Geodesic

Applications By: Darrell Andelin

Utah State Office of Education

What is a “geodesic”?

Geodesic structures are much more than the

funky garden shed in your neighbor’s backyard.

Geodesics are a

part of Mathematics

Definition:

Geodesics is the mathematical

study of economical space-

spanning structures.

To build a geodesic structure a person must

understand geometry.

Geometry is the branch of mathematics that

studies points, lines, shapes, and solids.

Many geometric

solids are defined

by the number of

sides to create the

object.

A geometric solid

is a shape like a

cube or a pyramid.

Cube

Pyramid

Geometric solids are similar

to geometric domes.

Geometric

Solid

Geometric

Domes

A geodesic dome is one-half

of a geometric solid

In other words:

A geodesic is a type of structure that is designed to

cover a large areas with as little cost as possible.

People who design structures such as buildings and

bridges are called Architects and Structural Engineers.

Architects and engineers

use math to design and

build geodesic structures.

The first dome that could be called geodesic was invented by

Walter Bauersfield, chief engineer for Carl Zeiss Optical Company,

for a planetarium to house his new star projection system. The dome

was patented and the planetarium was built in Germany in 1922.

R. Buckminster Fuller further investigated this concept

and called the dome geodesic. Although Fuller was not

the original inventor he developed and popularized dome

applications and received a U.S. patent in 1947. Fuller’s

original concept was to invent a strong, low-cost

structure to house low income people after WWII.

Buckminster’s architectural

work was so significant that

he was honored with a Time

Magazine article in 1964 and a

U.S. Postage stamp in 2004.

Some geodesics are copies of structures

that have been around for thousands of years.

Mongolian yurt home Modern geodesic tent

Modern Geodesic Tent by

Mountain Hard Wear

A Soccer Ball is a

Geodesic Design

Geodesic design even finds

application in medicine

Geodesic sensor-net used to map brain functions

using EEG and MRI technology

Geodesics might even

be part of Mother Nature’s

genius.

House Fly Photographed with an electron microscope

Could the eye of the

house fly be a geodesic?

Nature

Nano Technology

One of the basic building

blocks of nano technology

is the carbon 60 atom.

This is a man-made isotope

Which is naturally formed

in a geodesic structure.

Geodesic design is also

used for many types of

architectural engineering.

Shelters

Roof Systems

Omaha Zoo

To solve structural

design problems

Many artistic

applications

US Pavilion, Expo 67

Disney Epcot Center

Even Movies

Star Trek Shelters

But not all geodesic structures are

odd cabins in the back-woods!

There are many engineering

companies around the world

that specialize in geodesic

structures.

Temcor® is an architectural leader

in innovative geodesic design.

Domes

Insulated

Geodesic

Structures

Clear-Span

Roof Systems

Storage Buildings

Botanical Center Des Moines, Iowa

Crystogon® Roof Systems Glazed With Clear Acrylic Panels

Sports Center, Connecticut

Forest Aviary

North Carolina Zoo

Crenshaw Convention Center

Los Angeles, California

Dome Structures

Native American Center for the Living Arts

Niagara Falls, N.Y.

Scientific Center

South Pole

Crenshaw Christian Center

Los Angeles, Calif.

Storage

Building

Ferrell Special Events Center

Baylor University, Texas

Once the worlds largest clear-span aluminum dome, 415 feet in diameter, built to house the famous

“Spruce Goose”. (Queen Mary is in the background.)

Currently used as a cinema center.

Long Beach, California

(There are currently 4 larger geodesic domes in the United States.)

Current the world’s largest geodesic structure: Fantasy Entertainment Complex, Kyosho Isle, Japan

710 ft. span

Desert Biome

Spherical Structures

I-Works Theater

Reno, Nevada

Architectural Rendering

Zamora Shrine Mosque

Birmingham, Alabama

Scienceland Museum

Shanghai, China

McDonald Observatory

University of Texas

4-Point Pentagonal Structures

HPER Facility

Walla Walla Community College

Washington

Kingsland Park & Ride

Houston Metro Transit Authority

Creative Clear-Span Roof Systems

Shamu Stadium

Sea World of Texas, Inc.

San Antonio, Texas

Insulated Interior Ceilings

Our Lady of Mount Camel Church

Fairfield, California

College Gymnasium

Storage Facilities

Water Storage Tank

Pennsylvania

Storage Building

Other Creative Applications (Not all geodesic roofs are domes.)

Stadium

Shanghai, China

Temcor® makes geodesic structures that are:

Creative

Beautiful

Functional

StarnetTM is another U.S. company that

Designs creative geodesic applications

Disney Epcot Center

Playground Equipment

Art & Science Applications

Leisure and Gaming

International Markets

Social Services

Transportation

Custom Structures

Storage Buildings

Custom engineered to meet

a variety of application

… an industry leader in geodesic structures

What are Geodesics?

In the hands of a structural engineer…

They are a thing

of beauty!

Geodesic Design

A world of possibilities!