A Testament to the Dome Shape

Dome Shape Survives Direct Tornado Hit – On May 24, 2011 in Blanchard, OK, this house, which is a thin shell concrete dome but not a Monolithic Dome, was hit by an EF4 or EF5 tornado. Although badly damaged by heavy, flying debris, the dome shell survived. That, we think, is a testament to the dome shape. Conventional homes hit by this tornado were flattened and swept off their foundations.

Dome Shape Survives Direct Tornado Hit – On May 24, 2011 in Blanchard, OK, this house, which is a thin shell concrete dome but not a Monolithic Dome, was hit by an EF4 or EF5 tornado. Although badly damaged by heavy, flying debris, the dome shell survived. That, we think, is a testament to the dome shape. Conventional homes hit by this tornado were flattened and swept off their foundations. (Josh South)

Gapping Holes – Debris smashing against this dome tore gapping holes in the shell. Had this dome been constructed following Monolithic specifications, that damage would not have happened.

Gapping Holes – Debris smashing against this dome tore gapping holes in the shell. Had this dome been constructed following Monolithic specifications, that damage would not have happened. (Josh South)

Serious Cracks – Because this thin shell was reinforced only with steel fibers and not Monolithic’s pattern of horizontal and vertical rebar, the tornado caused lots of cracking.

Serious Cracks – Because this thin shell was reinforced only with steel fibers and not Monolithic’s pattern of horizontal and vertical rebar, the tornado caused lots of cracking. (Josh South)

Survivor – This Blanchard, OK dome was also hit. The owner said that her dome, constructed in 1981 by the same independent builder who did not follow Monolithic specifications, suffered lighter damage since it was not directly in the tornado’s path. It lost some windows and a skylight.

Survivor – This Blanchard, OK dome was also hit. The owner said that her dome, constructed in 1981 by the same independent builder who did not follow Monolithic specifications, suffered lighter damage since it was not directly in the tornado’s path. It lost some windows and a skylight. (Josh South)

BEFORE: A satellite image one year before the tornado. Notice all the trees around and to the east of the dome.

BEFORE: A satellite image one year before the tornado. Notice all the trees around and to the east of the dome. (Google earth)

AFTER: Devastation everywhere even six months after the tornado. The trees were completely destroyed.

AFTER: Devastation everywhere even six months after the tornado. The trees were completely destroyed. (Google earth)