DOME

Prof. A.M. Bhanderi

INTRODUCTION
A Dome is a thin shell generated by the revolution of a
regular geometrical curve about its vertical axis.
Revolution of a circular curve about the vertical diameter
gives a Spherical Dome.
Prof. A.M. Bhanderi
Prof. A.M. Bhanderi
Prof. A.M. Bhanderi
Prof. A.M. Bhanderi
Revolution of an elliptical curve about one of its axis gives
an Elliptical Dome.
Prof. A.M. Bhanderi
Prof. A.M. Bhanderi
Revolution of a right angled triangle about one of the sides
gives a Conical Dome.
Prof. A.M. Bhanderi
Prof. A.M. Bhanderi
USE OF DOME
To cover any circular area Prof. A.M. Bhanderi
To cover any circular area
Prof. A.M. Bhanderi
Circular tanks Prof. A.M. Bhanderi
Circular tanks Prof. A.M. Bhanderi
Biogas Circular tanks
Prof. A.M. Bhanderi
Exhibition hall, Stadium, Auditorium
Prof. A.M. Bhanderi
Exhibition hall,
Stadium, Auditorium
Prof. A.M. Bhanderi
Temple, Mosques Prof. A.M. Bhanderi
Assembly hall
Prof. A.M. Bhanderi
Mainly domes are used to cover large circular areas,
because they prove to be far economical with respect to
material than any other types of roof.
In domes, the loads cause only direct stress ( compressive
or tensile) and bending moment and shear force are
negligible.
Usual materials for construction of dome are steel,
masonry, timber and reinforced concrete. Due to
development of tensile stress in large dome, the masonry
domes become very heavy and expensive. Timber and
steel domes are also expensive beside their usual
shortcomings. Therefore concrete domes are most
suitable for normal construction.
Prof. A.M. Bhanderi
NATURE OF STRESS IN SPHERICAL DOMES
A spherical dome may be thought of as consisting of
circular rings of continuously reducing diameter placed
one above the other.
The top point is called the crown of the dome.
Each ring supports the load of all the rings above it and
transfers the load to the ring immediately belowit.
The joints between two rings being radial, the reaction
between them is tangential to the curved surface, giving
rise to compression along the meridians.
This is termed as Meridional Compression or Thrust
Prof. A.M. Bhanderi
Prof. A.M. Bhanderi
Latitudes is the curve of a ring.
Meridian if the circles are drawn through the top and bottom
points diametrically opposite to each other, the circles are
called of meridians.
Longitude A line corresponding to each circle of meridian is
called longitude.
Meridional thrust (T) the direct compressive force acting along
the meridians is called Meridional thrust or Meridional
compression.
Hoop compression (H) the tendency of separation of any
voussoir will be prevented because of its wedge shape giving
rise to hoop compression (H) in each ring.
Prof. A.M. Bhanderi
Vertical section Formation of spherical dome
Ring
Plan of a Ring
Meridian
Meridian
Latitude
Latitude
Prof. A.M. Bhanderi
Prof. A.M. Bhanderi
LOAD ACTING ON DOMES
The various types of load acting on the domes are:
i. Self weight of dome
ii. Live load
iii. Snow load
iv. Wind load
Prof. A.M. Bhanderi
SPHERICAL DOME SUBJECTED TO UNIFORMLY
DISTRIBUTED LOAD
Here, r = Radius of dome T = Intensity of Meridional thrust
t = Thickness of dome shell
w = U.D.L. inclusive of its self weight per unit area. Prof. A.M. Bhanderi
Consider the equilibrium of a ring ABCD between two
horizontal planes AB and CD, the extremity of it makes an
angle and +d with vertical at the centre respectively.
So the ring subtends an angle d at the centre.
Force acting on unit length of the ring.
The meridional thrust T, per unit length of the circle of
latitude AB, acting tangentially at B.
The reaction or thrust T+dT, per unit length of the circle
of latitude CD, acting tangentially at D.
The weight W of the ring itself, acting vertically
downward.
Here, the meridional thrust T is caused by the weight of
the dome shell APB above the horizontal plane AB.
Prof. A.M. Bhanderi
Weight of the dome shell AB = 2r x PQ x w
= 2r (r-rcos) x w
= 2r
2
w(1-cos)
Now, this total load above the ring AB must be equal to the
vertical components of T round the total periphery of the
ring ABCD.
T(2 x QB) sin = 2r
2
w(1-cos)
So, T sin (2r sin) = 2r
2
w(1-cos)
.Eq. of Meridional thrust, T.
Here meridional thrust T is acting on per unit length, so the
Eq. for the meridional stress will be,
u
u
=
2
sin
) cos - (1 r w
T
u +
=
cos 1
r w
T
u
u
=
2
sin t
) cos - (1 r w
T
Prof. A.M. Bhanderi
Hoop force (H)
The horizontal components of the meridional thrust will
produce the hoop stress along the periphery of the
dome.
As the meridional thrust T increases to T+dT at the
bottomof the ring, this difference will cause hoop stress.
Let H be the hoop force per unit length of surface
measured on great circle arc.
As the breadth of ring = rd
The Hoop force = H x rd .. (I)
The horizontal component of T is T cos which produces
hoop tension.
Prof. A.M. Bhanderi
The magnitude of Hoop tension,
= T cos x Radius of ring AB
= T cos x r sin
= T r sin cos . (II)
Similarly, the horizontal components of the thrust T+dT
will be (T+dT) cos(+d) and this horizontal component
will cause hoop compression.
The magnitude of Hoop compression,
= (T+dT) cos(+d) x Radius of ring CD
= (T+dT) cos(+d) x r sin(+d) .. (III)
The difference between (II) and (III) will cause the actual
hoop stress.
If (III) > (II), Hoop stress will be compressive
If (III) < (II), Hoop stress will be tensile.
Prof. A.M. Bhanderi
So, the Hoop stress is due to change in the value of T
when increase by a small amount d, hence in the
limiting case when d is extremely small,
H x rd = d(T r sin cos)
by putting value of T and differentiating,
But, at the crown,
= 0 and also T = 0, So, H = wr/2
And Hoop Stress at crown =
This is the maximumvalue of hoop stress in compression.
u +
u + u
=
cos
1) - cos (cos r w
H
2
1
t 2
r w

