I help take care of a geodesic dome that is 30 years old. It is about 30 ft in diameter and is sheathed in cedar shingles that go right to the ground. The dome needs new sheathing and rather than sheath is right to the ground (where animals find easy access to the wall cavity) I want to remove the bottom 16” to 20” of the dome and fill the space with block. What I don’t know however is if removing those 16” or 20” will affect the integrity of the structure. Does anyone have an answer to this question or can you direct me to someone who may?
Ron
I'm not an engineer but I have built two geodesic domes with Bucky Fuller geometry. My experience and understanding is that each part of the dome contributes to the strength and flexibility of the whole. I sure wouldn't cut off part of it. Besides, what would that do to the rest of the roof and anything connected to it. Pondering your problem, I thought of pouring concrete around the base, but I feel that would compromise the dome too much. How about removing the bottom sheath but leave the structure? Build a 20" wall of block outside the perimeter of the dome. Get creative about the seam between the block, original footing and the sheath. Maybe investigate some of the newer mesh fabrics that rodents can't chew through. Or some elastic polymer. If I were you I'd check out Domebook II, which is online. It's old but has ideas for old domes.
Caroling
www.wholeo.net