Dome Homes – Earthquake and Hurricane Proof – Energy Efficient

This video shows the basic survival properties of the dome structure. An advanced commercial version is called “Monolithic Dome” – Benefits: Survivability – Whether it’s your home, your children’s school or some other structure that you and your loved ones spend time in, nothing beats knowing that you’re in a place that cannot be destroyed by most natural or man made disasters. That’s the confidence Monolithic Domes offer. They meet or exceed FEMA’s standards for providing near-absolute protection. Monolithic Domes are proven survivors of tornadoes, hurricanes, earthquakes and fires. Shake Table Test Shows the Dome Shape is Virtually Earthquake-Proof During the 1990s, Charles Lin’s Monolithic Dome survived an earthquake unscathed. Researchers at the University of British Columbia loaded 5.5 tons of sand bags on the top of a 24-foot diameter dome and subjected it to simulated earthquake conditions on their shake tables. Watch the video of the shake-table test and find out if the wood-framed dome survived. Is round stronger than square? Roger Magill’s circular pre-fab house weathered Hurricane Charley with zero damage. A round house survives a hurricane? It did and we think it’s pretty cool. An article appeared on news-press.com’s website in July, highlighting the fact that something as simple as changing the shape of your home can increase its strength dramatically. Can a Monolithic Dome stop a .30-06 bullet? The durability of the Monolithic Dome’s exterior has withstood extreme hail storms with virtually no lasting damage. Monolithic Domes Provide Shelter from Hurricanes in Southeast Texas Any sturdy building had to be declared a hurricane shelter in the Woodsboro, Texas area up until four years ago. At that time, two hurricane-proof Monolithic Dome gymnasiums, which could act as hurricane shelters for the community, were built in Woodsboro and Edna, reports J. R. Ortega in the story, Hurricane-proof domes could provide salvation for those in path of storm, in the Victoria Advocate. Monolithic Domes: Surviving Bullets, Projectiles, Tornadoes The rifle used in this test was a Ruger 10/22, using a very standard 40 grain projectile. Damage from this rifle was minimal. As they say on TV, “Don’t try this at home.” Don’t shoot holes in your home with a 30-06 caliber rifle. To test the bullet-resisting strength of a Monolithic Dome, Gary Clark, our VP of Sales, fired at our Monolithic Dome storage buildings. Domers respond to Moore, Oklahoma Seventeen hundred homes were totally destroyed by the tornado at Moore, Oklahoma. But notice the simple, concrete, thin shell, dome storage/tornado shelter — the sole survivor. Monolithic Domes survive tornadoes — schools, churches, homes, etc. Be safe. Just a day after the devastating tornado in Moore, Monolithic began receiving phone calls and emails about that tragedy. We greatly appreciate all comments. Monolithic Domes Have Blast-Resistant Strength Strength testing the Monolithic Dome at BYU Laboratories. The sand bags represent the amount of weight previously thought to be the maximum load this dome could take. The addition of the forklift did nothing. They were ultimately unable to break the shell by overloading it and had to take it apart with jackhammers. In 1976 I hired a German engineer for a dome project in Germany. Although I never asked for it, he sent me a report stating that, during World War II, thin shell concrete buildings in Germany faired far better than other structures. Oklahoma School Says Its Buildings Are Tornado Proof The Monolithic Dome school in Geronimo, Oklahoma was recently toured by Oklahoma’s Own newson6.com news reporter, Kelly Ogle. In his report, Ogle interviews NOAA Research Meteorologist Dr. Harold Brooks where he agrees that Monolithic Domes are safer and cheaper options for schools. Dome Schools Make Disaster-Proof Promise The Oklahoma City FOX affiliate KOKH TV online investigative report features part two of a special report about how Monolithic domes at one school could become the model for schools everywhere. Public schools pressured to install safe rooms A Timely Message To All The Avalon School Multipurpose Center is now more than ten years old. It has survived much use by hundreds of students and community residents. It has also served as a tornado shelter sever times. One such tornado caused significant damage to other parts of the school and neighborhood. But those in the Monolithic Dome remained totally safe. See: http://www.monolithic.com/stories/fea… Domed, Not Doomed