hagia
Sofia at Constantinople.

The Hagia Sopia, located at

Constantinople
Dome Construction in Muslim Empire

 Throughout time, the

Roman Empire developed
the domes to be designed
for strength and protection.
 Under Byzantine influence
early Muslims adopted the
use of domes.
 One of their important
monument is DOME OF
ROCK in Jerusalem.
 They generally used the so Dome of rock
called Persian or Onion Jerusalem.
dome.
 As the Post Modern Era came
into being; Cities are filled with
skyscrapers and industrial
buildings however, this future
mindset brings forth a new type
of use for domes.
 The Reliant Astrodome is
nicknamed the "Eighth Wonder of
the World" and is located in
Houston, Texas. The Astrodome
was completed in 1975, and is "Eighth Wonder of the World", also
still used as a stadium. known as The Reliant Astrodome
 The dome has recently been home
to many survivors of hurricane.
Construction Material of Dome Structure
In Ancient Times

 The earliest shell and dome

structure were built with mud bricks
and later with baked bricks and
stone.
 Domes of wood were allowed for
large span due to relatively light and
flexible nature
 Wooden domes were protected from
Pantheon , Rome
the weather by roofing, such as
copper or lead sheeting. Ties and chain of iron or
 Brick domes were favored choice
wood could be used to resist
stress.
for large spanned monumental
buildings.
Construction Material of Dome Structure
In Modern Times
 The new building materials of
the 19th century are iron, steel
beams, steel cables, and pre-
stressed concrete have enable the
use of external buttressing.
 Earlier may dome masonry may
have a radius to thickness ratio
of 50, but the ratio for modern Nagoya dome, japan
domes can be in access of 800.
 The lighter weight of these
domes allowed large span
construction.
APPLICATIONS
 Dome shape is particularly efficient at shading elements like snow and
wind.

 Dome structures are generally energy efficient. In some cases they

would only use a quarter of what a standard rectangular structure of
same size would use .

 High volume to surface area ratio means that less building material are
used and more space is available inside the building.

 Sound flows naturally in a sphere

 Esthetically pleasing.