Abstract
© Penerbit Universiti Sains Malaysia, 2017. Fixed spherical dome biogas reactors are popular in Nepal for the production of biogas from waste materials. Current practice uses heaped soil as temporary formwork for an unreinforced concrete dome. This paper explores the structural requirements of biogas domes and presents a potential alternative construction process using air-supported flexible formwork that would be suitable for use in Nepal. A prototype dome was created to assess the feasibility of the formwork system. Load testing of the dome was undertaken to confirm structural performance. The results show that an air supported formwork system would be feasible for use in biogas domes with the formwork fabricated easily on site with only basic materials and fixings.
Highlights
Biogas is a renewable energy technology, whereby combustible gas is produced from biological matter in a manmade container through the process of anaerobic respiration (Fulford, 2015)
Concrete shells form a key component of biogas reactor design, yet they can be time consuming and expensive to build using conventional formwork systems
This paper explores the potential for air supported formwork to enable rapid and economical construction of large concrete domes in biogas reactors using transported formwork materials in remote locations
Summary
Biogas is a renewable energy technology, whereby combustible gas is produced from biological matter in a manmade container through the process of anaerobic respiration (Fulford, 2015). It is estimated that the average Nepalese family could save up to 1.8 tonnes of firewood per year if they were able to build and install biogas reactor in their home (Fulford, 2015). Concrete shells form a key component of biogas reactor design, yet they can be time consuming and expensive to build using conventional formwork systems. This paper explores the potential for air supported formwork to enable rapid and economical construction of large concrete domes in biogas reactors using transported formwork materials in remote locations
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