Airform for facilitating construction of a structure

Abstract

An airform that can be inflated, for example, for facilitating construction of a structure is provided. The airform may include a first portion, a second portion, or multiple other portions, and reinforcement. The first portion may, for example, be configured to be disposed in a first orientation, such as vertically or in a radial profile, when the airform is inflated. The second portion transitioning from the first portion may be configured, for example, to assume an alternate shape and profile, such as a radial shape and profile, when the airform is inflated. The reinforcement may, for example, be provided at a portion of the airform that defines a transition from the first portion to the second portion.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. An inflatable airform that can be inflated for facilitating construction of a permanent structure, the airform for building construction, comprising:
 a first portion comprising a first complete surface of revolution when the airform is inflated, wherein the first portion is configured to be disposed in a first shape and to form a first profile when the airform is inflated; 
 a second portion comprising a second complete surface of revolution when the airform is inflated, wherein the second portion is configured to be disposed in a second shape and to form a second profile when the airform is inflated; 
 wherein at least one of the following is present: the first complete surface of revolution is configured to be different than the second complete surface of revolution, the first shape is configured to be different than the second shape, or the first profile is configured to be different than the second profile, when the airform is inflated; 
 at least one transition portion comprising at least one portion of the airform that defines a transition from the first portion to the second portion when the airform is inflated, wherein the first portion and the second portion share at least one common radius of revolution at the transition when the airform is inflated; 
 at least one reinforcement comprising at least one reinforcement member provided located at the at least one transition portion, wherein the at least one reinforcement enables defining the defines a transition point from the first portion to the second portion and maintaining maintains the first shape and the second shape when the airform is inflated; and 
 at least one reinforcement retainer configured to retain the at least one reinforcement member at the at least one transition portion; 
 wherein the at least one reinforcement comprises a plurality of reinforcement members; and 
 wherein the airform is configured to facilitate the construction of a permanent structure. 
 
     
     
       2. The airform of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one reinforcement comprises a plurality of reinforcement members. 
     
     
       3. The airform of claim  2   1 , wherein the plurality of reinforcement members are configured to be engaged to each other to form a closed loop encircling the at least one transition portion, wherein the closed loop comprises a perimeter. 
     
     
       4. The airform of  claim 3 , wherein said engagement is the plurality of reinforcement members are configured to be manipulated to alter the length of the perimeter of the closed loop. 
     
     
       5. The airform of  claim 1 ,
 wherein the first portion further comprising a first at least one radius of curvature when the airform is inflated;   wherein the second portion further comprising a second at least one radius of curvature when the airform is inflated; and   wherein at least one radius of curvature of the second at least one radius of curvature is different than at least one radius of curvature of the first at least one radius of curvature at the at least one transition portion when the airform is inflated.   
     
     
       6. The airform of  claim 1 , further comprising at least one window and at least one door. 
     
     
       7. The airform of  claim 1 , further comprising a third portion configured to be disposed in a third shape when the airform is inflated, wherein the at least one transition portion further comprising at least one portion of the airform that defines a transition from the second portion to the third portion when the airform is inflated. 
     
     
       8. The airform of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one transition portion comprises a plurality of portions of the airform that define transition from the first portion to the second portion, wherein at least two of the plurality of portions of the airform are configured to be reinforced. 
     
     
       9. The airform of  claim 1 , wherein the first shape is cylindrical. 
     
     
       10. The airform of  claim 1 , wherein the second shape is doubly curved. 
     
     
       11. A method of preparing an airform that can be inflated for facilitating construction of a permanent structure, the method comprising:
 inflating the airform of  claim 1 , such that the first portion of the airform is disposed in said the first profile, and the second portion of the airform assumes said the second profile, which the second profile is different to than the first profile, then;  
 manipulating the at least one reinforcement at the at least one transition portion to remove at least one surface aberration extending across the at least one transition portion. 
 
