| |
30
000 T - Sugar
Souppes sur Loing - France - 1995 |
|
|
COST
EFFECTIVENESS
Even with all it's inherent qualities, domes remain as one
of the most cost effective storage infrastructures. The true
challenge is to innovate by reducing costs and domes fulfill
those exact requirements by remaining the most competitive
solution for the storage of large volumes of bulk material.
|
| All
the advantages listed here below have as a goal to provide the
most adapted structure to your needs but as you will
see, our concern for cost savings is at the very heart of the
"DômeConcept Agridôme" technology.
|
40 000 T - Copper concentrate
Rayong - Thailand - 1997 |
|
RAPIDITY
IN CONSTRUCTION
Once the airform is inflated all the work is carried out
inside the dome. No framework is necessary. All the materials
are spray applied except for the steel rebars.
The
construction time is very rapid since we have no down time
due to exterior environmental factors such as rain, wind,
and daylight.
|
50000
T - Sugar
Jerez - Spain - 1996 |
Typically,
for grain storage, we can build a 40 meter diameter half sphere
( Volume = 16 750 m3) in 4 weeks or a 60 meter diameter half
sphere (Volume = 56 500 m3) in 9 weeks |
MAXIMUM
UTILIZATION OF THE VOLUME
Bulk material can possibly occupy up to 95% of the generated
volume if the dome filling system is designed accordingly.
This means that depending on the total tonnage that must be
stored the dome can be optimally designed to allow no lost space.
The dome's ability to store bulk material piled high against
the walls gives the possibility to minimize the floor space
required for storing the desired capacity. As well, the
dome can be shaped as a low profile (1/3 sphere) thus reducing
the height of the dome and possibly allowing savings on fill
conveying systems and other peripheral equipment.
The shape and the size of the dome have to be optimally chosen
in order to consider the cost savings on peripheral equipment
such as ; infrastructure, conveying systems, reclaiming systems,
conditioning and dedusting systems. Our role is to determine
the geometry of the dome most adapted to the product, the ground,
and the exploitation.
Domes are ideally suited for providing you with a completely
automated complex. Once the domes are filled to their
maximum capacity, up to 70 % of the stockpiled material (depending
on the material) can be reclaimed gravitationally through one
or more galleries. The remaining percentage can either be reclaimed
automatically by mechanical Archimedes screws, pneumatic systems
or vibrating floors. The traditional method of using front end
loaders is also very well suited for the dome. |
|
|
|
|
STRENGTH
For centuries the sphere has been considered as
the toughest volume : egg shell, igloo, high pressure
reservoirs. This shape is very adapted for earthquake
regions and high wind areas. This feature lies
in the very basic properties of the dome whereby
the force applied on one point of the dome is evenly
distributed to the whole of the structure itself.
Our dome is basically a double arch. It's properties
allow it to withstand very high compressive strengths
and vertical loads. The quantities of concrete
and steel to be applied are calculated using finite
element analysis and are designed on a case by case
basis.
The maximum permissible loads to be applied on
the roof of the dome are quite substantial (in
the range of 70 tons) and depend on the geometry
and usage of the dome. One of our recent projects
was specially designed to allow over 400 tons of
vertical load to be placed on the roof of the dome.
Domes that are built in regions of high winds or
abundant snowfall are designed accordingly.
Typically, these factors do not influence very much
the required design strengths but must nonetheless
be considered.
Our shotcrete formulation based on
a dosage of CEM-1-42,5, app. 400 kg cement per m3
, shows excellent properties. The conditions of
high relative humidity in the dome are ideal for
obtaining the required design strength of 35 Mpa
and the necessary adhesiveness between layers.
|
|
|
|
| |
INSULATION
Domes are the ideal solution for the storage of bulk
materials that are sensitive to temperature and humidity.
The application of 5 cm +/- 0,5 cm of Vethane foam on
the inner surface of the airform gives the dome the quality
of being equivalent to a controlled atmosphere chamber.
Our Vethane foam which is specially formulated to increase
adhesiveness on the PVC membrane has a density of 55 kg/m3
and a lambda specification of 0,030 Watt after aging.
This means that domes are ideal for the storage of
perishable products over long periods of time. Your
products can literally hibernate in a dome and be as fresh
as they were when they were first stored.
The use of high density Vethane foam (55 kg/m3)
greatly enhances the intrinsic qualities of the dome.
Firstly, it acts as a stabilizer of the inflated airform
in the initial stages of the construction. The compressive
resistance of high density foam is between 3.5 - 4 kg/cm2.
Practically speaking, this means that a person can walk
on top of the airform after the foam has been sprayed
on the inner surface without any danger of the airform
bending inwards.
Secondly, it slows down and in some cases eliminates the
vapor movements that occur when the differences of temperature
between the exterior and the interior are too high. This
practically eliminates the creation of condensation
inside the dome due to these night/day temperature differences.
For example, a 25 degree difference in exterior temperature
between night and day will not influence appreciably the
interior temperature. |
Domes
have been efficiently used for the storage of products
having very high temperatures (in the range of 110 degrees
Celsius). Agridome will maintain the initial temperature
of the product during the storage.
The isolation of the dome combined with the PVC membrane
as the outer layer and the concrete as the inner layer
truly gives you the ideal conditions for conserving your
products. This will enable you to save costs on ventilation,
temperature control and energy.
|
50000
T - Sugar
Berneuil sur Aisne - France - 1992 |
|
WATERPROOFING
A PVC membrane forms the waterproofing layer of our
dome and acts as the initial framework for the application of
foam and shotcrete. Opposite to what is usually done in traditional
construction, waterproofing is controlled at the very beginning
of our process once the airform is inflated. Furthermore,
as the airform is under pressure, any leakage would be quickly
located and fixed. This membrane added to the 5 cm layer of
Vethane foam assures you that water will never leak inside the
dome and spoil your product.
This membrane is designed and manufactured according to the
geometric specifications of the dome to be built. It is assembled
by dielectric welding in France and is delivered on site
ready to be inflated.
The airform has good physical properties. The polyester reinforcement
weighs 280 g/m², which is more than any building waterproofing
material. It's flexibility will withstand practically all climates.
The outside of the airform is specially treated to help for
self-cleaning, and has an excellent protection against U.V.
rays.
Our airform is legally insured for 10 years through major
insurance companies, although it's life expectancy is in the
range of 25 years or more. |
|
|
 |
|
|
|
|
