International Concrete Abstracts Portal

Title: Lunar Concrete Construction Requires New Value System and Concepts

Author(s): Philip Chow and T. Y. Lin

Publication: Special Publication

Volume: 125

Issue:

Appears on pages(s): 177-190

Keywords: concrete construction; lunar bases; optimization; prefabrication; prestressed concrete; shells (structural forms); structural design; General

Date: 5/1/1991

Abstract:
Conventional structural engineering philosophy and experience can be inappropriate when it comes to designing structures for the moon. This paper illustrates the authors' adaptation of design philosophy for concrete, which involves changing the whole value system for this material. Far from being readily available, common, and plentiful, concrete will be an exotic and precious material on the moon. The use of concrete is proposed for such efficient structures as thin shell rather than the more common planar structures more suitable for earth. The structure containing one atmospheric pressure inside must be pressurized to resist such pressure, and a new value system must be derived.