Fiber-reinforced ice was the research subject of former Building Technology graduate students Remy Houben and Frank Janssen last year already. “After several traction and pressure tests in a freezer, they discovered that adding wood fiber to the ice makes it three times stronger”, says Jorrit Hijl. The material, called pykrete, can be put to use in cold countries “where entire lakes freeze over, for example”, according to the graduate student. “Add fibers to that ice and it’s a safe ‘road’ for heavier transport. For us, being architectural planners, it’s especially interesting that this type of reinforced ice allows for slimmer building. And constructions last longer because the material is insulating.”

Houben and Janssen had wanted to build a giant dome last year as well, says Hijl, “but they didn’t have enough time in end”. He, fellow student Roel Pluijmen, and their supervisor ir. Arno Pronk will continue where their predecessors quit. The past months involved thorough research of the structure, design and construction of the ice dome. The construction method will involve a ring of anchors with a rope net attached to it. “We’ll inflate a large hot air balloon of sorts so the net rises, and then, layer by layer, we’ll spray a mixture of snow, water, and fiber over the dome shape.”

Hijl and Pluijmen will be leaving for Juuka, Finland, on December 29, followed by a group of (TU/e) volunteers a week later. They will be helping the graduate students in Scandinavia with the dome construction. “I think there’ll be approximately twenty-five people working on the project on any given day.”

The project might prove a success, but there won’t be a Guinness nod. “Since we’re using reinforced ice, we can’t apply for a world record.” Still, if the construction is completed, it will still be the largest-ever ‘cold dome’, says Hijl. He believes the current Guinness Records are ten meters in diameter – the largest dome of ice blocks – and 12.5 meters for the largest ice dome.