Concrete Requirements

At this stage, you will calculate the amount of concrete needed to fill the circular trench/footing and the monolithic slab that rises above it. Order 2,000 psi concrete mix (strong concrete) from a reputable dealer to deliver the concrete pour. To assure uniform height of the pour, stakes can be driven inside the circle to the same height as the perimeter stakes. (Remove the stakes as you do the finish work.) Have some help, and some rented finishing tools to make the pour. You will begin the pour, filling up the trench first, keeping the rebars vertical (plumb); then filling the floor.

Work from the side opposite the future door, toward the future door, so you will be able to exit without tracking through your finish work. (You should consult a manual/article on finishing concrete before this ... it's not really difficult.) When you are done with this stage, you will see a round slab of concrete that has a ring of vertical lengths of rebar running around the perimeter, 3" in from the edge. These "sticks" of rebar will be even in number, so that each stick has an opposite: making a pair. (The exception will be the triangle placement of three rebars at each side of the future door.) They will be bent into place to form the "wall" of the dome.