Portland Oregon Earthbag Dome
This small accessory structure complies with local Building Code exception. 2007
The earthbag dome here has 564 bags provided from a Mcmennanin brewery. There is a 6″ concrete tension ring with (2) # 4 bars continuous within the slab ring at the base. The tension ring is floating over a 6-millimeter vapor barrio at top 1″ washed round gravel bed in a 30″x 30″ circular trench. This system allows lateral motion (earthquake) to be isolated from the dome. An example of this effect is to shake your hand back and forth while holding a marble, Try it. You’ll notice the marble stays in the relatively centered.
There are four Gothic arches and eleven buttresses. At the top of the dome is a 3’dia. (Oculus) opening created by a 6″ concrete compression ring was poured with (2) #4 bar continuous through the ring. Eight anchor bolts secures a glass pentagon cap and light.
The dome has a 3″ cob coat and 1/2″ lime plaster coat. The final lime coat was mixed with iron oxide and red clay for color.
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Published by Trevor on May 20th, 2007 Tagged Alternative Building, YOGA
September 13th, 2007 at 7:07 am
I have a 20′ concrete circle in my yard left from the over ground swimming pool of the previous homeowner. I have always wanted to build a structure there and it seems like the earthbag approach would work. I live in the Portland metro area (Beaverton) and would love to speak with Tim and Trevor.
My phone number is 503-644-6408