Agridome™ Technical Information

by Alejandro Algara

If you're saying, "Ok this looks very nice, but what materials is it made of?" or "What sizes can they supply?". This article will answers those questions and many others that you probably haven't even thought about yet. Disclaimer, we will be using technical terms to answer these questions. 

All Geometrica structures are formed out of a triangular mesh, and the Agridome™ is no exception. The triangle is the strongest geometric shape, and the most fundamental to structural framing. Individual triangles are joined into a lattice, and a lattice of triangles can be curved to form a dome. The resulting structures are strong, stiff, stable and very efficient.

Materials

Like most of our structures, the materials used to build an Agridome™ consist of a combination of structural steel, structural aluminum and just a little of FRP, as described below:

Tube:

Shall be cold-formed ERW tubing meeting ASTM A500 or equivalent mill galvanized on both interior and exterior surfaces to ASTM A653, G-90. Longitudinal weld shall be zinc-metallized on outside continuously immediately after welding. Minimum material properties shall be specified and coupon-tested by manufacturer.

Purlin:

Shall be fabricated from pre-galvanized steel conforming to ASTM A653 CS or SS Grade, G-90 and pre-fixed in the shop to the supporting chord tubes. These elements will provide a smooth surface to fix the cladding panels. None other secondary cladding support structure shall be permitted.

Hubs:

Shall be aluminum alloy AA6061-T6 solid extrusions with serrated connection slots. Joints shall be designed to develop the full yield strength of the tube, and such strength shall be substantiated by tensile tests of the materials and joint assemblies from the production run.

Assembly Components:

Threaded Hardware: Shall be grade ASTM A307, A325 or A449 as required by structural analysis and design, all hot dip galvanized. Minimum nominal size for threaded hardware is 7/16”.

Other steel components: Seat Fittings, washers and miscellaneous steel members shall be fabricated from ASTM A36 or A572 Gr. 50 steel plates and ASTM A992 structural shapes and hot dip galvanized after fabrication.

Self Drilling Fasteners:

Fasteners with external head exposure shall be climaseal coated, or similar, carbon steel interior and stainless steel SS300 series HWH (ITW Buildex SCOTS or equivalent) with neoprene washer. Internal exposure fasteners shall be climaseal coated, or similar (ITW Buildex TEK or equivalent). These fasteners will be used to fix the purlins, cladding panels and flashings.

Dome Metal Cladding:

Clad 94% of dome’s developed area with pre-formed rectangular profile deck conforming to ASTM A653, G-60. Gauge thickness as required to resist loads but no less than 24Ga. Finish to be 0.8mil polyester coat over 0.2mil baked on primer on exterior surface, and 0.35mil polyester coat over 0.15mil primer on interior surface. Color as selected by owner from manufacturer’s standard color chart.

Skylights:

Clad the remaining 6% of dome’s developed area with non-treadable translucent fiberglass reinforced plastic panels (FRP), white, with 30% minimum light transmission, thickness as required to resist loads, and a profile to match steel deck.

Standard Sizes and Capacities

Even though Geometrica specializes in providing custom structures depending on the project's requirements. We do have standard sizes for Agridome, as shown in the following table. The standard sizes allow for savings in design work that are passed on to clients.

Agridome™ Standard Sizes and Capacities

Notes

• Capacities

  • are estimated using a 23º angle of repose.

  • are for corn.

• Dimensions:

  • DW = Diamater at seat-fittings' work points.

  • HW = Height from top of base plate to apex work point.

  • Pile Height shown is for the conical portion of the pile. If a wall is added, the portion of the grain that leans on the wall should be added to the pile's height.

Agridome™ Reference Diagram

Although standard sizes have some advantages over custom sizes and shapes, mainly in delivery time and price, custom sizes and shapes are also available.

Agridome Typical Details

Six to eight weeks after placing your order for an Agridome, you will receive a detailed design report and a set of approval drawings with all necessary information related to your project. To get a sneak peek of what we include in our approval drawings, below are some typical details showing relevant information about Agridome's supports, structural framing, and cladding.

Now that you have learned about Agridome's materials and typical details, fill out an inquiry form below. Request a proposal and find out how much it would cost to add an Agridome to your facility. We are sure that you will not be disappointed.