Basalt Fibre Reinforcing for Concrete
Basalt fibre (from basalt rock) has many advantages over steel for
concrete reinforcement, especially as applied in the reinforcing of
concrete dome structures.
- Two times the tensile strength of steel
- 20% the weight steel,
- it does not rust (no concrete cancer),
- is not subject to chemical attack
- the same thermal coefficient as concrete.
- Domeshells is a supplier of a range of basalt, concrete reinforcing products.
- Read more information
about basalt concrete reinforcing products here.
Dome Moulds and Air Forms
The no mould method. We have even developed a method of constructing our domes without the need for any type of mould.
This method has been used to construct domes up to 7.0m in diameter. It is low tech and labour intensive, appropriate for certain situations and circumstances.
The air form method
Using an inflated balloon fabricated in the shape of the dome is the next most efficient method of constructing a Domeshell structure.
It is a combination of our “no mould” method with an air form that saves a lot of labour and also produces a more refined result.
The above methods will be covered in our online dome building workshop.
The rigid mould method
Using a fibreglass rigid mould is by far the most efficient and most labour saving method.
To date we have an 8.0m diameter rigid mould that fixes over a slab.
It is combined with moulds for doors and windows.
Equipment
Our most basic method requires the minimal equipment. It could be done without electricity as the concrete and render material could be mixed and placed by hand. Possible but primitive
The hand held air driven render sprayer.
The hand held spray machine on the left is a great way to get mud up on the wall fast.
This small spray machine is a relatively cheap, fast and effective way of getting material on any wall surface. Available now from Domeshells Shop
Domeshells mini concrete shot-crete machine. This by far the most efficient method as this machine enables almost any size dome do be sprayed up in one day.
Domeshells provides a shot-crete machine and crew service to DIY, owner builders and builders for their projects.
For any professional builder intending to make dome construction their business, this is the ideal machine for you. Contact us directly about obtaining one of these machines
