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https://hku.zoom.us/j/98881411844?pwd=6xSKWiftNI96KpShsWThZ3p5bxrAmV.1

Meeting ID: 988 8141 1844

Password: 840740

Abstract:

The Dome City is a visionary concept aimed at enhancing the living environment and urban resilience by regulating its internal climate to address the escalating challenges of climate change and resource scarcity amid global urbanization. Initially proposed by Fuller, the most comprehensive investigation to date is China's "Sky Dome," which is limited to a scale of 800 meters in width and 200 meters in height. This scale falls short of the ideal height (approximately 3 kilometers) required to allow the ingress of drier, cooler upper air for creating a comfortable environment and reducing energy consumption. To date, no theoretical, experimental, or simulation-based research has explored dome structures of such magnitude. Therefore, this presentation aims to theoretically investigate the maximum achievable spans for unit arch and overall shell structures using contemporary advanced materials, and to determine the necessary cross-sectional parameters for a 6-kilometer span. We will begin with an extensive literature review, detailing the current state of research on ultra-large span arches and thin-shell structures. Subsequently, we will present a comprehensive derivation of the theoretical maximum spans for arches and shells, along with the cross-sectional parameters required for specific spans, accounting for critical constraints such as material strength, structural stability, and deflection. Finally, we will briefly introduce preliminary validation efforts using the finite element software ANSYS. This work will provide a robust theoretical foundation for the design of Dome Cities and offer innovative solutions for the development of sustainable urban futures.

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