Geodesic Dome at Lab A Receives Copper Face Lift
Repair and renovation in progress on the geodesic dome of the 15-foot Bubble Chamber Assembly Building.
Remember the multi-colored geodesic dome - the most prominent feature of the Neutrino beam line? Well, it's still there but it has been clad in copper sheeting.
The reason for the rehabilitation was because of bad leaks between the panels and the structural grid. Another problem was unsightly color fading of the fiberglass panels due to exposure to the sun's ultraviolet rays.
Several alternatives were carefully examined before selecting copper sheeting. They included an entire new roof system, replacement of aluminum-coated panels, prefabricated clear glass panels, sprayed-on urethane coating, a single-ply membrane covering and terne metal sheathing.
Of all of these, copper was economical and judged to be the best choice. It virtually assured no leaks indefinitely and it could be fabricated in place by a local firm. As the copper weathers, a green oxidation film will form.