BUILDING BIG DOMES INTERNET PROJECT

Published by the Public Broadcasting System, Building Big is the companion internet site to their TV program "Building Big"

In this activity, you will learn about the forces, loads, materials, and other factors that affect construction of domes.

Have fun!

Take your time. Read each entry and enjoy viewing the different examples and interactive displays.

  1. Go to the URL http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/buildingbig/dome/index.html.

    WRITE ALL OF YOUR ANSWERS ON A SEPARATE SHEET OF PAPER!

  2. Go to "Interactive Labs"
    1. Go to the Forces Lab.
      1. List each of the four types of forces affecting large structures.
      2. Describe each, and give a real-life example of each.
    2. Go to the Loads Lab.
      1. List each of the seven types of loads that engineers consider when building big structures.
      2. Describe each.
    3. Go to the Materials lab.
      1. Stretch and squeeze each type of material.
      2. List the properties, pros and cons, and applications of each of the materials described.
    4. Go to the Shapes lab.
      1. List each shape and the forces that affect them?
      2. How can each shape be strengthened.

  3. Go to the "Dome Basics. " location. Learn about each location.
    1. Pantheon
      1. What forces affected this structure?
      2. How were they overcome?
    2. Mihrimah Mosque
      1. What forces affected this structure?
      2. How were they overcome?
    3. St. Peter's Basilica
      1. What forces affected this structure?
      2. How were they overcome?
    4. U.S. Capital
      1. What forces affected this structure?
      2. How were they overcome?
    5. Epcot Center
      1. What forces affected this structure?
      2. How were they overcome?
    6. Toronto Skydome
      1. What forces affected this structure?
      2. How were they overcome?

  4. Take the Dome Challenge
    1. Design a Baseball Stadium.
      1. Describe the factors you needed to consider.
      2. Describe the final dome's materials and design.
    2. Design a greenhouse.
      1. Describe the factors you needed to consider.
      2. Describe the final dome's materials and design.
    3. Design the Capital Building
      1. Describe the factors you needed to consider.
      2. Describe the final dome's materials and design.