Combining two geodesic domes?

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snardy
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Combining two geodesic domes?

Post by snardy » Wed May 14, 2014 9:03 am

A buddy recently purchased two 2V 16' diameter geodesic domes for our camp. He still hasn't set them up, but the domes have all the hardware (bolts and nuts) necessary for connecting the struts.

My question is this:
How would you go about connecting the domes? Could you construct the domes so that the walls meet at a certain point? Or would doing that compromise the stability of the domes?
Or would you build two fully separate domes and connect them with some sort of walkway/tunnel?

I'd love to hear a few ideas, if you guys have any. :)
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BeeWeeDee
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Re: Combining two geodesic domes?

Post by BeeWeeDee » Wed May 14, 2014 9:29 am

I'd put them side by side and put a cupola on the top of each one that looks like a nipple.
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Captain Goddammit
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Re: Combining two geodesic domes?

Post by Captain Goddammit » Wed May 14, 2014 9:34 am

That would never work... can't be done...
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LowePro
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Re: Combining two geodesic domes?

Post by LowePro » Wed May 14, 2014 9:57 am

I'd recommend having both domes completely independent, (not linking any struts together) for the sake of stability. I don't know if it's safe to have them hard-fastened together. But you could have a breezeway or tunnel between made them out of tarps or fabric. Maybe you could use a length of PVC pipe to build a flexible hoop to hold up the fabric hut. (Check out the monkey huts). Or zip-tie some fabric to the domes and stake it to the ground to make the tunnel.

PS, depending on your dome covering, domes can get really hot, I'd recommend that each dome have its own entry/exit besides the tunnel link for ventilation. And do a test erection (yep) of the domes before you get to the playa...we thought we had a full set of hardware but many of the screws and bolts were stripped. If they are used domes, chances are good some of the hardware was damaged during the last dis-assembly.
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snardy
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Re: Combining two geodesic domes?

Post by snardy » Wed May 14, 2014 10:29 am

BeeWeeDee wrote:I'd put them side by side and put a cupola on the top of each one that looks like a nipple.
I was also toying with this idea. Maybe even add some metal hoop piercings to the cupola :lol:
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AntiM
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Re: Combining two geodesic domes?

Post by AntiM » Wed May 14, 2014 10:37 am

Naw, flame throwers.

[media]
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GreyCoyote
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Re: Combining two geodesic domes?

Post by GreyCoyote » Wed May 14, 2014 10:47 am

Two 2V domes will only share one strut, and this will be on the base ring. You could indeed share this strut, but everything else will need interposing struts to make a gateway between the two.

Really the best idea would be to position the domes about 5 feet apart with the doors facing each other. This way they each block the wind for the other, and you can duck between them as necessary. A variant on this theme would use multiple bungie cords between the dome doors to form a shell for a tarp. Not pretty, but functional and durable.

If you need a "hard" connection between them, it will be an ugly, non-geodesic form of tunnel that will require some on-site engineering. Not recommended. :mrgreen:
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Re: Combining two geodesic domes?

Post by trilobyte » Wed May 14, 2014 10:49 am

Hoop piercings AND flame throwers.... it just might work!

+1 to keeping them separate, otherwise it compromises the structure (as well as reduces the amount of total space. Put 'em right next to each other, or sort out some kind of shaded bridge area between the two structures
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chuckularone
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Re: Combining two geodesic domes?

Post by chuckularone » Wed May 14, 2014 10:53 am

You could connect them base to base and make a gigantic geodesic ball! :twisted:
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Ugly Dougly
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Re: Combining two geodesic domes?

Post by Ugly Dougly » Wed May 14, 2014 12:21 pm

If they are both placed across the wind, then the gap between them would channel and amplify the wind, wouldn't it?
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Captain Goddammit
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Re: Combining two geodesic domes?

Post by Captain Goddammit » Wed May 14, 2014 12:34 pm

Perfect spot for your wind-powered generator! Or maybe an evapotron.
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theCryptofishist
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Re: Combining two geodesic domes?

Post by theCryptofishist » Wed May 14, 2014 7:22 pm

AntiM wrote:Naw, flame throwers.
Thank you...
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snardy
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Re: Combining two geodesic domes?

Post by snardy » Thu May 15, 2014 8:19 am

GreyCoyote wrote:Two 2V domes will only share one strut, and this will be on the base ring. You could indeed share this strut, but everything else will need interposing struts to make a gateway between the two.

Really the best idea would be to position the domes about 5 feet apart with the doors facing each other. This way they each block the wind for the other, and you can duck between them as necessary. A variant on this theme would use multiple bungie cords between the dome doors to form a shell for a tarp. Not pretty, but functional and durable.

If you need a "hard" connection between them, it will be an ugly, non-geodesic form of tunnel that will require some on-site engineering. Not recommended. :mrgreen:
You make good points, especially about the wind. Thanks!
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Odie
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Re: Combining two geodesic domes?

Post by Odie » Sun Jun 01, 2014 9:21 pm

great idea on spacing them 5' apart, would you then hard connect them with a walkway,.

piercings and flames, afterall its a burn event....
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