The Climatron is a greenhouse enclosed in a geodesic dome that is part of the Missouri Botanical Garden in St. Louis . Initiated by then Garden director Frits W. Went , the dome is the world's first completely air-conditioned greenhouse and the first geodesic dome to be enclosed in rigid Plexiglass (Perspex) panels. Completed in 1960, it was designed by T. C. Howard, of Synergetics, Inc., Raleigh, North Carolina. The broad climatic range within the dome, which recreates a lowland rain forest, is achieved by sophisticated climate controls without using interior partitions.
7-430: The structure is an unpartitioned half-sphere dome, 42 m in diameter and 21 m high. The frame is supported by aluminum tubes under compression and aluminum rods under tension . The St. Louis architects Murphy and Mackey were the architects on record. Synergetics, Inc were the designers of the dome. The architects received the 1961 R. S. Reynolds Memorial Award of $ 25,000 for their architectural use of aluminum. In 1976 it
14-506: Is known as its compressive strength . When an object is subjected to a force in a single direction (referred to as a uniaxial compression ), the compressive stress is determined by dividing the applied force by the cross-sectional area of the object. Consequently, compressive stress is expressed in units of force per unit area. Thus, the formula for compressive stress is, σ = − ( F / A ) {\displaystyle \sigma =-(F/A)} Where: σ
21-409: Is the compressive stress, F is the force applied on the object, and A is its cross-sectional area. As shown in the formula above, compressive stress is typically represented by negative values to indicate that there is compression of an object, however, in geotechnical engineering compressive stress is conventionally represented by positive values. Failure of a loaded object occurs when
28-650: The Botanical Garden celebrated the 50th anniversary of the Climatron. 38°36′51″N 90°15′32″W / 38.6141°N 90.2589°W / 38.6141; -90.2589 Compressive stress Compressive stresses are generated in objects when they are subjected to forces that push inward, causing the material to shorten or compress. These stresses occur when an object is squeezed or pressed from opposite directions. In everyday life, compressive stresses are common in many structures and materials. For instance,
35-454: The building experienced deterioration of the original Plexiglas panels and the adverse effect of humidity on some metal elements. The greenhouse was closed for extensive renovations in 1988 and reopened in March 1990. The original Plexiglas glazing was replaced with 2,425 panes of heat-strengthened glass (containing a plastic interlayer called Saflex) and coated with a low-emissivity film. In 2010,
42-443: The weight of a building creates compressive stresses in its walls and foundations. Similarly, when a person stands, the bones in their legs experience compressive stresses due to the weight of the body pushing down. Compressive stresses can lead to deformation if they are strong enough, potentially causing the object to change shape or, in extreme cases, to break. The ability of a material to withstand compressive stresses without failing
49-537: Was named one of the 100 most significant architectural achievements in United States history. The dome contains a small stone pre-existing neo-classical pavilion and over 400 varieties of plant life. A bank of 24 flood lights, revolving at night in five-minute cycles, simulates noon light on one side of the dome and moonlight on other side. The climate ranges from the Amazon through Hawaii and Java to India. Over time,
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