From an engineering standpoint, our standard dome designs are meant to be assembled in the place where they will be located. Why? When a dome is assembled on the ground and hoisted into place without additional structural bracing the integrity of the originally engineered dome may be compromised, and/or distorted.

However, Radius Track understands that there are circumstances that make ground assembly, and the hoisting of a dome into place, a better choice in the field. When this is the case, we’ll address the issue with the structural engineering firm to make sure that this is a viable solution for your dome application and that the signed and sealed calculation documents allow for this installation tactic.

The plywood will be flat and cut in wedge, or pie-shapes designed to run vertically as they are affixed to the dome ribs with the proper fasteners.

The plywood will create a radius on the vertical axis of the dome. Since the plywood is flat and not designed to horizontally span more than the distance between two vertical dome ribs the horizontal application will remain flat. Therefore, this application will create a very close to spherical result when installed. Typically once the weatherizing materials are applied and the finish roofing material is installed any of the flatness of the plywood disappears with the completed roofing process.

All of the framing members for the dome will be delivered on pallets. Typically our dome solution will include all of the pre-formed ribs, the compression ring, tension ring (if applicable), and L-clips. It will be the responsibility of the contractor to supply the proper fasteners. The shipment will also include an information packet containing a packing slip listing the specific parts being delivered. The packet also includes detailed drawings of the dome that provide the contractor all of the information needed to assemble the dome based on layout and engineering requirements.

Along with the steel framing components, pre-cut plywood decking material designed to the exact dome rib tolerances for easy labor saving installation may also be included as part of the Radius Track dome solution. The plywood is an option that the contractor may choose. It is not a standard part of all Radius Track domes.