How does a monolithic dome interact with high wind and tornadoes? Tornadoes create winds that can push up to 400 pounds per square foot. Because of its shape and the materials with which it is constructed, the monolithic dome can withstand massive amounts of pressure both inside and out, making it impervious to tornadoe.
Monolithic domes are designed to handle the worst that nature can throw at them. Since they are built from concrete, they don't burn. They are designed to last; most of them won't require any repair or refurbishing in their first fifty years standing. Their curved structure allows the strongest winds to flow around them. Most importantly, a monolithic dome is structurally sound,designed to withstand winds at levels that even the strongest tornados and hurricanes can't possibly reach.
According to David South, the founder of the Monolithic Dome Institute in Italy, Texas, a tornado is probably nature's biggest disaster other than flood or tsunami. The 150 mile per hour winds of a strong hurricane would hit a building with about 100 pounds per square foot of pressure. Tornados can push three times as hard as a hurricane. "A 300-mile per hour wind can push 400 pounds per square foot," he says. "To put that into perspective, a freeway bridge handles 400 pounds per square foot."
A normal building just can't handle those extreme levels of wind pressure. "Some buildings can withstand pressure from the outside; some buildings can withstand pressure from the inside. Very seldom will they withstand both at the same time, and that is where a dome has a huge advantage. Notice that in hurricane-prone areas, any time a roof is blown off the building, the reason is that the air blew inside and popped it off like a cork."
But even 400 pounds per square foot isn't a big deal for a Monolithic Dome. "Most monolithic domes handle up to 2,000 pounds per square foot," David continues. "This means we can actually bury one 30 feet into the ground. It is that ability to withstand that huge amount of pressure that makes the monolithic dome nearly indestructible." Monolithic domes have proven themselves, too. In the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, in some neighborhoods, the only structures still standing are the Monolithic dome homes.
When it comes to tornado safety, monolithic dome gymnasiums are built to a level of "near-absolute" protection. Why only "near-absolute?" For the simple reason that most of these buildings require windows, and windows can be shattered by high winds. If people stay clear of the doors and windows, they should be safe no matter how powerful the storm raging outside. "The Italy, Texas gymnasium,the Avalon Gymnasium, for instance, is the town's tornado shelter. When the sirens go off, people go to the building and get away from the door."
According to David, one of the biggest issues FEMA,the Federal Emergency Management Administration,has is what they call "hazard amnesia." This happens when the local population forgets that they live in a danger zone. They build and rebuild, in the same locations and with the same building designs that were just smashed by hurricanes and tornadoes.
Monolithic dome homes are the perfect solution all the way around. They are built to handle the worst weather that nature can throw at them, and because of that, they are the perfect cure for hazard amnesia as well.
