As a part of the Year 8 maths rotation a group of 12 students researched and created a 3.8m diameter Geodesic dome of aluminium tubing. They spent many hours measuring, cutting, shaping and drilling 165 struts (plus spares) of 3 specific lengths from 16mm diameter tubing. We then travelled to Horncastle Arena and assembled the dome in place for Cantamath 2015.

GEODESIC DOMES

The first geodesic dome and the maths behind it was patented in America by Buckminster Fuller (1895-1983) in 1954.

Although the geodesic dome is very strong and has a low building cost there are many disadvantages. Appliances are square and domes are not, so not all the latest technology can fit and work properly. Another big disadvantage is that pipes, chimneys and vents are difficult to make weatherproof with this shape.

OUR METHOD

When we had decided to build a dome we grabbed a tape measure and tried out some sizes. We ended up with it being 3.8 metres in diameter, 2.2 meters high and a 3V ⅝ dome. We made this dome for our (Casebrook Intermediate) school garden and we are going to use it for a greenhouse after the show.

We used an online Geodesic Dome calculator (domerama.com) to work out many pieces and how long they should be.

After we came up with the sizes we decided we needed 125 meters of I6 mm diameter aluminium piping.

We’d like to say a massive thank you to R&B Aluminium Ltd for supplying us with over $500 of aluminium for free. We recommend this company for anyone to use.  If it wasn’t for you we wouldn’t be making this masterpiece of geometry and engineering.

By Aiden Batt and Thomas Blakie.

The team of students were: Billie-Marie Henry, Aiden Batt, Ethan Nuttall, Thomas Blakie, Caleb Cottom, Danny Li, Aaron McBride, Angus McIntyre, Ben Smith, Rory Vaeluaga, Olivia Evans and Caleb Parsons.

Thanks to Craig Parsons of R&B Aluminium Ltd.