     
     
       12. The method of  claim 11 , wherein providing manipulating the at least one reinforcement comprises assembling a the plurality of reinforcement members along the at least one transition portion of the airform. 
     
     
       13. The method of  claim 11 , wherein manipulating the at least one reinforcement comprises altering a perimeter of the at least one reinforcement for removing the at least one surface aberration. 
     
     
       14. The method of  claim 11 , wherein manipulating the at least one reinforcement comprises altering a dimension of the at least one reinforcement at least proximal to the at least one surface aberration. 
     
     
       15. The method of  claim 11 , wherein the second shape is doubly curved. 
     
     
       16. An monolithic architectural structure, comprising:
 a cement concrete layer; 
 a structural layer of metal adjoining the cement concrete layer; 
 insulation adjoining the structural layer of metal; and 
 the airform of  claim 1  adjoining the insulation; 
 wherein the first portion of the airform is configured to be engaged to a foundation; 
 wherein the second portion of the airform is configured to be disposed distally from the foundation when the airform is inflated; and 
 wherein the at least one reinforcement is configured to be manipulated for removing one or more striations, if any, at the at least one transition portion, when the airform is inflated. 
 
     
     
       17. The monolithic architectural structure of  claim 16 , wherein,
 the first portion extends perpendicularly from the foundation to the at least one reinforcement; 
 the second portion extends superiorly from the at least one reinforcement; and 
 the second shape is doubly curved. 
 
     
     
       18. The monolithic architectural structure of  claim 17 , wherein the at least one reinforcement comprises a rigid material and is configured to be operable for manipulating a the material under tension at the at least one transition portion. 
     
     
       19. The monolithic architectural structure of  claim 16 , wherein the at least one reinforcement comprises a plurality of reinforcement members are configured with ends that engage to define a closed loop, wherein engagement of the ends is configured to be manipulated to alter a dimension of the closed loop. 
     
     
       20. The airform of  claim 7 , wherein the third shape is doubly curved. 
     
     
       21. An architectural structure, comprising:
 a concrete layer;   a structural layer comprising metal adjoining the concrete layer;   an airform integrally connected to the structural layer, the airform comprising:   a first portion having a first complete surface of revolution when the airform is inflated to form a first profile;   a second portion having a second complete surface of revolution when the airform is inflated to form a second profile, wherein the first and second profiles are different;   a plurality of reinforcement members located at a transition between the first and second portions, wherein the first and second portions share a common radius of revolution at the transition between the first and second portions; and   one or more retainers configured to retain the plurality of reinforcement members;   wherein the airform is configured so as to be capable of facilitating construction of a permanent structure, and the plurality of reinforcement members define the transition from the first portion to the second portion and maintain the first profile and the second profile when the airform is inflated.    
     
     
       22. The architectural structure of  claim 21 , further comprising insulation adjoining the structural layer.  
     
     
       23. The architectural structure of  claim 21 , further comprising a foundation operably connected to the first portion.  
     
     
       24. A method of preparing an architectural structure, comprising:
 providing an airform configured so as to be capable of facilitating construction of a permanent structure, the airform comprising:
 a first portion having a first complete surface of revolution when the airform is inflated to form a first profile; 
 a second portion having a second complete surface of revolution when the airform is inflated to form a second profile, wherein the first and second profiles are different; 
 a reinforcement member located at a transition between the first and second portions, wherein the first and second portions share a common radius of revolution at the transition between the first and second portions; and 
 one or more retainers configured to retain the reinforcement member; and 
   inflating the airform;   wherein the reinforcement member defines the transition from the first portion to the second portion and maintains a first shape and a second shape when the airform is inflated; and   wherein the method further comprises assembling a plurality of reinforcement members along the transition of the airform.    
     
     
       25. The method of  claim 24 , further comprising removing at least one surface aberration extending across the transition.  
     
     
       26. The method of  claim 24 , further comprising altering a perimeter of the reinforcement member.