Multi-layered vault settlement

A multi-layered vault settlement is a building, consisting of several shells. Each shell serves a different purpose: The central shell is the best protected part of the settlement, best useful for living rooms. The outermost shell contains store rooms, greenhouses, machinery, etc. It can be dome or barrel shaped.

Principle of a Multi-layered Vault Settlement

Properties

This settlement can be extended along with a growing population. To build more layers on top makes the inner vaults even safer against radiation, meteorites and air decompression. Every additional layer provides an even bigger space.

A cubic building can not grow unlimited, because the inner (old) rooms have to support part of the weight of the outer (new) rooms. In a multi-layered vault building every layer supports itself. Moreover, it is safe against a local failure, because a vault remains stable even if parts of the construction is destroyed.

Material

Brick

Multi-layered Vault Settlement made exclusively from Bricks

Bricks from sintered regolith allow the construction of vaults without any further material. Gravity alone stabilizes the building. Neither reinforcement nor grout is necessary.

Specialized Bricks

Specialized bricks (e.g. arch segments) can be made for every vault radius and for special shapes. Advantage: The strength of a brick vault can be optimized. Disadvantage: The effort for manufacturing a great variety of bricks is high.

Universal Bricks

Universal bricks allow different vault radius and shapes with only one sort of brick. Advantage: The manufacturing can be automated easily. Disadvantage: The strength of the masonry depends on the connection between the bricks. It is inevitably weaker than a vault from specialized bricks, for the pressure does not act perpendicular at the surface of each brick in most cases.

Steel

Steel Construction

Steel allows the construction of a great variety of vault shapes. Since steel poses great strength even with thin girders, such vaults provide optimal space inside. Disadvantages: Steel is probably more expensive to produce than bricks.

Layers

Innermost layer

• Sleeping rooms
• Living rooms

Middle layer

• Working rooms
• Vital machinery

Outermost layer

• Storage of material and inventories

Open issues

• What is better for radiation shielding and protection against meteorites: A brick vault or a steel vault?