Maybe Peter has a degree in “masonry science” from Alfred…
but he is still on his blog stealing the work of other experts in the field of masonry engineering, and not siting their work. And at that, stealing the work of other past Alfred grads such as myself. Maybe I didn’t get the only “masonry science” degree from Alfred – I got mine from MIT. And at that little school there are hard penalties for pilfering people’s research.

Peter – please correct this pronto, and site my work at that of Auroville earth institute on your blog. I wrote this reasonably on the blog post, and you erased it. Now I am getting really annoyed.

http://masonrydesign.blogspot.in/2012/01/interlocking-triangular-block-and-shell.html?showComment=1337164815823

http://www.sudu1construction.wordpress.com

Lara Davis, phd candidate
ETH Zürich

I have started a new thin shell section including the thin shell domes build by Wallace Neff.
http://www.mortarsprayer.com/thin-shell-construction/
Perhaps it will give you some dome ideas for your next project.

Best regards,
Nolan Scheid

This system is designed especially for the loading involved in earthquakes, hurricanes, tornadoes, etc. For these applications steel cable is woven between blocks: the block design used is shown in the pictures for the kiln blocks (see message 8, above). The cable goes between the half-diamond key & keyway, where there is a straight line-of-sight. This provides an exceptionally strong configuration. This allows blocks to move around vis-a-vis conjugate shearing.

By removing the bottom tier of blocks, you get a 5/8 dome. I wanted that extra space, so mine are full hemispheres.

Cement is indeed getting more expensive, and its production is a major contributor to greenhouse gasses. On the very bright side, scientists just recently discovered the basic chemical nature of cement, referred to as “the DNA of cement” which holds great promise for finding new and better ways to make cement in an environmental manner.

Here’s an article about this important breakthrough:

http://blog.taragana.com/health/2009/09/10/scientists-decode-the-dna-of-cement-11669/

Papercrete and FRP are also attractive options. I was looking at block manufacturing methods and materials for this system because it is a huge industry (over 6 billion blocks per year in the US) and I want to use existing infrastructure to provide a greatly improved building system. The key is to have a design which can release from a two-piece mold with no undercut, or negative draft. I have achieved this through a high level of symmetry, using the key and keyway system. This design also lends itself ideally to conjugate shearing.

Any weight placed on the roof of this system actually makes it stronger. The 6 tons of dead weight shown from the massive brick cupola increases the compressive force on the blocks by (at most) 4 pounds per square inch; the blocks are rated at 4,000 psi compressive strength.

There will be lots more coming in the future on this system. Please let me know if I can answer any other questions, and thanks very much for your interest. It makes for a cozy little tiny house.

Regular (rectangular) concrete block, used to build vertical walls, has the weak side in the lateral direction (facing outside). FEMA tests block walls by basically shooting a 2″ x 4″ through a cannon. This method just pokes holes through regular concrete block walls. The block system I’m working on has the strong side (axis of compression when blocks are made) facing the outside. As a result this system is several times stronger and resistant to lateral forces such as FEMA testing.

Relevant terms (for which this system does not lie within the definitions) are found in American Concrete Institute’s codes 530 – 530.1

http://aec.ihs.com/document/abstract/JWSMHBAAAAAAAAAA