Volume 8, Issue 9, September – 2023 International Journal of Innovative Science and Research Technology

ISSN No:-2456-2165

Using Approximate Method for the Construction of

Mosque Domes
Busari, R. S. Busari, A. F.
Department of Technical Education (Building), Site Architect,
Emmanuel Alayande University of Education, TESRAS Associates Ltd.,
Oyo Oyo

Abstract:- Domes remain a unique structure in building Being an important element of architecture which
construction as a result of stylistic forms and composition resembles the hollow upper half of a sphere, the construction
in the field of architecture. They are important elements still remains very difficult to form by the builder on the site.
that adequately define the Islamic architecture. The As a perfect example of geometry which provides diverse
construction of domes which is a doubly curved surface stylistic developments for construction and designs (Korsavi
and formed by rectilinear structures always resulted in and Ahabadi, 2015) and a tool for understanding any form
difficulties to get the curvilinear shape correctly. The study (Leopold and Matievits, 2001), the dome brings about
therefore made the use of an approximate method to distinguished symbolism in the architecture of mosques in
develop the dome using materials that are provided in the particular and Islamic architecture in general. The geometrical
locality. The knowledge of descriptive geometry in surface concepts are commonly used to bring out the form in the
development was adopted to obtain approximation cone construction of the formwork. Formwork assists in geometry
components that produce the hemispherical dome. The realization and development of form using materials such as
components were properly installed and supported by steel, wood, aluminum etc. According to Johnston (2008),
centering which composed eight equally spaced timber three major types of formwork are identified for various types
frameworks that were supported by planks. Lack of of form. These are traditional formwork, flexible formwork
appropriate modern technological advancement should not systems and recyclable formwork. Traditional formwork are
be factor militating against production of perfect forms, mostly fabricated on site using timber/wooden members which
thus appropriate technical drawing basic skills should be remains time-consuming and mostly for regular shapes.
acquired by the builders to take the construction of dome Nowadays, free form shell designs are very common which
from a poor to a good system of accurate centering with can be achieved using pneumatic systems which are flexible
good quality control. formwork systems (Kromoser and Huber, 2016 and Kromoser
and Kolleger, 2017) in technologically advanced countries.
I. INTRODUCTION
In countries like Nigeria, geometry plays a fundamental
role to achieve surfaces of the forms. Geometrical objects in
Dome is an important element in the field of architecture building and civil engineering projects are obtained by
and an identity in Islamic composition of roofs. According to methods of development in basic technical drawing. The
Gohnert (2022), domes are shell structures in nature and have development of these forms are categorized as developable
meaning in many world’s civilizations and many iconic and non-developable surfaces (Vekariya and Mekwana, 2021
structures of the world make use of domes as architectural and Kanta, 2015) which are used for curved surfaces.
centre-piece. Majority of these structures are mainly places for Developable surfaces are referred to as surfaces that can be
religious gathering such as shrines, temples, cathedrals, developed in plane form without cutting or stretching their
mansoleums, mosques and also in sports assemblies, theaters middle surfaces which are mainly used for singly curved
and sports arenas. Dome is a vaulted roof having a circular, surfaces like arches while non-developable surfaces are
polygonal or elliptical base which are doubly curved shells surfaces that need to be cut and stretched in order to be
(Elkhateeb, 2012) and can take several shapes or forms which developed in a planar form which are mainly for surfaces with
live at the mercy of the architect or designer. Dome is an double curvature like dome. The development of domes meant
architectural symbol of Islam (Youssef, 2014) and the king of for production of the form that are doubly curved surfaces
all roofs (Elkhateeb, 2012) that plays an important role in such as spheres, paraboloid, ellipsoid, hyperboloid and
Islamic architecture (Ashkan and Ahmad, 2010). They have helicoid in construction practice. These surfaces are folded
no angles and no corners and an enormous amount of space is and configured on a plane before mounted on the desired form
covered with the minimum materials and require no interior created. This study therefore sought the use of an approximate
support for the structure to function effectively. method in detailing the doubly curved dome to construct the
formwork that would produce exact form with striking and
beautiful appearance. The study intends to fill the void of lack

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Volume 8, Issue 9, September – 2023 International Journal of Innovative Science and Research Technology
ISSN No:-2456-2165
of adequate development skill of appropriate formwork for curved surfaces. The construction of formwork of these non-
domes. developable surfaces does not attract any geometry
processing, thus creating architecturally pleasing form in the
 Statement of the problem built environment.
The construction of formwork domes remains a serious
problem to the constructor in any mosque project in Oyo town. II. METHODOLOGY
There are lots of imperfections noticed in the form which
results in the loss of shape desired by the designer or the The site of the dome construction is Emmanuel Alayande
architect that conceptualized the designs. The constructor College of Education, Oyo which is under construction. The
either looks for natural shapes that resemble the dome and use dome is centrally placed on the building spanning 6m x 6m
it as the formwork or use flexible materials to just cast the grid. The dome is the tallest part of the structure as designed
shape. In most cases the shape formed by rectilinear structures by the architect and is a perfect circular form. It is situated on
always result in difficulties to get accurate curvilinear doubly the third floor (above roof) of the building.

