The Machinism Dome: Construction Phases
(for preparation instructions click
here)
The Machinism Dome was assembled top-down, beginning with the top layer.
This way it is not necessary to bring a tall ladder or some kind of
lifting device to set up the structure.
It is not easy to do it top-down, but it still can be done by two people.
A small household ladder is still required for fastening the upper bolts
once a layer is set up.
Construction of the Machinism Dome at Burning Man 2002 basically took
2 full days, with most time spent on attaching the plastic cover to the
structure.
The dome has a top, a middle and a bottom layer.
These are the phases of construction:
Phase 1 The top layer is assembled from 5 s struts
in the shape of a star and a pentagon of 5 l struts.
Phase 2 As the dome is built top-down, the top layer needs to be
completely secured and covered before the middle layer can be added.
Phase 3 The middle layer structure is then pushed under the top
layer; 10 l and 15 s struts are required.
Phase 4 Again, the middle layer needs to be covered before the bottom
layer can be started; this is especially important as the middle will be too high
to reach later.
Phase 5 In the same manner as the middle layer was pushed under the
top layer, the bottom layer is now pushed under the existing two layers. Because the
weight of the structure is higher now, this is a little bit harder than for the
middle layer...
Phase 6 The dome is structurally finished now; the bottom layer can
now be covered (or left open for better ventilation); all bolts should be tightened
at this stage and the structure should be secured to the ground.
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