Method of manufacturing a dome and a dome manufactured using the method
There is described a method of manufacturing a dome ( 2 ), the method comprising: providing a plurality of beams ( 6, 106, 206, 306 ), each of the plurality of beams ( 6, 106, 206, 306 ) comprising one or more slots ( 16, 22 ); and engaging at least one of the slots ( 16, 22 ) of each of the plurality of beams ( 6, 106, 206, 306 ) with a slot ( 16, 22 ) of the one or more slots ( 16, 22 ) of another of the plurality of beams ( 6, 106, 206, 306 ) so as to form at least part of the dome ( 2 ). There is also described a dome ( 2 ) manufactured in accordance with the method.
1 . A dome, comprising:
a plurality of beams, each of the plurality of beams comprising one or more slots; and
at least one of the slots of each of the plurality of beams is engaged with a slot of the one or more slots of another of the plurality of beams so as to form at least part of the dome,
wherein at least a substantial portion of each of the plurality of beams being T-shaped comprising a web and a flange, and wherein the one or more slots are located in opposing sides of the webs.
2 . The dome of claim 1 , wherein at least one of the webs comprises a plurality of web sections, wherein each web section is separated from an adjacent said web section by a gap.
3 . The dome of claim 1 , wherein at least one of the flanges comprises a plurality of flange sections each separated by a first gap, and wherein each of the plurality of beams comprises a further flange disposed on a respective said opposing side of a respective said web to a respective said flange, the further flange comprising a plurality of further flange sections each separated by a second gap.
4 . A method of manufacturing a dome, the method comprising:
providing a plurality of beams, each of the plurality of beams comprising one or more slots; and
engaging at least one of the slots of each of the plurality of beams with a slot of the one or more slots of another of the plurality of beams so as to form at least part of the dome;
wherein at least a substantial portion of each of the plurality of beams being T-shaped comprising a web and a flange, and wherein the one or more slots are located in opposing sides of the webs.
5 . The method of claim 4 , wherein at least one of the webs comprises a plurality of web sections, wherein each web section is separated from an adjacent said web section by a gap.
6 . The method of claim 4 , wherein at least one of the flanges comprises a plurality of flange sections each separated by a first gap, and wherein each of the plurality of beams comprises a further flange disposed on a respective said opposing side of a respective said web to a respective said flange, the further flange comprising a plurality of further flange sections each separated by a second gap.
7 . The method of claim 4 , wherein a lower portion of the dome comprises a hollow cylindrical structure formed by a plurality of blocks or plates.
8 . The method of claim 4 , wherein at least a subset of the plurality of beams are arranged in a triangular lattice so as to form at least part of a geodesic dome.
9 . The method of claim 4 , wherein at least a subset of the plurality of beams are arranged in a rectangular lattice.
10 . The method of claim 4 , wherein at least a subset of the plurality of beams are arranged in a hexagonal lattice.