Elliptical Domes

Elliptical domes are regular spherical domes stretched along one, two or three axes to produce a wide variety of shapes. In mathematical terminology they are "oblate" (squashed) and "prolate" (stretched up/down) "spheroids". They can offer more space and less height, increasing floor area relative to height and the same dynamic features of the spherical domes. Others offer more height making a tall dome. They have the best use of space for a construction site with rectangle area, still maintaining efficiency for covering space, although less efficient than the sphere based domes. Ellipse domes have a greater quantity of various strut lengths and angle relationships. Logistics are more involved resulting in higher costs from longer times in design, manufacture and assembly. With oblate, prolate, icosahedral, tetrahedral, octahedral and optional orientations, the possibilities are endless. 
Octahedral Elliptical Domes with 4-way symmetry have the ability for easy adapting to a vertical all. See Octa Domes

VRML examples:
4 frequency icosahedral oblate spheroid, 245kb

4 frequency icosahedral prolate spheroid, 237kb

Example 1, a 5 frequency octa-ellipse dome with 2:1 elliptical ratio. Top, front, side and pictorial views:


Example 2, 5 frequency octa-ellipse dome with 2:1 elliptical ratio.
Same as above but turned, so as a strut is at the apex.
Bottom areas in blue are a special adaptation for the ground level struts.
Top, front, right side and pictorial wire frame views:




6 frequency octa dome elongated vertically with an elliptical ratio approx. 1:1.5
 
 
 
 


3 frequency icosahedral dome elongated vertically with an elliptical ratio approx. 1:1.5

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