t
H
=
Prof. A.M. Bhanderi
Now as the increase up to some value, the hoop stress
will go on decreasing and becomes tensile.
To get the circle of zero hoop stress,
Cos
2
+ Cos 1 = 0
Cos = 0.618
= 51.82
When = 51.82 , H = 0
When < 51.82, H will be compressive (+ve)
When > 51.82, H will be Tensile (-ve)
0
1
=
u +
u + u
=
cos
1) - cos (cos r w
H
2
Prof. A.M. Bhanderi
Prof. A.M. Bhanderi
SPHERICAL DOME SUBJECTED TO
CONCENTRATED LOAD AT THE CROWN
Prof. A.M. Bhanderi
The sum of the vertical components of thrust T acting
along the circumference of the circle of latitude must be
equal to the load W.
T x 2r sin x sin = W
OR
Now, as the hoop stress developed in any horizontal ring
is due to the difference in the meridional thrust T and
(T+dT),
H x rd = d(T r sin cos)
u t
=
2
sin r 2
W
T u
t
=
2
ec cos
r 2
W
T
u
t

=
2
ec cos
r 2
W
H
Prof. A.M. Bhanderi
Hoop stress =
The negative sign shows that the hoop stress developed in
the dome due to a concentrated load at the crown will
always be tensile.
At crown = 0, hence, Hoop stress becomes infinite.
Therefore any concentrated load in the form of lantern or
ornaments etc should always be distributed over
sufficient area, to reduce the hoop stress at the crown. It
is also desirable to thicken the dome at the crown to
spread the load over greater area.
u
t

=
2
ec cos
rt 2
W
t
H
Prof. A.M. Bhanderi
Prof. A.M. Bhanderi
Prof. A.M. Bhanderi
CONICAL DOME SUBJECTED TO
UNIFORMLY DISTRIBUTED LOAD
Here, From the geometry, AB = 2y tan
& Length AP = y/cos Prof. A.M. Bhanderi
The vertical component of the total meridional thrust at B
will evidently be equal to the load on the dome shell APB.
Load on dome shell APB
Vertical component of total T, = T cos x ( x 2y tan)
Meridional thrust,
Intensity of meridional stress
( )
u
u t =
cos
y
tan y 2
2
w
( ) ( )
u
u t = u t u
cos
y
tan y 2
2
w
tan y 2 cos T
u
=
2
cos
y
2
W
T
u
=
2
cos
y
t 2
W
Prof. A.M. Bhanderi
Now, Horizontal components of T will cause Hoop tension
at B, while the horizontal component of (T+dT) will cause
hoop compression.
Magnitude of Hoop tension
H = T sin x Radius at ring AB
= T sin x y tan
= T y x sin
2
/cos
Magnitude of Hoop Compression,
= (T +dT) sin x (y + dy) tan
The difference in these two horizontal components will
give the value of Hoop force.
Prof. A.M. Bhanderi
Let H be the Hoop compression induced in the ring, per
unit breadth. Let ds be the breadth of the ring of height dy.
So,
We have,
Substituting the value of T and differentiating, we get
u
=
cos
dy
ds
(

u
u
=
cos
sin y T
d ds H
2
u =
2
sin y T
dy
d
H
(

u
u
=
2
2
sin y
cos
y
2
w
dy
d
H
( )
2
2
2
y
dy
d
cos
sin
2
w
H
u
u
=
Prof. A.M. Bhanderi
Hoop force , H = wy tan
2