Fig 1: Roof Plan of the Plan showing the position of the dome

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Volume 8, Issue 9, September – 2023 International Journal of Innovative Science and Research Technology
ISSN No:-2456-2165

Fig 2: Part of the roof showing the dome

Fig 3: Sectional View of the dome

The material used for the construction of the domes were using AutoCAD software for the graphical illustration of
veneer which has the ability to be bent into curved surfaces, development of the dome.
300 x 25mm wood framework and 50 x 75mm planks as
braces. Different nail sizes were used to form the surfaces.
The computer aided drafting was also used to model the roof

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Volume 8, Issue 9, September – 2023 International Journal of Innovative Science and Research Technology
ISSN No:-2456-2165
III. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION divided into a geometric layout and broken down into fine
segments that depict the surfaces. The plan was divided into
The digital copy of the architectural drawings were eight equal components from which the dimension of the
obtained from the architect to produce the model of the roof segments making the surfaces were obtained.
for the construction of the formwork frame. The dome was

Fig 4: Geometrical analysis of the dome

The eight arcs describing the circle were first produced using 300 x 25mm softwood with nails. The planks were placed on the
flat ground and semicircular path constructed on it. The planks were cut along the paths of the semicircle and this was repeated for the
remaining curves. The veneer board was used to set out the segments as shown in the drawing. The dimension were orthogonally set
out and cutting done. These boards (eight segments) were placed on top of the wood centering prepared and allow the concrete when
hardened to take its proper shape and form.

The eight semicircular faces constructed were joined together on the base platform of the dome. The veneer segments were then
placed and nailed one after the other. The eight small segments formed the entire complex surfaces of the dome. The doubly curved
surfaces were provided with good centering using planks to ensure its rigidity.

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Volume 8, Issue 9, September – 2023 International Journal of Innovative Science and Research Technology
ISSN No:-2456-2165

Plate 1: Marking of the segment Plate 2: Cutting of the segments to form the sphere

Platee 3: Arrangement of the semi-circular skeleton Plate 4: Covering of the semi-circular skeleton with veneer

Plate 6: Concrete casting of the dome

Platere 5: Complete covering of the skeleton

This study is in line with Jurco et al (2017) which of domes in technologically advanced countries are based on
described the use of descriptive geometry method to develop pneumatic form finding which moulds complex and efficient
domes with a semi-sphere sitting on cylindrical base and CAD shapes. The finding of Komoser and Kolleger (2016) which
methods which produced more accurate answers. These two made use of pneumatic forming for doubly concrete shells to
techniques were demonstrated using graphical analysis but the build the form accurately. Different shapes and greater
real construction of the formwork was not attempted. Holzer aesthetics can be realized using pneumatic formwork systems
(2021) also corroborated this study with the use of plywood and performs better but not within the reach of the poor.
and planks for the construction of semicircular domes on
segmental basis with the aid of different timber struts that IV. CONCLUSION
support the plywood structure. Also, the construction of
domes in Bahir dar in Ethiopia, the formwork made use of The poor construction of formwork for the construction
timber boards as sheeting materials with timber planks for of domes is due to the lack of appropriate techniques for its
supports (Tamer, 2017) but the descriptive analysis of descriptive construction before the actual construction on the
determining the form of the dome was not given. Construction site. The approximate method of constructing the dome needs

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Volume 8, Issue 9, September – 2023 International Journal of Innovative Science and Research Technology
ISSN No:-2456-2165
to be mastered so that great aesthetic values of the form will [10]. Kromoser, B. and Huber, P. 2016. Pneumatic formwork
always be achieved. The approximate developments are system in structural engineering. Advances in Material
constructed through the use of conical sections of the object Science and Engineering, 2016, 1-13.
after which the materials are stretched on to the various http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2016/4724036
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[12]. Korsavi, S. and Aliabadi, M. 2015. Geometry and
RECOMMENDATION proportion of conical domes plans in Iran: Reviewing
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that would assist in developing various forms in construction [13]. Kauta, N. 2015. Design of a thin concrete shell roof. A
practice. Appropriate understanding of descriptive geometry Master of Science Thesis in Structural Engineering at
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practice should be studied and applied practically when the https://repository.tudelft.nl
need arises especially in the form treated in this study. Basic [14]. Kromoser, B. and Kollegger, J. 2016. Building concrete
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