Tornadoes & the Crenoshpere
Reprint from the 1999 Spring/Summer Roundup
 David B. South, President of the Monolithic Dome Institute |
Tornadoes
destroy! They destroy families, homes, neighborhoods, schools and
communities. So many people are hurt, and some are killed. The destruction
makes me sick-particularly because I know that much of that destruction
can be avoided.
Some people say that there are no solutions - a Force 5 tornado cannot
be dealt with.
They are
wrong. There is at least one, simple solution - the Monolithic Dome.
It may not be the only solution, but it is a viable, reasonable and affordable
one.
In many ways, tornadoes destroy more dramatically and drastically than
other natural disasters. They are the most difficult to defend against.
A Force 5 tornado pushes with approximately 400 pounds per square foot.
We can park cars on 100 pounds per square foot. Consequently, to withstand
a Force 5 tornado, a building must be able to withstand pressure equal
to that of a highway bridge. Most buildings cannot withstand this kind
of pressure.
Another way to determine a structure's strength is to ask: can the building
withstand the pressure of being buried?
Monolithic Domes have been buried; they can withstand that pressure. Monolithic
Domes can tolerate the force of a tornado, and they can be constructed
at a cost less than or comparable to that of conventional structures.
Moreover, Monolithic Domes last infinitely longer, require less on-going
maintenance, and use less energy for heating and cooling. Over time, the
savings in energy costs alone can pay for the dome.
Just after the May 3, 1999 tornadoes in Oklahoma and Kansas and the May
4 twister in Texas, the media presented experts, some of whom claimed
that there is no way to construct so as to withstand tornado forces. These
experts say we can only build a safe room or run to a shelter.
That simply is not true. We could make a significant start with schools.
Every school campus should have a disaster shelter-for many obvious reasons-but
especially for tornadoes. This disaster shelter does not have to be a
special building used only for disasters!
On a daily basis, the disaster shelter can be a gymnasium or a classroom
pod. Such a dual-purpose Monolithic Dome could withstand a Force 5 tornado,
would not burn, and would not be leveled by an earthquake.
Usually, schools are conveniently located within a community so they can
be utilized as a disaster shelter. The Pattonsburg,
Missouri school gymnasium is open to the public as a disaster shelter.
When Pattonsburg rebuilt after a devastating flood, they chose Monolithic
Domes primarily because of their ability to withstand disastrous forces.
Recreation
is Big And it's getting bigger. Unfortunately, most recreation comes
with a price tag. We hope to mitigate that cost by utilizing the Crenosphere.
The 400' diameter Crenosphere featured in this issue illustrates the affordability
of such a gigantic structure. We hope that will capture the attention
of stadium and arena builders, managers, and coaches.
Coaches know that playing in tough weather may add to the fans' enjoyment,
but for the players such conditions only add to the risk. Like the Monolithic
Dome, the Crenosphere Dome is the right building for controlling temperature-or
indoor weather. More injuries occur when athletes are cold, wet or miserable.
A Crenosphere designed as a stadium or as a multipurpose field house solves
the problem of playing or practicing in foul weather. Such a Crenosphere
field house on a school campus can accommodate other activities as well-marching
bands, drill teams, soccer, etc.
Many small colleges and schools can afford to build a 400' diameter Crenosphere
field house.
And, that Crenosphere, can be used as a disaster shelter.
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