Intensity of Hoop stress

Where, t = Thickness of dome slab
w = intensity of U.D.L. inclusive of self weight, per
unit area of the dome.
2 = angle of the apex
u

=
2
tan
t
y w
Prof. A.M. Bhanderi
CONICAL DOME SUBJECTED TO
CONCENTRATED LOAD AT VERTEX
Here, From the geometry, AB = 2y tan
& Length AP = y/cos Prof. A.M. Bhanderi
The sum of the vertical components of thrust T acting
along the circumference of the circle of latitude must be
equal to the load W.
T cos x x 2y tan = W
So, Meridional thrust T,
Meridional stress,
u t
=
sin y 2
W
T
u t
=
sin y t 2
W
Prof. A.M. Bhanderi
Now, Horizontal components of T will cause Hoop tension
at B, while the horizontal component of (T+dT) will cause
hoop compression.
Magnitude of Hoop tension
H = T sin x Radius at ring AB
= T sin x y tan
= T y x sin
2
/cos
u
u

u t
=
cos
sin
y
sin y 2
W
2
u
t
= tan
2
W
H
Prof. A.M. Bhanderi
Magnitude of Hoop Compression,
H + dH = (T +dT) sin x (y + dy) tan
So, Net Hoop compression on ring = H + dH H = dH
And area of the ring /unit length = (ds x 1) = dy/cos
Now, Hoop compression /unit length
But from,
It is clear that H is a constant quantity as w, and are
constant for particular dome.
So,
u
=
cos / dy
dH
0
dy
dH
=
u
t
= tan
2
W
H
Prof. A.M. Bhanderi
dH = 0 shows that thrust on the bottom of the ring will
also produce a hoop compression equal to H itself.
Hence, net Hoop load on section = 0
Prof. A.M. Bhanderi
DESIGN OF R.C.C. DOMES
As compare to other structure, the required thickness
and %of steel in the R.C.C. dome is very less.
But as per the IS code, minimum thickness of 7.5 cm is
provided to protect steel. And a minimumsteel provided
is 0.15%for mild steel bars and 0.12%for HYSD bars, of
the sectional area in each direction meridionally as
well as along the latitudes.
Prof. A.M. Bhanderi
Provision of Ring Beam
If the dome is not hemispherical, the meridional thrust at
the supporting circle of latitude will not be vertical. The
inclined meridional thrust at the support will have
horizontal component which will cause the supporting
walls to burst outwards, causing its failure.
In order to bear this horizontal component of meridional
thrust, a ring beamis provided at the base of the dome.
The reinforcement provided in the ring beam takes this
hoop tension and transfer only vertical reaction to the
supporting walls.
The tensile stress on the equivalent area of concrete on
the ring beamsection should not be exceed 1.2N/mm
2
.
Prof. A.M. Bhanderi
Prof. A.M. Bhanderi
Prof. A.M. Bhanderi
Prof. A.M. Bhanderi
Prof. A.M. Bhanderi
Prof. A.M. Bhanderi
Prof. A.M. Bhanderi
Prof. A.M. Bhanderi
Placement of main reinforcement in Dome
A minimum reinforcement of 0.15% of area is provided
in both the direction of latitude as well as of the
meridians.
If the reinforcement along the meridians is continued
upto crown, there will be congestion of steel there, hence
from practical consideration, the meridional
reinforcement is stopped at any latitude circle near
crown, and a separate mesh is provided.
Prof. A.M. Bhanderi
Prof. A.M. Bhanderi
Provision of Opening
The opening is also provided in the dome as required
from other functional or architectural requirements.
However sufficient trimming reinforcement should be
provided all round the opening.
The meridional and hoop reinforcement reaching the
opening should be well anchored to the trimming
reinforcement.
If there is an opening at the crown of the dome, and if
there is any concentrated load of lantern etc.. acting there
a ring beam should be provided at the periphery of the
opening.
Prof. A.M. Bhanderi
Prof. A.M. Bhanderi
Prof. A.M. Bhanderi
Prof. A.M. Bhanderi
Prof. A.M. Bhanderi
Prof. A.M. Bhanderi