# DIY: Monolithic Dome
Things You'll Need
- Shotcrete sprayer
- Inflatable airform shell
- High-volume air pump
- Reinforcing bars and wire
- 2-by-4 wood planks
- Plywood sheeting
Instructions
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1
Erect the dome airform over a suitably sized foundation ring. The airform will be round and must be mated to a round foundation ring with an airtight seal.
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2
Inflate the airform using a high-volume air pump. The airform will need to be inflated and maintained at high pressure for the duration of the build.
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3
Block off any window or door openings you wish to have in the dome using 2-by-4s and plywood. These will later be removed to facilitate the installation of door and window hardware, and should not be sprayed with shotcrete.
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4
Apply a matrix of reinforcing bars at intervals dependent on tensile strengths sought. Offset the rebar framework half the thickness you plan to build the concrete dome, from the interior surface of the airform.
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5
Spray the inside of the dome, starting from the bottom up with shotcrete. You will want to achieve a thickness of between 6 and 8 inches, depending on the strength you wish to attain.
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6
Leave the airform in place to become a permanent vapor barrier on the outside of the dome. After the concrete has cured, the exterior surfaces of the airform may be painted, shingled, tiled or covered with earth.
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