== The Pleasure Palace of Earthly Delites ==
Pyramid Living Structure for Burningman 2K8

This quest for a functional and aesthetically pleasing living structure for the desert was inspired by Nick Hess' very efficient living structure for Burningman 2K7 -- a pyramid with a 3 sided base -- 20ft on each side, and a truncated roof with 90 degree angles.  Here is the (evolution?) of the design:

Geometry:
Two intersecting pyramids -- 20 ft on each side
Length = 30ft, Width = 20ft, Height = 14ft

Materials:
31 struts -- 10 ft sections of 2"x1/4" square tube or stronger
Rebar (probably 4ft sections of 1/2")  used to secure the structure to the desert floor.


*** The top center horizontal bar that connects the points of the two pyramids would be much stronger -- probably round pipe, say 3" of 1/4" steel.  This would be the connection point for the trapeze, and would be used in raising the structure.  This would be accomplished by assembling the two larger sides of the pyramid on the ground and connecting them to this center bar with a large ring that pivots around the bar snugly.  Then both sides will be raised into place, and the shorter sides assembled.  This is obviously a tricky move and would ideally be accomplished with the help of a cherry picker or crane or the like -- but in the desert it might just have to be a pile of burners.

Covering:
24 triangles -- 10 ft on each side -- built from 20mil billboard tarp (see link below for cheap heavy duty tarp options). Tarp would be cut into 4 sections, 2x 7 triangles -  40 ft long, and 2x5 triangles - 30 ft long.  These are then bolted to the structure
http://www.pointonepremiums.com/

Connection Points:
Having constructed myriad geodesics, I realize that the rigidity of the structure is largely dictated by the security of the connection points.  Especially since along the vertical 45deg there are 20 ft spans of two 10 footers that will bear most of the weight of the structure -- so these seem to need to be fastened in one contiguous rigid span.  Thus I am considering welding 6x 2ft pieces of 3" square tube at the angles required for the connection.  Then the struts would be bolted to this bizarre contraption with 3x 1/2" bolts at each point.  I've done one small prototype and the geometry is a bit of a pain, so I am definitely open to suggestions if there is a better way...

Challenges:
-- 50-70mph continuous winds on a 30ft side (54 deg dihedral angle....)
-- stress in unexpected directions from a pendulum-ing trapeze artist (assume 175 lbs max, only 1 person)
 

So that's the basic overview -- I'd love some assistance from qualified structural engineers who can guide me on better materials choices & fabrication recommendations.  I am especially interested in ideas on the connection points.

Come join up with our craazy crew!  We're going on a tour of festivals in the SE (Transformus, the 4th of July Boogey, and Alchemy) as practice runs for Burningman.  See ya in the desert!!