Dome type building and method of making same

A method of constructing a dome building comprising the steps of securing a peripheral edge of an inflatable form to a base, securing a network of external restraining members to the base so that the restraining members overlie said form, inflating said form under pressure into a dome shape so that outward expansion of the form is restricted by said restraining members, forming a layer of insulation foam material on an inner surface of the inflated form, securing a reinforcing mesh to an inner surface of said foam layer, applying one or more layers of a cementitious material to the inner surface of said foam layer to a depth sufficient to embed said reinforcing mesh, forming a network of internal cementitious ribs integral with said one or more layers of cementitious material, said ribs being formed so as to directly underlie said external network of restraining members, relieving pressure from internally of said form after said cementitious material has set, and removing said external restraining members after said internal ribs have become self-supporting of the dome.

A dome building comprising, in combination, a base foundation, an air impervious form having a peripheral edge secured to said base, an external network of flexible cable-like members secured to said base and overlying said form, said form being inflated into a dome shape restrained by said cable-like members, a layer of insulating foam formed on the inner surface of said inflated form, a reinforced cementitious layer on the inner surface of the foam layer, a network of reinforcing bars adjacent said reinforced cementitious layer generally underlying said external network of cable-like members, and a cementitious material embedding said reinforcing bars so as to form internal ribs integral with said reinforced cementitious layer underlying said external network of cable-like members.

A method of constructing a dome building comprising the steps of securing a peripheral edge of an inflatable form to a base, securing a network of external flexible cable restraining members to the base so that the restraining members overlie said form, inflating said form under pressure into a dome shape so that outward expansion of the form is restricted by said restraining members being placed in longitudinal tension, forming a layer of insulation foam material on an inner surface of the inflated form, securing a reinforcing mesh to an inner surface of said foam layer, forming a network of reinforcing bars internally of said foam layer so that said reinforcing bars generally underlie said external network of restraining members, applying one or more layers of cementitious material to the inner surface of said foam layer and to said network of reinforcing bars to a depth sufficient to embed said reinforcing mesh and said reinforcing bars so that said embedded reinforcing bars form ribs underlying said external network of restraining members, and relieving pressure from internally of said form after said cementitious material has set so that a self-supporting dome is formed independently of said restraining members.