This shake table test is a dome built with wood – would be MUCH better if the dome was built with basalt rebars, basalt mesh, basalt twine and basalt chopped fibers!
Basalt is stronger than steel, never rusting or corroding, does not conduct electricity, or burn down or get eaten by bugs, mold or ruined by water.
Use this basic dome shape as the starting point and build into and around it. Dormers or porches or additions for instance. By keeping the structural integrity of the dome shape, you provide your family with a safe and intelligent structure that can be very comfortable.
Basalt reinforcements will last for centuries. Add crystallizing agents into your concrete and use advanced aggregates to stop water penetration and plasticizers to allow for flex and expansion and contraction. These will solve most all problems. Fire retardant, natural disaster mitigation and a healthier home that is earth friendly and built with a conscience!
Shake Table Test Shows the Dome Shape is Virtually Earthquake-Proof.
Lyla says
January 2, 2015 at 9:34 amI watched the video of the dome during the simulated earthquake. From what I can see, one of the reasons for it continuing to stand was its flexibility. I was wondering, wouldn’t adding basalt cause it to be more rigid and lose that benefit?
Basalt Guru says
January 2, 2015 at 10:08 amThe basalt rebars are in fact incredibly flexible yet want to return to straight. In a seismic application I want my building to want to return to where it was. Steel if bent stays bent. So when structural engineers bring up the so called shear factor I think it is most always a mute point. If a building got to the point of actual catastrophic breaking point you are doomed no matter. This is unlikely-but bending and shaking yes. In bridges they test to break-but the reality is it will most likely bend and again steel will stay bent-basalt will bounce back.
AND it is many times lighter and yet stronger and less concrete can many times be poured. Also I say use both if worried-best of both worlds. Wood has too many problems-bugs, fire, rot, nice for elements but not for structure unless like tri-lams -very expensive.
Lyla says
January 3, 2015 at 8:09 pmThanks for the quick reply. I like this idea very much. Has there been any structures built with the basalt in the domes?